I'm going to use this thread to personally shout out PJ Tucker. The rebounds that he gets (not the amount) have been crucial to our wins. The specific timing of loose ball/steals he gets (not the number) are part of the reason we're a defensive nightmare at times. His corner threes (the ones he hits in tight situations) have won us quite a few. PJ Tucker was a great signing. When he's on the floor, every opponent from the 2/3/4/5 spot knows that PJ is going to make their lives a living hell. I love that about him. Yes, Luc does the dirty work, too. But, the nastiness of PJ Tucker jumping in for rebounds he has no business attempting to retrieve and being one of our most vocal defenders (especially as a help defender) give him a slight edge in the dirty category. Luc is the king of +\- and when my LA EAR said "enjoy "12" (first had a D12 fainting spell), I didn't quite fully understand how valuable Luc would end up being to this team. Love to PJ. Love to Luc. And, Trev, can't wait to have you back at the 3, continuing to be the glue that holds Harden/CP/Clint/Ryan and The Bench Murderers together.
I like this. PJ started out slow this year, didnt seem to get enough burn to find a rhythm. I think he’s still finding exactly where he fits in, but he’s been much more comfortable on the offensive side of the ball for a while now.
That can be quite frustrating. Most outside the city of Houston still want to cling to the idea that we shoot 3’s, and care absolutely nothing about defense. It’s still annoying to hear “They are trying a little on defense now!” No... we are a -good- defensive team. It’s as if some people are scared to admit that.
although partly in Shaq's defense, wasn't the overall conversation about how teams will play in the playoffs? and implicitly that GSW is well known to ramp up the defensive effort in the playoffs, while the Rockets are still an unknown quantity in that department? your point is still well-taken, but I'm not sure you can point at regular season defensive statistics to make that argument just yet.
Oh, no I understand that. My post wasn’t meant for Shaq’s comments. I should have stated that. The playoffs will certainly be a great time to show people on a larger scale just what we have been doing all year on the defensive end.
PJ Tucker is 42.6% from 3 in the Rockets last 13 games. 3.6 three pt attempts per game during that span. per basketball-reference.com
Ryan Anderson is 47.8% from 3 in the last 4 games (all off the bench). 5.8 three-point attempts per game. Keep Tucker as starter Ryan Anderson off the bench. again per basketball-reference.com
Could you imagine if we somehow still had Bev as the ball handler off the bench? He and Tucker would be so tough together.
The great thing about our team is how interchangeable our supporting cast is and to a certain extent, our superstars. While CP3 and Harden are interchangeable at running the offense (one can make an argument that CP3 is marginally better), CP3 will still only go as far as his supporting cast can take him. Harden's superior (ungodly really) scoring ability allows him to pick up the team, put it on his back, and carry them to victory when they are sucking. As for our supporting cast, we can go from Ariza to Moute to Tucker and now JJ, all without skipping a beat because their roles are defending, hitting open shots, and making cuts. Our team has an identity and that is what separates elite teams from good teams. Elite teams know what they do great and then go out and do it consistently. Once we get to the playoffs and play other elite teams, it is a battle of who can maintain their identity as the team that gets pulled into the other team's rhythm and style will usually lose. Our PnR heavy, space and pace offense allows us to do that far more often than not and will really help us in the playoffs.
Great post, and in particular, the sentiment about the "specific timing" of PJ's rebounds is SPOT ON. His numbers might not always show it, but he seems to be in the thick of the $hit at important points in games to get those 50/50 balls. He was pretty strong in both wins over GSW. Moving PJ to starter at PF was the right move. So happy to have PJ and Luc on the team.
Cod signature update. 1) If the Rockets lost out on Tyson Chandler because of a 3rd team, I am guessing Ryan Anderson was on the move. I wouldn't be surprised to see that revisited in the offseason if Anderson isn't used in a LeBron trade. After this season Chandler has 1 season left on his deal. 2) Whoa..... LeBron back up plan, Kevin Love? Clearly there has to be a LeBron back up plan and I have been wondering about this. I am guessing that would be a 3 way trade as I can't see the Cavs wanting Anderson.
Great stat pull! If PJ is shooting at that percentage, then the Rockets have NOTHING to lose with starting PJ over Anderson. You get the shooting AND the defense. I have noticed PJ is in the corner a lot. And when he shoots he is NOT hesitating. Shot looks more pure. Rockets being vey efficient with his placement and usage.
If Bev was healthy (sadly never a given with him) I think that would have been good but he would be probably a luxury to have (like Joe Jesus and Gerald Green) because the way the offense is set up either Paul or Harden will be the PG. Bev is a luxury in that if Harden or Paul do not play then he would be playing a big part with the second unit. Right now though if everyone is healthy I dont see where Bev would get minutes at the point and he isnt a good enough offensive threat to take minutes away from Gordon at the 2 spot
You are the exact same as Max and Skip. It’s why you have an obsession with “non-99ers” having an obsession about them. The one difference is all of your takes are cold.
I for one was on the "Ryno's gravity" team last season, when it was obvious - in my eyes, at least - that it helped giving James space. This year it's basically over. We have James in one wing and CP3 at the other to start the games, leaving only the corners available, Ryno would go gun-shy for the rest of the game but he basically wasn't getting the ball during the first six minutes as a starter. Should be so much fun having corner 3 specialists Ariza and Tucker starting games, can't wait to see that! I love Ryno's 30 footers from the wings (when he takes them!!), but it's only available when one out of Harden or Paul is seating. Having Tucker firing from the corners without hesitating is a plus in comparison to Ryno, and having Ryno's gravity with the reserves is also a plus IMO. That's just on the offensive side, as I think it's needless to stress the difference in having PJ against starters in the other end of the floor, as you mentioned. We haven't peaked yet, I think we have room to be even better with PJ starting and having Wright as the backup C. We'll basically have a second unit of CP3, Ego, LMM, Ryno and Wright, with GG, JJ and Nene waving towels.
