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

To me a guy like Beverly is a way bigger success story than Budinger. Makes a huge difference and just months ago wasn't even on an NBA roster.

Yet no one outside of Houston knew who he was until he played on national television.

 

If Trob had a bad rookie season then dmo must har had the worst season of any player. I watched and went to every game that was at home. There's so much bias towards Trob when he's the big with the highest draft position and most potential.

These are things I saw when at the games. Trob would make incredible moves to the basket and was great at times with help defense. He also played very good man defense on some very big players while hauling in alot of rebounds and getting to the line, he even would throw a couple nice passes every game. I know everything I just said is not a flashy stat like scoring or getting a block shot but there equally important. If Trob really works on that jumper his whole offensive game will be 100x easier it will
Make getting to the paint with his quickness and handles that much harder for the defense to guard. If he can just do that one thing he's a total mismatch for the pf spot. It's rare when u have a player that size that has the attributes physically to go along with the handles of the ball it could be a big weapon for his offense on the low block.

 

Best case Bud started and had some really good games against top level talent like Paul Pierce. Worst case he was a mid 2nd round pick turned into a mid 1st round pick. That is a success no matter how you shake it or bake it.

 

Very good points IMO. Good observations too. That's coming from a guy who HATED that trade.

I don't know. I'll admit I can't predict with metaphysical certitude that TRob will be a bust. I saw some of those flashes you saw, but the coaching staff's losing all confidence in him in games after Sacramento seemed to do the same thing swayed me to the conclusion he wasn't going to pan out. Would be cool if he pans out.

I'll admit that my opinion of him is probably somewhat influenced by my vision of the team in the future. I like the stretch 4, and I loved Patrick Patterson's role in the offense.

Just as my vision for the team may have more negatively influenced my outlook on TRob, it may have made me too easily buy into the DMo hype. The dude was supposed to be the post presence we have needed AND the stretch 4. Loved that idea. I still have hope, b/c I think part of the problem was not being filled out. Nevertheless, you made a good point - if DMo deserves time before a final conclusion, then so does TRob. Point taken.

 

Cole Aldrich actually had some solid games for the kings.

 

Nobody question Morey's ability in finding gems in the rough. That's what has made him such a good GM.

It's the lotto busts that have not panned out yet.

Robinson still has some time to prove himself. But at this time, Terrence Jones looks like he has a better chance to be good. Not to mention DMo's potential too. If Robinson doesn't develop fast, he's going to be buried deep under the heap.

I have said it many time. I believe Morey's intention of getting Robinson was purely assets management. We already had two young PFs who have potential. Trading away both Patterson and Morris was supposed to free up minutes for the two young players. Why would you want to add one more similar piece to compete with them for PT?

 

While neither of these players had great rookie seasons, Motiejunas performed better and, more important, showed more future potential than Robinson.

Specifically, Motiejunas' had a 53.1% TS% and 102 ORtg, below average for an NBA player, but fairly typical for a rookie (rookies tend to be inefficient). Thomas Robinson had a 45.1 % and 90 ORtg. These numbers are way below average even for rookies.

Perhaps more important, Motiejunas shot 73.1% on shots at the rim and 49% on shots from 3-10 feet from the basket, which numbers are way above average even for an NBA big. DMo's overall efficiency is dragged down by his high # of 3 point attempts, which he hit only 28.9%. NBA PFs average roughly 65% and 40%, respectively, on the at rim and 3-10 feet shots. Thomas Robinson hit 53.6% at rim and 27.3% from 3-10 feet. Terrible numbers for a PF. He also turned the ball over on an alarming 20% of his possessions.

So, on the offensive end, Motiejunas at least has something which he's already good at and one can picture him refining his skills/shot selection and become a plus scorer. Robinson, on the other hand, has not demonstrated any ability to put the ball into the basket from anywhere on the floor. This is particularly alarming given that the "red flag" on Robinson coming into the draft was that he had significant trouble finishing over tall, athletic defenders even in college(6 for 17 in the NCAA title game vs. Kentucky).

