Griffin and Torres

yeah, like others on the board, I would like to see Griff play more, but only if he earns it by dominating, not by just a few good plays here and there. Griff is a project, he is not going to get 25 - 30 minutes a night as long as KT is healthy. I hope this makes Griff hungry for more playing time too, and he has to know the only way to get more playing time is listen to the coaches, improve his game, and add some weight. It would be cool to have a rookie sensation ala Duncan, but most rookies don't come out and dominate.(esp 19 yr olds )

I am very encouraged about having Torres. Maybe he will take Shandy's old place in the rotation, or if Moochie keeps up his sub-par performance, maybe he will eat up Mooch's time if the rocks somehow get a stud sf.

 

Torres has been a great spark. With that right-handed scoop every few games, he fits the "El Glyde" nickname perfectly.

Griffin is quick but his offensive game needs work. It's not like they are calling plays for him, but they might if he had a couple tricks, upfakes around the basket.

 

I think every Rocket fan is or should be impressed with Oscar.

Griffin needs to get some plays called for him and needs more minutes. Of course his shooting percentage wont be that high since he only gets to shoot threes. But by the same token maybe he can headfake and drive into the lane.

 

I actually like when both are on the court at once,it seems like we always go on are runs when they come in!

 

I love Oscar Torres; he is everything I want the Rockets to be. Foremost, HE PLAYS DEFENSE!! He hustles, he moves, he passes, he looks engaged, interested. He displays energy and fire. I agree DaDakota, I believe he is the real deal.

 

Yes, I to love the way Torres is/has played. He makes things happen when he's on the court, unlike EG (w/the exception of a few plays here & there). However, lets do remember before we get to down on our baby doe EG, that Torres even though it's not the NBA he has played 4 years professionally.

 

Starting Five should be (when all are again healthy)

francis
mobley
torres
griffin
cato (i guess)

then, give
tmo
kt
and norris a chance

trade walt & langhi, keep rice on ir (walt & rice are dead ends/won't win more than a couple games for us anyway, & langhi has asked to be traded)

I will say, though, that we will lose many more games this season with griffin getting big minutes than with thomas. With over 100 shots, griffin is shooting under 30%. I just think thomas cannot be the starting pf on a team that expects ever to make the playoffs. Might as well get him used to providing a spark off the bench, and accelerate griffin's learning curve.

Also, Mobley HAS to be reined in. Despite his talent (or perhaps because of it) he is one of the worst decision makers I have ever seen in Pro basketball. Worst of all, he refuses to recognize this and to let a more savvy player have the ball in crucial situations. I don't think he can ever be a legitimate go to guy.

 

Players should always have to earn their minutes, and I do believe Torres has earned his. The Rocks should definitely incorporate Torres' impressive ability to play off the ball and catch-and-shoot into the offense. I'd love to see him coming off baseline screens.

As for Griffin, my concern deals mostly with how he's utilized. At this stage, I would like to see him spend most of his time along the baseline and around the paint to take adavantage of his rebounding ability. As green as he is offensively I can understand bringing him along slowly, but he can still crash the boards and keep possessions alive.

(See the turnaround that Z blocked? Next year, Eddie waits for Z to clear the area before he shoots the turnaround or, better yet, puts the ball on the floor for a dribble or 2 and flushes it with a tomahawk jam. He'll be fine with some experience.)

 

Torres is by all intents and and purposes, a veteran. He has played many games internationally against top tier international players. He was selected for the Rockets by scouts that saw his NBA pro game style.

Griffin is an amateur kid and will continue to be an amateur kid until he matures. Until he devleops some fundamental pro style of play. That comes with experience and being put into (and learning to deal with) situations that he is unfamiliar. That is why is put in at odd and "headshaking" times when everyone else says: " What the ....".


It'll come. Be patient.

 

Tmo, I am getting the sense that you have modified your take on OT, or did I miss something? I have already said it elsewhere so I will be short. OT is the real deal and will soon not to have to be waved off by Mobes like last night. Once his teamates get to know him he will be super. He is as much a zone buster as anyone on the team including Francis. In fact, he has to start as suggested by Tmo. He is a legitimate 20pts/game starter, if not now, then in another week.

Someone mentioned getting a super sf, he may be it. He is a little small but he will be fine, next to Francis and Mobes. From now on Rice and Williams should come off the bench.

Finally on OT. He is very hungry and focused. He is probably saying these folks have no idea what I am about to do on this team.

 

Man DearRock, in my 1999-2000 season of unabashed love for Mobley, I never said he was a 20ppg scorer. Last year, I never said it either, even though he was 21ppg as a starter. You are getting waaaay ahead of yourself. Torres has yet to show a weakness, but has yet to show he can score against defenses designed to stop him, which is a mark of a 20ppg scorer.

imo, the best we can say right now is that we should not be placing upper limits on him.

but dude, you seem to be playing him up to make a point about Mobley. Mobley has a sweet shot and his 44.6% 3-pt range shooting this year is showing that he has the best range. Mobley has a very soft shot, especially when he is open like Torres. Right now, I have to say Mobley is the better shooter. Also, it shows complete disrespect to compare his driving ability to Cuttino or Francis. We don't really have anything to base this on, yet.

Torres has a very surprising move baseline for a moving 10 foot shot. That is very good. But both Francis and Mobley make that shot, too. Walt doesn't. You seem to be comparing him to Walt and then elevating him to Francis and Mobley. One step at a time. Aside from the baseline move, all Torres' points of coming from playing Walt's role better than Walt. He is not running any playmaker chores like Francis and Mobley, which make for more defense against you and less open shots...you can't compare them, yet. And why would you.

that said: I will NEVER say Torres can't do something until I see him not be able to do it. So far, he does everything asked of him.

 

Did anyone else see that Griffin only played when Ilguaskas was in? I feel sorry for the kid. The only time you get in a game is against this freak of nature? I really hoped he would've gotten in when Mihm was playing. I think he could've been much more productive then.

 

My evaluation of rooks.

Torres - In my book, he is the rookie of the team. He does everything really well. He would be an awesome SG but as a SF he already better than Walt and Rice. God we should have never traded for Rice.

TMo - He has great size, speed for a SF. Great defensively, good passer. He and Torres play well together. Bad shooter but he is a open court player not a offense set player. I wish he could get more playing time because he is ready after playing in the ACC for 4 years.

Griffin - A real bust. This guy needs to move with the ball. He needs to create for himself. HE IS NO REGGIE MILLER taking jump shots. He doesn't even jump when he shoot. He shoots like Mario Ellie shooting the 3 ball. I don't want to here that he is just 19. I looked up all stats on KG, Al Harrington, Miles, they all shot between 45 - 50 % when they were young. I thought EG was going to play like Reef or Shawn Marion. He doesn't create for himself. I don't know if Rudy T tells him just to shoot. He plays like Mo Taylor or Jason Collier so I think it is Rudy T stupid coaching. He needs to play take the ball to the rack and create. We don't need another Cato we need inside playmaking.