Props to the Cat!! He's really showing me something these days: GREAT defense on Wally is an extension of his improving defensive play. More steals, and (forget last nite) he is becoming an almost unstoppable offensive force. Much better court awareness and decision making. I LOVE WHAT I"M SEEING Dallas Rocket
I hate to be the one to "poop" the party, but defense is effort. If he puts in the effort, that's all we can ask for. BUT, Mobes went without an assist I think. I'm still hoping he'll finish the season at 3.5 assists/game. When we have other option like Mo-T, Rice, and Griff next year, that's something that should be mandatory(?).
I 'll poop a little bit on your party, Mobley stank up the joint the day before this versus Milwaukee. He'll have good days and bad days, but on his bad shooting days, he doesn't have a talent for making things happen or making other players better like SF.
Guys, Have seen most games and have observed Mobley's increasing emphasis on defense evolve. Last nite he really made Wally work even without the ball; in his jock all nite and it showed in the guy's points and shooting%. Yeah, he's been lit up some at the defensive 2 but it's usually when he goes UNDER rather than fight over picks...and I gotta believe that is on orders from RT (orders I do not understand!). THE POINT IS: a victory that stems from good defense is SOMETHING TO LEARN FROM AND BUILD ON. Last nite we were only missing both centers, our starting forwards and a backup forward! And somehow we still found a way to win. DEFENSE was the key. I've been a harsh critic of the Rox this year moreso, for their offensive and defensive approach to the game than the players' efforts. RT/crew have failed to capitalize on our quickness and athletic ability at both ends. OK so Mobley should have more assists, you're right. But let's savor one victory that really was not as close as the score, and where we were missing our entire interior game. Mobley sometimes drives me crazy but he's a warrior and a key building block of this franchise So give the man his due. Dallas Rocket
Defense is the only thing you can play consistently. If you play defense, you'll at least be in the games. Mobley is playing well now, which doesn't surprise me. He has the talent to be night and night out a good player, but he'll go thru droughts when he can't throw it in the ocean. Maxwell was like that and thats who I think he is a replica of. Sane, are you on Rice and Taylors payroll or are you a relative b/c everytime you post, you bring the idea about those 2 vastly helping this team. To me right now we don't have the talent to be a role player away from being a ood team which is what Rice and Taylor are. Rice would be good on the Lakers, Spurs , or Heat, Taylor would be good on a team in which all he had to do is score 13pts and 5 rebs which is what he do. Neither are difference makers on a team trying to come though.
Cat hasn't had too many bad days. He's had more good than bad. So why don't you go poop on yourself? I'll have to disagree with the talent part. I'll agree that he doesn't make other players better at this point in his career. Two comments, that can be learned and/or other players fill in. But all the "other players" are injured right now leaving us exposed.
At first I was thinking we should trade Mobley for a guard who can play some defense. But then I realized that Mobley himself would make a great defender if someone would force him to concentrate on his defense. He has what it takes, he's fast as hell, athletic as hell, he's young, he's into the game, and he's got decent height for a guard. Once he learns to steal the ball, he could start some fast breaks for easy baskets.
Fire, I agree. About two months ago, I was pushed to say that we should move Cat after he had repeatedly try to go through double teams and typically at bad times in games. Since then including a game in Boston which I saw live, he has been unbelievable. I cannot hold him to task if he is having an off night. He has kept his focus and reduce his errors and of course offensively he has been close to lethal. The great thing about it is that he still has endless capacity for improvement. That fast break dunk last night had to be a top 5 play for the season so far. I have to think as we play more defense and run there will be more of these.
Taylor makes shots and doesn't play the 1 or 2. He averaged nearly 5.5 rebounds in 28.5 minutes of play. This would equate to about 7.7 rebounds in 40 minutes, which is bad, but not the pit 5 rebound is. Kenny Thomas is a good scorer and been a consistent threat this year, but in my opinion scores best when he creates for himself like Mobley and thus a little redundant and limiting the rockets offense. Taylor can create his own shot (not as stylish as KT) and finish a play started by someone else (a very unique quality on the current roster unless you count Cato catching allet-oops). As the third option in the offense on a team that is designed to be an offensive juggernaut, Taylor is an integral part. Back on topic:Go Mobley!
Man, I dig Mobley. He can compare with anyone in the league on offense and defense, when he is on. BUT...he is not always on. This guy can miss more shots and ruin the tone of the game faster than anyone I have ever seen. He is a leader, but often lead the team down, rather than up. When he becomes "The Black Hole", (meaning once he gets the ball it will not be seen again) he is trying too hard to find his game. Then is when he needs to use his quickness and ability to get open, make assists and focus on D. Only then will he become an all-star caliber playa...much love to Mobley though...he is still young and could develop into a great asset.
I think Cat and all our guys have the potential but not until they create some kind of consistency on both sides of the court will they get to that next level.I say maintaining that consistency has alot to do with the coach as well as the players.But when they play D and steve gets pg numbers they can beat anyone.Good work guys, keep it up!
Hey Dr. D, I've given up trying to convince some people to at least give Mobley credit. If he goes off for 30 or 40, then people complain that he took to many shots, froze up the offense, or his shooting percentage isn't high enough. He is averaging 20 ppg now all of a sudden you can get ANYBODY to score 20 ppg at Mobley's position. I point out that Mobley is averaging around 3 assist a game, now people want it to be 3.5 assist per game, even though I don't know WHAT improving your stats to an extra .5 assist per game would do. If he plays good defense then he SHOULD play good defense, and his assist ratio is down. If he puts it all together then they point out other bad games he had. It's a lose-lose situation with Mobes.
Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely happy with Mobley. But to achieve greatness, you have to work on one thing, then move on to something else. Never-ending work. leebigez, yes, I am convinced that Cato, Rice, and Taylor are perfect role players to compliment our core trio of Cat, Wink, and Griffin. How can you not agree with this? Assuming the height of Griffin's potential is Rasheed Wallace-like, then we're looking at the best backcourt in the league plus Rasheed Wallace that can block shots at an incredible rate. Throw in Cato to complete an excellent interior defense, Mo Tay and Rice to take some offensive pressure off our trio. You can't have All-Stars at every position, but if you find the right mix... We're not anyhere near contending right now, but after next season, assuming we still have Griffin, Cat, and Wink, then we WILL contend.
When Cat plays smart he's one of the better 2 guards in the league. Last night he was playing good D and taking smart shots. That spin move fadeaway in the second half was nice. He is also better at stealing than given credit for. He leads the team in that category and is around a block per game. Not complaining I just wish he would take it inside a little more often. With that said Steve also played good D last night.
He takes what the defense gives him. Minn plays zone alot and you destroy a zone by making your outside shots. That is what Mobley was doing yesterday. WallyWorld (God I hate him! ) was not respecting Cats jump shot and Cat made him pay all day long.
