I like how decisive Dekker has been lately with driving or shooting. His 3pt shot will keep him on the court. Still needs minutes to learn. So far, so good. I still feel he will be at his best as a quick / range shooting backup PF.
latest Locked on Rockets podcast touched on this with a very good thought: Dekker looks good on offense because he's playing PF and is being guarded by slower and bigger guys, who he can blow by or take a 3 because they wont be able to come out in time. He won't look this good at SF against legit SFs
people forget dekker is technically a rookie, so the game is movin to fast for him. Once the game slows down, ariza will be coming off dat bench
I feel like Dekker is going to be a valuable backup 4. He is essentially a rookie (as HardenTime said), but being around the team and playing some games last season has probably made the process of integrating a lot easier for him. He's not going to be able to guard 3's I don't think, but I feel like he's a good option to attack the basket when he comes off the bench against slower guys. Good energy, plays within his limitations, moves the ball well, smart about getting to the basket and his 3pt shot looks like it's getting better.
Dude will take all of Brewer's minutes. He's being groomed for it, and is exceeding expectations. KJ has also been beaten out, imo. He's getting all the backup SF mins as soon as DMo comes back and takes some of Dekker's PF minutes.
With Beverly back there is no reason for Brewer to get more than spare minutes when the rotations have a gap for a few minutes. Harden-Gordon-Ennis Beverly-Godon Ariza-Dekker Anderson-Dekker Capela-Nene There are only 96 minutes at the guard spot. 37 to Harden leaves 59 minutes for Beverly and Gordon. Ennis might catch a minute here or there, but no need for many. Same thing, 96 minutes at the 3/4. Between Ariza, Anderson and Dekker they should be able to eat up all but a few of those minutes. Brewer and Ennis on an ideal night should combine for less than 10 minutes.
Over / under on how many cfnetters whose default response to anything is to hate on the Coach in any sport will say, "Why did it take idiot Marc Anthony so long to figure this out." Looking at you FTW Rockets FTW
If we're tied or ahead in the final minutes, IMO we shall experiment with Dekker closing rather than using Anderson and his non-existent defense. Not that Dekker is superb on defense, but certainly not as vulnerable as Ryno..
If someone could just compile all the quotes from last year when Dekker was injured/wasn't playing/in the D-league would be awesome..
People did the same thing to Capela. they trashed him hard before he got any play time. Dekker was out with a bad back lol. Fans everywhere are impatient and irrational, but it really shows on CF when there are extreme Morey haters. That being said Dekker has been a pleasant surprise.
Capela missed his first 3 point blank layup/dunks in his first NBA minutes and we still have some Einsteins around here saying he is a bad finisher near the hoop. The knees do jerk.
Actually Dekker is very capable as the QB/MLB of the defense. If you watch him closely out there he is directing others on positioning and help side defense. He also goes over to talk with Bzdelik frequently during games. Wow, just checked the numbers, Sam is fourth on the team in PER, WS/48, TS%, Tot Reb%, OBPM, BPM, and VORP
Dekker gonna GO OFF on a scoring binge this year in one of these games outta nowhere unexpectedly and the rest will be History...watch
When Dekker was injured/not playing/in the D-league, a lot fans were saying that Bobby Portis (Chicago Bulls) would have been the better draft choice (Dekker 18th, Portis, 22nd). Small sample size since Dekker is basically a rookie , but... Question: Would you rather have Dekker or Portis (fyi: Larry Nance jr. was picked after both Dekker and Portis using houston draft pick in Lin trade.)
I really wonder what he will be like in the playoffs. A year under his belt and maybe some more confidence. I hope he is not traded He and Capela could be the future I would hate to see another Horry/Cassel trade . .. it was incredible short sighted Rocket River
