Look, I know Willis isn't the same player he used to be. However, I think a few of you are overplaying his age just a bit. He's 39 years old this year, but let's also remember that he was 38 years old last year, so by NBA standards he was old then too. Here's Kevin's games last year in which he got at least 25 minutes in the game: April 18- Kings- 25 points, 19 reb, 4 stls, 3 blks, 41 minutes April 13- Warriors- 13 pts, 12 reb, 3 stls, 34 min April 10- Rockets- 17 points, 20 reb, 41 min April 7- Grizzlies- 15 pts, 9 reb, 43 min April 3- Blazers- 19 pts, 18 reb, 36 min March 31- Hawks- 21 pts, 10 reb, 2 stls, 31 min March 30- Hornets- 7 pts, 7 reb, 25 min March 26- Bulls- 18 pts, 13 reb, 34 min March 16- Celtics- 14 pts, 9 reb, 40 min March 9- Kings- 10 pts, 3 reb, 30 min March 6- Suns- 4 pts, 8 reb, 36 min March 5- Clippers- 15 pts, 9 reb, 36 min Reb 24- Hawks- 8 pts, 12 reb, 33 min Feb 5- Sixers- 11 pts, 7 reb, 25 min Feb 2- Pacers- 15 pts, 7 reb, 25 min Jan 29- Jazz- 6 pts, 11 reb, 31 min Jan 27- Mavs- 18 pts, 7 reb, 27 min Jan 25- Jazz- 7 pts, 7 reb, 31 min Jan 20- Mavs- 8 pts, 9 reb, 28 min Jan 9- Rockets- 14 pts, 13 reb, 31 min Jan 7- Sonics- 16 pts, 13 reb, 39 min Jan 5- Mavs- 15 pts, 10 reb, 36 min Jan 2- Clippers- 20 pts, 7 reb, 36 min Dec 28- Nuggets- 10 pts, 7 reb, 25 min Dec 17- Lakers- 13 pts, 6 reb, 26 min Dec 8- Warriors- 10 pts, 13 reb, 27 min Dec 6- Blazers- 11 pts, 16 reb, 42 min Dec 5- Jazz- 20 pts, 10 reb, 43 min Dec 1- Clippers- 19 pts, 7 reb, 35 min Nov 26- Bulls- 16 pts, 9 reb, 26 min Nov 23- Pacers- 23 pts, 4 reb, 32 min This wasn't just a good pickup-- this was a brilliant pickup. As I hope you can see from the numbers above, Willis can really produce if you give him time on the floor, which he should get here. He is the ultimate professional-- hard work ethic, willing to take a number of roles, and a good role model for the younger players. And, on top of all that, he's seven foot, and could very well be the piece to put us over the top and into the postseason. For a second round draft choice, this was an outstanding move. Great job Rockets.
Looks like he put it on Hakeem and Cato last April. Hopefully he'll kick Cato's ass in practice everyday and make him work to stay in a starter's role.
Who's the last player to average 10+ rebounds off the bench? Not saying Willis will but I think its possible on are team Im glad to have him back!!!He cant play all that great of defense and isnt much of a passer but he can post up and rebound which is what we need. He is one of the strongest guys in the league and has a really nice baby hook thats really hard to block.Even though he cant block shots(short arms) if he can keep the opposing big men out of the paint that would help alot.
I'm not sure that your over 25 minute rule is statistically valid. It could be the case -- as you suggest -- that, when you give him the time, he produces. However, it could also be that, when he's not producing, the coach doesn't let him play 25 minutes. If that's the case, then he only played well enough to deserve 25 minutes in 31 games. I don't think that quite it either, but I think it is clear that he is still very capable of high scoring and high rebounding games and is also capable of playing like crap.
31 games are shown, nearly half the season. How many games was he injured? I don't know. But let's say he was never injured, so half the games he didn't play well. He did damn well the games he DID play well. That's still half the season of good low post playing more than without him, plus any intangibles in practices and the locker room (hopefully there will be no negatives), and all for a 2nd round pick plus injury exception. You make a good point to take note of, but I don't think many people are truly overestimating what the Rockets acquired in Willis. I think the key to this pickup is increasing the number of decent big men to call upon. He was better than anything we expected beyond Marc Jackson, way better.
JuanValdez, That's 31 of the 43 games he played with the Nuggets. He was traded from the Raptors last year, where he played in 35 games for them, for a total of 78 games in which he played. His points, rebounds, blocks, steals, & minutes averages all went up when he went to Denver. That tells me that his production is directly related to how many minutes per game he gets. I say we bench Cato at the first sign of the last few years bad attitude creaping back in & put Willis in full time. The man can definitely produce.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! START HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will help until we find a center that can take Fato job. It so steady production and in case someone get injured like um Cato Good post Cat
Cat, Great work. This was a brilliant p/u and we can "what if" any particular game, but everyone has bad games in an 82 game season.
