Ever since Yao was unable to produce any productive minutes for the Rockets, Houston has turned to Chuck Hayes for help down the middle. For two straight years going on to three years, the Rockets still hasn't find a good replacement for Yao Ming so Chuck Hayes is running the show. I know one of the Rockets biggest need is a shot blocking center to clog the middle and as of late, Morey hasn't brought one to Houston yet. But Chuck Hayes has done nothing but good for this team while trying to fill in the temporary void for Yao. Chuck Hayes standing only at 6'5 and a half, has played extraordinary basketball for this team. Even though he is incredibly under size for a center, he makes it up for his quick hands and feet, strength, hard work, toughness, grittiness, and smarts. Chuck has lately been able to outplayed many starting centers in the NBA even though he stands on average 5-6 inches shorter than his opponents. He guards the best low post scorer and usually does a great job and now he's able to run the Rockets motion offense with his great passing. There is no way anyone can ignore how much he improved since coming into the league as an undrafted undersize player. Im not saying the Rockets don't need a long shot blocking center to fill the lane. But to me, I doubt the Rockets can get a center that will bring more to the table than Hayes. Year in and year out, Chuck has outplayed every center the Rockets brought in. Chuck is undersize and we all know that. But what he brings to the table compare to most centers in the league is phenomenal. What I don't understand is that why so many people are so anxious to replace Hayes with a big center that isn't nowhere nearly as good as Hayes. Having a big shot blocking center certainly helps but it isn't going to put us over the top. Lets say the Rockets somehow acquire Omer Asik and replace him over Chuck Hayes. Is that really going to make the Rockets any better with Asik as our starting center instead of Chuck Hayes? Or even Dalembert. I think what Chuck Hayes does for this team is extremely underrated. I would love for Asik or dalembert to come off the bench and back up Hayes other than those guys replacing Hayes. There are very few centers in the Nba that is a lock down defender, great passer like Chuck. Many of you love to see a few highlight reel blocks but to me, Chuck Hayes drawing charges is the same, maybe even better because it puts the other player into foul trouble. Blocking shots is indeed a good thing. My point here is that I much rather have Chuck Hayes, an undersize center that can actually play, skilled, hard worker, plays with heart, and never backs down rather than a long shot blocking center that don't have much skills, low basketball IQ and don't play nearly as hard as Hayes. If the Rockets can get a center that is better than Hayes then its a no brainer, but I would not replace Hayes with a center just because he's taller and can block a few shots and don't bring much to the table as much as Hayes. I think Chuck Hayes deserves some respect for what he has done this past few years replacing the injured Yao Ming. Every summer he brings something new to his game. I just don't understand why many OP here are in such a hurry to replace him with a tall center who isn't nearly as good. I much rather have an under size player that can actually play rather than a tall player that can't play.
For me it is a matter of removing the security blanket that is Chuck Hayes and forcing the coaching staff to develop younger, taller players with possible upside. Same with Battier......sure Chuck is a solid role player, but coaches will sometimes rely on them too much, which slows the future of the franchise.... I like Chuck and hope that he signs with a contender, he deserves to go somewhere that he can win in his prime. DD
ROFLMAO.....I like Chuck Hayes, I just want to see him get a shot at a ring, it won't be happening in Houston, and he is just not a starting caliber player on a good team. Sorry. DD
Because he didnt' get drafted Seriously, chuck isn't a center. We can talk about the things he does well all day, but he'll always be a stronger player at the PF spot. That being said, he's still mainly a defensive player who can mainly just pass and move on offense, meaning he's got significant holes on offense. Players with significant holes can always be upgraded and probably will be, unless you upgrade several others around him.
So you just let him walk? No way unless someone is willing to pay over market price for Hayes. He's a 4 in this league. Starter or off the bench.
Yeah, I think you let him walk......we need to go younger and taller....his prime would be wasted in Houston..... Let him go for his own good and the team's future. DD
It's not that I think you have something against Chuck... I think you totally Overthink the "security blanket" crap. If a player gives a team a better chance of winning of course the coach is going to play him... it's not a security blanket its a better player. I'd love to see chuck get a ring too, but that doesn't mean I let him walk without trying to bring him back. If nothing else he's an asset. I know how we all love that term... An asset who will likely agree to a good contract to stay with the Rockets.
Don't underestimate his ability to help the young players, though. He and Scola are perfect role models and will force them to improve their game in practice. Nothing should come easy for the rooks.
Our record was solid with Hayes and Lowry in the starting lineup. He is 28. Scola might be on the way out. You need a couple of young veterans on the squad (Martin and Hayes).
Look, it is not crap, it is fact. You are right, the coach will play the better player or one that gives them a chance to win that particular night. We need to develop for the future.......sometimes that means playing lessor players. I think Chuck is a very good role player, love the guy, but this team needs to develop young talent....not play role players that may help them win a couple more games but sacrifice developmental time for younger players that might be better in the long run. DD
I agree with this HP, and there is no doubt Chuck can teach a ton about defense and Luis a ton about offense, but at some point, you need to move them for others to develop. I know Hayesfan loves Chuck, and understand her personal viewpoints clouding the issues of what might be better for the franchise overall.... DD
Love Chuck and admire the amount of work he has put in but in all comes back to the fact that as long as Chuck is our center we will be average at best, that's been proven. Chuck should be used at the 4 and as a situational defender and that's it. There will always be a place for Chuck in this league but we should have NEVER had to have started him at center or PF and that isn't his fault rather the organizations.
