Probably going to be the odd man out this year. Nachbar looks like he has some learning to do but definitely has the outside shot, driving ability, and confidence to succeed on this level.
I think AT is right. Assuming Rice is healthy and does not suck, somebody will get lost in the shuffle. Nachbar, KT, or TMo will be dissapointed. My guess is Nachbar. Just a gut feeling. Groin can't get enough rest, rookie, new league, polite enough to not whine. Next year there is room for everybody as Rice gets older and the others get better.
I think you guys are a little off on this one. Nachbar is still recovering from hernia surgery and is learning to play with that pain. He has only just begun to feel the ability to drive to the hoop and hasn't even attempted a slam during a game because it is still uncomfortable for him. During the mid-90's when the Rockets were mostly a veteran team and had players at pretty much every spot, Rudy would bring rookies along slowly. Sam Cassell was a great example. He didn't really start to become a factor until after the all star break. Even Griffin last year really only got significant playing time because of the injuries. Otherwise, he would have been brought along slowly too. Rudy is from the Pat Riley mold. He doesn't tend to play rookies much early on in the season, although Yao is probably an exception given that he was the #1 pick. The fact that the Rockets have Rice and Thomas playing SF just means Nachbar will have time to mature. Eventually, he'll get time. He just needs some learning time and some time to recover from that injury. He's been more and more active each preseason game and I'm sure that will continue into the season.
thats all well and good.. but i thought dan langhi could have been alot better if he had gotten more playing time. sometimes sitting on the end of the bench makes you really rusty when you actually do get into games..because..in your head you know..this is it...id better show something while i have the chance... i mean i guess, if they are really high on nachbar, and he doesnt have to prove himself at all..this wont matter...but if he gets barely any PT, and then when he does get in, stinks it up..i hope that doesnt lead to them trading him or cutting him i dont know..i just hope this isnt dan langhi all over again.. i guess because hes a higher pick it wont be...
Holden, I think Dan also took some ill-advised shots just because he was able to get PT and the result of them were rim clankers.
1) He was injured when he drained all those shots in the pre draft workouts. 2) He was recovering from the injury when he and Francis went at it in that shootout in Austin. 3) Europe is not know for the defense in their league. Conclusion, that leads me to believe that he is a good shooter, but he has some adjustments to make to the NBA as he will have a defender in his face. I think he will get it done, it will just be a while.
The defense he showed in the Orlando game was pretty miserable. They went at him as much as they could, and more than one person drive right by him. Hill and Miller both went straight to the rim. That said, I agree with AT that he has a confidence about him on the offensive side. He does not hesitate, except for that one shot (which game?) where he looked to pass, first, and end up hitting the bottom of the front rim. He could be part of our "Instant Offense" group with Mo and Rice. He'll be OK this year. I'm sure glad he's 6'9" / 6'10" and not 6'5 like Ginobili. There will be plenty of slow SFs (or non-driving SFs) for him to be matched against to get the feel for the game. Remember, Radmanovich didn't do much last year, and he looks a lot similar in skills and position.
That's ok though, because we have a MONSTER in front of the rim now!!! Let Boki shoot that sweet shot, if someone gets by him.........oh well, they will have to deal with Yao (or Eddie).
I'm unpacking my toboggan and ice skates...HP agreed with me. Maybe it has something to do with the solar eclipse I encountered upon waking today... Jeff, I guess you missed the point. I wasn't saying that Nachbar was going to be cut. Just that he will be the one who, deservedly or not, gets very limited minutes this year due to the logjam at 3. Seeing as how the rest of what you said reinforces this view, I'm assuming you agree. With KT's clearly earning the bulk of the minutes at the 3, Rice's rejuvinated ability to shoot, TMo's hustle and intangibles, and Nachbar's weak defense so far...I think he's doomed for some serious time on the pine this year. He'll have to significantly outplay these three in practice to earn more than blow-out minutes.
