I'm saying it again... our defensive strategy comes down to hoping opposing teams miss the wide open shots we give them. That's it. Lol at people who point out our defensive stats from last year and this year and all that. Fact is, if you've watched us play all year, you've seen what we do. No discipline, no awareness WILL equal no playoff success. I don't know how this hasn't been addressed all year, but it's obvious it's not going to change now.
This game is a PRIME example of how our defensive stats are a farce. Look at all these 3 pointers they've hit. Many of those were wide open and uncontested, or had someone running back so late they barely made an impact. If you've seen all our games then this is a familiar scene. The difference is a lot of times teams just don't capitalize as well as they should- like the Miami game. Our defensive effort is pathetic and lackluster and will get exposed in the playoffs like it is now while people just put fingers in their ears and point to our rankings.
Rockets do the same thing that teams like OKC does: Dare you to make all your 3s. No "running you off the 3 point line"; you take that jumper and love it. Problem is, it looks EXTRA BAD when a team is nailing all their shots.
Problem is, OKC actually has defensive rotations. Half the time, it looks like our guys had no idea there was an open guy behind them and multiple people run out to get to him like on that Augustine corner 3. Again, lack of awareness and discipline.
That's not what I said is it? I said the stats mask our strategy to those who haven't seen us play all the time, and that strategy will get us killed in the playoffs.
Our defensive strategy is to hope Howard can shut down the lane so bad that our sieves on the perimeter don't get burned. Just an awful showing. There is not any coaching that can fix lazyness/lack of effort.
With the above average athletes we have in our starting rotation, we should be a whole lot better on Defense... Defense and hustle is contagious even to the bench players..
What strategy? McHale puts Howard on Boozer and he was left open all night even though everyone knows he's a jump shooter. The basis of the Bulls' offense is Noah at the top of the key while everyone back cuts. Rockets just allowed it all night. And of course leaving the 3 point line unguarded...a hot mess....
