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Defense. That's 50% of the game. That's the reason why Atlanta is still playing but Rockets isn't. That's the difference between JJ and Martin. If Martin can play Ariza like defense, he'd be an all star every year he's healthy.
Atlanta is 13th in defensive efficiency and 2nd in offensive efficiency. They just beat the Bucks, 2nd in defensive efficiency and 23rd in offensive efficiency. Offense wins again.
Rockets are full of one dimensional players like Martin, who excels at one end of the court. AB, Scola, Bud are also great at offence, but not so much on defense. On the other hand, players like Lowry, Battier, Ariza are the opposite, excel at defense but so so on offense. The only player that come close to a complete player that's good on both ends is probably Yao who has health issues. If you look at the other Championship level teams (LA, SA, Celtics, Cav, Orlando), they all have a few players that impacts the game at both ends of the court. That's where the Rockets lack the most. They need more complete or well rounded players, otherwise at any game moment, there will be clear cut weakness on the court for other teams to exploit, especially come play off time where team plays are over analyzed to death.
I'm trying my hardest not to LOL at the bolded part. Saying that Atlanta is playing in the playoffs because of their defense is as ludicrous as saying all the recent Phoenix/Denver teams got into the playoffs due to their defense. It's pretty much as far from the truth as one can get. And this doesn't even take into account the fact that Josh Smith is the defensive beast on that average defensive team. Joe Johnson is no Josh Smith on defense. Dude isn't even an old, worn out Battier on defense.
The poster said that Atlanta was in the playoffs, because of their defense. They are ranked 13th in defensive efficiency. That's not good defense, when there are only 16 playoff teams. That's near the bottom.
not really. reggie was just a flat out better player who shot better from everywhere and could actually get a contested shot off. martin can't shoot a contested shot due to his jacked up shooting motion since his shot will get blocked. miller was also an ironman who rarely missed a game. miller was an amazing player who never shied away in the clutch. when things get physical martin fades badly.
i can't find the stats from any year before last year, but by quarter in 08-09 martin shot the worst in the 4th and attempted less free throws and less field goals than all of the other quarters. http://www.82games.com/0809/QTR4S11.HTM
So far, Martin has been undervalued by Rocket's fans, next season that will likely change. And as far as his defense, he is not as bad as some say.
I look to see Martin do much better on the defensive end next year due to Yao and off season "re-grouping". As he stated on 610 on an interview he knows he has to work on his defense. Basically on the Kings they wanted him to focus on his offense. Now with the Rockets there will be more offensive threats he will not have to focus as hard on offense and focus more on defense. I guess I see it as a bad habit he will have to shake. I think still with his size he will not be a defensive stopper but will improve. Hopefully he puts on 5-10 lbs at least.
Buccks lost inside defenvie precense Bogut, otherwise they beat Atlanta. Rockets was in playoff hunt when they played OK defense earlier. They lost ground after giving up more and more points as the season goes on.
