Pike is not starting for the Bulls. Stick to what you know. Scot Skiles continues to shuffle his lineup. Last night against the Cavs even Chandler and Curry did not start. When was the last time you even watch the Rox? The problem with PT for our players is match-ups and lack of consistency. Players like Weatherspoon, Padget and Bowen do not matchup very well on a nightly bases in this league. The coach did not expect them to see significant misses but the inconsistencies of the core has forced the hand of JVG. Save for Hubie Brown and his Memphis team, it is acceptable around the NBA that you do not go 10 deap and expect to win deep and consistently. That is why people like Padget need not see so much minutes unlessed forced to. I fail to see what JVG has done wrong there.
The problem is that Padgett is a very good player, definitely one of the better shooters on the team. I won't argue for Spoon/Bowen because they just aren't very good. But while Padgett might not match up well against other PFs, it also works the other way around. Padgett would make other PFs come out on him, and yes, he is that good of a shooter. I think what hooroo is trying to say is that we have some players that can come off the bench and contribute nicely, but it is hard for them to do consistently because of JVG's inconsistent rotation with them.
I agree with gucci on the Padgett talk. He is still the steady same self he was while at Kentucky (my favorite college bb team I must add). His problem is size. But I have a problem with playing 10 or 12 deep on a nightly bases. At most I will say 9 deep - with Motay, Barret, Deke and Boki coming from the bench. We could definitely use Padget's crisp efficiensy and shooting out there. So I will start Padgett instead (since Padggy rebounding is a wash when compared to Motay) and my lineup will be like this Sura Tmac JJ Padget Yao subs Barret Deke Motay Boki
The only thing I would do a little different is give Spoon some minutes at PF, slide Padge and Boki in at SF for some minutes and not have JJ play for 41 minutes a game. It might help with alleviating fatigue and make him more consistent. This rotation also leaves Lue on the pine but if SURA and AB can do it then I agree as Lue has not shown he can spark the offense.
His defense is a bit suspect, Arroyo seemed to be able to blow right past him. However, maybe that will make some guys rotate and learn how to play help D. He creates confusion out there, he brings the ball up fast and looks to the open man. He got us about 5 open looks towards the end of the Jazz game. I'm all for someone who runs. The Rockets are turning in to the most boring team to watch in all of the NBA.
I'd also like to see Padgett in the starting lineup. I think his hustle, quickness, and solid overall game would give us a better chance of not getting blown out in the 1st qtr. Kinda like what Jeff Foster did for the Pacers last year. It's not that Padge's a better player than Mo, but his game is just better suited to complement Yao. It also allows us to give Mo back his 6th man job. When T-Mac and Yao are sitting, Mo should be doing his thing. I think it's horrendously stupid for JVG to start Mo and have him focus on that great "defense". You play to your players' strengths, Jeff, and Mo's strength is not defense. Just look whats happened to Mo's jumper this year. Seriously, can you imagine how the Mavericks of last year would play if JVG was their coach? "Damnit Nash, I don't give a flying f*** if you have 15 assists, you missed a f***ing defensive rotation so you're benched for the 4th quarter!"
