Should Landry start???

[levintblack]

Obviously Landry had a dominant first preseason game and did very well last year but that doesn't mean he should just be a starter. Let's look at this from all sides.

First, him in a reserve 15-20 min role is working perfectly and by playing him 30 minutes he might be able to be as effective. In other words we might get diminishing returns by playing him more. He might dominate for 20 of those minutes and then be bad for the extra 10 he would be getting.

Second, we don't have much in the way of back center's. There's Dorsey and then there's Landry. Obviously we could through Scola there with say Artest at 4 McGrady at 3 Barry at 2 and then the PG but from what I saw last year Scola isn't able to do much at all when having to play center and at the least Landry is much more effective.

Third (and this is the main one for me) who works best with our starting lineup. To me its Landry and not Scola. Scola is someone who does his post moves to score and can do it on his own. Landry is very much a player who sneaks in and gets quick baskets. I think that makes Landry more suited for running with our starters. With T-Mac, Yao and Artest teams wouldn't be able to cover Landry or if they do Yao is likely left alone in the paint or T-Mac has a one-on-one. Scola and Yao's games are very similar so I think putting Landry in with Yao would be an unstoppable first team. Scola could be the anchor of the second team and be the guy who can create in the post and just be that post presence.

So how should the minutes be broken down? To me I see at as Rafer: 30 T-Mac: 32 Atrest: 35 Landry: 25 Yao: 30 Scola: 25 Battier: 20. That leaves roughly 43 minutes to be split between the other bench players changing from game to game depending on the situation and opponent (Barry, Dorsey, Brooks, Hayes and head/Francis being the remaining players to make up a 12 man team).

[aussie rocket]

Nah, Scola is our steady, solid starter.

Let Mandry dominate the oppositions second unit.

[knote32]

1 game......

[ibm]

not saying it's impossible, but i'm not convinced landry has earned himself a starting spot - by only one preseason game.

[Carr Bombed]

No Landry brings fire and brimstone off the bench, all we would be doing is wasting all the energy for no damn reason.

[TheyCallmeExMan]

lets jump on the bandwagon :rolleyes:

[rockbox]

Sometimes I think Landry should start since he is a better compliment to Yao with his mid range shooting and athleticism. Scola does a better job creating his own shot and better post player which he showed when Yao went down last year. Scola could be the focus of the offense when Yao goes out of the game.

[levintblack]

Sometimes I think Landry should start since he is a better compliment to Yao with his mid range shooting and athleticism. Scola does a better job creating his own shot and better post player which he showed when Yao went down last year. Scola could be the focus of the offense when Yao goes out of the game.

That is why I ultimately went with Landry starting. In all reality if you look at the minutes portion of my first post they should play the same amount of time its just Landry should be playing with the starters because he fits in better with that unit.

And ummm yeah guys if you read the post its obvious it's not based on '1 game.'

[levintblack]

lets jump on the bandwagon :rolleyes:

what bandwagon :confused:

[chow_yun_fat]

what bandwagon :confused:
the carl landry bandwagon!!

[levintblack]

the carl landry bandwagon!!

I've been on before anyone else. I grew up where he went to college so I have been following and cheering for him since the day he transferred to Purdue.

[withmustard]

I've been on before anyone else. I grew up where he went to college so I have been following and cheering for him since the day he transferred to Purdue.Let's not forget, Scola was argueably the best 4 in the Olympics.

[RV6]

I agree he compliments Yao better than Scola. Although Scola is individually more polished and talented, he's not going to use his skills to the fullest playing alongside Yao. He'll mostly be getting putbacks, layups, and open jumpers. If Artest eventually starts over Battier, then Scola will be used even less efficiently.

Overall though, the starters on paper won't mean much this season. With a team this deep they have the ability to create matchup problems for the whole league, so although they may start with the "starters", the bulk of the minutes will go to whoever matches up best with the opposing players. either way it may not matter much since the PF position needs to contribute only about 13 and 8 each game for the team to be succesful and both Scola and Landry are capable of that. Its a nice problem to have.

