coogrfan
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That's not true at all. Parsons got the starting gig as a mere pup BASED ON DEFENSE.
Your personal pity party aside he had the 2nd fewest missed assignments on the Rockets in year 1(behind only Battier).
He is not a shut down wing defender because he's a bigger, less quick guy but he is far from terrible and came out of a defensive system at Florida.
At 36 minutes a game he wasn't as good defensively last year. But he was still far better than Lin or Harden who were the other starting perimeter defenders.
You couldn't hardly find a Rocket fan last year that didn't think he was the best 2 way player on that team.
Being a better defender than Lin or Harden isn't much of an achievement. . . .
Your assessment of Parsons first year w/the Rox is spot on, but since then his performance on D has fallen off the proverbial cliff. His commitment to defense seemed to decline as his role in the offense increased. No one who followed Houston on a regular basis last was particularly surprised by the way our season ended.
I will say this: I know Parsons is capable of being a much better defender than he showed last season. Maybe Carlisle can get that out of him.