[Optimism!] 5 reasons the Rockets should be a much improved team

If scola is getting 32 mins, hill should get the other 16 mins and he should get 4 or so at center. Hill should play at least 20 mins a night.

 

I agree with this premise, but our 1-3 lineup is going to put a lot of pressure on our bigs because our 1-3 lineup is weak defensively, especially when Lowry and Battier aren't on the floor.

Agreed with regard to the offensive end, but perimeter play is a two-way street. If Brooks can just do a better job of disrupting and rushing opponent's shots, and Martin can show some committment to defense, then our perimeter play will truly be improved.

I hope you're right. I'd prefer not to expect much out of Yao, and to be pleasantly surprised by what we get out of him during his limited minutes.

Our depth chart is insane AND flexible, which will also help when injuries pop up:

(PG) Brooks (1-2), Lowry (1), Ish (1)

(SG) Martin (2-3), Lee (1-3), Taylor (1-2, maybe 3 in small ball lineup)

(SF) Battier (3 or 4 in small ball), Budinger (2-3), Jeffries (a 3, but defense on 2-5)

(PF) Scola and Hayes (4-5), Patterson (3-4 but really a 4)

(C) Yao and Miller (4-5, having both on court for stretches will be FUN), Hill (4, DO NOT want to see him playing 5)

Agree whole-heartedly.

1995 would be my guess, but don't read too much into that. I still think that we need to do something big or big-ish by the All-Star break, and that as stacked we aren't a lock for the second round and we're a long shot for the WCF. But we can compete with anyone, Heat, Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, and we will be fun to watch.

 

Who do you have play C when Yao is sitting? And I honestly don't have a big problem with Yao, Miller, Scola, and Hill getting all the minutes at 4 and 5...but as you said, that's not what we're going to see.

 

What do you guys see in Hill to think such importance to get him minutes? I am much more excited to see AB's improvement over last season than Hill's prospect.

 

I think it's the Morey influence. It's really about giving minutes to Hayes or Hill. Hayes, value is set whether or not he plays much. Hill needs to minutes to improve his asset value. Improving the overall asset value of the team means Hill plays.

They really need to give out an award at the end of the year for this stuff.

 

But don't we always say "you gotta earn your minutes"? Hill has shown some promise, but I don't think 12 (for example) minutes is unfair for him. If he does great on those 12 minutes consistently, then we can increase to 24 or something. I just don't think you want to reduce Scola/Hayes/Miller's minutes to get Hill to play more at this moment. Having said all those, there is a good chance that we are forced to play Hill extended minutes given Yao's minute limitation and Miller's age.

 

1) We will have a player that really knows the Adleman offense slated for the starting lineup and the bench brigade

For the first time since Rick became our coach, the Rockets have an entire season with two players prolific in the RA offense - in Kevin Martin & Brad Miller. We potentially have a player coach on the floor at all times to help facilitate the right way to run the motion offense. In one of Brad Miller's first pressers after his Rockets signing, it was mentioned that he was instructing Rocket's players where to be on the floor during a game last season. And in his first game this preseason in China, he was astutely directing traffic again. After deftly dropping a bounce pass in the lane to a cutting Chase Budinger, the defense was forced to foul. Then noise from the bench, smiles abound and a point back to the bench with a nod of knowing from Brad. That moment right there told us - we're in good hands with Brad Miller running the high post off of the bench. The rest of the bench brigade will run Rick Adleman's offense with Brad Miller's mastery of it.

2) Jordan Hill will continue to develop

IMO, Hill will get time on the court and improve. Perhaps the more time he gets, the more that Arizona Wildcat synergy he and Chase had reemerges. Watching Hill in the preseason, it shows that he & the Rockets have worked on his game, unlike his time in NY. Whether or not Hill is still on this team come trade deadline remains to be seen, but his continued development is a plus either way.

3) We are healthy

All of the analysis out there is predicated on if Yao stays healthy, if Martin doesn't get injured again. But this is a five reasons to be optimistic thread and last time I checked we were all healthy, save for a down the depth chart Chuck Hayes rolled ankle. And I know Yao can only play 24 minutes a game if it is not a back-to-back. But I love seeing him on that exercise bike and I love that Brad will get around 24 minutes a game. And I love that Yao will be strong, in shape, rested, focused and ready for playoff basketball that will exceed the 24 minute allotment.

4) We will only get better as the season progresses

This is probably the most talented team RA has had as a Rockets Coach and the most knowledgeable of his offense. I expect to see more mastery with more repetition. And, hey, if the roster needs a tweak, Morey has us in prime position to do that.

5) We will have a better defense that last year

Yao's back in the middle and Chuck is available again to come in as the defensive post specialist. I have such admiration for Mr. Hayes. Apparently, he bulked up last year to better play center and slimmed down this off-season to better play power forward and also improved his offensive game. What would the Rockets do without you, Chuck?

We also traded an expensive defensive gamble and chucker in Ariza for a cheaper and more effective defensive wing in Lee, who's buddies with our most efficient scorer Martin.

So, there are some more reasons for optimism.

 

if you believe what you're saying, you're not being the devil's advocate. you're being the devil.

the devil.

 

Yet half this board thinks he ready to be a starter.

 

Well, he showed flashes in that Laker game, and is still the same explosive player. His jumper just isn't falling. That will come with time. Players that know how to shoot and shoot well like Bud won't stay in a slump for long.

Heck, I remember when players like Alston, Brooks, Battier and others started off a season slow and folks were using their to date season averages as what to expect the rest of the year. I mean, Rafer is a bad shooter, but he wasn't going to stay at 20% from three for the whole year. He isn't THAT bad.

So I am fairly confident that Budinger will return to his mid 40% FG with mid-upper 30% 3P. And then the cries to start him won't seem so strange.

 

Is this Daryl Morey himself?