[levintblack]

Let's not forget, Scola was argueably the best 4 in the Olympics.

I love Scola but his performance in the Olympics (while I was proud) did nothing for me. He was already dominant in the Worlds before that and in Europe. He is a MVP type playing international rules basketball but just a solid guy in NBA rules. He can be 15-8 and guy which is great and love him for it but I expected him to dominate the Olympics.

[SF3isBack!!]

Sometimes I think Landry should start since he is a better compliment to Yao with his mid range shooting and athleticism. Scola does a better job creating his own shot and better post player which he showed when Yao went down last year. Scola could be the focus of the offense when Yao goes out of the game.

This actually makes alot of sense to me. I think rick should atleast give it a test run and see how it goes. Afterall thats how we got landry and scola playin the way they do now.

[larsv8]

Adelmen, in my opinion, will develop groups he likes on the floor together, small ball, best defenders, all scorerers, etc.

He will likely mix up the playing time drastically depending on the matchups. So I would say who starts isnt really that important.

[SuperKev]

If you play well on this Rockets team - you get noticed. Landry wasn't expected to do anything last year but he worked himself into the rotation. Scola had a slow start and didn't get many minutes for the first 2 months but he was more and more effective as well. Under Adelman great play = more minutes. This is why Francis will get his chance to make a comeback this season.

[kwng]

For the moment, Scola should start and let Landry be the one that comes in and bring energy and motivation.

[Ikorose]

Landry's high energy and explosiveness is best served coming off the bench to keep the momentum going.

What I would like to see is a lil more of the Scolandry tandem especially to give Yao more rest. Thinking about it we are so deep and have so many lineup possibilities, we have more combos than Marvel vs Capcom.

[EssTooKayTD]

I think Landry is awesome, but at this moment I love what he brings coming off the bench. Now...I think he might be a good starter too. I think if he seems to gel very well when on the court with the other starters, it might be worth looking at starting him.

[shawn786]

Landry needs to come off the bench!

He will bring energy, force, & a semi go 2 scorer for our second team.

[Deckard]

I love Scola but his performance in the Olympics (while I was proud) did nothing for me. He was already dominant in the Worlds before that and in Europe. He is a MVP type playing international rules basketball but just a solid guy in NBA rules. He can be 15-8 and guy which is great and love him for it but I expected him to dominate the Olympics.
If it did nothing for you, then I would say you are hard to please. When Scola finally became the starter at the 4 spot last season, we started winning games. It was no coincidence. Landry, as much a fan as I am of the guy, played limited minutes and then was injured. All he has shown us is terrific play in spurts. When Carl plays an entire season the way he did at times last year, then this topic is worth discussing, in my opinion. Eventual starter? I hope so, because that would be a good problem to have, but way too early to be seriously talking about it.

(except here, where anything and everything is talked about, frequently over and over and over and over again.)

[pgabriel]

yao needs an enforcer. scola can have more minutes than landry because scola is a more viable backup at center at this point so he would be backing up both.

[Hayesfan]

I would actually say he performed very well in the Olympics. I don't know if you watched all their games, I did.

Scola was keeping them in the games at some points, strictly through his hustle and slick inside moves.

Even Kobe gave him props, why would you think he under performed?

In answer to the title of this thread, no. I don't think that Landry would be as effective or efficient if he were starting.

Though the winning streak had less to do with Scola starting and more to do with the team gelling and getting used to Adelman, I think he has earned his position.

In the long run it doesn't matter which of them starts, or if either of them start. They are both going to bring something to the table in the minutes they play. The difference in Landry coming off the bench is that he's another scoring punch with the second group. Could Luis score off the bench? Yes, but I think he needed the confidence of starting to get him really going last year.

[EGYPT]

I think we should leave Scola ndry in the order it is. if it is working, why fix it? the success of this tandem did great last year because we had a fresh 4/5 at all time and both players understood their roles.

[rterry]

Obviously Landry had a dominant first preseason game and did very well last year but that doesn't mean he should just be a starter. Let's look at this from all sides.