Robinson's redeeming quality is his defense. However, even defensive specialists in the NBA have to have a base level of offensive competence in order to become really valuable as oppose to a journeyman (the Reggie Evans/Eduardo Najera variety)-- especially if the player in question is a not a big center but a 6'8'' PF.

In sum, one can see where Motiejunas progress from here: fill out his frame, become smarter on defensive rotations, refine his jumper (basically addressing typical rookie weaknesses). Robinson is more of a question mark. It's hard to see how he becomes acceptable offensively. He's not gonna get taller (and NBA defenders are not getting shorter) and has a long way to go to become a efficient shooter from every single spot on the floor.

 

Not sure about the "low-risk, high reward" description of this move. If the Rockets could have advanced past the 1st round w/o this move, is it still low risk?

 

I am not giving up on Trob. I still believe that he will do very well. Patience people, patience.

 

Garcia had a bigger impact in the playoffs than Pat could've ever dreamed of.

 

Everytime I saw TRob on the court, It always seemed like he took half a second too long to figure out where he needed to be or what he needed to do. It's obvious he is physically talented, but the game needs to slow down for him. Once he gets more comfortable and figures out his role better, then we'll get a better idea of what he is capable of. But, from how lost he seemed, I don't think that will happen til his third year. Both Al Jefferson and Zach Randolph were non factors until their third year. Some players just take longer to figure things out. That's why I roll my eyes when I read fans giving up on players after the first year.

 

Was so shocked at how effective he was. Defended Durant well and hit the 3 ball.

 

Thank you.

So many people expected him to produce right away. Look what situation he was pulled from and then look at the situation he was dropped into here: A jam packed position on a playoff bound team. Horrible situation to develop in.

Give him this offseason and even the whole next year to figure things out a bit more. He has a lot of potential IMO

 

So you're a big fan of small ball?

I think a stretch 4 would have help Harden's game and helped the team advance against a depleted Thunder...not a SF posing as a PF because all the PFs we had left after the trade only had value as towel wavers.

 

Jam packed? So jam packed that we had to play 2 old SFs because our position was so jam packed.

If he couldn't beat out those in front of him then fans shouldn't try and make excuses for him.

 

T-rob is gone in all the scenarios we trade for Dwight.

 

Morey has stated that he is hoping one of the Kids becomes the Star of the future we desperatly want. I think TROB is Morey guy. He is always talkinghim up and I hope that our Coach and GM can work towards building this guy up. We all know that Mchale was pissed when Morey traded for TROB and I hope that they can work it out, because he was a great player at Kansas and he could be that player here in Htown only if Mchale can work with the kid.

 

And Parsons wasn't a stretch four in the post-season?

Definition of Patrick Patterson.

 

Trob is easy to trade than PPT

 

A couple things to consider when comparing Robinson to players like Jefferson and Randolph:

1. Age - Jefferson came straight out of high school and Randolph I believe only played one year at Michigan State -- so, Robinson is actually the same age now that those players were when they started to contribute. His body is not going to significantly develop the way those two players did, and his room to grow to a level they did is just not there.
2. Aptitude - Those are both great offensive post players, a skill which it takes time to develop, neither are even now good defenders. Robinson's strength is defense and rebounding, a skill that translates from college to the NBA faster than post skills -- and I don't think there is any chance that Robinson is going to be a premiere post scorer.
   
   So, while those players made leaps in year three, they were very different types of players and were much younger while they were struggling on the bench.
   
   Not to say that Robinson should be given up on -- but, the initial "lost out there" comment you made reminds me of something we used to say about Jordan Hill. So, that said, I would not bet against Robinson becoming a contributor, but I sure as heck would not bet on him either -- and honestly, at this point, I hope the Rockets are able to trade him this offseason.