Rockets acquire Thomas Robinson; Morris traded to Phoenix; Patterson, Douglas, Aldrich to Kings

Playing with Lin, Harden, Parsons and Asik will help him Bigtime. He's already good but this team is full of hustlers... Look how Motiejunas is looking.

 

We need all the help we can get blocking shots. If you have been watching games this season other teams have block parties against the rockets and when asik goes to the bench they crash the paint and score layups and dunks.

 

Well, it's not exactly as if Patterson and Morris gave us anything in that category.

Robinson can get to the occasional weakside block. Adjust to equal minutes and he gives you more than Pat or Morris.

Still can't get how hard some folks on the BBS are trying to find ways to not like Robinson before he plays a single game for us. Give the man a shot.

In my eyes, all he needs to do is out perform Morris (12-20 mpg) and allow Motiejunas to develop with Patterson's vacated 20-30 mpg. If he does more, bonus. I think we're going to be very happy with this move.

 

From what I see, our problem when Asik goes to the bench is with rebounding, not with having a rim protector. Rebounding is all about positioning. Robinson will be able to help with that.

 

It's more of a hunch, but I think, given time to adjust to the team and playing next to guys like Omer, that we'll see a boost in weakside shot blocking from Robinson, certainly compared to what we had with the departed Patterson and Morris. Sure, it wouldn't take much from Robinson to better their numbers (which were lousy to awful, depending on the game), and he averaged a bit under a block a game in college (which is worrisome), but the guy has tremendous length for his size, amazing athleticism, great instincts for the ball (the guy is a big time rebounder), so the physical ability to be a quality weak side shotblocker is there.

My question is, can shotblocking be coached? I've always thought it's an instinctive thing. I still think that. All the great shotblockers simply had the gift, plus the physical ability. Guys like Robinson have the physical ability, but clearly don't have the gift. Based on his history, I don't expect Robinson to ever become an exceptional shotblocker, but can that aspect of his game be improved with coaching? Inquiring mind(s) wants to know.

 

mega shopped.

 

Spoiler

 

I've only heard coaching improves removing fouls and staying in position for rebounds. Difficult to improve timing.

 

That's what I meant by instinct. It has always been a puzzle to me how players can be amazing rebounders and have a good combination of height, reach, and hops, and yet not be good shotblockers. They have the instinct for getting the ball, but not for blocking the ball.

 

Sometimes the guy is more interested in reb's than in playing defense.(Zbo/DLee)

Sometimes the guys is better at positioning than at jumping.(Scola/KLove)

Just a couple theories.

 

It's a lot easier to be an upper tier rebounder without a lot of height (sub 6'10")...it's a lot tougher to be an upper tier shotblocker without being over 6'10"

Barkley's another example of a top rebounder who brought nothing to the table as a shotblocker (or defender).

Most shotblockers get the bulk of their rejections off-man. You've got to have the reach and quick jumping ability to get to a guy away from you. Not easy for the 6-9 and under crowd unless they've got gonzo wingspan (Tayshaun Prince, Durant, or Batum) or athleticism (Josh Smith).

 

Yeah, timing is what separates great shotblockers and not so good ones. I believe that's an instinct that cannot be taught.

Interestingly, rebounding is the same. You can have all the boxing out techniques and physical tools down, it still comes down to timing and the so-called "having the nose for the ball" to be a great rebounder.

So Robinson has the timing for rebounds but not for shot blocking...

 

Right, and it is an interesting puzzle. You, emjohn, rolyat93, and Joe Joe all give the reasons, and they are pretty obvious ones to consider. Here, with Robinson, we have someone who has enough of the physical characteristics to be a decent shotblocker, and he's playing a good position to get the opportunities, yet to date he simply isn't one. If he improves a lot in that area, we'll all be scratching our heads and looking for these posts! ;-D-

 

SF: Chandler Parsons, Carlos Delfino, Tyler Honeycutt

SG: James Harden, Francisco Garcia, James Anderson

PG: Jeremy Lin, Patrick Beverley

Proof that Morey's an idiot. Six wings and only two point guards. Do the Rockets really need six wings, four of whom are scrubs? This team is toast if Lin or Beverley go down.

 

Yeah, trading Toney Douglas will definitely be Morey's undoing.

 

If Lin or Beverly went down Harden would then bring the ball up and run point guard even more. Plus Parsons handles the ball well enough to bring the ball up court sometimes. Might even have to pull up Machado if needed.

 

What's funny is the guy who has (and should have) the ball most in his hand isn't even a PG.

 

Gotcha.

 

Robinson def has the hops and the length to be a good shot blocker not great. I agree that's a trait that you either have or don't have. With that said he will become a plus defensive player because of his speed and lateral quickness to go along with his size. 245 is very nice for a pf plus he's strong as an ox. He has a very high basketball iq and knows were he should be and can see the floor. What I think alot of you will see is his ability to defend the pick and roll. This should be his best asset defensively besides his rebounding. Plus he should be a very good man defender. I look for Trob to peak at about 1.5 blocks a game in his prime. He should also be able to get a steal or two.

Hope that helps iv seen every game Trob has played in college and summer league a few kings game. He plays with a great motor and energy to go along with elite speed and athletism. He's also not a small guy either. 6'9 245 with 7'3 wingspan. I'm still shocked why so many ppl think he's undersized. He also plays big he is nothing like mm and pat. He's a real pf who wants to take your head off. He can be our enforcer and is going to be very coachble and do whatever role the team asks of him. If they want him to back up asik and dmo you will not hear him complain and hill give full effort every game. He wants to prove to himself and everyone else that he deserves to be in the NBA and is a top flight player.