Artest is taking shots like a 20 ppg player. He just isn't making them. I have no idea why Yao is playing this poorly. There's no reason for it
on the ball defense is good in establishing pressure. The problem is his oof the ball defense when his man gets to the spot he wants and his man gets the ball where he wants on the court.
I started noticing this last year when Alston played Tony Parker: Rafer seems to have a way of neutralizing the better point guards in the league. Like he gets up for certain games, and his defense and offense look better than the season averages. He hasn't got a chance to play many upper-echelon PGs this year, so it's definitely a small sample size, but here's what he's done against the top 3 guards he's played so far: VS. Jason Kidd (2 game averages) Kidd - 7.5 PPG | 43% FG | 10.5 Assists Alston - 9.5 PPG | 37% FG | 6.5 Assists (Kidd season averages - 10.8 PPG | 47% FG | 8.6 Assists) VS. Steve Nash Nash - 10 Points | 40% FG | 3 Assists Alston - 15 Points | 64% FG | 4 Assists (Nash season averages - 15.1 PPG | 51% FG | 8.1 Assists) VS. Tony Parker Parker - 15 Points | 42% FG | 7 Assists Alston - 12 Points | 50% FG | 6 Assists (Parker season averages - 23.9 PPG | 55% FG | 6.1 Assists) I guess my point is that Rafer seems to look better on both sides of the ball when we need him most, and that's all I can really ask for. Problem is, when it's the playoffs, the other guy's gonna be up for the games just as much as Alston. And that's seven games in a row of finding exploits. All in all, based on what I've seen in the few years Alston's been here, I would definitely rank him as an above-average defender at the PG.
Rafer Alston's Defense = www.rustyhardin.com I have no problem with people defending his defense. The problem is that he is offending so many other people with his offense.
In all seriousness, Yao really hasnt played that poorly. He has just been less aggressive on offense. He's playing smarter at both ends, but less aggressively. Tomorrow night he'll have to score going up against Camby. The Clippers have no one who can come even close to stopping Yao. If the double comes, he'll have to continue to do what he's been doing and find the open men. Artest is playing better each game. His FG % is still low but he is taking better shots lately, and he is a much better passer than people give him credit for. I think he'll be fine.
I agree, Yao is just fine. He'll clean up his game a little, and hopefully we'll have the 20/10 guy back. The Artest front...I don't know man. Most of his attempts look very forced to me. He looks nothing like the guy who was one of the main guys at Sactown. Then again, everyone should get some adjustment time. Tracy went through the same deal when he came here. And his passing, I hope you are right. what I've seen so far, is, well...not too good. I really hope I'm wrong there though.
Sorry but, you know some of basketball? Rafer is not a good, but a VERY GOOD defender; you have to consider that in a p&r against Yao, Yao is defending the p&r (...) In other words, Rafer has no help from Yao at the flash, because Yao has the order of don't going out to the three point line, so it's doubly difficult for a Rockets' PG to defend a p&r of an all-star player (already dangerous for itself).
JVG said Rafer was a good defender. Morey said Rafer was a good defender. I seem to remember Adelman said the same thing. So...
Brooks is not a starting point guard. Please understand this. Brooks is a scorer, when our team needs someoen to just run the offense. Rafer is good at that, not great but good. However when we have players out or Rafer hits some open shoots, he decides to not run the offense but take bad, forced shoots. However, we are not going to get much better unless we give something good away.
a few of his attempts are forced, yes...When he's going to the rim he's looking to draw fouls and he's just not getting the whistles. I like that he is attacking the basket aggresively because that will eventually free up yao for rebounds and put backs if artest doesnt score or get fouled. Alot of his jumpers that look forced are the result of a bad possesion and the shot clock winding down...Shots that Mcgrady normally takes. Nothing wrong with them... So far this season hes been our most consistant stand still 3 point shooter, and thats always going to be important in our offense. His passing could be better, but I think hes still trying to learn where his team mates like to catch the ball.
With a healthy Tmac running the show, Brooks can be a starting PG IMO. or atleast a PG that can play 30 mins a game.
Have you watched Brooks with the ball in his hands? He is best utilised with the ball in his hands. We need him with the second unit when Yao is out of the game. You honestly, want to put up with Alston being our 6th man, taking 10-15 shots a game? Alston is out best option as a starting point guard and Brooks is perfectly suited as a scoring point guard, coming off the bench.
Brooks with the ball in his hands can stagnate the offense and can lead to poor shot selection and turnovers....Brooks recieving passes off of rotation can blow by his man and make an easier passin space, or he can score off the dribble, or can the open 3.
That is why he will not start. If he is making the wrong decisions with the ball in his hands and has poor shot selection, wha is to say he takes a contest jump shoot instead of continuing to swing the ball around? Or drives into the paint before Yao clears the lane?
