Defensive Player of the Month (December)

[Karma]

Who do you believe was our teams best defensive presense this past month?

I took Eric Snow. To me he has taken the job at times of guarding the oppositions premier perimeter player despite not being his man. Larry Hughes who won this award last month, has had a few mediocre defensive efforts, although he is giving a reasonably consistent effort. Up front Ilgauskas put his name up there with some inspiring defensive plays.

 

[PIP]

Re: Defensive Player of the Month

Snow..

That offensive foul he drew on Tinsley when they were making their comeback in the 4th quarter of that game sealed the deal in that one...

Taking on the challenge of guarding Vince Carter was impressive..

He played tough defense on Billups as well..

Snow so far IMO..

 

[cdt]

Yeah snow is a pesky guy and always has a hand in the opposition's face. He fights through picks fairly well and takes the necessary charges, however he gets a lot of blocking fouls that could easily go as a charge...kinda sad a guy who has been around for so long and is always tops in the charity department never get enough whistles.

 

[TheAdmin]

I'd have to give it to Zydrunas.... He's holding opposing centers (very rough stats as its late) to under 10 points and about 44% shooting while blocking 2.5 shots per game.

Not to mention he seems more inclined to move his feet and get in position to help defend this month as opposed to last month.

 

[fsqp13]

snow

that charge on jamaal was superb, same take here lepip

 

[Mac]

let me put in a write in vote for Newble.

Since he came back we are what? 7-1? He makes the defense easier for the whole team when he is in the game.

Larry Hughes would be my other vote, he did some fine work against the likes of Carter, RIP, and others.

 

[Coyote]

I know it's cheating, but I'm voting for a better all-around team defense this month (at least the last half of it), something finally closer to what we're all hoping for. Yes, I think it begins with Snow and Hughes in the backcourt and Z being more effectively free to block shots and present in the post. But LBJ's been better and Gooden's been 70/30 (the 30 being total lapses, really). In all, especially since that Indiana game, we seem to be contesting 8 shots out 10, moving as a unit. I've seen a lot of guards trapped in the corners, PF's standing in the post with nowhere to go, and faces that look like they're about to be smacked by a Cavs hand as the shot goes up. In the past, the opponent only had to rotate the ball to find an open shot; Saturday was a good example of that not paying off for the opp. anymore. Here's to the 5 headed beast.

If I had to pick one guy, I'd go with Snow just for that charge he took, too.

 

[hughes1988]

Z has like 4000 blocks in the past week or so thats y i pick him...

 

[PIP]

Who in the hell voted for Gooden ?

 

[ootbttnlagitnbasf]

even fools are entitled to an opinion, don't you think?

some fools just draw more attention to themselves than others.

i vote for z-man.

 

[PIP]

even fools are entitled to an opinion, don't you think?

some fools just draw more attention to themselves than others.

i vote for z-man.

Nah..I think some are just ignorant.. Then I think there is a subtle ignorance that can be seen through by mostly everyone..

It's the ones who don't see it, who are effected by it mainly, yet they don't know it...Wouldn't you agree ?

 

[Wine and Gold]

I voted for Eric Snow as well.... but, we've seen a far more conssitent approach to team defense over the course of the last five to six games. We're coming into games with a much better focus on establishing our defensive presense at the outset of the games, which is very important. Most notably, I've seen a more consistent approach by Lebron James, which is the most important factor in our team's turnaround of late. Although I voted for Eric Snow ...the team trend is lead by Lebron. As he goes, so goes the entire team ...as it should be since he is clearly our team leader.

I posted about 12 games ago about how I felt that this season's success or failure was going to be left at the feet of Lebron James, and his ability to bring his defensive intensity level up ..because, as the leader of this team, the others won't follow suit until HE gives his defensive game the priority that is required to be successful. Although he still has a ways to go, I believe that Mike Brown is getting the message through to Lebron, and the team is, as I suspected they would....beginning to follow suit....and we are winning games when our offensive games are off, which is key.

Our last game against Detroit was learly our best team effort this season ...we played with a strong defensive intensity pretty much throughout the game ....we need to build of that and keep that trend going.

I have stated numerous times that the 30 game mark of the season will tell us what we have happening in regards to this team adapting to Mike Brown's system, and buying into what he's trying to build on the defenisive end. I can say quite clearly that at the 28 game mark, we are beginning to get it ...and the intensity level defensively is gradually improving, although not where it needs to be ....we are beginning to get it.

Most notably, as our TEAM cohesion improves, it allows for Z to begin to become a factor on the defenisve end. Becaue more than anyone else on this team....Z's effectiveness is dependant on the team's overall cohesion and intensity. And we are seeing him become more and more a factor lately ...as he can have his role limited to areas where he can be effective.

Drew Gooden has a long way to go as far as understanding his responsibilities, but, his energy is great most nights, and he's been very good at reducing his offensive game, and he IS making strides as far as understanding his role within this team. I take my hat off to him for the efort he is displaying,.,.,his role on this team isn't a fit with what his attributes are ...he would be better served, individually, to be in another situation with another team ...he could fulfil and reach his potential better with another team ...but, given that,.,he still has adjusted his game to fit with what we need, and that is to be commended.

 

[Kypus]

I didn't want to vote for anybody, but in this late win streak Lebron the tone setter has stepped up his developing D. Wine and Gold spelled it out perfectly:

Most notably, I've seen a more consistent approach by Lebron James, which is the most important factor in our team's turnaround of late. Although I voted for Eric Snow ...the team trend is lead by Lebron. As he goes, so goes the entire team ...as it should be since he is clearly our team leader.