http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/12/31/contentment-on-a-treadmill/ There are so many players in this league that infuriate me with their unfulfilled potential. Every time Tyrus Thomas bites on a bad pump fake, I end up with my head in my hands. Every time Marvin Williams starts to slowly turn invisible, I shake my head. And every time Mario Chalmers hands the ball to an opposing defender, I damn near throw my remote through my television. But Trevor Ariza is a bizarre exception. He has the athleticism necessary to be an elite two-way swingman, but he proves night after night that he has no business whatsoever operating in a shot-creating capacity. His defensive aptitude is completely reliant on quickness and length over technique, even if his style doesn’t scream for it as obviously as, say, Josh Smith’s. And with the Rockets, Ariza consistently plays as if he’s everything he should be, rather than everything he is. I know that Houston deserves a more natural scoring leader, and no team in the league would benefit more from one. But the little voice inside my head (the same one that screams at Tyrus or sighs at Marvin) only seems to reiterate what I already know: Trevor Ariza is exactly where he’s supposed to be. You could blame a lot of people for Ariza’s stunted offensive development, but it just seems natural for him to exist in his current state. As a Laker, Ariza’s skill set made him not a Kobe wannabe, but a welcome, unique part of a championship squad. And as a Rocket, Ariza’s physical tools would seemingly allow him to step into Tracy McGrady’s shoes, but his limitations allow him to be something so much more. If you were to pick out the teams of the NBA in the truest sense of the word, the Rockets would certainly be among them. Would that be the case if the divide in traditional statistical production between Ariza and his teammates was more notable? If his high number of shot attempts were a product of anything other than necessity? Hardly. If Ariza had a more diverse offensive game, it’s probable that the Rockets would be improved as well. But everything we’ve come to know about them this season would be eclipsed by convention. Ariza’s mediocrity (which isn’t meant to be an insult) is part of what makes Houston so unbelievably charming, as if each clanging jumpshot or overambitious drive was only further evidence of Trevor being earnest. The Rockets are only the Rockets because of their delightful limitations, and to expect more of Ariza is to wish death upon the Rox as we know them.
I will forego Trevor's charms if he were to gain better offensive skills. But I agree with the article. Trevor Ariza is a Rocket. He smells like a Rocket. He has Rocket-type strengths and weaknesses. He is exactly where he is born to be.
Translation: Ariza's lack of skills makes Houston an overachieving underdog. If he had skills the Rockets would be just another good team.
I really hope Trevor continues to follow tonight's blueprint. 1) Drive to the bucket 2) Be selective with his jumpers 3) Fill up the stat sheet with dimes, boards and steals 11 points, 9 boards, 7 assists and 3 steals....THIS IS HOW IS SHOULD BE EVERY NIGHT... :grin:
Trevor came into the league as a 43rd overall draft pick with no shooting ability, and practically no skills except dunking a basketball. The way is playing now is already above the potential that people projected him to be.
Well, if you're gonna have limitations, they might as well be delightful. I didn't quite know what to expect from the article but it seemed sincere. Just like the Rockets.
I would want that down to 2-3 a game but I can live with TOs if he does everything else at a good rate. He isn't ever going to be a stud and should never be expected to but continue to evolve shouldn't be to much to ask. I honestly think the article basically calls us the underdog with the same lovable qualities that makes people root for us.
"Trevor Ariza is one of those guys who has the tools to be a great player. He isn't one, though, but it doesn't frustrate me because he's on the Rockets. You know, the team of assorted disabled people who are somehow able to win games. When they miss a shot, an angel sings in heaven and they get a point anyway. So Trevor kind of fits in - his 'unrealized potential' is his beautiful handicap that allows him to be on the Rockets."
Well, the guy tells it like it is. Ariza sorta sucks but it makes Houston more charming. Notice no one says the Celtics, Lakers, Cavs or any other title contender is charming. Charming is not good, charming is a nice way to say "Yeah, you made it to the playoffs. Now, here is your first round exit." I will gladly trade charming Trevor for Lebron and watch the Rockets takeoff into title contention. Screw charming, I want to be respected and feared as a championship team.
Trevor could be a terrific asset to the Rockets when we need a steal in the final 2 minutes of the game. Outside of that, time for Buddinger to start and Harris off the bench. I guess I have lost patience.
