Here's an opportunity for Chuck Hayes to show people why he is one of the best defenders in the league. If Chuck hayes frustrates and limits L. Aldrifge all series, it will be hard for Blazers to produce points and overcome Rockets defense. I would rather see Hayes getting lots of minutes and turning this into a defensive series than Scola score points but give a lot more to Aldridge on the other end. Watch Hayes minutes for each game of the series. Watch how Aldrige plays with Hayes on him and without him. Chuck Hayes can makeself the XY factor in this series. Good Luck Chuck!
Yeah, sure glad we still got chuck. Scola is great, but he gets torched by long, athletic fours. I hope Adleman has a quick hook on him (not like in dallas.)
That is one of the key match ups that I had planned in observing. Aslong as we can keep Roy from getting in the groove with Artest and Battier; while having Chuck doing his thing with Alridge we might be able to sweep this series.
Deke Hayes Battier Artest Lowry Get it done Adelman. No driving, no shooting, no layups. Are we clear?
In the last game the two teams played, I noticed that Aldridge had realized that Hayes goes for the strip down low. Aldridge adjusted by not showing the ball and exposing his arm first which resulted in a lot of fouls by Hayes. Hopefully Hayes counteracts by mixing it up and not going for the strip each time. Let the mind games begin.
and unlike dallas.. Scola actually has played better on both ends of the court against Portland.. he hasn't had undeniable trouble with Aldridge since their first meeting this season..
The performance of our PG's is also vital to our success as well our ability to involve other players when Yao is in trouble.
Too bad we have a dumb coach that never sees that. That's why he put Scola on Dirk continuously and getting killed continuously.
LOL! The way Scola has been keeping Aldridge in check so far (and if he keeps it up), good luck getting many minutes Chuck!
And Deke was phenomenal. If Adelman has to choose between playing Deke and Chuck, with Deke giving this kind of effort, I say stick with Deke.
I expected a healthy dose of Hayes tonight, and throughout the series. But kudos to Scola who played his ass off on defense. It looked like he actually watched some game film and learned from his past mistakes, imagine that! About time Luis... on the other hand Cook played twice as many minutes as Hayes and that is a unforgivable.
I thought Scola did well denying Aldridge the ball, and played Aldridge aggressively on defense (fronting him at times IIRC). As a result, he mostly shot long jumpers. I was surprised the Blazers never really adjusted and/or tried to get him more in the game. Oden was by far more active (although most of it came during garbage time). But it's good to have somebody like Hayes who could be such a game changer if/when he shuts down somebody like Aldridge.
I'm sure Rick adelman will play chuck if LMA heats up.. today Scola played awesome D. it was enuf to stifle LMA