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Lineups and Rotations - Now that Preseason is over

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rileydog, Oct 25, 2002.

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  1. Rileydog

    Rileydog Member

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    Question 1: will Yao start over Cato?
    Question 2: should Yao start over Cato?

    At this point, I'm almost inclined to say No and No.

    At this stage, it seems like Ming brings more offense than defense (which is exactly the opposite of what everyone expected). He definitely sparks the crowd and the team, so why not let him come off the bench, at least temorarily.

    Whenever they're on the court, Francis and Mobley are options 1 and 1a on offense. Francis seems to know how to get Cato the ball in dunking situations, and currently, Cato is a better rebounder than Ming. It seems to make sense to let Cato start, and help out with the boards. Griffin will provide plenty of interior defense support.

    Conversely, Ming would probably work well with the Mooch, because he is more of a natural passer. A Ming, Taylor, Thomas, Mobley, Norris lineup would put 3 good passers on the floor, along with a strong rebounder/defender in Thomas.

    Finally, bringing Ming off the bench (i) gets him matchups with backups, (ii) eases him into the league, (iii) gets him more shots, and (iv) in Sam Cassell like fashion, potentially leaves him in the game for 4th quarter finishes.

    This is all probably moot b/c Alexander is going to want Ming to start.
     
    #1 Rileydog, Oct 25, 2002
  2. AroundTheWorld

    AroundTheWorld Member

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    Start Ming.

    Even Cato wants it.
     
    #2 AroundTheWorld, Oct 25, 2002
  3. kh0001

    kh0001 Member

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    Even Yao Ming starts, I think Cato play more minutes at the moment. Yao Ming will likely sitting on the bench with foul trouble until he adjusts.

    KH
     
    #3 kh0001, Oct 25, 2002
  4. dutchbut

    dutchbut Member

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    I agree with dog bringing him off the bench matches him up with 2nd string players and would help build his confedence..
     
    #4 dutchbut, Oct 25, 2002
  5. smoothie

    smoothie Jabari Jungle

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    cato will start at least the first 20 games. even if yao out plays cato in all of those games rudy will like the spark off the bench. if we are winning, rudy isnt the type to mess with something. if rudy thinks we can be doing better, then yao will start.
     
    #5 smoothie, Oct 25, 2002
  6. Allstarmobley

    Allstarmobley Member

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    I think Kelvin Cato would rather play against backup centers because it will make him look good. HAHA
     
    #6 Allstarmobley, Oct 25, 2002
  7. kubli9

    kubli9 Member

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    I agree that Ming should not start right away and also that anytime Mooch is in the game, Ming should be right there with him. This will allow Ming to be the #1 option when Francis or Mobley are on the bench and have those attempts against other backups to build his confidence.
     
    #7 kubli9, Oct 25, 2002
  8. ricerocket

    ricerocket Member

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    That decision will probably be made based on how quick he picks things up over the 5 days. I think Rudy has shown he wants him out there as much as possible. I think he will start:

    Eddie
    Yao Ming
    Rice
    Steve
    Cat

    I see Rice starting over KT (if he's ready) just because of that Yao Ming to Rice three we saw last night - beautiful. EG and Yao seem to be getting some chemistry going already. Should be interesting...
     
    #8 ricerocket, Oct 25, 2002
  9. michecon

    michecon Member

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    Right on. I think we should give about 25 m/g to Ming to come off bench and build his confidence from there.
     
    #9 michecon, Oct 25, 2002
  10. Bay Rock

    Bay Rock Member

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    Yao will and should start over Cato.

    The only issue is Yao's stamina given the long season he has already endured with China's National Team.

    While Cato has improved, I am for sending him and his salary to NY for their injury exception and lightweight baggage.

    Francis' extension kicks in next season and I think we should resign KT. Thus, next year we will be approaching the luxury tax.

    IMHO, dumping Cato's salary is a smart basketball and fiscal decision.

    Ming, Taylor and EG provide a solid 4/5 rotation.
     
    #10 Bay Rock, Oct 25, 2002
  11. Baqui99

    Baqui99 Member

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    Yao
    Cato
    Griffin
    Nachbar
    Francis
     
    #11 Baqui99, Oct 25, 2002
  12. OrangeCountyCA

    OrangeCountyCA Member

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    YEAH!
    Just start both.:)

    No, seriously I think he should come of the bench the first 20 games.
     
    #12 OrangeCountyCA, Oct 25, 2002
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