I really like Padgett's game, and something tells JVG does also. Below is an exerpt for the Houston Chronicle. Scott Padgett replaced Cato -- the only healthy Rockets player who did not play Monday -- in the starting lineup. "I just think it's something I did," Van Gundy said. "I don't want to (elaborate). I'll keep it internal." Cato did not score and had just two rebounds in 16 minutes in Utah on Saturday. In his first start after coming off the injured list, he blocked six shots against the Clippers but did not block a shot in either of the next two games and made one of five shots. "I thought Scott Padgett did some good things and we are harder to guard with Scott on the floor," Van Gundy said. "It gives more room for Yao (Ming). "I just liked the way we played with more competitive spirit." Van Gundy has preferred to bring forward Maurice Taylor off the bench in part to provide scoring in reserve. But Padgett also can offer a perimeter shooting threat to make it difficult for teams to use power forwards to double-team Yao. "I think that's why he puts me in, to have another shooter out there," Padgett said. "I try to bring energy out there (by) just playing hard and try to not make bad decisions with the ball." Padgett had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes Monday night .
Do the math...Padgett spreads the court, is much more energetic than Cato, and is more of a scoring threat.
I like what Padgett brings. I hope the Rockets re-sign him. He is a nice back up to have, can do it all.
We will be a lottey team if Padgett is a starter. We can get away with him as a starter for a couple games, but will be crushed at most nights. He is too small & weak to guard PF in the West conference, plus Yao's rebound deficiency, we'd have a huge disadvantage on the board, which means we won't be able to play the tempo we'd like.
Padgett mighn't have been that great a rebounder in past teams but he's been good in the rebounding dept. for the Rox.
Padgett shouldnt start but I would put him in the rotation over Weatherspoon. He's just too small. Padgett gave us 18 pts and 11 rebs tonight in 30 minutes. He's earned time in the Rotation. The 8 man rotation for the Rockets in the playoff should be. Francis Mobley Jackson Cato Yao Taylor Padgett Jackson
Padgett is actually nominated as a Top10 by SC for his drive and dunk. Thus, his fate will be like that of Francis ... Padgett will try and make highlights every night and not buy into the team concept that Van Gundy preaches.
VG should expand it to a 9 man rotation, including Boki into the mix. I love the way he's played these last few games....he truly is slowly showing us why he's been labelled a slasher and a shooter. good stuff.
I'd be ok giving Cato and Padgett all the minutes at PF. Padgett can do a lot of what Mo can do, but can lso nail the 3, while being a MUCH MUCH better rebounder. I don't think he's worse on defense. I would star Padgett to initially get Yao going, but have Cato play 30 minutes off the bench while also backing up Yao. MoT could be the 3rd PF. I just don't like Weatherspoon, our defense slips too much when he's in, and he's not the offensive threat that MoT can be.
Becuase Padgett can grab some boards. Of course we need Cato to protect Yao, but we can have a four-man rotation (with Taylor) to achieve this.
I agree. What's the matter with some of you people here? How can you expect us to hang with the big boys in the West if he starts?
this just in: we're NOT a lottery team ... i, like others, do not think Padgett should start. however, i've been impressed with his hustle and smart play with the ball. also, he does give us another threat along the perimeter that helps spread defenses giving Yao more room to move inside. that being said, i've wondered all season why Padgett has been given such few minutes/game. one would think JVG might notice these things as well...
