A good offense is the first line of defense. If you make baskets, the opponents transition game is slowed. If you've played basketball, you know it is easier to score on a 2 on 1 fastbreak than it is in the half court set. If the rockets reduced the number of turnovers while scoring a bunch of points, the opponents FG% would drop automatically depending on their use of transition. I believe the high number of turnovers can be contributed to the high rate of turnover in the organization. This strategy works best when used with a shotblocker to help the half court defense. Rudy has always tried to keep the opponents from getting in the transition. He use to have Horry get back quickly on defense. If the rockets get Taylor, this is why the defense might get better. It would be cool if the rockets brought back high scoring effectively in the NBA-this would force NBC to show more games. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
Funny, I just posted the same thing!!! Amen to you Joe Joe....check my post in this thread. http://bbs.clutchplays.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/008144.html ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------
Yeah, I remember those Run N Gun Nuggets teams of the past that adopted the Loyola Marymount system of offense. They were tough to beat... oh wait... they were usually beaten fairly easily... my bad. Then I remember those Lakers teams of the past that actually had solid defense as did Jordan's teams. They actually had very good offenses that were helped by solid defenses. ------------------ Just shut up and post
Smart ass!! Honestly, any coach will tell you that. The key to a good defense is a good offense. Not the ONLY key mind you, but a fundamental element. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------
HOOP-T, Let's count the number of rings Barkley has, since he is the biggest proponnent of offsense is the first line of defense strategy. The truth is that it take a good O and D to be a consistent winner. ------------------
Usually good defense creates good offense. But, if we were to replace Walt with a good defending SF (read: Battier or Morris via draft), our defense wouldn't have too much of a problem. Morris and Anderson could shut off the perimeter, Cato can hold any center in the league when he wants to straight up, and then Francis could double down on the PF to help out Taylor. Or, Cato could guard the PF when it was a high scoring one, while Taylor would hold the center. Very few teams have both a skilled offensive center and PF. If you then find a rebounding/defense PF to back up Taylor, it would likely negate any negative effect Taylor would have in those departments. ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated.
No Worries, I did not say it was a STRATEGY, as you stated. I said this: If you have good scorers, then the opponent is less likely to have fast break opportunities, less defensive rebounds fall in their hands, and less pushing the ball up the floor. This also makes it easier to set up the press, if needed. And this: Honestly, any coach will tell you that. The key to a good defense is a good offense. Not the ONLY key mind you, but a fundamental element. So, because Barkley adhered to this "strategy," does that mean he was not a winner? Do you have to have a ring to be a winner? Phoenix in the 90's has always been a good scoring team, but never a great defensive team. Were they not winners? Seattle in the late 80's and early 90's, they were the same way. If you are grading by rings, there are not very many winners to choose from. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------
Are the Astros considered winners? Their in the playoffs often, only to fall flat on their faces. The definition of winning is finishing first. Barkley was a very good player who never won. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
BobFinn, The Astros have made the playoffs 6 times in 20 years - 80,81,86,97,98,99. Try another team. If you are counting team history, no, the Astros are not a winning franchise in the big picture. But the past three years they have been Central Division champs. So, they have been a winning team the past three years. Unless you do not consider winning the division an honor. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------ [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited August 12, 2000).]
