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[Chron] With injuries slowing team, Budinger delivers

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Egghead, Apr 11, 2010.

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  1. Egghead

    Egghead Member

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    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6953480.html

    PHOENIX — Their pregame warmups complete, Chase Budinger and Luis Scola entertained themselves for a few moments of a Budinger dunking clinic.

    Budinger bounced the ball off the floor and backboard before punching home dunks, making way for Scola to try in a one-shot version of H-O-R-S-E. Scola never quite got it right, either jumping too soon or late, sometimes coming up short on the dunks as they laughed until director of player development Brett Gunning shooed them off the court to save legs for the game.

    There was a time when Budinger would not have had to concern himself with such considerations. Time, however, catches everyone.

    “High school man, I had hops then,” Budinger said. “I could go in the gym and, without stretching, start dunking. Not anymore. Man, 82 games, man.”

    There is a note of pride in his tone, however, as he speaks of the jumping ability that still surprises NBA crowds. With his playing time increasing in recent weeks, so has the frequency of dunks, many on alley-oops that come without warning and draw clear reactions of surprise on the road.

    “I hear it,” Budinger said through a laugh. “I don't think a lot of people see a lot of white guys dunking, especially in this league. I think I surprise them with that. They might cast me as a shooter. I'll throw down a dunk or something and people may ooh and ahh. I like that reaction from the crowd, especially on the road.”

    He does not expect that tonight in Phoenix, where his abilities through three seasons at the University of Arizona were well known. After a midseason slump, he has surged down the stretch, justifying a confidence he made no effort to hide.
    Showing his skills

    “I kind of backed up my words with my play, I guess,” Budinger said. “I knew I could play in my own mind, and I was able to go out there and show it. Now I really know after experiencing it a little bit.”

    Beginning with a breakthrough game against the Wizards, when he scored a career-best 24 points in a win to end the Rockets' longest losing streak of the season, he has averaged 14.6 points on 52.1 percent shooting and 53 percent 3-point shooting. The Rockets have gone 5-2 in that stretch.

    “It's all about confidence,” Budinger said. “I knew I needed to step up because guys are hurt now. I just knew I had to be more aggressive. Then I was able to get some easy ones and boost up my confidence. Once I got my confidence, I was able to knock down shots.”

    Budinger plans to attend summer league, where he dominated last July to mock his surprising fall into the second round of the 2009 draft, in hopes of improving his ballhandling and pick-and-roll play.
    Better on defense

    Budinger has improved at staying in front of ball handlers defensively but said he has to get stronger. Some of the improvement needed, however, will come only with experience.

    “I think he's going to be a big, big part of what we're going to do,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “I've said it all along, I think Chase's development and chance to play more is going to depend on defensively, how much he learns.

    “He has really shown he can play in this league. He is a guy we really are going to rely on to come off the bench and give us a lift. He is going to get better at taking it to the basket. We're going to get better at using him. I have a lot of positive feeling about how he's played all year.”

    He has long since regained his jumping ability, and even with a few moments reminiscing about his youth, he is still just a 21-year-old veteran of most of one NBA season.

    “With anybody, toward the end of the season, it takes a toll,” Budinger said. “My legs, body may be a little fatigued. It feels like it takes a little more to get warmed up than it used to.

    “It takes me a little while to get warmed up, but I still got it.”
     
    #1 Egghead, Apr 11, 2010
  2. cato13

    cato13 Member

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    I really like this kid and the unlimited potential he has for the future. I think he could be our "Gonobolli" of this team with the strong possibility of him being our starter in the next year or two. He has the complete package offensively and when he gets better/stronger on defense, look out.

    He is going to be special.
     
    #2 cato13, Apr 11, 2010
  3. thumbs

    thumbs Member

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    Big Bad Bud

    (Jimmy Dean)

    (Big Bud, Big Bad Bud)
    Ev'ry mornin' at the court you could see him arrive
    He stood six foot six and weighed two twenty five
    Kinda broad at the shoulder and narrow at the hip
    And everybody knew ya didn't give no lip to Big Bud.
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)

    Nobody seemed to know where Bud called home
    He just drifted into town and stayed all alone
    He didn't say much, kinda quiet and shy
    And if you spoke at all, you just said "Hi" to Big Bud.

