Hmm...if he isn't the best assist guy and he isn't best shooter, then how is he an amazing player? I have to admit, I was really dissapointed at him, but also at the team. The offense for this team is not even close to how it should go, but at least we're getting better.
We wouldn't have developed under JVG, since he didn't like playing rookies. He's developed because of any opportunity to play. JVG wouldn't have trusted him and ruined his confidence. It's a different story under Aldeman, he would have been awesome with Landry and Brooks. However, when Shane's 3 point shot is on, I'm lovin it.
I think Bobby will have more great games ahead and become a somewhat critical piece in our rotation. Not only giving Rafer a rest but picking the team up. I don't think he was too happy in his role in NO. And while I don't think he'll get back to where he was 7 years ago, I think he'll come close as I think he'll enjoy his new role and playing for Rick again. Morey's task was to get below the LT. In doing so he got rid of the biggest salary cap albatrose we had and picked up a player who still has value who played well for our current coach. And even if I'm wrong - I was wrong about Mike James being a good pickup - next year Bobby's contract is an expiring one. And all this for the price of Bonzi - who I think had good value but might have been a little too over valued by most Rocket fans. I think we came out winners on this one.
Clutch, This is where you and I disagree about Bonzi, I keep hearing about all his talent and he gets a ton of respect from announcers etc, but the guy just makes so many bone-headed plays, and his play on the post this year has been terrible. In addition to the financial reasons, I think this was a sell high situation, Bonzi just never fit here, sure he had the occassionally good or even great game, but more often than not, he was turning it over, not playing defense or missing free throws (seems to be a team trait)..... And like you, I have always feared that we did not have another option at the PG position should Rafer struggle, and we all know that is going to happen... So, maybe this is one of those cases where both teams get better, because it fills a need for both.....at least IMO. Because to me, Bonzi was redundant, and I have coveted Bobby Jackson on this team for a long time...he was one of those "I hate that guy" players....unless he is on your team. Glad to have him. DD
Man, thank you SO much for making this point. I have driven myself crazy on this board trying to convince people that Rudy Gay would NOT have made this team any better. Just because someone can go out and score 20 pts on 8-22 shooting does not mean he's going to help your team. I understand that the Grizzlies have changed a lot about their team since Battier was there, but the main core was still the same. Gasol and Miller were always going to be the main focus of that team, and you throw Battier in there, and they made the playoffs. You take him out and put Gay in there, and they were a lottery team. END OF DISCUSSION. Now, back to the main point.....yes, Morey has done a good job so far of surrounding T-Mac and Yao with talent that complements both of them. However, we will see how well that talent is able to perform under the pressure of the playoffs. But, one thing you can say about this team, is that they are deep enough to overcome bad nights from 1 or 2 guys....unlike the JVG teams.
Gay averages 20 ppg on 16.3 FGA/g. Battier 8.6 on 7.2, respectively. Gay has a better offensive game based on a combiination on efficency and production. If you want to go ahead and say Gay isn't as good a defender, that is true. I'd rather have Gay at this point, but it is difficult to judge how much Battier's D makes an impact.
I still question whether the Battier trade, whether you like it or not, can be pinned on Morey. That was made toward the beginning of his apprenticeship. CD definitely had a hand in it on some level. If you subtract that move though, you can't argue that Morey's moves have been anywhere from good to inconsequential. Scola, Landry, Brooks were all good moves, with James, and Francis as "bad moves," but ones that haven't really hurt us too much beacuse Morey didn't give up much to get them. This makes Morey very successful in my book. It's always the teams that get saddled with colossal mistakes that seem to be perpetually bad. If Morey keeps this up, one of his "good moves" is bound to develop into a "great move" and be enough to put us over the top.
its not difficult at all just watch what he does on the court. you will never find a shot his man takes that Battier isnt contesting. Even when he does get beat off the dribble or picked off by a screen/pick, he is very good at finding the angle to still contest (or more often recently, block it from behind) the shot. Then, watch how he helps others defend. The guy is quite basically the leader of our defense, I can safely say our defense would not be even close to what it is without him. Every championship team has at least one guy like Battier, we got ours.
If the HULK in Bonzi Wells wont come out in the playoffs, then it's a good trade. If Mike James biatch wont finally think he needs to earn his salary and hit some shots on the court, then it's a good trade. If Bobby Jackson can stay healthy and wont need to sit out a few weeks, then it's a good trade. Finally, if the Rockets can sweep March, then it's a good trade.
I knew exactly what Adelman had said to Morey before the trade. And that is " Jackson will fit in right to our back PG, because he knows the system well". It's a bad ass trade that we need just to keep up in the wild wild west conference. Thanks Morey and Coach Adelman! Well executed!!
1. About the Jackson trade: Even if Jackson doesn't play another game as a Rocket, the trade helps the team out in two ways: a. Giving the team better trade options (draft day, offseason, or in-season) with a significant expiring contract going into next season. b. Giving more minutes to Scola, Landry, and Head. Bonzi has not played badly of late (same thing cannot be said earlier in the season), but he plays about half of his time at the 4 (alongside Battier and Tracy, mostly). Those minutes really are better off going to Scola, Landry or even Chuck (in some situations). Scola and Landry have been scoring more efficiently than Bonzi, and rebound at least as well as Bonzi. All three of Scola, Landry, and Hayes have done better defensively of late, too, than Bonzi. Head vs. Wells is a debate... but if Wells only plays backup wing, there aren't enough minutes to keep him happy (especially if he wants to showcase his skills for a contract). Besides, Bonzi is kind of a poor fit next to Tracy and Rafer, two inconsistent long range shooters. 2. My larger point is not about Jackson, but about Morey's job overall. He has done well with under the radar moves which many people complained about.
Clutch... If you put an age requirement for posting on the board, you wouldn't have to use SUCH FOUL LANGUAGE!!
Jonathan Feigen wrote the following about Morey in his chat today: [rquoter]Jonathan_Feigen: He already seemed to know what he is doing. I was impressed during his apprentice year under Carroll Dawson at how much respect Morey had for different professionals with different approaches to player evaluation. He learned from CD, and then when he succeeded him, he was aggressive in putting together a staff that fits with his style. And he does that, with great confidence in his abilities. He will not bat 1.000. No one does. But he will make decisions based on solid information.[/rquoter] Please note that Feigen rarely has anything critical to say about Rockets management or coaching, so perhaps we should take this with a grain of salt.
Giving more minutes to Scola/Landry was essential. Bonzi gave us a lift here and there but i couldnt stand when he would take minutes away from our pfs. Our young guys will be on the team next year, the same cannot be said of Bonzi. Bonzi knew the offense but so does Bobby Jackson and i bet Jackson is better at teaching it. All in all im pleased.
