There is no better way to earn Coach Gregg Popovich’s trust than to compete on defense. Effort on that end, even more so than textbook execution, is paramount. After a disappointing defensive performance last season, that may be truer now than ever.
Fortunately, this year’s team is stocked with guards who will fight around, through and over everything in their path to stay in the play, a trait Lonnie Walker IV - and others - put on full display in Wednesday night’s meaningless preseason victory over the Rockets.
Standard caveats apply, of course: It’s not the regular season, the Rockets will try harder in games that matter, etc.