I agree 100% with the sentiment of developing young guys over guys with no potential, but I don't entirely agree that the only way they can develop is by being on the floor, especially rookies. PT is part of it, but you don't want to just hand it to them without earning it. Young guys pay more attention when they know that they HAVE to pay attention in order to see the court. And when they are behind smart veterans like Delfino, they're going to emulate certain things they do in an attempt to replace them in the rotation. My argument is to not underestimate the value of how much rookies develop by watching veterans from the bench.
BimaThug, I have a question about Douglas contract. I know Knicks paid for Douglas contract. Was that straight cash or his actual contract is paid by Knicks? I believe Morey did mention he is working on a minor deal during one of the interviews. Never gave the detail. Livingston's contract is 1 million guaranteed. Not a smart business move if Morey cuts him. He is still young but already a vet since he came straight out of high school. Looking at the bench, I only see him and Delfino who can provide some vet present. Last two games were lost when all rookies and inexperience youths came off the bench. They were like a bunch of VW Bugs running on high octane jet fuel. Starters: - Lin - KMart - Parsons - PPat - Asik First sub at 6-7 min mark: - Lin - KMart - Parson - Jones (for PPat) - Asik Second sub at 9-10 min mark: - Douglas/Livingston (for Lin) - Lamb (for KMart) - Delfino (for Parsons) - Jones - PPat (for Asik) Third sub at 2-3 min mark 2nd period: - Lin - KMart - Parsons - DMo - Asik 9-10 players rotation.
I have to say I'm disappointed that Morey hasn't found a way to clear the ridiculous logjams in the forward rotations. Sending rookies to RGV has not once paid dividends. These guys need NBA minutes. In this league, history has shown that rarely do young players benefit from learning on the bench even a fraction of as much as they do from PT. One variable that should be considered is that the young guys generally need (NEED) an extremely good coach or a veteran leader to guide their development and keep them from turning into stat-focused me-first guys.
My best guess from what I've seen thus far: Starters Asik Patterson Parsons Martin Lin Bench Douglas, Lamb, Morris, Jones, Motiejunas I see the Rockets opening the season with a 10 man rotation. Ideally you would like a 9 man rotation, but there are too many guys the Rockets need to see game action on so its got to be a 10 man squad. Also, its tough to call out indicidual player minutes other than Lin and Douglas having most likely a 35/13 split at the point, with Douglas possibly seeing some time at the 2 depending on how good of a scorer he can be. Besides that anyone from the starters to the bench can see a flux in their playing time depending on their play. Since we really don't have a star or established guys I expect playing time to be determined by performance. I hope, and expect Jones and Morris to earn themeselves more playing time as the season to progress. I would like to say the same for Lamb, but I think he has some work to do defensively before he can crack 20 minutes a game. We will probably have to wait for next season for Lamb to get meaningfull minutes.
Yeah, this is a common misconception. The Knicks are NOT paying the contract of Toney Douglas, who is owed just under $2.1 million this season. They DID, however, throw about $2 million IN CASH into the Camby S&T. While that amount may have been determined, in part, based on the amount of guaranteed salary the Rockets were taking back for Camby (just Douglas's $2.1M), that cash is completely fungible and does not in any way affect what the Rockets do with Douglas going forward. As the "non-lock" player owed the most guaranteed money, and based on the rotations thus far this preseason, it's a fairly safe bet that Toney Douglas will not be one of the final three cuts in training camp.
Basically, how I see it. A 9 man rotation: Asik Patterson Jones Parsons Delfino Martin Lamb Lin Douglas I see DMo and White fighting for a few minutes here and there, but they will be be <10 mpg guys and out of rotation. I was hoping Morris may play well enough to fight Delfino for minutes. Not a Delfino fan.
I really like Morris too. I hope he has a breakout year! 1. For his great attitude this season. 2. To shut up all the CXbby haters. :grin:
Looks like I was right when I said the rookies wouldn't get much playing time. More mediocrity here we come
They will get more playing time when they have accumulated enough practice time. Whether that amounts to Rockets practices or D league, these guys need it. Their time will come. Some sooner than others.