First, him in a reserve 15-20 min role is working perfectly and by playing him 30 minutes he might be able to be as effective. In other words we might get diminishing returns by playing him more. He might dominate for 20 of those minutes and then be bad for the extra 10 he would be getting.

Second, we don't have much in the way of back center's. There's Dorsey and then there's Landry. Obviously we could through Scola there with say Artest at 4 McGrady at 3 Barry at 2 and then the PG but from what I saw last year Scola isn't able to do much at all when having to play center and at the least Landry is much more effective.

Third (and this is the main one for me) who works best with our starting lineup. To me its Landry and not Scola. Scola is someone who does his post moves to score and can do it on his own. Landry is very much a player who sneaks in and gets quick baskets. I think that makes Landry more suited for running with our starters. With T-Mac, Yao and Artest teams wouldn't be able to cover Landry or if they do Yao is likely left alone in the paint or T-Mac has a one-on-one. Scola and Yao's games are very similar so I think putting Landry in with Yao would be an unstoppable first team. Scola could be the anchor of the second team and be the guy who can create in the post and just be that post presence.

So how should the minutes be broken down? To me I see at as Rafer: 30 T-Mac: 32 Atrest: 35 Landry: 25 Yao: 30 Scola: 25 Battier: 20. That leaves roughly 43 minutes to be split between the other bench players changing from game to game depending on the situation and opponent (Barry, Dorsey, Brooks, Hayes and head/Francis being the remaining players to make up a 12 man team).

One thing not being considered here is Scola's BBIQ. Scola is a much better passer than Landry and seems to find open seams and spots on the court when moving without the ball. Landry seems to create with his athleticism and outside shot.

I think Landry being able to knock down the outside shot is better suited to playing with Yao when Yao is posting up, but I think that the percentage of low post offense for Yao will be reduced this year as Adelman works more of his offense into the mix. Yao will play more around the key ala Vladi than in years past, 1 to make more room for cutters, 2 to provide opportunities for Scola and Artest below the basket, and 3 to provide less banging to keep Yao fresh.

I would continue to bring Landry off the bench, but would like to see him playing with Scola more in relief of Yao. That would give you a nice inside out punch and relentless hustle on the offensive boards.

There are so many possible rotations with this team. Could coach possibly get Scola, Landry, and Dorsey in at the same time? Can you imagine the offensive boards you could get? Of course defensively that wouldn't work against very many lineups, but the rotation possibilities are endless.

[spysta]

short answer yes with an "S" long answer no with a "but"

[levintblack]

If it did nothing for you, then I would say you are hard to please. When Scola finally became the starter at the 4 spot last season, we started winning games. It was no coincidence. Landry, as much a fan as I am of the guy, played limited minutes and then was injured. All he has shown us is terrific play in spurts. When Carl plays an entire season the way he did at times last year, then this topic is worth discussing, in my opinion. Eventual starter? I hope so, because that would be a good problem to have, but way too early to be seriously talking about it.

(except here, where anything and everything is talked about, frequently over and over and over and over again.)

You're not understanding what I am saying. It did nothing for me because it was exactly what he has been doing for years for Argentina and in Europe. If I'm not mistaken he was MVP of the World's when Argentina won it.

[kkolish]

I've been on before anyone else. I grew up where he went to college so I have been following and cheering for him since the day he transferred to Purdue.

Ahahahaha, West Lafayette sucks! But I went to IU, so I would say that. It's strange rooting for Landry now, since I spent a few years in Assembly Hall wishing he'd fracture a tibia or something.

Seriously though, I think Landry's versatility might land him a spot in the starting five, and I agree with you that he fits best with the other four starters.

[<3myrockets]

IMHO Landry is an energy player. If we're destroying them, he'll destroy them more when he hops in. If we're not doing so hot, he helps gain a little more momentum. He's a hustle player at the end of the day...that's what every team needs off the bench.

[KALIKULI]

Scola suited for the starting line up and Landry coming of the bench!

