Turning points: 1. Taylor did not block out after the missed free throw, then he gives up on the play and allows Peja to knock down the three. Tivo clearly showed his lack of concentration just standing there oblivious to any type of blockout of Peja. Peja looked surprise too that he did not body him up 2. Taylor did not switch out on Vlade and he knocks down a 3. This could have been a preset play and he was not supposed to switch, but on tivo he looked guilty I know he has been criticized in the past for his D and I would not say he is terrible, just average....but, these laspes clearly show his inability to concentrate under pressure.....
I agree... MoTaylor is not a solid one on one defensive player. He could be. But he lacks the concentration or desire to do so. That said... I sure love his offense.
Well, I wish Taylor can play D, but... I wish Francis can pass too... If so, we don't need to make any trade proposal any more and Rox will surely be a title contender PERIOD.
in all fairness - Mo was in some clear pain. I am sure that him having to bear a load on offense (because of the cheap calls on Yao) didn't help his hurt ribs. you know - its always easier to play offense with an injury (when you are a simple mid-range jump shooter - like Mo) than it is to play post D against a couple of All-stars
On the subject of power forwards: Interesting.... Deveney remarks that Portland will probably be offloading Abdur-Rahim this summer: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...g=insidedishwizardsmightwa&prov=tsn&type=lgns I did not know that.
I don't know which free throw you're referring to, but I'm okay with MoT giving Vlade a little space to shoot that 3 pointer. Hell, honestly I'd give him that shot almost all game. It's the only 3 he's made all year. I think they said he made all of 6 last year. What's wrong with playing off Vlade in a tight game ... he needed to play D closer to the basket. Mo generally works his body REAL well on defense. I'm always impressed with his defensive positioning. However, as was previously mentioned, if you noticed this game, Mo didn't do much banging. His shots were almost all jumpers off a high pick & roll. I think his ribs were still kinda bothering him, but he knew the team needed him out there & gave his best. His basic defense is overall pretty darned solid. On a typical game, watch his positioning. You won't see him lighting up the board with huge steals and blocks, but his guy hasta earn shots, 'cause Mo doesn't just give you position.
Yeah, I read that, too. Seattle wants a power forward real bad. Maybe we can three-way with Portland and Seattle. SAR - Seattle, SF3 - Portland, Allen - Houston. There's other ways to play that too, I'm sure, but SF3 could play his game pretty well with Randolph, Ratliff, Miles, and DA. They'd still have mighty mouse on the bench for his last year, too. Re Taylor : I think Deveney noted Taylor is like Rodney Rogers and Corliss Williamson - good against the second team but exposed as a starter.
I would rather have CW in the game than Mo. I hate Mo's game. The guy is always in slow motion. If anyone has to go it is Mo!