HoopT, Props to you. Nike, Good defense creates good offense, too. And thus good defense creates more good defense. Francis, SA, Langhi, Mo, Cato would be a very potent lineup. Cato needs a baseline jumper. This lineup should be a good rebounding line despite Mo and Cato. Langhi's height and SA' movement should make defensive rotations to stop a Francis penetration dificult. ------------------ "You've got 6 fouls, use them well" -Derrick Coleman
If the Rockets are able to pick up Mo Taylor his offense will be an asset but it won't make up for no defense. Taylor's offensive abilities WILL help wear down the guy on the other end which will in turn help the Rocket's team defense. Lack of one-on-one defensive ability however will hurt Taylor and the Rockets. He will need help on the defensive end. If he can't defend well and his man is scoring he will be set up for isolation plays and other teams will feed his man the ball. That will affect his own offense (fatigue) and open up other shooters if his teammates have to rotate to help him. Fortunately he has both the size and athleticism to be a good defensive player (and rebounder) if he is willing to work and learn. Unfortunately he has a reputation of lacking the desire. What excites me about Taylor is that if Rudy really wants him as much as has been advertised there is a good reason. He either believes that Taylor can play adequate defense at PF or that the Rockets can cover enough for his defensive / rebounding shortcomings to make his offensive skills worthwhile. With that idea in mind I say sign him, especially if we can get him for the mid-level exception. ------------------
Unfortunately, the Spurs when healthy are one of these teams I guess the Rocks with the rest of the league will not have an answer for Robinson and Duncan. HOOP-T, My tongue was firmly in my cheek, when I mentioned Barkley and his strategy. You have to admit that a defensive minded Barkley may have had a better chance at getting a ring, instaed of being always the brides maid. I would not mind getting Mo, for one or two years, as long as Drew is part of the deal Paul Westphal is not a defensive coach, so I would not be surprised if Mo sees himself fitting in better there and deciding to sign there instead with the Rocks. ------------------
Defense wins championships. There is a reason that no team has ever lead the league in offense and won a championship in the same year. Even when the lakers had showtime they were still a very good defensive team, with defensive specialists like cooper. The Bulls were an exceptional defensive team in he 90's and as Rocket fans we have to realize that we won with defense. ------------------
Defense wins championships is the conventional wisdom. The Showtime Lakers struggled to be an average defensive team. They really looked to outscore their opponents. They also rarely needed a defensive stop in the fourth period, since they usually had comfortable leads by that time. The Showtime Lakers were definitely the exception to the rule. ------------------
Bah... defense doesn't win championships ANYMORE than offense does. Whoever scores the most wins... period. I'd argue that good offensive teams are more likely to win: as each team scores more points, the odds of the lesser team winning decreases. Random chance has less of a role. You know, this myth has been largely debunked by now in football. ESPN (I think) ran an excellent article, about the rank of the team that won the super bowl in offense and defense. The fact is, the team that won the superbowl was usually better on offense than they were on defense. I know football isn't a perfect parallel... but... people pretend that defense wins because it's less glamorous, and coaches, etc, seem to think that if they tell the world that defense is more important, players will care more. Offense is more glamorous, and JUST as important in winning. ------------------ The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
Amen Haven. Just take a look at this past year's superbowl matchup....Tennessee and St. Louis. Arguably two of the strongest offensive teams in the league. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------
Let's see is it better to have a good Offense or good Defense?? Let's look at the teams who have won the Champioship in the last couple of years. Lakers - Good Defense San Antonio - Good Defense Chicago - Good Defense Houston - Good Defense Detroit - Good Defense Defense is the key to winning!!! Even in Football, if you look at the SuperBowl Champions from the last couple of years. You will see that the Defense was the key. ------------------ Hey Juniors Call Me Big Brother T_Man.. Full Member of CC Inc
Each of those teams had good team defense, true. I can argue about the Lakers, as Kobe and Shaq were defensive presences, but the others were suspect. How can defense be more important than offense? They are equally important. Neither is more vital than the other. All the teams you mentioned possessed potent offenses as well. Show me a great defensive team with a poor offensive game that won a title. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------
Okay than Hoop-T.. Show me a great Offensive team with a poor Defensive game that won a title. ------------------ Hey Juniors Call Me Big Brother T_Man.. Full Member of CC Inc
T-man, Re-read my argument...I said offense and defense are EQUALLY improtant and no one aspect is more vital than the other. I can name several teams with the best of both worlds that won the title...you named several yourself. I merely prompted you to support your argument that defense is the key to winning, as you stated. You just supported my argument by asking me to name a great offensive team that had a poor defensive game...I can't. Just as you cannot name the reverse. They are equally important. ------------------ HOOP-T ------------------ [This message has been edited by HOOP-T (edited August 14, 2000).]