[Dave_78]

You stick with Scola. He came up big in his first playoff series against one of the best PF in the game. Landry (I know he was not 100%) wasn't really that impressive versus the Jazz except for the blocked shot. Carl is a guy who comes in and makes a living by working hard and being bigger and more athletic than second unit of the other team. He is not (yet) the type of player that can lineup across from another team's elite PF and hold his own. Scola has proven he can do that.

Also, saying Landry coming off the bench is a shot in the arm is an understatement. The guy changes the entire mood of the game within 2 minutes of stepping on the court with either a nasty dunk or a hustle play that makes Ryan Bowen and Shane Battier look lazy.

I think Scola is the better starter and Landry is the better instant energy guy off the bench. To think many of us were hoping to land Joe Smith or Donyell Marshall just two years ago and it makes you really appreciate having these two guys on the team.

[DPballer]

Aren't we like 10000-0 when Scola and Yao are starting? Why change it now?

[Joe Joe]

You stick with Scola. He came up big in his first playoff series against one of the best PF in the game. Landry (I know he was not 100%) wasn't really that impressive versus the Jazz except for the blocked shot.

Landry came in. He rebounded well. He didn't shoot well from the floor, but his activity created a lot of fouls. His total scoring % was still higher than Scola despite his injury hurting his ability to finish. He didn't turn over the ball much and he wasn't very foul prone. I will say Scola played better defensively, but not by much.

I think defensively Landry still has some lapses, but I see Scola and Landry as neck and neck. I give Scola the advantage just because he has done it in more minutes, but I would definitely want to see if Landry can do what he has been doing in more minutes.

[RocketRaccoon]

Also, saying Landry coming off the bench is a shot in the arm is an understatement. The guy changes the entire mood of the game within 2 minutes of stepping on the court with either a nasty dunk or a hustle play that makes Ryan Bowen and Shane Battier look lazy.


Like a frickin switch. Just turn him on.

Switch, hmmm, that could've been a good nick for him.

[Dave_78]

Like a frickin switch. Just turn him on.

Switch, hmmm, that could've been a good nick for him.

That's the thing. Even if I believed that Scola and Landry were equally good starters you have to keep Landry as a reserve because I just can't see Scola having the impact off the bench the Landry does.

[Untraceable]

Sometimes I think Landry should start since he is a better compliment to Yao with his mid range shooting and athleticism. Scola does a better job creating his own shot and better post player which he showed when Yao went down last year. Scola could be the focus of the offense when Yao goes out of the game.

Co-sign.....i have been thinking this since last year....I am not saying landry is better than scola, its just the fact that scola can create for himself better in the post

[DrJB25]

I would love giving landry more minutes, but we need his explosiveness off the bench. I believe the landry would be effective no matter if he starts of comes off the bench. On the other hand, I do not believe that Scola will be productive coming off the bench.

I would like last year's starting line up w/ Landry, Artest, and Barry providing instant offense off the bench.

[Kindger]

For posters think that Scola will not be as effective when he comes off the bench, he earned his name and played his best bball for Tau by coming off the bench.

[levintblack]

I would love giving landry more minutes, but we need his explosiveness off the bench. I believe the landry would be effective no matter if he starts of comes off the bench. On the other hand, I do not believe that Scola will be productive coming off the bench.

I would like last year's starting line up w/ Landry, Artest, and Barry providing instant offense off the bench.

Artest off the bench ummm what?

[clos4life]

Scola starter, Landry off the bench. All that needs to be said.

[dragonz]

No, Landry is very efficient, thats why he comes off bench

[Tfor3]

undecided.

[DPballer]

undecided.
Vote for Scobama.

[Albert Einstain]

http://www.nancarrow-webdesk.com/warehouse/storage2/2008-w16/img.193704_t.jpg

[kgoodman]

I never want to see the Hayes and Dorsey frontcourt combo. Each should be paired with either Landry or Scola, if Yao isn't on the floor.

No Post up or scoring threat at all. At one point last night in the 4th this is who we had on the floor.

