First let me pose the question of which one or why are both hurt or out? Is Rudy sitting them because they are about to be traded? Is Rudy sitting them because they are not only being shopped to the Nets but to the rest of the league? Is there any reason Walt is not playing at all now? Has T-MASS become extinct after strong performances by Kenny Thomas? Anybody have any inside information on these awkward goings ons. I always thought Rudy should take Walt out of the starting lineup but out of the game entirely, WOW. Interesting.
Walt did not play coaches decision. I thought TMass is still out with his groin injury which isn't healing too quickly. In fact, I thought they were fixing to do some more tests to make sure he doesn't have a tear or something. Have no idea if Walt didn't play because of a pending trade. However, I told yall, that is the way Rudy does it. He gives you every chance to come out of the slump, even keeps you starting while the fans are calling for your head, but when he finally pulls you from the line up, that is usually it. You are at the end of the bench, a forgotten man. Actually, Rudy has varied a little in how he handled Walt. He has still given him 9-10 minutes a game in some previous games. He denies it is a doghouse but that is usually how his system works with players. Poor Walt is a goner I think. How he could become so terrible is a mystery to me. Maybe he doesn't want to be here either.
I disagree with you some there, while you may sight Matt Maloney and such, I choose to site Robert Horry who received playing time no matter how poorly he underperformed some nights. Robert had a confidence problem and Rudy micromanaged his mind and was able to get the best out of him. Something even Phil Jackson can't do! Why Walt just doesn't play at all is a mystery to me? I think it may be more than coincedance.
Actually I think it may be more than just a coincidence. I don't have inside ifo or anything like that but if you watch the games Walt has showed signs of improvement and is very slowly coming out of his slump but you also need to take into account that this is Walt's former team, he would be really hyped up to play, and players are always doing alot better against their former teams.
I really don't understand why Rudy couldn't give Walt just a little playing time. It would have been really hard for him to hurt our team tonight being that most of our guys were cold from the outside (Mobley excluded). Man, not giving Walt just a little playing time against his former team, wow thats harsh Rudy. The only explaination that I'll even tolerate is that Walt's going to get traded; if not, I think Rudy made a poor decision. There were many times when Walt coming off the bench might have provided the spark we needed to be sucessful. We all know that he's capable of getting hot and lighting a team up for a quick 12 pts. We really needed that tonight and it would have been worth the chance.
Aruba77, ____________________________________________ We all know that he's capable of getting hot and lighting a team up for a quick 12 pts. ____________________________________________ When has Walt done that for us. This guy certainly is talented in my opinion but his level of performance for the Rockets has never been that good. By the way when did Massenburg come down with this groin injury? Was it after a game that he complained about it or in one? Who can tell me? That should provide some insight into his disapperance.
I have no idea. But that's an interesting story. What I want to know is did he do it while in a game? The thought in my mind that it could be staged. He's too hurt to play the games but when it comes to the Fannie Mae (Walt too was there) housing projects he's there helping. Who knows how hard he had to work there, but he certainly was there. I'm referring to the halftime report last night which showed the Rockets giving back.
I was thinking the same think during the halftime segment. If I've got a groin pull, or tear, or anything groin related...I'm on the couch pullin' a cork. I sure as hell wouldn't be landscaping. Props for him being out there, but something fishy is going on. [This message has been edited by Curly (edited December 22, 1999).]
It is fishy when no one witnesses the injury and the injured volunteers for extra work outside of work. Just as fishy as someone who collects starts begging to collect DNP's. I wish Popeye or someone here knew what was going on, whether we are being to curious, or whether we are genuinely on to something. If this site ever gets big enough I want it to pay someone full time to infiltrate the organization so that we can always be in the know.
