You guys know Lowry didn't play in the second half last night. In postgame, McHale was not asked specifically about Lowry, but he was asked about why he shrunk the rotation in the second half. Take a look here: (3:10 mark) http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2012/04/21/McHale042112MOV-2074099/index.html He looks uncomfortable and uncertain on how to answer the question. He thinks for 3-4 seconds and then gives sort of a dismissive, broad answer of "just trying to win a game." If Lowry can't go for the final 2 games because of an injury, then one would assume that's why he didn't play in the second half last night. Wouldn't that have been mentioned then? What sucks is right when McHale responded that way, I thought, "This is going to be interesting to hear what Lowry has to say." When we got in the locker room, Lowry was dressed in front of his locker. I thought he would be the first the group would go to, but they went to Lee instead. Maybe 30-60 seconds later, I looked back and Lowry was gone. He never returned. In hindsight, I should have gone up to him by myself, but kind of intimidating asking Kyle why he didn't play in the second half. Point being -- this is not surprising to me that they shut him down because I think there is a rift right now between McHale and Lowry... however, what I said before shouldn't be taken as gospel. I believe the Rockets will shop heavily both players, but given how the Rockets operate, they won't "dump" anyone... if they don't get the value they're looking for, they won't trade them. However, I do think both will be traded.
Thats on McHale though for going away from the Dragic/Scola pick & roll. McHale played Dragic off the ball and it really did seem to take him out of the mix on offense during those stretches, but if you remember correctly the Rockets actually made runs to get back in the game with Lowry at the PG in the second half. The team struggled coming out of the lockeroom in the third in almost every single game. Lowry's play on the court really had nothing to do with the Rockets loosing. It was McHales gameplan, and their defense & execution coming out of halftime, and teams really figuring out how to defend the Rockets offense that really killed them in the loosing streak. Lowry is far down that list if he even deserves to be on it. That being said, I actually would love it if the Rockets could swing a nice deal to move Lowry and resign Dragic this summer.
Exactly! I stated in another thread but it is highly suspicious and McHale was clearly saying Lowry wasn't going to help win the game. He should've realized this sooner though. Lowry may have been pressing to be the starter right from the get go. In several interviews he said he is ready for more minutes and wanted to play. Guess he wanted it his way.
Don't forget, though, that tanking would have been bad, because it would have lowered Martin's trade value.
Ok, this makes more sense. I've actually had this feeling too, as much as I like Lowry. I remember one game this season where Scola basically said "Just shut up and play" after a tough loss. At the time I thought he was talking about Lowry. Dragic, Lee, Dalembert, Parsons, most of the other guys have always been effusive talking about McHale's coaching. Lowry on the other hand have seemed on the fence. In the offseason last year I remember him on record campaigning to bring back Adelman. The only guy on our team with the personality and status to argue with the coach during a game would have been Lowry, which is why I thought Scola was talking about him. Lowry is known to be one of the most intelligent players on the team, but sometimes he might be too smart, or too hot headed/stubborn for his own good. He needs to understand that it isn't his job to coach the team, or build the team. Like Scola says, they are basketball players being paid millions, shut up and play.
Hsf09 just posted the info, but just to make sure people realize this, Kyle's groin injury isn't new. Remember that was why he went to the doctor in the first place....the doc at that point noticed Kyle looked sick and that's where they discovered the infection. The two aren't apparently related, but since the priority was the infection, the groin injury was never resolved. As for Clutch's comment, I'm thinking the rift between Mchale and Lowry is simply about Lowry wanting to play injured and McHale thinking he can't help he team that way. If Kyle was healthy, i dont think there would be an issue. I agree injuries hurt their value, as both injuries could be chronic and teams will definitely take notice of that. I still think Lowry should be traded regardless, so that we can keep Dragic.
Yeah, that one game where they called timeout and Lowry came off the floor and ignored McHale, I didn't feel right about that. I think they downplayed it but it was very significant. I have been very disappointed by the Dragic/Lowry backcourt after Lowry came back. I thought they would be nails defensively. Lowry hasn't looked the same. I'm convinced he forced his way back. And I'm convinced there is a rift between him and McHale. I still like Lowry a lot. He's still a gamer. And it's obvious that most of this team has struggled accepting the coaching change. The only player I can distinctly remember not liking Adelman in his time here was McGrady. I have to wonder about the long-term viability of McHale as coach. Can't say I don't like him. I like his accountability. I sure wish we could have kept Adelman's offense here. I sure enjoy watching the passing game a whole lot more than watching Dragic running all over the place and trying to find people. I still don't understand why our front office didn't want to put up with a lttle Adelman whining in order to continue to build with his offense while acquiring more talented defenders and two-way players.
Would hope so. Lowry's a good guy. Would HATE to see him leave here upset like Tmac, Brooks, Adelman, JVG.
Can anyone please upload a clip of that game, where Lowry ignored McHale on the bench? Or is there one already floating around?
Why did he think he would help before and not now?? Lowry stank the place up for most games he played since coming back. Something is going on, more than we know. Tanking maybe, Morey forcing McHale to play Kyle, Kyle complaining and nagging to get playing time maybe?
It's an injury that's been bugging him all season. During his infection he even mentioned how his groin hadn't improved after sitting out all that time.
I'm guessing Lowry is frustrated because he feels he's doing better and wants to start again. Just a guess! But I remember saying that the Rockets need to commit to Lowry or Dragic as a starter, if you don't then crap like this happens and now his value has been lowered because the Rockets have lost leverage on wanting to keep Lowry. I hope him and Martin is a pretty good package...the Rockets need to unload a lot of guys IMO Martin- A system guy in the wrong system Lowry- Unhappy? May not be better than Dragic.. Scola- D-Mo is going to need to PT, he's not going to get it with Dally,Camby, Scola, and PPat all on the roster...Morey needs to make the space to ensure he gets time
what can lowry, ppat, martin and the knicks pick get you? last year chris paul to the lakers, this year...elton brand? ehhh.
Add my voice to why did he play at all? It's always going to be called hindsight, damn it, but as soon as Kyle came back, our chemistry went into the toilet. I wonder how much of that was due to Lowry and how he was dealing with the injury. Did he insist he was ready to play? Was he coaxed into playing? When he was allowed to play, did he expect to be used differently than he was? One could come up with a lot of similar questions. It's not that I'm trying to accuse Kyle of anything. The guy is a warrior. No doubt about that. But should he have ever taken the floor considering what we now find out was a serious injury of long standing (and hidden very well, I might add), requiring surgery? Would he have failed a physical at the deadline if we had tried to include him in a deal? I'm very confused as to how this entire "Lowry coming back" thing was handled, and it looks like I'm always going to look back on this season wondering whether he should have been shut down far sooner, and how we might have played those 5 games that we lost had he stayed in a suit. Like shut down and gotten the surgery, and looked to return next year. Why in the hell didn't we insist on that? Who's responsible for those decisions? I don't get it.
Bye Lowry, what a ****ty way to end a what was a career season for him Martin, Meh, I always liked the guy, but his production has dropped, hopefully he finds his way back to Adelman and starts producing again. Lowry would be shopped pretty heavily for quality returns, I think Martin with his contract is just a throw in at this point for a pick or what not