Hayes
Dorsey
Wafer
Head
Alston

They quickly brought Harris in.

[tomclarence]

He can be the start, but you know Rockets's starting lineup is so crowded...

[tmacfor35]

Landry the next David West anyone? I see it and Landry may be a little more athletic as well.

[Rockets=Therapy]

1st team:
Yao
Scola
Artest
McGrady
Alston

2nd team:
Hayes/Dorsey
Landry
Battier
Barry/Head
Brooks/Francis

[declan32001]

How can anyone say Landry's midrange game is as good as Scola's? Why would you want Landry to start when he shoots 90% of the time he gets the rock? In this offense?

I and others have spent the summer defending Landry against Morey's ploys, Dorsey goofballs and some people just seriously underestimating his worth (we're lucky the Bobcats helped us) and now we get this thread. Amazing.

[Rockets=Therapy]

[QUOTE=declan32001]How can anyone say Landry's midrange game is as good as Scola's? Why would you want Landry to start when he shoots 90% of the time he gets the rock? In this offense?

We need that mentality and offensive presence in the second group. As we saw last night, when there is too much unselfishness we end up throwing the ball or way or take a bad shot.

[zforrest]

This thread is ridiculous. I really don't think anyone substantial brought up the question of Landry starting.

[ronnymac]

Landry is better coming off the bench. luis complements yao better because he does the little things better.

[redao]

Starters:
Yao
Landry
Artest
Barry
Alston


Bench:
TMAC (injured)
Battier (injured)
Scola (6th man)
Head.
Brooks.

[ronnymac]

Start barry during the regular season?. have you lost you're mind?

[durvasa]

Landry is better coming off the bench. luis complements yao better because he does the little things better.

Which little things?

Landry is a better mid-range shooter and a much stronger finisher at the basket. He's also a better offensive rebounder.

These are real, tangible things that Landry does better than Scola that would help the starting lineup. I'm not advocating a change ... we don't need to fix something that's not broken. But if for whatever reason we get out of the gate slowly and Landry is doing his thing off the bench, it may not be a bad idea to put him in that starting lineup.

[ronnymac]

Which little things?

Landry is a better mid-range shooter and a much stronger finisher at the basket. He's also a better offensive rebounder.

These are real, tangible things that Landry does better than Scola that would help the starting lineup. I'm not advocating a change ... we don't need to fix something that's not broken. But if for whatever reason we get out of the gate slowly and Landry is doing his thing off the bench, it may not be a bad idea to put him in that starting lineup.
Hustle. defense. getting after the loose balls. having scola out there it lets yao to concentrate on offense alot more.

[levintblack]

This thread is ridiculous. I really don't think anyone substantial brought up the question of Landry starting.

Who is substantial? Are you meaning that unless an ESPN 'expert' or the like brings up the subject first we can't discuss it? If so 2/3's of this boards threads would be ridiculous to you. Funny thing is you are ridiculous if you really think that.

[worzel gummidge]

Landry is a better mid-range shooter

Landry needs to show that in real NBA season first. IMO his defense is also overrated, he gets a block in the playoffs, then suddenly he's a great defender. Nevermind the easy layups that seem to give up when he's subbed on.

[T-mac&Yao=RING]

Starters:
Yao
Landry
Artest
Barry
Alston


Bench:
TMAC (injured)
Battier (injured)
Scola (6th man)
Head.
Brooks.

I don't think that starting line up would work pretty well.

[durvasa]

Landry needs to show that in real NBA season first. IMO his defense is also overrated, he gets a block in the playoffs, then suddenly he's a great defender. Nevermind the easy layups that seem to give up when he's subbed on.

He showed it his rookie year, which was a real NBA season. He shot 49% on long two's last year. Scola shot 41%.

[killer instinct]

INTANGIBLES....... he doesn't have as much yet.......... his jump shot will have to make it to the regular season for me to be convinced that he is as special as some of you make him out to be.

[Shroopy2]

If Landry started it would not be a bad idea (though I didnt know of any talk of starting Landry).

