Can people stop talking about JVG? The Rockets in 08-09 had a top 5 defense under Adelman with Brooks starting at the point, the only difference was that they had Artest and a good Battier. Bench Battier and make Lee the starter.
Rafer was gone by after 07-08. Oh and also the Rockets statistically had the 2nd best defense in the league in Adelman's first year here when Yao was gone for most of the season, 07-08.
Actually you are right, Rafer did get traded away at the deadline in 08-09 but the Rockets still played very good defense down the stretch and in the playoffs before Yao went down.
