crispeecreme, absolutely right that kenny thomas needs..no, deserves, to be starting right now. and as long as eddie gets 30+, it doesn't matter if he's starting or not - for now. now, once we trade kenny....
Good points from everyone. with Griffin and KT it is hard to label. I agree on the giving TMO a shot thing, but let's too and see how he matches up. True, Griffin is going to get his minutes, but you everyone knows that starting the game for some players gets them into the flow easier. i guess this is not a bad problem to have, especially compare to other problems we've had!
I've had the feeling for a long time that Rudy really wants a proto typical small forward that is 6'9" or taller that plays good D, can hit the outside shot or take it to the hole. Morris provides all of that with the exception of hitting the outside shot. I think Rudy sees Oscar as more of a 2 with the ability to play the 3 kind of like Shandon. Remember Shandon never started at the 3 until the bad play of Walt forced Mobley into the starter roll and Shandon to the three. Until then the only time Shandon played the 3 was when Rudy wanted to go small. Given a little time Morris may start hitting the outside shot with some consistency and if that happens then we have our SF of the future.
My only problem with Griffin not starting is that when he starts he is a 20-10 guy. When he doesn't start he is a 5pts-7reb guy. He is shooting atrocious numbers when he comes in cold like in the golden state game he shot 1-7. Thomas on the other hand can still put up good numbers as a bench player. We lose Griffins production when he doesn't start. I would rather have Thomas-Griffin on the floor together and have Morris as the thrid forward. I guess Rudy's thinking is that if he started Thomas and Griffin together who will be the backup to rest the starter. Rudy does run the three guard rotation with Norris-Francis-Mobley. He could do the same with 3 forwards.
Or perhaps Rudy was thinking that, with Steve directing the offense, TMo would break out of his shell a bit. Morris did have one of his better college seasons when Steve was his point guard, it was probably just a calculated risk on Rudy's part. Might be interesting to see how these two work together in the starting lineup tonight.
not that other teams are particulary scared of us, but maybe Rudy is trying to get them to concentrate on tapes of certain players when he actually intends to match up with others. With all of these injuries, you certainly have to be flexible, and it would seem that anything would help.....even a little deception. And as with Shandon and Cuttino, starting position doesn't always mean that much in regards to PT. What I'm really trying to say is: This is the least of my worries.
That's exactly the problem I have with this decision. Why take a 20/10 guy out of your line-up for a guy who has done nothing. I don't understand it. TMO has had time lately to show something but he hasn't. You don't bench a 20/10/2 guy for any reason, especially a scrub and I'm sorry but TMO is a scrub.
I'm just hypothesizing here, but ... You think Rudy's a little bitter that Eddie Griffin went to the media and proclaimed himself a 3, so Rudy's attempting to put EG in his place a little bit?
NBA.com's Rockets team page list Griff and Tmo starting tonight. New Year, New Attitude Jan. 3 - With a dismal end to 2001 safely behind, the Rockets get their chance for a fresh start to the new year tonight when the Detroit Pistons visit Compaq Center. The team's spirit has been lifted with the return of Steve Francis, who tonight will make his first start in nearly six weeks. Kenny Thomas and Walt Williams both will miss tonight's game to rest minor injuries, meaning Houston will once again go with a frontcourt duo of rookies Eddie Griffin and Terence Morris. Be sure to check back to rockets.com later this afternoon to check out video interview clips from Francis, Rudy T. and Griffin from this morning's shootaround.
That's what I was thinking. The Rockets' website had Eddie starting for the GS game too but it was Thomas who started.
I understand Rudy not letting injury cost Kenny Thomas his starting spot, but I think the Rockets are a better team when they start with Griffin's shotblocking and style of play. The statistics for both Thomas and Griffin are nice, but they do not address the style of play issue. Kenny Thomas is another iso guy. He gets a lot of his offense in one-on-one situations. In my opinion, he is quick and easy offense. On the glass, Kenny does a respectable job of putting up good numbers. Defensively, Kenny is strong, hustles and makes his man work for his points. There is no doubt kenny is a good player. Eddie Griffin gives the Rockets a different look. On offense, Griffin scores more in the flow of the offense in pick and roll, catch and shoot situations. Griffin does an excellent job of stretching the defense out to the 3 point line. Griffin is also adept at flashing to the basket. (Whether or not someone passes him the ball when he is open is another matter.) Eddie doesn't rely as much on isolations which I think helps the Rockets get more fluid offense. On the glass, Griffin isn't just posting up numbers, he is also tipping almost everyball that remotely comes his way. Griffin makes it more difficult for the other team to rebound the ball by tipping balls to other Rockets. This is something Kenny Thomas doesn't provide. On defense, we all know Griffin swats shots. Griffin's presence in the middle alters the oppsing team's game plan. When Griffin is in the game, opposing players have to change their shots and often get intimidated into a turnover. Eddie Griffin's defense changes how the opposing team plays offense. When Griffin is near the basket the opposition is more likely to shoot a jumper than risk taking the ball into the Griffin's territory ( kinda like it was with Hakeem). When Griffin comes out of a game, I notice that teams immediately attack the basket. I like Kenny Thomas alot, but I think that Griffin makes a better starting power forward.
JeffB, very nice post. I really like how you point out that Eddie forces us to play team offense. Plus his defensive presence alters the game in ways that isn't always in a box score. These are two things that KT cannot offer. KT is ideal for coming off the bench and providing some instant O when things get stale. Invaluable to any championship team. So in other words, this team becomes easier to defend when KT is in the lineup for extended time. Whereas Griff makes life more complicated for the opposing team on both ends.
Rudy should be trying to win games not stroke Cato's ego so Cato can play up to his full capability of 6 pts 7 rebs and 5 fouls with 3 to's per game. I say if Griffin is ready to start in Rudy's mind he should start. KT should also start and if Torres is ready to play then he should also. Who cares about positions. KT is a good player and shouldn't be benched but neither should EG so start em both. By the way(just in case its not obvious) Nikestrad me quoting you and disagreeing with your view shouldn't be taken as a sign of disrespect.
Don't listen to him, Nike! He's implicitly making fun of your mother and attacking your (wo)manhood. Teach this measly 42-post Member some respect!
Crossfire, I am not sure at this point EG is more difficult to defend than KT. Why would that be the case. EG has not shown he can drive on someone. As of now KT is far more accomplished offensively and hence is more dangerous to a defense. He has range on his shot and he can drive with the best at his position. He is a pretty good passer also so when considering double teaming him, that will be a factor. EG has shown range on his jumpshot and is very active on the boards, but I do think defenses are still more concerned with KT.
I agree with Relativist. teeloo is a p***y who vicariously lives through Cato's childrens books silently waiting for his new line of pajamas to come out,,, and he was definitely busting NIKE's balls.
I hope Morris does become our future 3 just like I'm hoping about Griffin to be the 4. Those 2 developing can greatly help our defensive ability in the future. I have no real complaints about Morris other than him shooting a lot of long range shots, which the offense designs him to do. I really hope he develops and give us person with the chance to defend the Peja's ,Dirk's, and Carters of the league. I'm really not to excited about seeing Cat playing the 3 with the small lineup.