When Scola's on the floor with 2 or more other offensive options, he doesnt assert himself as much offensively. When he's one of the main focal points, his leadershi & passion really comes through as well as his craftiness on offense.

Landry's got the same approach no matter what time in the game or lineup he's in. His improving jumper and super active body is a good complement to Yao's slow footedness.

But the team is so successful with Scola starting there's no reason to change things. Plus Artest makes it where you tink have to tinker with the Scolandry approach.

[durvasa]

If Landry started it would not be a bad idea (though I didnt know of any talk of starting Landry).

When Scola's on the floor with 2 or more other offensive options, he doesnt assert himself as much offensively. When he's one of the main focal points, his leadershi & passion really comes through as well as his craftiness on offense.

Landry's got the same approach no matter what time in the game or lineup he's in. His improving jumper and super active body is a good complement to Yao's slow footedness.

But the team is so successful with Scola starting there's no reason to change things. Plus Artest makes it where you tink have to tinker with the Scolandry approach.

If we start McGrady and Artest, I think Landry might be better at taking advantage of the double teams they draw.

[declan32001]

If we start McGrady and Artest, I think Landry might be better at taking advantage of the double teams they draw.

I have to admit Landry looks great. But I think you can throw out Scola & Landry's stats from last season. Landry will be better, but his efficiency will fall and Scola will simply be better from every statistical category.

It's great to see all of the love for Landry from people who were certain he wasn't worth the full MLE. And that would have been a bargain for a starter on an NBA contender.

[Texas Stoke]

I hate the fact that Adelman read this thread and started Landry tonight.

Next time, Adelman, please just call JVG.

[el_locoteee]

I don't really care. We going to see Yao-Landry, Yao-Scola, Scola-Landry Front court in every game and you know what, they are all great combination.

Houston BIG 4 Yao-Tmac-Ron-Scolandry.

[flamingdts]

I hate the fact that Adelman read this thread and started Landry tonight.

Next time, Adelman, please just call JVG.

I think RA was trying different combinations. There is no better place and time to test a lineup combination than pre-season.

Let's admit, we all wanted to see how Landry would perform as a starter, and if Landry was a reliable starter, then he must prove it against great players such as Garnett. RA either wanted to get it off his chest or he wanted Scola to be in the 2nd Unit where he won't be guarded by a resting Garnett or as heavily by a tired Garnett.

So either way, it's best for RA to try out as many things as he can before the Regular season. In a place like the wild wild west, one game is the difference between first seed, 8th seed or even out the playoffs.

[Hayesfan]

landry did alright with the starters tonight. Offensively he was fine. Defensively he was abused.

[A_3PO]

I think Adelman is making Scola the backup C to Yao. He will continue to start at PF and Landry will come off the bench. IMO, Landry is definitely a backup, not a starter. I don't think he will ever be a starter in the NBA.

[t-mac4bigmac]

landry did alright with the starters tonight. Offensively he was fine. Defensively he was abused.

I thought Landry did pretty well defensively, especially guarding Garnett at the start of the game. His defense doesn't compare to Chuck Hayes though for sure.

[Hayesfan]

I thought Landry did pretty well defensively, especially guarding Garnett at the start of the game. His defense doesn't compare to Chuck Hayes though for sure.

He had maybe two good plays against garnett one on one, but he wasn't covering for yao very well. Let up a lot of shots down low.

He didn't do horribly, but he didn't do well either.

[yuantian]

He had maybe two good plays against garnett one on one, but he wasn't covering for yao very well. Let up a lot of shots down low.

He didn't do horribly, but he didn't do well either.

yup, he is way too undersized to be a starting PF in the league. simply not good enough against the elite PF in the league. starting line up would be way undersized with him at 4.

[ronnymac]

Powel was overpowering carl due to his bulk. even big baby glen davis was pushing him around. he isnt a great physical defender. carls strengths on defense are his athletic ability to stay infront of his man. but he isnt a great physical defender. conversley luis the opposite. he isnt the quickest guy, but he makes it up with his physical defense.

