Defending McGrady: What's worked, and what hasn't?

Post #1 » by **JStockLivesOn** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:28 am

So, we've given McGrady a lot of different looks in this series...

We've had Brewer, Korver, Kirilenko, and Harpring on him in rotation. For brief stretches, we've had Deron guard McGrady, but not for long enough to really make an assessment on his defense.

Kirilenko has played him the best, I think. His length gives McGrady trouble, as he's the one player T-Mac can't just rise up and shoot over whenever he wants.

Korver has worked hard, but McGrady seems to get wherever he wants against Kyle.

Brewer has been solid, though for an athlete of his caliber, I've been surprised at times at the ease with which McGrady shakes him.

Harpring, in my opinion, has done the best job on him second to Kirilenko. That came as an enormous surprise to me, as I -- just like everyone else -- am always noticing how much lateral quickness he's lost with the knee problems. Outside of a couple foul calls in the 4th, I thought he was particularly good guarding him in Game 4.

As far as team defense, we ran a lot more doubles at him in Game 1 than we did the rest of the series, and it paid off in that game. But once the role players got going a little bit, we began to throw less traps at him.

What do you all think?

Post #2 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:36 am

Mixing it up works. One minute you got lanky hands Kirilenko, then you got bust you in the chops Harpring, then you got quick and athletic Brewer. And just when you think its safe, underrated Korver is on you and one of those other guys is ready to help at a seconds notice because not all 5 Rockets will be a threat no matter who is on the floor. Even if they weren't missing one particular Chinese man they still aren't quite deep enough. The Rockets need a better back up at SG and another more athletic 3. They have a 90s Knicks feel about them. They will eventually need to replace Rafer too. He is doing a bang up job, but he is no long term solution. He is at best Rod Strickland at his peak right now.

gojazzmjsucks · Post #3 » by **gojazzmjsucks** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:51 pm

you guys are right on, it's been the different types of players that have kept him off, or atleast tired at the end of the game.!Last night Matty boy got a little carried away with the hitting!

Hikari · Post #4 » by **Hikari** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:33 pm

I think Brewers problem is McGrady put more fakes on him at the beginning of the game when he has more energy. This makes Brewer hesatant to bit on a ball fake and pick up early fouls.

Post #5 » by **loserX** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 3:57 pm

I think Delaney has it right. The best thing to do against McGrady is mix it up. Have Brewer make him run around early. (Don't worry too much if McGrady starts scoring; he's a great player and will do so anyway. Just make him run.)

Then have Harpring beat him up for a while.

As he gets worn down, he drives less and shoots more...that's when you put the quick-handed, long-armed Kirilenko on him.

Seems to me that's been the plan for this series; and while it's not working perfectly, it's working well enough, so far at least.

carrottop12 · Post #6 » by **carrottop12** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:40 pm

The mix up works, even though usually I'm not a huge fan of it.

But putting speed on him with Brewer, then being physical with him with Harpring, then trying to match his length and athleticism with AK has really tested his motor going into the fourth quarter.

It's been very effective, and I have to hand it to Kirilenko for staying home on McGrady and making him settle for jumpers.

Post #7 » by **jazzfan1971** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:25 pm

AK has been terrific.
Brewer has been decent enough for a 2nd year guy, and has carried most of the load.
Korver is usually guarding Jackson or Battier. I havent' seen him too much on TMac except for on switches. Korver has been getting torched by whoever he's guarded, and whenever he's on the floor the Rockets attack him.
Harpring has been Harpring.

Post #8 » by **jazzfan1971** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:27 pm

Acutally, in game 4 attacking Korver wasn't that successful. Players still got good looks against him, but, for whatever reason didn't score as well.

ColdBlue · Post #9 » by **ColdBlue** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:32 pm

Tmac is shooting less than 40% for the series I think, but for some reason it seems like he is killing us.

Actually, I think what is hurting us is when we double. I guess I'm going a little OT.

Post #10 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:44 am

ColdBlue wrote:Tmac is shooting less than 40% for the series I think, but for some reason it seems like he is killing us.

Actually, I think what is hurting us is when we double. I guess I'm going a little OT.

Well yeah, because of the attention he is getting.

Post #11 » by **JStockLivesOn** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:47 am

The only guy who can create [without throwing up a brick Bobby Jackson style] besides McGrady is Rafer Alston, so any points we see from their role players (outside of Landry and Scola cleaning up on the offensive boards) are the result of cheating toward T-Mac.

That's one thing that hasn't been consistent -- our rotations when we send the double team.

eatyourchildren · Post #12 » by **eatyourchildren** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:38 pm

Really good strategy to throw him 3 different looks that coordinate with his energy/conditioning levels as his game wears on. TMac looks terrible in the 4th quarter. I've never seen a superstar so worn out.

Post #13 » by **bleu** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:54 pm

I'm really surprised, but it's gotta be Kirilenko than Harpring. I sorta predicted that Kirilenko would do a good job on him, but Harpring came out and put a nice stop on him.

OC Jazzfan · Post #14 » by **OC Jazzfan** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:18 am

As much as it pains me to say it, I've really enjoyed watching Harp on T-Mac. Harp is working his ass off on D to stay with him and really bodying him, errr, firmly. So firmly in fact that I swear T-Mac's eyes were pointing in different directions. :eyebrows:

Post #15 » by **DelaneyRudd** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:09 am

Why does it pain people to see Harp succeed? Even when he was struggling I saw effort at all times. Who the hell is the guy with the Harpring Sucks website? I want to kick him is his raisin sized testes.

Post #16 » by **JStockLivesOn** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:18 am

DelaneyRudd wrote:Why does it pain people to see Harp succeed? Even when he was struggling I saw effort at all times. Who the hell is the guy with the Harpring Sucks website? I want to kick him is his raisin sized testes.

Amen to that.

Harp rules.

ColdBlue · Post #17 » by **ColdBlue** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:56 pm

DelaneyRudd wrote:Why does it pain people to see Harp succeed? Even when he was struggling I saw effort at all times. Who the hell is the guy with the Harpring Sucks website? I want to kick him is his raisin sized testes.

Because it means he will probably get more PT in Houston.

Actually, I like Harp in small doses. 5 minutes a half with Ronnie P would be cool.