[ESPN: Insider] Hollinger Player Profiles: Houston Rockets: 2012-13 roster

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It seems like he's making his picks based solely on statistical projections. Maybe he projects Jones to be the best of the group at the 4 spot who knows.

Knowing how poor Patterson's stats were last year, I can see why someone like Hollinger would be down on him.

That being said, following the Rockets like we do, we know that come training camp and preseason, the job is Patterson's to lose. However, he might very well lose his spot in the starting lineup pretty quick if the hard work in practice, leadership qualities, etc. dont translate to quality play on the court, and someone like Terrence Jones is clearly out performing him. Its certainly not difficult to imagine that happening pretty early in the season.

 

That comes with Hollinger Cheerleader Profiles, he introduces a whole new meaning to their PER's. Playa Efficiency Rating.

 

Please rewrite that response to include the lack of a Motiejunas mention, and how that will also hamper Jones' ability to be a starter in November.

 

Well, I think he was fair with everyone. His job is to project and to analyze using the tools he has and I think he does a pretty good job. Let's face it, if the Rockets get last season's versions of Martin, Patterson, Morris, and Douglas, and if the rookies play like rookies, then it's going to be tough to win games. Morey's betting that more things work out than will not. And if they don't, the silver lining is a likely high selection in the 2013 draft.

 

Oh yeah, forgot him... geez. actually Royce White will steal Motiejunas' spot in April, after Motiejunas stole his spot for Jones in February, who stole his Patterson in December. There you go. Thats how its going to happen folks.

 

Too much logjam, either nobody develops properly, or everyone tries their best to fight for that spot and we find an all star

 

I think most observers view Motiejunas as playing center most likely. Not sure how the Rockets' brass see it, but it seems the general consensus is that D-Mo will get minutes as Asik's back-up.

 

yeah, the post of mine that you responded to I was responding to a post about the lack of a Motie profile mention by Hollinger. That's what I meant by "our likely future starting PF"

 

Yea, Hollinger was pretty fair. Still, it was a bit of a brutal reminder of how terrible many of the players on the roster were last year. I knew it coming into the offseason, but I seem to have engaged in selective memory-wiping (or been brainwashed by the homers in GARM).

 

his profiles overall this year are very good, imo.

Most of them seemed spot on, even the Pacers' ones - and as a Pacers fan, i generally sigh at national media Pacers articles, they are rarely good.

But Hollinger did a great job with these this summer.

 

Is it just me, or were those stat projections just last year's Per 40 Minute stats. Did he make stat projections for this season?

 

would have been nice to hear Hollinger's take on that. oh well, he missed it.

Calling Motie a backup C is misleading. He never really played center, last year. If he plays with another PF, that will be a dual PF lineup. Motie will play his normal way, which isn't the Center position. In fact, when he plays with Patterson, I'm quite certain PPat will be guarding the opposing center.

 

God it will be lie the Scola Patpat nightmare all over again...

 

indeed

 

Yeah, I agree. I think he can play the 4 at 7'0" a la Pau Gasol. It's probably his best position. But with all the PF's the Rockets have, it's hard not to see him being used at the 5 spot for the time being.

 

Does Morey have something against good free throw shooters? Must be some statistical anomaly that good free throw shooters make crappy basketball players.

 

I see Donuts as the starting PF. Why waste his shooting ability at center?

 

well, centers can shoot. Anyway, positions to me are all about defense. Donatas will never be a good rim protector and he isn't strong enough yet to defend good low post guys, so he wouldn't make sense at 5, defensively.
But he could potentially be a disruptive defender at 4, given time. He has the hands, IQ, quickness, size for it. It would seem wrong to force him into the low post, defensively.

 

"indeed"

Donatas position will be defined by who he is guarding, not whether he is the tallest Rocket player on the court.

Forget the fact he's 7'. There are many, many PFs who play many minutes as the tallest player on their team on court at any given time. And there are many teams who use PFs as "backup centers." Many teams go dual PF.

The problem with saying Donatas should learn a new position because we have a longjam at PF and since he's the tallest he has to switch, is it stunts is growth in his natural position (PF). Why would we do that to our best PF prospect from the draft in years?

imo: Donatas should be our last PF to have to guard centers and change his position.