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11 and 13!!!

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Tsquare, Nov 20, 2008.

  1. Tsquare

    Tsquare Member

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    11 and 13 are the number of rebounds Ron Artest has gotten the last two games. Should he be the starting PF when Battier comes back in full form?

    I surely would like to see it cause I think it might help his game out and the team being that he'll have an quickness advantage over almost every PF in the league and it'll spread the court more for Yao to operate cause he has the ability to hit open 3s. Not to mention that having him as the starting PF would leave possibly, the best two defenders on the court together most of the games. He'll be like a Chuck Hayes that can shoot... :rolleyes:

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Grimm920

    Grimm920 Member

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    Scola has been playing outstanding lately. He deserves to keep the post..

    I think Artest should play on the 2nd unit. He is used to Adelman's Kings offense and the 2nd unit runs it much better then the first... plus there will always be a top defender on the court that way...
     
  3. Shaud

    Shaud Member

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    No he should not. He or Battier should come off the bench.
     
  4. JayZ750

    JayZ750 Member

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    I can't remember the last time I saw Nowitzki actually post someone up and back them down. Not his post up fade away jumpers, but post-up, back down, use your size type thing. Until last night, when Ron got switched on him.

    Granted, none of our PF's seem to be good man defenders, but I was surprised how Dirk was able to back Artest down...but then, Dirk's soft game makes you forget how big he actually is.

    Anyway, point is, no, I don't think Artest should start or get serious minutes at PF...some, sure, but not a lot.
     
  5. Uprising

    Uprising Member

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    I really wish we'd play the pick n roll with Scola more often. The dude is nails from the top of the key.

    We did it a lot in the NO game, but maybe only 1 time against Dallas.
     
  6. Tsquare

    Tsquare Member

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    I seen him back Scola down too. Artest walks around at 260. That out-weights most of PF in the league if true! He's one of the strongest if not the strongest player on our roster. Maybe he just didn't have all is weight on him...
     
  7. ShadyMcGrady

    ShadyMcGrady Member

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    I'm pretty sure Ron's ankle was bothering him there. He couldn't put all his weight against it to stop Nowitzki. There's no way Nowitzki could back Artest down healthy.
     
  8. Tsquare

    Tsquare Member

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    good point
     
  9. Downtown Sniper

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    Artest should be on the second unit when Battier comes back.

    The second unit offense contains Brookes and Landry - we need someone on the wing. Artest takes too many posessions away from McGrady and Ming - they're aren't cohesive out on the court together at the same time.

    Certain situations will warrant them all on the court at the same time - but i'm hoping for the moment he leads our second unit.

    When we're all healthy - and have gelled - i definately want to see him in the starting squad.

    But not at the moment.
     
  10. ElPigto

    ElPigto Member
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    As I have said several times this season, as soon as Battier comes back to form, Artest needs to be in our second unit.
     
  11. Bassem

    Bassem Member

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    Well, the 11 rebounds was against a weak Oklahome City Thunder, and the 13 rebounds happened cause Yao wasn't there. Although, it really is great to see how aggressive he's playing, even on a weak ankle, I don't expect him to put up a double double often.
     
  12. killlogan

    killlogan Member

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    I can't fully agree with what this gentleman commented.

    Ron Artest grab plenty of rebounds in the last two games but few of them was grabed over the PFs' heads. With his powerful figure, Ron has a huge advantage over other SGs or SFs in rebounding, but he can hardly win the rebound over a big guy due to the size. Ron will grab far less rebounds if he plays starting PF because he'll lost his physical advantages without scola taking care of the oppoent PF, and Ron has to face the PFs himself on both ends of the floor. Paying too much energy for defense will radically reduce ron's threat at offense. I don't want to lost such a weapon so I am not for this idea.

    Yao can hit three? Yes he can when he plays FIBA, but it's not FIBA but NBA where the three range is far longer. No team needs to take care of Yao when he's outside the three point range, because yao doesn't have the ability at all to shoot the ball from the NBA three point line. I see no hope yao can hit the three and he needn't shoot the 3 at all, he should always stays where he's most dangerous.
     
  13. Tsquare

    Tsquare Member

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    Battier would help on the boards too! I think it could work. And about the threes... I was talking about Artest but I wouldn't mind seeing Yao shoot some threes too like in transition when he is getting back up court :D
     
  14. MONON

    MONON Member

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    I agree. To me, Artest meshes well with Yao or TMac; but seems lost with both. After Battier comes back, I think Artest should come off the bench. That gives us the starters that started the 22 game win streak and the best bench in the league(Brooks, Landry, Barry, Hayes and Artest).
     
  15. GBRocket

    GBRocket Member

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    This reminds me of the GMAT questions in the critical reasoning section where you have to guess the missing assumption which links to the two parts of the argument.

    I mean, just because he had a few rebounds doesn't mean he should be the PF. Have you seen how he gets some of these? There are at least 4-5 a game where he out hustles another team member to collect a board from an undefended free throw attempt by the other team, scoops up a ball which bounces out of Yao's hands or wrestles a ball out of Rafer's hands before giving it right back.

    Besides, like others have said, the plan is for him to hit the bench and lead the 2nd unit, at the 3-spot.
     
  16. DwangBoy

    DwangBoy Member

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    bring artest off the bench b/c battier.... is a stud on defense. moreso than artest.
     
  17. burnnotice

    burnnotice Rookie

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    I also agree that Artest should come off the bench when Battier gets back, but I think they should move Hayes into the starting lineup for Scola. Artest at Power Forward makes no sense as he is not a post defender, he is a stopper, there is a big difference. Having Landry and Scola play backup Center/PF with the rest of those quick offensive guys like Brooks is a much better option than having Hayes in there trying to set picks for guys who don't need them. Scola gets the bulk of his shot attempts when Yao is out of the game anyway and I don't know why you would want him taking a lot of shots when Yao is in the game. Also, as has been hit on many times, Yao/Scola is a weak frontline, Yao stays out of foul trouble when he has a bodyguard like Hayes in there. Hayes doesn't play well at all with the 2nd unit.

    The first unit should be all about Yao/McGrady with Battier yelling out defensive commands. When that doesn't work, you bring in the hustle players like Scola, Landry, and Brooks. Artest just gives you a star to play with that 2nd unit.
     
  18. ambrose86

    ambrose86 Rookie

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    got tricked into clicking in this thread....
    This is trash!!!
     
  19. Shroopy2

    Shroopy2 Member

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    As much as Yao or McGrady dont have big egos and the Rockets have a great locker room, for some reason people like Rafer and Battier fit in better with them than Scola or Artest (offensively). But whatever, thats a good thing mixing in talent instead of not having any.

    Artest is not a power forward. He outrebounds guys at his position but it doesnt mean he's snagging boards over the reach of power forwards and centers. Its like saying Steve Francis or Jason Kidd could be small forwards cuz of their rebounding numbers. I wouldnt mind him there like an Anthony Mason type power forward but you limit his effectiveness. Plus Artest isnt the most healthiest of players himself.
     

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