It's really weird to have Nix out there playing off-ball. He is a complete non factor with how we're playing him. Again, I hope this is Silas being all-in on the tank otherwise I seriously have to question Silas' IQ because he's not maximizing the strengths of our players at all.
The Rockets primary goal this season is to develop players. Secondary goal (more a FO goal) is to tank. I'd guess Silas is (edit) more likely trying to get Nix use to working with other people having the ball in their hands over Silas trying being all-in on the tank.
Silas, probably: “It’s good for young point guards to spend a few years really learning the other positions, including the stand-around guy, which is the focus of my offensive scheme.”
Yeah I don't agree with that at all. Nix seems to be a relatively traditional point guard, if you remove the ball from him, you might as well not play him. Not saying he's Chris Paul or will ever be Chris Paul but you wouldn't take the ball out of his hands either
If he's a PG on this team, he's likely going to be playing with Green (provided the last 22 games are legit). While Green won't have the ball always, when he does, he will need a PG that isn't nothing off the ball for him to be most effective. When Sengun has the ball, same thing. Granted, I expect Silas also expects Porter to be on the floor a lot, and to have the ball too. I'm not sure how Nix and Porter will work but I expect it to be experimented with if Nix gets more run as it seems like the Silas thing to do (i.e., experimenting even if it probably won't work as it is better to know something won't work than miss something that does). I think Silas has been instructed to experiment, and not worry about wins and losses.
I have been watching Nix. He is very interesting. Seems to really have great court vision. Can obviously pass very well. He also seems to try very hard on defense and may have promise in that area also.
His anticipation and his hands are elite. Underrated lateral quickness too. There is a tough, smart player in there somewhere...
I'm glad he's getting some PT, but can we please put the ball in his hands more. He is just a different breed when it comes to vision and awareness. I feel like he'd be good to run some offense get JG some looks and then he can sit when it's JG takeover time
This is the time for Nix to get a heavy dose of minutes these last few games. It makes no sense to bring him up from the G league only for him to play spot minutes with Schroeder who dominates the ball. You want to see what you have in Nix then play him meaningful minutes. The same with Garuba and Bruno since they decided to keep him. I swear this franchise just gets dumber and dumber.
At the game Sat. night, I spent a lot of time watching Nix. I agree with @glynch that his defense bears watching. He gave effort and played pretty well off the ball too. I think he, like other young players, just needs experience to better learn the NBA game and the vet tricks. The defensive mistakes he made were not from lack of effort but from lack of anticipation and indecision. If he can see the court well on offense, it should translate to D with a little time. After watching him live, I'm on the Nix train.
His passes are right in the shooting pocket.....he is the PG of the future for this team, not KPJ.... DD
He is a little bit in his own head right now, but you can still see the flashes. Plz lord continue to play him so we can continue to analyze what we have here. If KPJ wants to take a game off... He needs special help on his free throws, too.
Everyone always talks about a switch creating a mismatch with a big trying to stay in front of a guard, but the opposite is true too. Getting a "mouse in the house" (I hate that phrase) is a good strategy as well. Nix is strong enough that he's not going to be pushed around too easily down low. That said, I think he needs to drop another 10 pounds--but I really like the kid.
He seems to have quick hands and good judgement on swiping at the ball. He should get some good steals in his career.
There is a true floor general this team so desperately trapped need deep inside this guy - but the FO will F it up investing time and money in the KPJ project.
Like Nix but I think KPJ/Green/Christopher take the majority of the backcourt minutes next year and Mathews probably fits a little bit better as a shooting specialist for what minutes remain.
