If you need a link, Dorsey was sent to the D-League on November 19th. The Rockets season had already started. The Vipers 1st game was not until November 27th game against the Austin Toros. That's 8 days of no games, 11/19(1st)-11/26(8th). http://www.nba.com/dleague/riograndevalley/dorsey_091113.html
Last season with basically the same lineup and ariza, the team was 4 games or so over .500 without martin. Brooks was 20 and 5 to boot. This year, the team is 4 game or so under .500 with martin and lowry with his 11ppg and 6asst, yet we have arguments about the better player,the better fit. Well, its pretty clear as a starter and on this team who the better player is.
We also had Brooks for 82 games, last season. This season we had Brooks for 20 games and Ishmael Smith for 24 games. Despite, all the hype about Ish being a pass first PG and Brooks being a shoot first PG, Ish sucks.
The difference is that teams got better and we didn't Also, teams have figured us out. Lastly, last year it was the bench that carried us not the starters. The bench without Lowry sucks. I'd wish Adleman would make Brooks the starter so Lowry can lead the bench again. It's only 1 month til the trade deadline anyways. Brooks will get traded and Lowry, unless we get Nash or Paul, will go back to being a starter. Nothing to lose.
Lowry is proving that he is a backup PG, the hot streak is over, and 11 and 6 will not cut it. Brooks of course is not playing better, so right now, we have 2 struggling PGs when we thought we had it as a strength. Dang, tough year. DD
I forgot they also assigned Patterson to the D-league to participate in practice and the training camp. The Vipers had a preseason game on the November 9th, but no other games until November 18th. On November 10th, the Rockets had already started playing games. They assigned Patterson to the D-league. There would be 9 days from November 10th-18th of practice and training camp. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7287486.html http://www.nba.com/dleague/riograndevalley/schedule/
OK, but if the Rockets were so keen on Ish Smith practicing with the Vipers, they would have sent him down much earlier (like with Dorsey, when they sent him down in November). Ish Smith is a more cerebral and skilled player and he could probably benefit more from traveling with the team and just watching games from the bench next to the coaches compared to Joey Dorsey.
Last season, the Rocklets recalled Dorsey in January. Then, Landry and Dorsey got traded 3-4 weeks later.
Leebigez, take out the games in which AB started this season (0-5, FYI), and we are on pace to win the same number of games as we did last year.
There is still a big difference between Brooks and Lowry which you fail to see DD. Brooks destroys the team. If his shot is not falling, he keeps shooting, dribbling until there are less than 10 seconds in the shot clock and either causes a TO or forces the other players into rushing plays. He also gets frustrated and makes thing even worse. And when Adleman pulls him out, he gets mad. He has an attitude problem. Lowry at least makes several hustle plays even getting in between the big man and pulling rebounds. He also doesn't hold on to the ball as much and long as Brooks. He only shoots when he has open shots and doesn't force them like Brooks.
Last season AB had Ariza AND Battier to cover up his disinterest for defense, when we got Martin it changed the makeup of the team. An AB and Martin starting backcourt combo is disaster if both are not hitting their shots early on. I really think one of them has to go as their similarities handicaps Adelman on who he wants to start and how he likes to substitute during the game.
Last season, Rockets without Martin were 2 games over 0.500 for a 30-28 record. This season, Rockets without Ishmael are 1 game under 0.500 for a 10-11 record. It's a 3 game difference, when you exclude Ishmael Smith(Lowry/Brooks/Martin Injured).
They couldn't. There were injuries to Brooks and Martin up until about 8 days ago. Martin didn't come back until the 15th, Brooks was starting at SG. Ish was sent on the 17th.
Ouch! Putting aside whether that's meaningful or not, it sure seems like quite a "coincidence" that Jeffries is "out" (did anyone see him get injured at the game??) and our 3rd point gets called up after a short stay with the Vipers. Just a coincidence? Maybe, maybe no.
Last season record: 42-40. Last season's record when AB and Lowry played, AB starts: 37-31 (.544) Last season's record when AB started, Lowry did not play: 5-9 (.357) This season's record: 20-25 This season's record when AB and Lowry play, Lowry starts: 8-6 (.571) This season's record when Lowry starts, AB does not play: 10-13 (.435)