Where are all those people from last season who said he was just a scrub and not capable of playing well as a starter?
That would be me... Before this season, I kept projecting Juwan Howard as the starter and saying "No way JVG would start Chuck, a 2nd year undersized rookie". Or I would say "Which PF should we get with our MLE or through trade? We need one badly". Sorry Chuck Hayes...
I'm pleased with his development. He's even learned a bit of an inside game, the last few game he's hit some nice hook shots in the lane.
Chuck and Yao complement each other- it is like those tiny fish that feed off of the huge whale. And Chuck plays his heart out- when he is on the floor. So does Snyder. But that is a whole another topic!
He's played well the last few games, but has had some horrible stretches during the season. If he takes it to another level next year by reducing the stupid fouls and finishing better around the basket, he will remain a good compliment to Yao and Tracy. Doubling his vertical from 2 inches to 4 would also help.
He hasn't had any horrible stretches. I disagree. His fouls come because he's aggressive, he's undersized, and he's an unknown. There have been games (when Yao has been out) where he's just been physically outmatched trying to play center. It's unfair to pin the blame on him for that. Chuck has consistently been one of our best team defenders all year. And though limited, he's an efficient offensive player which is more than you can say about a lot of the unskilled bigs in this league.
12 and 8 in, what, 27 mpg? That's awesome production from your role player. And that doesn't even cover the tremendous team defense he's provided.
We agree to disagree then. There were some games where Chuck must have left his head in the lockerroom, but right now it's hard to remember. That's fine. When he's outmatched, I understand the fouls will come. But he still fouls too much when players aren't in scoring position or when he cannot affect the outcome of a shot. Granted, that hasn't been the case recently. His performance on offense recently is exactly what he needs to do, which is kill the doubleteam on Tracy by cutting to the basket. At the same time, he stays out of Yao's way on the block. Let's hope this continues for the rest of the season.
I'm so impressed with his work effort.He makes rebounding look so easy. Chuck hayes for most improved player of the year!!
I'm not one of the people who said this, but I'm still not completely sold on hayes either. Don't get me wrong, I love his hustle and energy and how he complements Yao. But his poor shooting and lack of size is still a problem, esp. when he's not playing alongside Yao. That said, within our lineup, playing him as a starter (and Howard/Mutombo as the second-unit frontcourt) makes a lot of sense, and it looks like it's paying off right now. I just don't see him as a long-term solution for our 4 spot, no matter how much I love his hustle.
dude has overachieved given his limitations, give the man his props... whats that win/loss stat when Yao, tracy and Hayes all start together? it was 17-7 or something like that...
