Why no Tmo? I know this has been touched on in other threads. I apologize for starting another one. I only saw the fourth quarter and overtime, but the SF position looked to me to be the weakest during that time. Every other position played passably or better. Rice played like a fifty year old (except for the cagey block on Kukoc), and Walt, well, he didn't do much of anything the few minutes he was in. Though I understand he was 0-5 for the game. At this point, who CARES about keeping Walt if Rice isn't healthy? I understand you need an SF who can score, but Walt CAN'T score, not consistently, so that argument doesn't work for me.
TMo, the only thing that makes sense is that maybe RudyT was trying to get TRock relaxed for when he does finally enter a game. Watch one from the bench, possibilly it would also MOTIVATE TRock for when he does come in for the first time. RudyT certainly could have used TRock's defense , shot blocking, and rebounding last night. It still does not make sense to not play Terence ONE MINUTE. Am anxiously waiting other responses from those who know Rudy's substitution patterns. FREDTERP
My guess would be that he's waiting for an away game when/where the expectations would not be so great. Plus it's rough to get even 10 players into a game. Plus-plus maybe he's "showcasing" Walt! Man, if we can get Lonny Baxter and Juan Dixon, we'll have Maryland Southwest!
When Cuttino was a rookie, he didn't start the first game of the season. But in the second game, against Golden State, he played and hit a three to win the game. And look how he turned out!
Rudy is real cautious with his rooks and usually brings them on at a pace suited for each player. Eddie got 13min and looked good and relaxed in his debut, Torres even got 1min of court time. I'm looking for Rudy to find TMo some spot minutes in the next few games, especially against the athletic Clippers on Thursday.
Could it be that RT has been worried that the players he played last night had limited playtime together up to this point (and in the case of Steve, Cat, Rice - no [play minutes)? Could it be that RT knows that for this to be a successful year .... getting Rice online is more important than getting TMO minutes in the opening game? Could it be that RT still hasn't made up his mind about Walt Wizbang worth yet .... strange but true ..... and offering him some quality minutes was a method to allow him some "room to bloom"? Could it be that RT is still playing with matchups, and wanted to try some headier combos ...... and it just so happened that TMO's style and stance are not exactly rare in our line up?
Morris reaching his potential right here right now is not a priority right now for folks other than Morris fans (of which I am one) -- just look at the $$ being porued into Rice and Wiz; we will likely be giving them 'chances' all year long. Having some great practices and becoming a team fave may be very valuable for Morris, but would mean zilch for Rice and Wiz. If Rudy is thining what I am thinking, Walk might, in fact, blossom as a backup, filling Bullards role -- no defensive expectations, just bombs from the outside that stretch and shred the defense like silly putty. If he could get into that groove, he would be valuable. Not worth his zillion dollar contract, but valuable. Be patient CBFC PS Fredterp is awesome.
I hope Morris does play in the next game against the Clipps because Odom is going to kill Rice/Williams. We are going to see a track meet. If we play like we did last night, i don't think we'll win thursday. Hopefully though we can get the 18pts 19rebfrom our center position the whole yr. I don't see why we can't as long as our guards give them a chance to score
1. Yes 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. No--the only player anything like Tmo is Griffin and there are salient differences between even those two.
I agree, the 3 spot was very weak last night and the defense played by Rice and Walt was horrible. They stand beyond the 3 point line jacking up threes, try moving in and getting started with a two. I hate bringing this up, but we are paying what $12 or $13 mil for two supposedly outside shooters. Rice looks like he weighs 270 lbs. Walt is the same Walt, nothing has change. In addition, Kenny Thomas did not get going until the 4Qtr, as stated previously, power forwards in the West are going to light us up like Jack-0-Lanterns. Happy Halloween fellow Rocket brothers/sisters.
A big difference between the preseason and game 1 was the SF position. Throughout the preseason, Rudy either had Oscar or Morris at SF and our 3 point shooting kind of sucked, but our offense looked much better. When Rice or Walt are in there, they stand around the 3 point line ready to shoot, when they're off, our offense is off, when they're on, we look unstoppable. I think if Walt and Rice are clearly missing the touch, then Rudy should put in Tmo or Oscar. I would prefer Oscar because he hustles like no one else on this team AND he has an uncanny ability at getting open on the offensive side. He would have been a great spark off the bench for our ineffective offense...
lol. nice title TMo. You beat Tierre Brown's dad and the entire Venezualean crowd. I warned you that we will only play 3 guards, 2 SFs and one rookie in the early going. Fans of Brown, Torres and TMo need to yell now. And remember, you are yelling at a coach with an absolutely impeccable record of managing rookies. The SF spot is the key to our playoffs. Rudy is not giving that key to a rookie. Sorry, TMo. Let it go, and watch the show. Morris will get his chance. That said, if you all don't start noticing K9's defense and speed, than I'll be writing the "second angry parent post" pretty soon.
IMo, TMo, didn't go, because Rudy wanted to give Walt a chance and get Rice some quality and quantity minutes Thomas stepped it up on defense after a terrible first half.
It's easy to start second-guessing after one game, but what was Rudy supposed to do? Take Rice out because he didn't have his shot? Rice didn't play all preseason. He needs the minutes more than TMo. Once Rice gets rolling you won't care whether you ever see Morris or not.
Tmo... I thought your guy, Tmo, and my guy Tbro, fulfilled their season's role very well against Atlanta. They kept the bench warm so that those who do play don't freeze their asses off during time outs, etc. Only one game, this doesn't make a season and from what I saw, Tmo will get his playing time and my guy will be doing a lot of sitting. IMHO of course! billymac
