At least 11 Rockets deserve minutes, something's got to give

If Patterson keeps playing this way? I dont see why you keep playing Hayes, Hill, or Jeffries ahead of him. Thats just stunting his growth and value. Got to get this guy that talented on the floor to log some major minutes for when Scola might start to decline. Eventually this guy is our starter I believe. Hill was already the fourth best player in Summer league behind Patterson first, JT next(might have been one good game), and Budinger. These guys got to play. The veterans should go in favor of upgrades now.

 

Brooks/Lowry
Martin/Bud/Taylor
Ariza/Battier/Bud
Scola/PP/Hill
Yao/Hill/Hayes

Run with this. I think this is a strong team with a lot of depth. And a second team of Lowry/Bud/Battier/PP/Hill still looks like a pretty good team

 

Keeps playing what way? He's played one game. In the summer league. Yeah, he looked good but don't get ahead of yourself. Joey Dorsey averaged 15 rebounds last year and James White was our leading scorer in a couple of games. Donte Greene looked great in 2008 and now he's yet to do anything in the league yet. AB looked great in 2007 too but he really didn't start contributing to the team until the next season.

All I'm saying is don't let what a player does against scrubs and first and second year players in the summer league guide your expectations for their performance in the upcoming season.

 

Andersen and JJ will stuggle to see any PT barring injuries.

I am not sure what they would be worth in a trade, but they are effectively no good to us.

 

Not if he shows up to play like he did last night. If Taylor demonstrates an ability to play good D, he will be the backup 2 with Bud getting some minutes there too.

As much as it pains me to write this, I think it is time for Battier to go. I don't see how you can justify playing him ahead of any of those guys unless it is for situational defense.

Perhaps Battier and Jeffries for Tyson Chandler... I'm nervous that Hill isn't ready to guard 5's, and bringing in someone like Chandler would give Hill more time to get ready and serve as insurance in case Yao isn't ready to go. He also gives us a bigger shot blocking threat on the floor, and let's face it, when AB and Martin are guarding the 1 and 2...that's sort of a necessity.

AB/Lowry
Martin/Taylor
Ariza/Bud
Scola/Patterson/Hill
Yao/Backup 5/Hill

 

What did you see last night that translates to the NBA floor? What I saw was a ball hogging guy that put his head down and charged into the lane attacking the basket, which can work in the summer league against lessor players but not in the NBA.

When he got the ball, he just didn't look at anyone else, it was like a black hole out there, and he lost his man on defense a lot.

I think he has a ways to go, because he will not get the ball that much in the NBA.....to me it looks like the team is showcasing him in the SL hoping to trade him ala Donte Green a couple of years ago.

You may be right, but Battier plays very well with Yao Ming....but he is an expiring so I could see him gone...

DD

 

Battiers plays well with Yao Ming in no more than three games a season, he is getting a bit over the hill now !

 

I thought Yao was only 30 years old, how is that over the hill?



DD

 

Nice post!

 

I agree, a great post by "Rocket Addict".

It is too early to talk about rotation....it would appear Morey is not done trying to get a back up Center.

We definitely need a defensive presence like Deke gave us.

I really hope it is Tyson Chandler...he would be a perfect fit for that.

I hope this will happen.

 

I saw what could be the next Von Wafer, a player that can provide instant scoring off the bench, being aggressive and making things happen. Yes, he was playing against lesser players, but he will primarily play against reserves anyway. This guy puts up "Kobe" type numbers and you want to call him a ball hog? He did dish out 3 assists and his defense was better than we usually get from our two guard.

 

Assumptions:

a) There aren't any dramatic roster changes before the start of the season.
b) Lowry and Scola are resigned.
c) Yao is ready to go on Day 1.
d) Adelman uses roughly an 8 or 9 man rotation.

There really isn't any question at PG. Brooks and Lowry are the guys.

At the wings, it's already going to be tough to find minutes for Martin, Ariza, Battier and Budinger. That leaves Taylor on the outside looking in for now no matter how beastly he looks playing in Scrubber League. Even Budinger may have trouble getting on the court until one of the wings ahead of him is traded or goes down to injury.

That's 6 spots locked in.

Scola is a lock. That's 7 spots.

Yao is a lock if healthy. That's 8 spots.

You are already pretty much at a full rotation.

The only real question is who backs up Scola and Yao in the frontcourt.

Does Adelman go to Hayes first? That's my guess since Hayes has seniority and experience over Hill and Patterson. It's also how Adelman typically operates. While he is willing to play younger players, he doesn't just throw them into the mix. I wouldn't even be surprised if he turns to Andersen before Hill or Patterson initially. Over time, both Hill and Patterson will likely earn minutes but it won't be right off the bat.

So, yea... there will be a number of players in the OP's list riding the pine to start the season if there aren't any further changes.

 

100% agree!!

--RB

 

Chuck Hayes is laughing at you all - you guys do this every year and say so & so is going to take his spot...then the next year he shows up and his number is called. He's going to be in there like he always is.

 

This is what training cap is for! Let the youngsters battle it out. It's a nice incentive for them to work hard this Summer.

 

The next Von Wafer, sure good comparison. Kobe numbers?! If Kobe was playing in the summer league he'd be putting up 100 a game come on now. These are rooks and sophomores, basically borderline NBA talent for the most part. The point people are trying to make is that he should be developing and rounding out his game this summer not just putting his head down and trying to score. He needs to dish, play d and show that he has a good mind for the game if he wants NBA minutes.

 

You could be right that he is being showcased. That's always a possibility, but I have a feeling the Rockets want to keep him at this point.

Last night, Taylor scored at will and demonstrated that he has clearly been working on his jump shot.

He's still not a team player yet, and I agree that he still has a ways to go. But I also think he's earning some backup minutes at the 2, and that he can play a Von Wafer type role IF he is willing to play good D. I think he has talent and all the physical tools. His ceiling remains high IMHO, and I'd like to see what the kid can do with a full season under his belt.

 

Taylor and Patterson, need to earn their minutes. So cut them off the "deserve list."

 

Taylor had an all-around good game yesterday. Assuming he continues in this capacity, he deserves minutes backing up Kevin. Jermain is more suited to the position than Budinger, and Shane, though still capable, is aging (and his skill-set is limited).

Jermain is one of the best on the team at creating shots. I'd like to see more bball IQ from him, but, considering his athleticism and skill-set, I see him getting more minutes this season.

 

He could be so much better and the game would be so much easier for him if he just looked up while he dribbles.

He is the consumate, one thought player.....score the ball......he needs the game to slow down for him, and get his head up, he could be so much more effective if he started looking around.

DD