[Jd1]

his first half performance(2 pts) was pretty bad. he picked it up in the 2nd half. I would say this game doesn't indicate Landry will be more effective as a starter.

[mag]

Based on today's game, I would say NO.

[Tfor3]

I'm so glad we retained landry. I'll let adelman worry about who to start.

[durvasa]

yup, he is way too undersized to be a starting PF in the league. simply not good enough against the elite PF in the league. starting line up would be way undersized with him at 4.

Huh? Rafer isn't undersized at PG. McGrady, Artest, and Yao are very clearly oversized for their positions. Strange comment.

[Erichstolz]

it really wont matter who gets the start. its a win win situation for us. go rockets baby.

[tofu--]

it really wont matter who gets the start. its a win win situation for us. go rockets baby.

Word up.

However, I think the move can make sense in the same context of people saying Artest should come off the bench. I don't think anyone can deny that Luis Scola's post game is extremely good, leagues ahead of Landry, while Landry certainly seems quite efficient at finishing at the rim and hitting the midrange jumper, both of which are Scola's weaker points. Having Scola come off the bench for a very potent scoring punch, along with Artest, could certainly work just as well.

But as mentioned, either way works. That's what's so great about the team this year-- versatility. I'd still start Scola, though, just because of the monstrous winning record we have when he's been in our starting lineup with Yao. I'd take higher winning percentage anyday.

[MrButtocks]

yup, he is way too undersized to be a starting PF in the league. simply not good enough against the elite PF in the league. starting line up would be way undersized with him at 4.
Ben Wallace is 6'9" and Rodman is 6'7" but their teams have never had an issue with their size. Meanwhile, Dirk's a legitimate seven footer and Dallas' defense suffers when he's out there. If Landry could play defense like Chuck his size would be a non-issue. If he can improve that aspect of his game he'll be able to start for a lot of teams.

[yuantian]

Huh? Rafer isn't undersized at PG. McGrady, Artest, and Yao are very clearly oversized for their positions. Strange comment.

well, to me, Yao is the only one that has a size advantage over the other teams. the rest are just OK. maybe playing against KG last night made Landry look like a little guy or something. and KG basically schooled him.

[yuantian]

Ben Wallace is 6'9" and Rodman is 6'7" but their teams have never had an issue with their size. Meanwhile, Dirk's a legitimate seven footer and Dallas' defense suffers when he's out there. If Landry could play defense like Chuck his size would be a non-issue. If he can improve that aspect of his game he'll be able to start for a lot of teams.

i don't know man, Rodman certainly looked like longer than 6'7. Landry just doesn't look like he is 6'9. somebody tell me what his real height is. :D

[ThaBlackKnight]

Well, when Scola and Yao started together, they never lost a game...so I wouldn't mess with that kind of success right away. If our 2nd team struggles to score, then I would consider it.

That is a strong possiblity, if Yao, Tmac, and Artest all sit out at the same time. Barry is a great shooter, but he can't penetrate the way he did many years ago.

Luther Head should strictly be a shooter and thats it!

Aaron Brooks can create a shot for himself or for others, but he isn't strong enough to drive it in all the time and to be the anchor of an offense.

Hayes and Dorsey aren't offensive minded players and need to be set up for dunks or layups.

Battier can take advantage of a smaller player in the post, but he shouldn't be a go to guy for scoring...he's a great role player offensively though.


So I think there is a strong chance that Luis could go to the bench, simply to keep our big 3 fresh, (otherwise one of them would have to play for a 15-18 minutes before getting a break, and maybe more in 2nd halves of games).

He was able to lead Argentina as the focal point in their offense in the Qualifying tournament last year and this year in the Olympics, and he did great against Dwight Howard, Tyson Chandler, Amare Stoudamire, and Chris Bosh. I think when he has shooters around him and room to operate, he is a good scorer in the low post or creating from the elbow.


But for right now, I say keep whats working. Yao and Scola work great together, and until its apparent that the 2nd unit needs scoring or that our Big 3 are playing too many minutes, lets go with the flow.