Sometimes statistics don't tell the whole story, have they played Golden State yet? We are playing them again tonight expect our stats to falter because of it. DD
It would be swell if this happened again. <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NivsZrbQZmQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NivsZrbQZmQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Last year JVG fingerprints were still on this team when they played team defense. With the influx of new players and JVG being away from the team for two years now, theres going to be a drop-off. And the game planning from our current group of assistants, I don't see or expect that to stay on par with JVG and his assistants detailed game-to-game defenisive planning of years past. With that said this team still can be great defensively. We just can't have games like in Memphis the other night.
Injuries, consistency, and the players lack of dedication have hindered this year so far....However, the team is 14-8.....even while playing below their expected level. So, while many want more, right now they are in better shape this year than last, and have more talent to weather the small storms. At some point though, there needs to be some consistency in the rotation for players to get comfortable in their roles. DD
I agree. We can't complaing about it. I mean, damn, everybody is a game time decision on this team. it is frustrating. one night you're gonna see ron, the other one he is sitting. one night shane plays 30 minutes, the other night it is too sore. Than you have T-Mac out... Hopefully Tracy will come back, I mean come back forever. Than Ron will sit out a week or whatever and will play as well. We need to have our starting five playing EVERY GAME. It is not NBADL
I think lLas Vegas now allow to bet on Houston Rockets lineups. You can make money is you get right on who is going to be in or out. Although is pretty tough to win, I think now is more safe to bet in college football.
Artest is a so-so team defender but he's a pretty good 1-on-1 defender. Battier is a great team defender and a so-so 1-on-1 defender. When those 2 get healthy and they start to gel, I expect our defensive efficiency to rise. Plus TMac playing on one leg doesn't help our defense.
you can't be happy that we have 14-8 start! not when there are 3 teams with the potential to win 70 games! and i don't want to hear that when it comes playoff time we will perform. I have been betrayed year after year by that. i want to see results now! in regards to D, when i watch us play, i never see truly good defensive sets. I see a lot of uncontested shots that and layups. I shutter to think how many pts the Warriors are gonna drop on us tonight.
How is the slim possibility of a team winning 70 games supposed to make me feel bad about our 14-8 start? Yeah, it's not a great start but it is a good one, and if we only kept pace with this start we'd probably be a mid-level playoff seed. Let me be the 1,000th person to tell you that regular season records are fine and all, but whats important is that we get ready for the playoffs. Remember the year the Mavs won all those games and lost in Round 1? Anything can happen, and as long as we have pretty good record (enough to get us into the top 6 in the conference) I'm satisfied if I think we got a chance in the playoffs. And this year, I think we really have a solid chance to make some noise in the playoffs. We are deeper than we've ever been, more balanced, our superstars are still in their prime and capable of playing huge, etc... this year and the next couple of years is our team's chance to win a title. Maybe this year isn't the year, with the Lakers and Celtics looking worlds ahead of everyone else, but after those two teams I think we have as good a chance to win a title as any other team. Finally, there is no damn way New Orleans plays better D that us. Our team is one of the best defensive teams in the league-and the stat comparisons between Hou. and NO don't tell the whole story. We really force teams into taking tough shots, and when we are clicking we have some of the best defenders in the league able to shut down nearly any offense. I mean, Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier, and Ron Artest... it's almost not fair that we have all that defensive talent!
We are actually closer to a 17-5 team IMHO. The Pacer, Blazer and Spurs game should of been victories.
