Much has been said of the improved defensive play of the Rockets. Tuesday on ESPN2, they broke down one of the differences from this years defense vs last year. The one they talked about was how Steve is picking up the point at half court as opposed at the 3 point line. I've noticed that they're denying the ball more. In addition, Cato starting has helped. I imagine we have of the tallest front courts in the league. I just wanted feedback on the differences in this years defense that ya'll have noticed.
I see every shot being contested. Every single one. I've never seen that from a Rocket team before. In the past, if someone had a wide open jumper, we would just concede it. This year, someone is running at him. Little things like that make a difference. I just think they are taking more pride in their defense. In the past, they would sometimes just go though the motions and wait for the next offensive posession. Not this year. They actually seem to enjoy playing defense. Tonight should be interesting...
That's a good observation. It just seems like they're hustling more. Sometimes that makes all the difference.
Running at a shooter even there no chance you can get close to him put a mental pressure on the shooter. If a defender has blocked the shooter before, the shooter may hesitate a split second before he shoots. I think Jeff really taught them little things on defense yield bigger things to the whole ball game.
For me, the two operative words are hustle and rotation. We hustle hard on every defensive posession and we really try to get a hand in every shooter's face. In addition, we rotate very well. When we double or trap, the next guy comes over every time. Last year, we were lazy on rotations and would not get to the men in time. This year, we are getting there. It also seems to be consistent from 1-12. Boki drew a charge and blocked a shot in the Heat game, not bad for a guy that this board pilloried for his seeming lack of D.
No doubt the Rockets are a better defensive team this seaon. Offensively, their ball movement and entry pass are getting better and better also.
You know, I think you are absolutely correct. Remember in the Memphis game, for some reason the Rockets simply were NOT contesting the shots like they have in every other game so far.. they were just standing there letting their guys shoot open jumpers. Is it any wonder we lost? Gotta think that game tape is the one JVG pulls out at least once a day to show the troops..
Glad to see Yao coming out challenge jump shots in the next few games. With Cato covering his back, Yao's got be more aggressive on defensive end. I watched his CBA games before. Other Chinese clubs had Cs like Lafrenz shooting 3s (Wang, Bateer...). Yao constantly blocked long range shots then. He does have the quickness and mobility to do so. At this summer's Asian Champ game, he swat a three point attempt from a Korean shooting guard to the third row (seats in Chinese arena are alot far from the sideline than in US).
Now if Rockets can reduce their turnover and giving up offensive rebound for 2nd chance shot, that would make them even more tougher to beat. They ranked #2 in the league in turnover.
I think u r absolutely correct. I mentioned this after the Memphis game. Back then, it seemed the game plan was for Yao to clog the middle instead of challenge his own man. In the Miami's game, he went out further to contest the shots. This is just 1 example of the corrections the Rockets make this year from game to game.
the most obvious change has to be rotation. if there's an open guy someone on defense will slide over, be it his man or not. it's been beautiful. also i agree, it looks like they're enjoying defense.
It's great that Van Gundy had the insight to start Cato at power forward. This has given the Rockets more physical prescence and Cato is also undernoted for absorbing any bullying on Yao Ming. Something Eddie Griffin and Mo Taylor has not successfully done. Cato backs up Yao with a scowl...he has a lot of natural toughness that Yao sometimes lacks. Overall, he's a great compliment to Yao and it's part of the reason why the frontcourt's defense has been spectacular so far in the early season. Franchise and Mobley have always been great defenders. While I am sad that Posey left, I'm feel Jim Jackson is a suitable replacement for him ( and a better scorer then Posey ).
