Let's talk about Dwight's defense

Again, who's fault is it that Roberson had an uncontested dead sprint to the basket and got behind the defense? Hint: not Dwight.

Yes, he could have given more effort to try and get to Roberson and block the shot, but the blame for that dunk goes squarely on Beverley for not sticking to his man.

 

Exactly. That's Bev's man. By the time Dwight realizes Roberson is behind him, he's too far to contest legally. His only option was hustle and foul, possibly giving up a flagrant or and-one.

I haven't watched too many games so I don't get to see Dwight's defense, but most of the time, he has to cover for our poor perimeter defense. Defense starts at the perimeter and we have some poor defenders out there.

 

Dwight is constantly getting rolled by his man in the paint. He just infant a good defender anymore. He doesn't have the athleticism to block shots like he use to and now he's all but publicly announce he won't even be trying to contest them shots. His offensive game is a disaster, his hands are terrible and now his defense is average. Best of luck to Dwight in FA on trying to land a big contract

 

Howard made crucial clutch defensive mistake on the inbounds play in two straight games now. If this was Harden, people would be calling for his head, but I guess Dwight can do no wrong when it comes to defense.

Let's face it, he's a HUGE part of why our defense sucks. Dwight is no longer the solution. He's part of the problem.

 

actually that's just illustrates their problem they've had this entire season. It's not just on Dwight. No communication and nobody is on the same page. Nobody know what to do in certain situations and it is not understood what to do by everyone if something happens

 

The one in Atlanta is inexcusable. Looking at the replay of the one last night, he simply got beat, and Harden should have slid over to cut Adams off, but didn't. Yes he had 5 fouls at the time, but Harden is guarding air on this inbounds play.

 

That's true. I'm not saying all our defensive troubles are due to Howard, just as it's silly to suggest it's all on Harden. Team defense is a TEAM EFFORT, obviously. But, some ppl on this forum still believe that Howard is a solid defender that helps this team defensively, when that's clearly not the case. We play much better defense with Capela on the court, and numbers do suggest that.

 

The one in Atl, harden was expecting a pick/screen on Ariza so Howard was going to show. Instead it was a roll towards the rim. A good play call that just exposed the obvious struggles of the rockets defensively.

 

You can't ask a guy who's playing with bad ankles to suddenly change the direction of movement. Obviously, Howard should've guarded his man properly, and he did acknowledge that it was his fault at the end.

 

This^^^^

Amazingly how many people want to blame Dwight for all the defensive issues..

Defense is a team game and the issue is you have 1 or 2 guys on the floor who put no effort what so ever on the defensive end.

Now could Howard be better.. Yeah sure he can.. All of them can...

But you're so correct with your statement..

T_Man

 

Amazingly how everyone wants to make every excuse possible for Harden...

If he's hurt than sit until you get well..

T_Man

 

Dwight has definitely regressed defensively but I wouldn't go so far to say Capela is better in the same amount of workload at the moment. Is Capela better in spurts at time? he probably is but still not close to being ready as a full time player.

Harden is just the scapegoat, because while he is horrible defensively, the rockets being the worst as a team makes him look even worse. And being the best player on the team doesn't help either.

 

Getting hurt physically is a real excuse. Losing your man during inbounds play due to stupidity is not.

 

If any player can't move laterally, then he shouldn't be playing that night, and especially on defense in that situation. If you are healthy enough to play, you have to be able to make basic basketball plays, like rotating on defense. And again, please tell me who or what Harden was guarding on that inbounds play.

It's Dwight's fault that Adams was open. But Harden had the ability to try and cut Adams off, but didn't. And he was guarding no one on the inbounds.

 

People not seeing the screen being set on Dwight to allow Adams to get a free head start to the rim

 

YOLO was on point...

No communication between players...

No help defense....

Howard has declined, no doubt about it... But the issue is with guys not playing team defense..

If a player is hurt... Than sit until you get better, don't be out there hurting your team for pride or ego.

T_Man

 

Then explain why James was fine to take 17 shots, go to the line 8 times, dish out 16 assists, and get 4 steals, but is too hurt to play weak side help defense when a teammate gets beat?

The only argument I'll buy is he didn't want to risk his 6th foul, but he's not guarding anyone on the inbounds. If Dwight's man hadn't scored, his would've had an open look.

 

At the time, Harden was moving in the rightward direction, and for him to cut Adam off, he had to suddenly change the direction of his movement leftward, which is not something you can ask for a guy who is playing with bad ankles. Harden should have been guarding his guy on the perimeter, but that inbounds play error is 100% on Howard, not Harden.

And so why did he play? Maybe because he was the only reason the game was close to begin with, since he was among only three players in that game who have registered positive plus minus. Dwight was -5, second worst just behind Terry.