I honestly don't think losing Bulloch and Elf is the biggest reason for the decline on defense. I think it has more to do with Randle, RJ and Noel. I hate to pin it all on one guy and it's not 100% his fault but Randle is quite simply not playing with the same energy and effort overall but especially on defense. Most teams go as their best player goes, especially on defense. If Randle played with more energy and effort and quit arguing with the zebras and took more pride on that end, I honestly think his teammates would follow their leader.
I also think not having Noel for much of the season hurt. Everyone gives most credit to Rose for turning around the team last season and he had a lot to do with it but Noel also deserves a ton of credit. He was a beast last year defensively. He's simply not had the same impact this season. Same with Rob. He came into camp out of shape and is just starting to catch up 30 plus games into the season.
RJ also deserves a lot of blame too. He was expected to replace Bulloch as the teams defensive stopper and he's been very inconsistent.
Overall, it's just a bad mix of players that were brought in to play with players who are underachieving. Leon Rose and Perry did a bad job of re-tooling last summer. I agreed we needed an attacking scoring PG and a shooter at the 2/3 to space the floor and fit with Randle and RJ but they acquired two of the very worst defensive players at their position. Add the lack of energy and desire from Randle and the inconsistency of RJ and the durability of Noel and you have a bad defensive team.
Sadly I don't think it's going to change. There are 50 games left but I think I've seen enough to realize Randle was a total fluke last season along with RJ, Noel and Rose. I came into the season thinking 41-45 wins but that was assuming Randle was going to be an All-Star again. Now, I think we're looking at a 30-33 win team fighting for that 10th spot in the play-in.
12/24/2021 12:17 PM