It will be interesting to see how much playing time Juaquin Hawkins gets when Taylor and Rice are back in the lineup and if Boki progresses as expected. I love Hawkins' game so far, but does anybody out there think he'll still be contributing like this by mid-season?
Yes, because he can't afford to be lazy. He's been around to much to take this opportunity for granted.
J-Hawk is playing terrific. He is a heck of a lot better then Mooch. He should take over as Steve's backup and Cat's backup.
He is solid especially on the defense end and hassle play. But he needs to improve his mid-range and long-range shooting. Boy, he missed a bunch today.
He sure looks like a guy who makes his money hustling..I dont see anything lucky about his game,,,,Just seems like an exellent off the bench energy player ,,who plays better defense than most NBAers..
Even though he misses some shots, he doesn't hang his head. He gets the HECK back on defense and gives some "pay back!"
If he plays like this, I would start him ALL SEASON LONG. The starters do not need another guy who NEEDS the ball. J-Hawk is a hustle player and a great defender. Exactly what the starters need at SF. DaDakota
Yeah, tonight's starting lineup is perfect. We have three guys who can't score, thus eliminating any need for Cat and Steve to pass the ball.
I would start him all season long since we need at least one good perimeter defender and it would help us keep mobes and franchise out of foul trouble.
I think while his pt will reduce over a period of time..I think Rudy has foiund another CBA type gem. WE need a few of thie type - blue collared, play hussle, defense, dont need the ball...and will not complain on the bench too!!!
Hawkins' play drawing attention By JANNY HU Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle When the cameras and microphones follow Yao Ming into the Rockets' locker room, as they do everyday, a rather large semi-circle always manages to engulf the Rockets' much ballyhooed center. There, standing right outside the loop is Juaquin Hawkins. And gratefully so. With all the buzz in Houston surrounding Yao, Hawkins has been happily living out his NBA dream entirely under the radar. That all stands to change, however, with a few more performances like Saturday night. A few months removed from playing in the ABA 2000 developmental league, Hawkins made his first NBA start against the Toronto Raptors. He netted eight points, six rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 39 minutes. Not bad for a 29-year-old "rookie." "Hey, what can I say, age is nothing but a number to me," Hawkins said after the game. "As long as I can go out there every night, show my coaching staff I can do things, so be it. My job here is to play basketball, get wins and do the things I can do to get my team better." There's not much Hawkins could have done better against Toronto, especially considering who he was matched up against. Hawkins found himself chasing the Raptor's Vince Carter around the court right from the opening tip. But instead of wavering against the All-Star guard, Hawkins stuck to him like a glove until Carter exited the game with a strained quadriceps tendon midway through the first quarter. Carter will have his knee re-examined today in Toronto. Carter missed all three shots he attempted against Hawkins' pestering defense Saturday, and finished with two free throws in six minutes. He rarely got a clean look at the basket, and more often than not, found himself contending with Hawkin's outstretched arm. It's a vantage point most people who have played against Hawkins are familiar with. Hawkins was recommended for training camp by former Rockets Earl Cureton and Scott Brooks, particularly for his strong defensive skills. That reputation began in college at Long Beach State University, Hawkins said, when he played with then-teammates and current NBA players Byron Russell and Lucius Harris. "Byron, Lucius, those guys were the scorers -- I was there defending, doing all the dirty work," Hawkins said. "I"ve been a defensive player all my life. That's been my M.O." Said Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich: "He took three charges today, and I don't know if you noticed, but he was guarding three different positions. He's a guy who's really added to the chemistry." Hawkins' weakness has always been his jump shot, but he showed decent range against the Raptors, connecting on two long field goals. Hawkins also scored seven points against Denver on Friday. "You just learn what you're strengths are," he said. "I'm not a three-point shooter, but I can shoot from 18, 19 feet. I can dribble, but I'm not gonna just pick my man up and dribble all the time. There are things I can and cannot do." And things he doesn't mind doing, like answering post-game interview questions on his contribution to the Rockets. Well, as long as the attention doesn't become like Yao, whose locker is directly across from Hawkins. "I don't know how he does it," Hawkins said. "Everyday he's putting on his clothes, taking off his clothes, getting in the shower, getting out of the shower, and the camera's are just right there. But it does take a lot of the pressure off me.
Funny thing is, a lot of posters on this board slammed the Spurs when they picked up Bruce Bowen - but now we're all excited that we've got a Bowen of our own! Love the defensive mindset he brings!
It should not be an issue. His natural position, or one of them, is off guard. The last time I checked we do not have a better one than Hawk at the backup 2 spot. So it does not matter who comes back, his minutes at the 2 is there for him. I fully expect/hope than the minutes of Wink and Mobes starts reducing within the next week. I have not checked but they are both playing more minutes, through necessity, than I expected.
You cant keep a good player down. This guy EARNS his minutes. He will be getting some of Moochies minutes too,,,,,Especially when we go small.....!!!!!
Rice Thomas Morris Hawkins Nachbar Where is Rudy going to find time for all these guys???????? They all deserve to play and to be given the opportunity to contribute.
