No, it's not the sometimes lost offense, inability to make shots or even the often lackadaisical play on the offensive end. What really concerns me is the team's slipping defense. We used to be in every game no matter what because of stingy defense. If you didn't play it, you didn't play. That seems to have changed. I understand we've become a slightly more gambling defense (insert Artest), but it's not always paying off. The Rockets have always been a team that was tough to score on in the paint. Over the past few weeks, it's seemed opposing offenses are finding it easier and easier. It's evident in their slide down the defensive rankings. Always a top 5 team in FG% defense, they're now down to number 10... number 7 in scoring defense. More disturbing than the stats is watching the games. They just aren't making as difficult as they used to. Not that I'm advocating Gundy ball (although I did like him), but we used to be able to get the big stop when we needed it. I just don't see it anymore. I don't feel we can count on Dikembe to change any of that, seeing as he'll rarely get out on the floor. I hope when (who am I kidding... IF we're healthy again), we see some of the old Rockets defense, but I just don't know. It seems there's been a change in philosophy... the Van Gundy era was all defense and rebounding talk. Now all we hear about is offense. Not saying that's the case... just seems to be. So what is it? Is it a lack of packing the paint and closing out hard? Lack of effort? New philosophy? Please bring back the D!
JVG's estate is disappearing, piece by piece,day by day.RA's offsense, sorry, I really have not seen it at present. So how can I be an optimistic fan of this team?
why can't we ever get pure shooters. Even if someone joins the rox with a good shooting resume, they start to miss once they join the team.
What worries me about the Rockets is the consistent lack of energy the team displays. I know that every team is entitled to a clunker here and there but for some resaon, the Adelman Rockets are in a league of their own when it comes to playing without passion and energy. This was not evident during the JVG tenure. The one thing with Van Gundy was that the team was always prepared and played hard. Most of the losses we had when JVG was coaching were due to injuries or lack of talent. JVG never has had the talent Adelman has had. The past two years, the Rockets have been deeper and have had a much more balanced roster. Where is the free flowing offense? Where are the easy buckets? Where is the transition game? This was what was sold to us when the hired Adelman. I am truly beginning to wonder if Adelman and his staff has lost the team. There is no reason that this a team as talented as this should look as pathetic as they do so often.
I think their defense suffers because none of them have been playing a consistent role. It takes repetition to know the rotations, and so many of them have been playing mulitple positions. If Tmac sits a while, I expect Wafer to be a much better defender if he continues to start. Same with Brooks if he were to start, it just takes time on the court playing together. DD
Yeah this is just so wired this year we have just forgotten how to play defence and with the last few games i've seen it doesn't look like we're going to anytime soon
I think this is where Battier being out or hobbled has especially hurt the team. From what I've seen, he's usually good at communicating to other players about defensive positioning and schemes.
It is sad but true. Last season we damned played good defense, this season the offense improved but defense went down...
