So, that didn't last long. Just when Morey managed to get a proper back-up big man, MDA is not even going to give him more than 3 minutes in the 3rd game. It's gone from 10 minutes in game 1, to 6 in game 2 to 3 in game 3. At this pace he should be out of the rotation by next game, but somehow I hope it will last a bit longer. Still, the inevitability of Tyson being just a locker room presence is happening. So how long?
I don't think Tyson will ever be completely out of the rotation. MDA will still use him when he sees fit. One thing that everyone must accept is that playing small for extended stretches of the game is a part of the teams DNA at this point. MDA has to make sure that his guards have the proper spacing offense. If and when Thabo starts getting back up minutes at the 5, Tyson's minutes will decrease even further. This is just how we play. MDA will probably use Tyson vs teams with more physically imposing bigs. In the end he will probably be used like Nene last year. Not out of the rotation but used in specific circumstances. I don't even think we prioritize rebounding and rim protection. It's all about space and the math.
I get what MD is trying to do. Surround Russ with shooters in the second unit. I feel like this is a mistake. I mean, Russ won the MVP with Adams a Roberson in his starting 5, so he can be successful even while playing with non shooters. I really don’t like the Thabo/PJ 4/5 combo. PJ has been playing way too many minutes. If they want to play Thabo and PJ together then is should be at the 3/4 I think the Rockets should have a traditional 5 on the court at all times. Westbrook/Rivers Harden/Gordon House/Thabo PJ Capela/Chandler That should be the 9 man rotation. 3 out of the 4 bench players can cover multiple positions. They would always have a big for defense and rebounding. They would still have plenty of shooting. Play those core 9 players and mix in either Clark, McLemore or Hartenstien based on game needs. Idk why MD is making it more complicated that it needs to be. Now, with that rant over. I think I saw a line up of Russ, Harden, Gordon, House and PJ last game. I liked that! But they have to keep an eye on PJ’s minutes.
I have not dug into the numbers, but i would like to know just how bad our offense tailed off in 17-18 when Nene was getting regular minutes as the back up 5. It seemed like we were better with Nene on the court times. I guess the math disagrees. The chances of having a traditional 5 on the court at all times moving forward are slim to none. I think we are moving a completely different direction.
I don't really like how Mike handles the roster, but tbf, we played NOLA and OKC, both teams played small so, kinda make sense to not play Chandler much.
PJ is going to be done before the playoffs start. They are killing him with minutes. This small **** will be the death of The Rockets.
i think its mostly because of age. they want to save him for the long haul. at some point we will definitely need his size.
Its not hard to see this coming, he is a bad fit to this team. He struggles big time on defense whenever the Rockets will switch, he can't move the same as Capela did (even Capela isn't able to stop anyone going to the post nowadays). Whenever he will be on the floor, we are having more spacing issues and you are just inviting Harden to dribble more and shoot more guarded long 3s. When you are moving slower than Nene, you are not going to fit in this team.
The all-switch defense is the problem when you know Tyson should stay with the big man. Can we really do not do something else besides ****ing switch everything??!! I saw Tucker once or twice actually stay with his man in that 3rd quarter vs Pelicans and it just works much better since guys are motivated to stick with their man.
Hopefully MDA is just tryin to preserve him...kuz they did not look good rolling out that Tuck wagon last night
I hope he's already out. He's been God awful defensively. He can't even offer any rim protection, he just gets abused over and over again when put in a pick n roll
