I completely agree, but not as much as on Capela. He's shown flashes in a limited role and hasn't had time to bulk up and is still only 21. I think this is a make or break year esp being the starter. If a solid trade comes around I would do it, but his potential imo is worth giving a bit of extra time.
My take on the game (caution-it looks like it's different from many others' views): First, I watched the game and tallied a plus or minus for players during plays. Players get a + for getting a turnover (getting a steal or block), defending a shot where it looks like they forced the opponent into a bad shot, making a 3pointer, making a "good shot" (like driving on an opponent and scoring or dunking), getting a contested rebound, making a "nice assist", etc. Players get a - for turning the ball over, throwing up an ill-advised shot (like dribbling into traffic and putting up a bad shot, chucking), fouling if it looks like they were playing poor defense and had to foul, getting blown by on defense, etc. Yes, this system is very subjective. Yes, it's not very logical. It favors forcing turnovers. Also, it's hard to keep track of during the game (and I got #36 and #38 confused a few times as it's hard to read their numbers). Anyway, this is what I found: Onuaku looked good. Played well pretty much the whole game except the 2nd Q. I thought he had at least one block but there aren't any in the box score. Harrell played much better than the first game. However, he continues to take 3 pointers that he can't make. I'm not sure why he tries to dribble and set up the offense so often. He is a bit out of control but much better than the first game. Much better second half than first half Dekker was really good, just like the first game. Will he be able to score this way against real NBA players? We'll see. Wiltjer was much better this game then the first one. Didn't get burned on defense that much like he did last time. KJ looked really good in the 1st half and made a bunch of mistakes in the second half. Since this +/- system favors forcing turnovers KJ looked pretty good. I know this is not a popular opinion. I think the Rockets need players who can defend and I think KJ can do that. He won't take many shots on the regular team. He gets to the line easily and can make FTs. He's only 23 and can benefit from a team that is skilled offensively (like we should be under MDA). GP looked really good with this system. I think he sat after the first half because the coaches wanted to give other players more playing time. Taylor was much better than in the first game. Tonje looked good in his limited minutes. Freeman and Gaines both looked really good in limited minutes. We lost the second quarter when most players' +/- (here) were mediocre. GP2, Taylor, and Tonje were the best this quarter. Onuaku, Harrell, Dekker, Freeman, Gaines, and Wiltjer all looked great in the second half. KJ was bad and Taylor was mediocre.
Yeah, I'm for getting rid of KJ & Harrell, but what is this about only keeping players destined to be better than average? With that criteria, how will you even field a full roster? I think the bottom line strategy is make a trade whenever you think you can get back more than you give up - that's about it.
Completely agree! - IMO, Capella will never be able to improve his shooting greater than where it's at now. I hope i am wrong. My only hesitation in trading him is that Hakeem said that Capella has potential to be a "great player in the league." Thats enough to keep him around. - Montrez... never thought much of him. Should be moved. Dekker in his place. - KJ...time to move on. - Wltjer... Wltjer has what Dekker lacks, and Dekker has what Wltjer lacks. I want to keep him around in the D-league and let him develop. He shoots too well to dismiss. However, he needs to be more confident, and stop looking so damn LOST ON THE COURT! D-league. - Dekker...at the least should be the 15th guy on the bench.
Yes.....one game after he shot well from the 3 point line, then later taking a knee to the leg, where we all didn't even know if he would come back this game. Damn, how people believe what they want to believe.
Every time I watch the game AFTER reading the comments I'm reminded of the rampant drama queen pessimism on the board. Everyone is looking better imo even KJ. They're clearly stretching their own limits by taking shots and trying plays they're uncomfortable with. In case you're not actually watching the games, these have not been displays of young players just repeating last regular seasons mistakes as the drama queens would have you believe.
Hey, Dekker should have been in mid-season form today, considering he had -- what, ONE whole game in the last 11 months to shake off the rust. :grin: <BR>
Did you say "all you need to know is Sam Dekker 6-9 FG and 2-4 3PT" after the first game? "All you need to know is Sam Dekker 9-16 FG". There, I played the cherry-pickin' game, too. :grin:
Anybody liking Wjiter for that 15th spot? I am, and with Gary Payton out with injury I think he's got a good chance. I'd hope he'd stick to Ryan Anderson like glue so he can learn how to play the game as uberly unnathletic PF with a shot from a successful vet.
So Dekker shoots bad and still plays like the best guy on the floor and gets punished? When guys have off shooting nights (and all of them do) they have to be able to contribute in other ways. He did.
Maybe I'm imagining this, but I could've sworn the 2nd half or maybe the 4th quarter was where they really started turning the jets on and running. I was only half-watching the game while working. It seemed like the pace went up somewhere in the 2nd half, but maybe I'm imagining it.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam <a href="https://twitter.com/dekker">@dekker</a> now with 17pts! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocketsSummer?src=hash">#RocketsSummer</a><a href="https://t.co/Ab0Of1HukL">https://t.co/Ab0Of1HukL</a></p>— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/752296337463402496">July 11, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/kwiltj">@kwiltj</a> was showing off the range! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RocketsSummer?src=hash">#RocketsSummer</a> <a href="https://t.co/Be0din66AV">https://t.co/Be0din66AV</a></p>— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/752314234478800897">July 11, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="is" dir="ltr">Trezl & KJ gettin' ⬆️<a href="https://t.co/ALyBhTvrlZ">https://t.co/ALyBhTvrlZ</a></p>— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/752284995331301376">July 10, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Dekker with a creative finish in traffic. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBASummerLeague?src=hash">#NBASummerLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/EKinS5EjwN">pic.twitter.com/EKinS5EjwN</a></p>— Jorge C. Flores, Jr. (@jorgecflores22) <a href="https://twitter.com/jorgecflores22/status/752296309852254208">July 11, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