    Somebody said one March night he found Zona fame
    When he got in a tight during a desert game
    But a crashin' dunk from a huge right hand
    Sent a Californy team to the Promised Land -- Big Bud
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)

    Then came the day at the bottom of the boards
    When a whistle blew and men started cryin'
    Hoopsters were prayin' and hearts beat fast
    And everybody thought that they'd breathed their last -- 'cept Bud

    Through the dust and the smoke of this man-made hell
    Walked a giant of a man that the crowd knew well
    Blocked a saggin' defender who gave out with a groan
    And like a giant oak tree he just stood there alone -- Big Bud
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)

    And with all of his strength he gave a mighty shove
    Then a Rock yelled out "There's a light up above!"
    While four men scrambled from a would-be foul
    Now there's only one left down there for the save -- Big Bud

    With fakes and passes he started back down
    Then came that rumble way down in the crowd
    Where smoke and gasps belched out of those stands.
    Everybody knew it was back to the line for Big Bud
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)

    Now every night they always sell out that worthless pit
    And one day they'll place a marble stand in front of it
    These few words will be written on that stand:
    At the end of his game stands a big, big man -- Big Bud.
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)

    [Fade]
    (Big Bud, Big Bud) Big Bad Bud (Big Bud)
     
    #3 thumbs, Apr 11, 2010
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2010
    1 person likes this.
  4. DJ

    DJ Member

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    I'm confused. Isn't Bud the Black Joe Johnson? Is he pulling a Michael Jackson?
     
    #4 DJ, Apr 11, 2010
  5. QdoubleA

    QdoubleA Member

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    “With anybody, toward the end of the season, it takes a toll,” Budinger said. “My legs, body may be a little fatigued. It feels like it takes a little more to get warmed up than it used to.

    “It takes me a little while to get warmed up, but I still got it.”

    ...Sounds so familiar.
     
    #5 QdoubleA, Apr 11, 2010
  6. RV6

    RV6 Member

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    is he taking a shot at tmac? :eek:
     
    #6 RV6, Apr 11, 2010
  7. saleem

    saleem Member

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    No he isn't. The players have moved on from that.
     
    #7 saleem, Apr 11, 2010
  8. Naija Texan

    Naija Texan Member

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    I like Chase, but it is only one season and I remember in either the last game or the game before where a dunk attempt was blocked by the rim.


    I know it happens to a lot of guys, but I can't let it go since it isn't the first time either.
     
    #8 Naija Texan, Apr 11, 2010
  9. DreamShook

    DreamShook Member

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    I don't know where you're going with these statements.. You don't think he will amount to anything because he missed dunks? You don't think he is athletic because he got caught by the rim a couple times?
     
    #9 DreamShook, Apr 11, 2010
  10. vince

    vince Member

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    It's better to try and fail than to never try at all...

    Come on the guy is averaging 14 points a game in the last 7 games; while shooting over 50% Wow!! :eek:
     
    #10 vince, Apr 11, 2010
  11. RocketRaccoon

    RocketRaccoon Contributing Member

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    this should help thumbs' great effort!

    <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bx59fmP7jYE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bx59fmP7jYE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
     
    #11 RocketRaccoon, Apr 11, 2010
  12. thumbs

    thumbs Member

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    Thanks. This tune from my youth really dates me though.
     
    #12 thumbs, Apr 11, 2010
  13. jevjnd

    jevjnd Member

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    He needs to impose his will on the rim more. I think that's what he was trying to say.
     
    #13 jevjnd, Apr 11, 2010
  14. ASidd_1990

    ASidd_1990 Rookie

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    Remember the last guy who said he was gonna "impose his will"?
     
    #14 ASidd_1990, Apr 11, 2010
  15. ChrisBosh

    ChrisBosh Member

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    Budinger is better than I thought he was going to be, it appears the guy has some game.
     
    #15 ChrisBosh, Apr 11, 2010
  16. steddinotayto

    steddinotayto Member

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    Bud's defense isn't that bad and, like he said in the article, I think the he just needs to get stronger. As long as he can stay and keep up with the guy he's guarding, he'll be fine.
     
    #16 steddinotayto, Apr 11, 2010
  17. ReD_1

    ReD_1 Rookie

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    must be a hard experience for him to be a rookie and be responsible for playing roles he's given, thats admirable
    I hope he surpasses all expectations, he's really talented and a hard worker too
     
    #17 ReD_1, Apr 11, 2010
  18. jasonemilio

    jasonemilio Member

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    You fail sir.
     
    #18 jasonemilio, Apr 11, 2010
  19. Southern Select

    Southern Select Member

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    Is Chase the greatest white dunker in the history of the NBA?
     
    #19 Southern Select, Apr 11, 2010
  20. crimsonghost

    crimsonghost Member

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    Rex Chapman
     
    #20 crimsonghost, Apr 11, 2010
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