He will most likely come alive in the playoffs. In the big lights our rookies will go hard. In the big lights there are only two guys that I worry about somewhat and they are Rafer and Tracy McGrady. Rafer has the heart and Tracy is going to score points but we need both of them to be consistent and show up late in the 4th.
Teams have definately adjusted to him. Only defenseless teams like GS didn't, he dunked insane in that game. It may be possible that he is playing hurt, but he could be playing the same pain McGrady is in. Of course, Mcgrady's shoulder hasn't allowed it to bother him too much, but landry is a rookie. The thing is, when Landry first came in. He is a second rounder, a nobody. Scouts won't be bothered to look into. But when teams start to see second rounders going for 20+ points in a few games, thats when they start scouting that player. Lets just say, welcome to NBA to Landry. Teams actually adjust to your play style, so what he needs to do is learn from veteran rookies like scola. Scola may be a rookie, but he has professional experienced, and has obviously been scouted before during his days in argentina. But of course, he adjusted to it, and he was able to do the same in NBA. Landry is 24, one of the older rookies, but because he is one of the older rookies, you see him advancing at a much faster level than other first round rookies. he is more matured, and he knows how to take care of himself. IMO I don't know whether he'll show up in playoff, cause he'll be even more heavily scouted. But the man performs well in clutch moments. If I was correct, Landry was dunking insane in GS game after he came back from the injury. And he was jumping sky high for a clutch 3 point play dunk. So he'll proabably show up. However, next year is probably one of the biggest years for rockets so far. Aaron brooks and Carl Landry would've made enough adjustments. Next year, the rockets will be heavily scouted. Every NBA team knows rockets will become a major thread to NBA teams. Especially the fact that STEVIE might be coming back (I don't know him much, but i know he is one hell of a ball handler)
This guy is playing tentative, because he does not have a guaranteed contract for next year. He does not want to injure himself prior to signing a contract.
IMO, he's playing tentative because he's hurt, not because of contract issues. He is wearing that huge brace which means he is not 100%, but he is still playing through it. He wouldn't be playing tentatively to avoid injury for contract purposes, his two months of outstanding play aren't going to land him a blockbuster deal. If anything, playing tentatively would buy him that "he's great but injury prone and can't play through it" tag that no one wants.
as undermanned and undersized as we'll be in the playoffs, i think if we have even one man on our roster that doesn't show up and play well we are in trouble. getting past the first round will require a herculean effort from the whole squad except maybe if we face the nuggets.
