I really liked this post (I can't believe I am saying that about something in the LA Times..) http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/10/houston-rockets-season-preview.html
I liked the post overall, but I disagree on one thing. I think the Rockets are less predictable now than when Yao and TMac were the focal points of the offense. Before, it was give the ball to one of the stars and get out of the way. Now the offense will be more spread and the Rockets push the ball more, something rarely seen in the last few seasons.
Except for the very last line....I like it! This is the one of the few times i've seen an outside writer actually seem like he knew anything about the Rockets personnel.
Very good and honest write-up. However, Carl Landry is yet again listed as a "tough defender." Whoops.
Yeah, good writeup. Still don't understand why people think Landry is a good defender, but whatever. Maybe I'm spoiled from watching Chuck Hayes play D for the last 3 1/2 seasons. I'm reading that "37 wins" from a number of smart people predicting the Rockets season.
Doubt it. It doesn't take very long to watch Carl Landry and realize he's not a very good defender. I don't know why this myth about Carl seems to persist in every write-up by someone not from Houston.
I don't think Carl is a bad defender. His biggest problem is defensive rotation, but he's made strides in that area each season. He's looked decent in the preseason... even covered a couple of rotations when I didn't expect him to in the last game (though that was against the thunder). I think outside media saw his block against the Jazz his rookie year and that colors their perception of his defense. You'll notice he mentions Luis as a good defender as well.
Probably because he comes up with a spectacular, not to mention timely, block every game or 2. People see this, and add to that his leaping ability, and they conclude this must be the norm. Little do they know its like watching a movie where all the highlights are shown in the preview. Unfortunately in Carl's case, that block they see is all there is...
sounds about right i am thinking about 35-39 wins for this team this season .500 would be awesome best case scenario is if mcgrady comes back and plays like he did 2 years ago and this team is fighting for the 8th spot.
Why do people knock Landry's defense? Or Scola's for that matter? No, they are not world class defenders, but people act like they're Brian Cook or Amare level bad where the offensive player will probably get a dunk. They actually contest shots and stay in front of their man. People just shoot over them sometimes, but they're hardly defensive liabilities. I'd say overall they're both actually good defenders. Scola, especially, is good on the pick and roll.
I think this is a fair assessment. I think they will win around 40 games and do us proud. It is better that the team not make the playoffs if there are no major trades this season.
There was a thread that showed defensive rating of the combinations of Scola, Landry, and Hayes. From best to worst it was Hayes-Scola, Hayes-Landry, and Scola-Landry. Hayes is obviously the best among the three. Scola is an average defender. So that pretty much means that Landry is below average. Landry is quick, athletic, and had a few spectacular blocks. Scola is slow and can't jump. That's why people immediately assume that Landry must be a better defender. When you look beneath the surface, you'll see that's not the case.
