Are we still a good defensive team?

jzmagik · Post #1 » by **jzmagik** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 7:09 pm

So far this season, it seems like we let all the scrub teams shoot over 50% against us. What's going on here? Is it because JVG isn't here any more, player decline, Adelman's fault? It's real painful to see teams like the Grizzlies and Wizards light us up.

MaxRider · Post #2 » by **MaxRider** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 7:32 pm

We can be good, problem in the last few games we only played good D 30% of the time. JVG isn't here of course is a big factor. Now we don't have a coach that will get in your face when you missed a defensive assignment. We only have 5 players actually played for JVG: Yao, T-Mac, Battier, Alston, Hayes (Mutombo doesn't even play). T-Mac lost a few steps with his sore knee. Battier isn't 100%. Half of your team defense is gone there. IMO JVG's defense is more than just clogging up the lane. At least in JVG's defense we wont allow those easy layups we saw against the Jazz and Philly down the stretch. Is it Adelman's fault, of course it's his fault, he's the head coach. Last year we are beating the team we are supposed to beat, that's why we were able to win 22 games straight. This season we are too inconsistent, mainly because of the injuries. Right now I'll rather see Scola or Landry playing the PF down the stretch other than Artest.

PS
I stop using Artest at PF in my Live 09 game. I use him at SF/SG now, so I can use him to post up and overpower opponent SG.

BaYBaller · Post #3 » by **BaYBaller** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 7:37 pm

Part of it obviously has to with the differences in focus for the 2 coaches, and part of it has to do with decline/injuries as well (Battier & T-Mac specifically).

But there is no doubt in my mind that the main reason is the change in personel. Did anybody seriously believe there would not be a drop-off in defense when you are giving heavy minutes to Brooks, Wafer, Barry, Landry, and Scola at center? Now I'm not saying that's a bad thing or good thing (that remains to be seen), just that any rational person would expect a drop-off in defense when you are playing these people instead of players like Deke and Hayes.

Adelman is obviously still experimenting with his rotation and trying to find a balance. The defense has been bad no doubt about that, but I don't get worked up over losses right now in slightest. I don't believe the team is going to really get going until after the all-star break where everybody can get some rest and lots of practice in.

tha_rock220 · Post #4 » by **tha_rock220** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 8:31 pm

No, we're not a good defensive team. It's largely Adelman's fault. He's demonstrated multiple times that he jsut does not care about defense. Even last season when the defense was still good over the course of the season I could see this coming. Got a guy who's burning??? Don't even think about switching Battier onto him. Getting burned in the pick n roll??? Don't bother telling your other big to sniff it out and cut off the roller. There's no telling what JVG could have done with this team. He's every bit as accomplished as Adelman, and he's spent his coaching career with considerably less talent to coach.

Yes, there are physical limitations because of Battier, Artest, and McGrady, but damn man, at least emphasize effort.

coolblade587 · Post #5 » by **coolblade587** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 8:31 pm

Chemistry is the reason for the D not being there. You have to be able to talk on the floor, but you have to get that from practices, which haven't happened very much with the full roster because everyone has been injured or some key piece has been out and then that messes up the chemistry that was there before.

realfung · Post #6 » by **realfung** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 8:59 pm

not anymore.

jove9 · Post #7 » by **jove9** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 11:16 pm

jzmagik wrote:Are we still a good defensive team?

No.

/thread

Guy986 · Post #8 » by **Guy986** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 11:17 pm

HIRE JVG!!

jove9 · Post #9 » by **jove9** » Thu Feb 5, 2009 11:19 pm

Guy986 wrote:HIRE JVG!!

PLAY VON WAFER!

YaoZaii · Post #10 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:26 am

what defense?
I bet the players cannot even spell the word.

YaoZaii · Post #11 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:28 am

the truth is, i don't see Adelman coming back next season.
if only we could combine Adelman's player coach attributes (which players like) and JVG's motivational coaching.

YaoZaii · Post #12 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:30 am

i hate it when i don't Adelman on his feet or shouting instructions during the game.
it's like he cannot be bothered.

and seriously, he should critic himself why the Rockets let so many 4th qtr slip. his game-plans and sets for 4th qtr stinks.

HTown_TMac · Post #13 » by **HTown_TMac** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:37 am

YaoZaii wrote:the truth is, i don't see Adelman coming back next season.
if only we could combine Adelman's player coach attributes (which players like) and JVG's motivational coaching.

pplayers liked jvg

YaoZaii · Post #14 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:42 am

HTown_TMac wrote:
YaoZaii wrote:the truth is, i don't see Adelman coming back next season.
if only we could combine Adelman's player coach attributes (which players like) and JVG's motivational coaching.

pplayers liked jvg

well, i would say most.
Bonzi hated him.
Derek Anderson hated him.

but i hated anderson too. i still wonder what was going on in his head then.

jove9 · Post #15 » by **jove9** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:51 am

YaoZaii wrote:i hate it when i don't Adelman on his feet or shouting instructions during the game.
it's like he cannot be bothered.

and seriously, he should critic himself why the Rockets let so many 4th qtr slip. his game-plans and sets for 4th qtr stinks.

Phil Jackson, that perennial loser, also seldom gets out of his seat to bark directions.

I'm surprised he hasn't been fired yet.

YaoZaii · Post #16 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 12:55 am

jove9 wrote:
YaoZaii wrote:i hate it when i don't Adelman on his feet or shouting instructions during the game.
it's like he cannot be bothered.

and seriously, he should critic himself why the Rockets let so many 4th qtr slip. his game-plans and sets for 4th qtr stinks.

Phil Jackson, that perennial loser, also seldom gets out of his seat to bark directions.

I'm surprised he hasn't been fired yet.

well, his team is doing well. is it necessary to shout at your team when your team is coasting and getting it done?

jove9 · Post #17 » by **jove9** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 1:01 am

Even during those "bad" years, Jackson's style didn't change.

YaoZaii · Post #18 » by **YaoZaii** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 1:07 am

jove9 wrote:Even during those "bad" years, Jackson's style didn't change.

haha. true.
then we can only hope "those bad years" are like now. Only then we can look forward for better results and team-play.

Post #19 » by **TMACFORMVP** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 3:14 am

We're an average defensive team, most likely the most inconsistent defensive team in the league. It's sad really, that has always been our strength, our consistency and effort on that end of the floor. Now it's a weakness and our offense is even worse.

jzmagik · Post #20 » by **jzmagik** » Fri Feb 6, 2009 3:51 am

The funny thing is Artest was to supposed to make us an even better defensive team.. I just don't know what to say anymore, Adelman needs to get it together and get us playing better defense.