The key to stopping Devon is not the defense of Rafer as much as it is the Rocket's Pick-and-Roll defense. JVG is a good game planning coach, so it will be interesting to see how the Rockets defend the PnR. What makes Devon dangerous is when you deny the PnR, you open up a lane for him to drive. Rafer will have to do a good job at denying the PnR and still recover enough to minimize Devon's drive to the rim. On a side note: this is why I think the Rockets need to sign or draft and PF with shot blocking abilities. A shot blocking PF would present a challenge to driving PG or SG when Yao is pulled away from the basket because of the PnR.
Sure lets look at this: Rafer is NOT a great point guard BUT He is good enough. Sure he takes only 2.5 less shots than Yao, but Yao can't shoot as much as him, if they leave Rafer open he is gonna shoot and no one can blame him for this. If Rafer does 5 things we will be SCARY come playoff time: 1) Shoot MOSTLY 3s. He shoots 36% from 2 and 36% from 3. From 3 thats a very solid shooting percentage so might as well take them. Also if he is open thats only time he should shoot, none of this forcing up crap. 2) Dish out at least 7 dimes in a game. When he dishes it, the Rockets seem to score more on offense and click better (just observation, if someone wants to check stat please do and let me know). 3) Run offense efficiently with Tmac on bench. That means keeping players like Head, Battier, and Yao involved because they can't do this themselves, they are all dependent on getting ball in good position or spot. 4) AVOID TURNING BALL OVER. This is always key for any pg. High assist to TO ratio = Success for teams. 5) Finally just put pressure on the other teams PG. Don't let them kill us. No one is asking him to completely shut down because no one can shut down the likes of: Terry, Deron, Parker, Nash, but he can put pressure on any of them. All I ask is that he plays hard defense and makes them work hard. We have a decent shotblocker in Yao inside, so guard them tight, and don't get flat footed. I think if Rafer can do that, which isn't alot to ask. Rockets could win this year. If Rafer can even do 4/5 we could be in good shape. If rafer just acts stupid with those r****ded floats and what not, we might as well just give up now.
