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James Ennis sucks on defense.

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by bmd, Oct 21, 2018.

  1. BackdoorHarden

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    Anyone also notice that he hangs around half court when the guy is bringing the ball up and trying to get steal but he never actually gets one?
    it's not obviously like Harden with his reaching and standing still like a statue when someone blows by him, but I kept seeing Ennis last night trying to steal the ball by playing safety and he never came close to a steal. His defense is worse than his stats because he doesn't do the little things like Ariza or Luc, but does the dumb crap like Harden by trying to steal the ball, but isn't successful
     
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  2. PWR

    PWR Member

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    The data doesn't suggest to start Melo. Dantoni should have followed initial gut, and put EG in the starting lineup instead of Ennis. That way you start the game with more offensive and defensive firepower.
     
  3. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    Also, I just wanna say that your data has people going at Melo TWICE as much Ennis and had more defensive field goal makes. So no, I'm countering what you said before when you said Melo is a better defender. You didnt take volume into account volume. People got at Harden 15 TIMES , and had more makes than Ennis.

    Brining EG to the starters will make our bench more trash then it already is.
     
  4. PWR

    PWR Member

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    I will go even further on Ennis's individual defense...

    Per game
    Opponents are taking 6 shots against him in his 23 minutes per game. They are making 5 of those. He's bad when guarding the perimeter...giving up 75% behind the arc. He struggles inside the arc, too...giving up 85.7%.

    There is hope that he can turn it around. Last year, Ennis was good as an individual defender...only giving up 42.4% shooting to all opponents. Last year, he was better than even Ariza on individual defense. That is why Morey thinks he got a steal in signing him.

    Will Ennis turn it around? I hope so.
     
  5. PWR

    PWR Member

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    I took everything into account. I don't care how you spin it, giving up over 83% to your opponent is horrible. Especially when you only score 6-7 points yourself. You're a net negative on the court.
     
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  6. glimmertwins

    glimmertwins Member

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    Right now this whole damn team is a net negative so there is that.
     
  7. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    These stats dont mean anything anyways cause its over 3 GAMES. And you didnt do the same for Melo or Harden, you are not making a fair argument.
     
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  8. PWR

    PWR Member

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    Harden, Paul, Capela, Gordon, and Tucker are the only net positives so far when you weigh their offensive contributions (pts & assists) to their individual defense (pts given up).
     
  9. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    Its 3 damn games. Melo has 12 attempts on him, Harden 15 TIMES. Gordon 7 times. You cannot start Gordon and destroy our bench.
     
  10. mac_got_this

    mac_got_this Member

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    Nah he actually give effort, has high energy, and can get some chase down blocks.

    We just need more energy out there with the starters
     
  11. PWR

    PWR Member

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    Of course it means something. It's not a huge sample size...sure. But those 3 games count. I said in the above post, Ennis was great last year as an individual defender. He hasn't shown it so far this year. Simple as that. Im not attacking him...Im just simply giving you the raw data, lol. You see it for yourself.

    Not sure what you mean with the Harden and Melo argument. What does that have to do with Ennis being bad on defense thru 3 games? The title of the thread is about Ennis, correct?
     
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  12. PWR

    PWR Member

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    Again, when you weigh what Harden does on offense (28 PPG, 9 APG), giving up 57% of the 15 shot attempts made against him is NOTHING. Harden is a huge net positive.

    As far as Melo, I said he has been a net negative. Not sure what else you want me to say about him.

    As for the bench, if EG is starting...just continue to stagger minutes. One combination of Harden, CP3 , and Gordon will still be on the floor at all times. Just have to get creative.
     
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  13. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    Why bother posting it then? They games count but they dont provide any conclusive evidence. You literally said he was a worse defender than Melo when its not true. Its 3 games. Lol and my point is that he has less people going at him then Melo and Harden, so its disingenuous when you post the percentages without the volume and tell me he's our worse defender and not even close to Ariza(I mean I dont really have an issue with that but its still unfair).

    Yea I know, I was just strictly looking at the defensive side of the ball, I was using it to make a point.

    You said Melo has been a better defender through these 3 games,he has not.

    If EG has to constantly guard guys who are bigger and stronger than him, it might wear him down, but thats my opinion. Hmmmm, but I'm curious to actually see how that lineup would work tbh.
     
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  14. robbie380

    robbie380 ლ(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿ლ)
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    The eye test for me with Ennis’ defense isn’t great. He tries and hustles but his defensive footwork is really lacking at times.
     
  15. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Wasn't me who said he sucked totally. Wasn't me who started this thread. Never said he was Ariza either.

    But it's like a must to score 10+ ppg to keep the pressure off the main guys, keep defenses honest.

    Tucker brings much more to the table than Ennis in terms of rebounding, blocks...... and Ennis is 5 years his junior.

    3 pt shooting is nice but he attempts like a mediocre rate for a Rox team. Attempts like 4 and makes 2.

    For someone who is already 28 he does not play like a real good veteran. That all.
     
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  16. aelliott

    aelliott Member

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    Ok, first of all you missed by 30% in your estimate of the volume of 3s.

    Ennis actually shoots 3s at a slightly higher frequency per minute than Ariza. You've somehow calculated that if Ennis took an additional two 3 pointers per game then his shooting percentage would drop around 8 points? How did you arrive at that conclusion.

    Of course, the irony of it is that even if you're assessment was correct, that would mean that Ennis was shooting the 3 at the same rate as Arize. Yet people say Ennis can't shoot and Ariza's shooting was a huge loss.
     
  17. aelliott

    aelliott Member

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    You're trying to justify Tucker scoring under 10 per game and you mention rebounding?

    Tucker is one of the worsts rebounding PFs in the league. He's in the lineup for defense, versitility, toughness and leadership. Ennis is a SF who plays 2/3 of the minutes that Tucker does and he's only averaging 1.7 reb per game less than Tucker.

    Tucker is also averaging 0.7 blocks per game. That isn't why he's in the lineup either.

    Also, Ennis' 3 point rate is higher than Ariza's was. He's just not playing as many minutes.
     
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  18. YOLO

    YOLO Member

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    if ennis is ever able to actually be on the floor enough then it would be a much better comparison. the fact that he is unable to still, its whatever anyone wants to believe. what hes doing now is ok. not terrible or anything but his impact is severely limited in the foul prone 20 mins atm which i referenced in many posts, it seems he contributes his value ideally off the bench if he can't stay on the floor for extended minutes instead of a full time starter. of course it can change as he adjusts but the big questions are can he and how long will that take
     
  19. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Judging Ennis record of 3 games where he attempted only 4 treys a game isn't helpful either.

    I dunno why you keep bringing up the 3 point numbers in just 3 games, that is the minimum sample size tbh.

    Well, Tucker is a starter for a reason, Ennis isn't as veteran savvy, versatile or thicc as Tucker is.

    Tucker brings something new every game.

    Use Ennis' career numbers for better evaluation. His career numbers are mediocre not great.

    https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ennisja01.html

    I will however give him the benefit of doubt for now. I am so about done talking about scrub players.
     
  20. count_dough-ku

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    3 games into the season and he's already hurt.
     

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