You guys overrate Deron's quickness he is not as quick as some of you seem to think he is no Chris Paul quickness. Battier can guard him but not the entire game it would be more like a chess match.
I hope thats sarcasm, because if its anything the rockets fan said this year that T-mac didn't say, its that T-mac blames Yao and underrates him. When the truth is T-mac gave Yao the most credit and admits he is a better player than him. If this isn't sarcasm (or if it was), why did it post it here? Anyways back to topic how come nobody here mentioned brooks? Brooks gave nash a hella problem, and nash has above average PG running speed. Brooks can outrun Deron anyday, and if we can exploit this fact, we can minimize Deron's effectiveness in the game by making him run after brooks for as much and as long as possible. Deron was always fresh last season because they had fisher, but now, we are the ones to exploit the PG spot. We can subsitute our players more effeciently than the Jazz cause Deron's backup isn't near as troublesome as Fisher.
I like this idea, but not for an entire game. And I would like to see T-Mac on AK and our PG will take their SG.
Yeah but he's quick enough to guard Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Joe Johnson, ect... give me a break. Shane can shut Williams down IMO.
I don't think Battier has to shut down Williams, nor will he be able to. He just has to hassle him just enough to keep him from being comfortable and dictating the pace. Then it's up to the rest of the Rockets to play stifling defense on everyone else and not allow Williams the easy assists.
i could be wrong, but imo there're only 2 people battier should be assigned in the series - williams and harpring. the idea is at least worth a try. harpring will cause us a lot of problems because of his body type and physical play (and flop too). we really don't have one who is perfect to guard a player like that. harris may be the best one, but his minutes will be limited. so all in all, it still falls on battier.
Pippen on Stockton worked because the Bulls ran out a lineup that had a center (Longley / Dele) and 4 other guys between 6'6" and 6'8". The "PG" was Ron Harper, who was 6'6". So there were no mismatches to exploit on the other end. If they were still starting BJ Armstrong or John Paxson, I don't think they could have pulled off that switch.
At first i disagreed with the lineup the OP suggested but i'm starting to think it isn't such a bad idea. The rockets don't really have a quickness advantage when they go small, they just go small because that's the type of guards they have. Becuase the Jazz tend to play some not so stellar atheletes at the wings this should be the perfect opportunity to play novak. A lineup of tmac, battier, novak, swapping out novak for harris should be more effective than playing one of our PG's or head at the 2 for extended periods. Again, our biggest problem isn't Williams, its the wing players posting up/shooting over Head and Bjax. (i don't really agree with this lineup but it might work on an equally methodical team like the jazz) It shouldn't be too much of a problem though, i would expect that Shane and tmac to play almost the whole game. With yao and rafer being out they can't afford to rest much.
Besides low rebounding numbers, Battier last year in the playoffs was right at his season averages. He didnt explode, but he didnt wilt either like he did previous years. I wouldnt mind Battier on Williams for small stretches, especially the games without Rafer. Sure wish MCGRADY would be game enough to try something like that. If he's a "point forward" and some people want him playing point guard, then he could guard the opposing point guard. He's not in condition to be utulized effectively on D anymore though...
There's only one way to find out an ultimate truth that we all must know. Put Battier on Deron. I am all for finding out what we can do with it.
Another match up I'd like to see is Landry on Harpring. He killed us by backing down Shane and Tmac last year. Landry is quick enough to stay with Harpring on the perimeter and strong enough to get him out of the post.
I think Rox need to switch off and play multiple options based on the j*zz's O. Adelman needs to think outside the box in this series because its going to be a tough one. Oh how I miss Yao.
Kind of like this... It's goin down tonight! *NSFW lyrics for Bonecrusher song* <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BPs4Tsj6uE4&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BPs4Tsj6uE4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
I'm watching Suns Vs Spurs game 2. When Bowen was on Nash in the beginning of 3rd qtr, Spurs came from behind with a 10-0 run. What's in my mind was this thread. I think putting Shane on D.will could be a defensive option. Nice thread.
i would too. shane's value is when his defense is top-notch. he can only do that if he's guarding a good offensive player. we're desperate. desperate times call for desperate measures. just play battier, tmac, hayes, landry, and scola most of the game.
That lineup is ideal, just have to remove Hayes and insert Harris. Save Hayes for defensive situations. The lineup of Tmac, Battier,Harris,Scola and Landry should be our most dangerous offensive threat. Although it might be VERY hard to make a play, since there is only Shane to work with on the perimiter (For Tmac), this lineup sort of guarantees rebounds and inside presence. We are missing layups and all those gimmies. Playoffs are not a time to test lineups, but if ever the situation occurs, this lineup can match with most of Utah's, and would solve our rebound/lay-up issue. If only we tested this line in the season...
