If he played with the starters he could be the third opition as only the first and second are set in stone and after that it is just post luck. But then maybe you are saying you do not want him on the floor with Francis or Mobley as he would be in the same boat as Ming.
Our bench with Moochie, Rice, Taylor and Cato is the 5th deepest? No wonder people are so impatient here. I understand why now. Because you all overrate our talent.
I'm afraid I agree with you, ZRB. Griffin just isn't ready to start and, frankly, I'm not sure if he ever will be. The guy has shown me zero improvement either mentally or physically from last season. I know he is still only 20, but I kind of expected to see at least SOME improvement from one season to another. I want Mo to get more minutes.
Our bench sucks! Everyone wants to shoot (Tmo, mo t, moochie, rice, boki etc.) We need guys that can help in other ways. Guys that set screens, gets garbage pts etc. Having 5 guys off the bench that can sometimes make 20 footers doesnt help a whole lot if you ask me.
That is why I felt funny when I saw the comments in the EG poll thread. Lot of guys praised him, all talking about potential and how young he is and how good he will become. Remember, when we talking about future, that means something will happen and some maybe never will. And I suppose every HighSchooler is young so they all have opportunities to become great, right? I started to watch Rox games this season, 40+ games watched so far. Sadly, to me, EG showed few improvement!!! He cannot defend most of PF in the west and his offence obviously not so entertaining. His shot, UGH, never mind. This kid have some talent, but far from where people originally expected. He is even not hustle enough. Like somebody said, he is 20 years old and play like he just had 40th year birthday. I think the best for EG is stay in College, build his body, work on his fundamental. Since he is in Rox right now, so coming off bench, take 10-20 per game is the best for him to develop. But starting him as PF in the west, it is hurting him and hurting Rox. Remember, as young as he is , as great as he will become, he cannot even make to SOPHOMORES team this year.
*yawn*.. You guys don't like Eddie Griffin shooting 3's? Me neither. However, EG is the temporary substitute the Rockets have to use in order to keep the defenses reasonably honest. If you're going to leave someone open to shoot, do you really want it to be someone like Posey? Griffin shoots 34% from behind the arc, which is damn good for a 20 year old power forward. In Robert Horry's 2nd year with Houston, he only shot 32.4% from behind the 3pt line, and that was in a much more effective offensive scheme. When Griffin shoots his 3, it's usually an open shot, and within the flow of the offense. The only downside is that it's harder to get an offensive rebound on that play, but it's not a huge concern IMO. The main problem for EG is not his desire to shoot the 3, it's his inexperience, an undefined role in the Rockets offense, and undeveloped frame (he is only 20). Once Rudy T figures out what to do with him, his shot will improve. The 3pt argument is pretty bad in my opinion; would you rather have a guy shooting 2pt shots at 40%, or 3pt shots at 34%? Do the math; 34% 3PT equates to 51% from 2pt range in terms of points per shot. Griffin isn't that bad, he's a promising shot blocker with a very respectable 3pt shot.
if Eddie was a better shooter, I don't mean much better, hell, if he shot 1% more then he shoots now, I'll be happy... and he if becomes a better one-on-one defender. He's not good one-on-one. Hes a good help defender. Atleast Mo T don't get mandhandeled in there like Eddie does.
I leave it up to Rudy to start who he wants but what I want to know is why is our starting PF lurking around the 3 point line so much. I know it's by design but I'm old school and it's just un becoming of a PF for me. Thought?
I think that Eddie should remain a starter. He is just too important to this team's future to be sitting on the bench now. We are not seriously contending for anything this year anyway. Any experience that EG gains this year will help him in the future. The Rockets have made a commitment to EG. The Kenny Thomas trade earlier this year and the Rockets' rejection of Abdur-Rahim offer both show how much they like Eddie. If the team continues to fade and is officially out of playoff race by Mid March, they likely will start to play EG 35 minutes every night. Also we will be able to give Boki at least 15 mpg and let Rice end his season on IR.
Here's what I've been saying all allong: Starters: Ming MoT Rice Posey Francis Bench: Cato Griffin Mobley MoT's been rebounding better than last year to tell you the truth, and with Yao Ming at the 4, Posey at the 2, and Francis at the 1, his rebounding defficiencies are well covered. Glen Rice is an average rebounder for a SF. Bringing Mobley off the bench would do wonders for our bench, as well as the passing/assists/ball movement in our starting line-up. Mobley can take over a game with the 2nd unit. It's been discussed before, but any thoughts?
I don't know I guess it's good to discuss these things, but I just can't really get into it when I know there's no way in heck it's going to happen. I mean, Rudy, barely even takes Cat out of the game, so do you really think there's any chance he would bring him off of the bench? I think the only way it would happen is if the Rockets acquired a better player than Mobley.
SANE>... I like your rotation. Maybe sitting Mobley on the bench might help us. Too many shots to go around with CM, SF, YM, EG, and JP. Maybe Starting Rice at the 3 gives us the outside shot and will stretch the defense. MoTaylor seems more ready right now than EG, and having Posey and Francis helps out with the rebounds which is MoTaylor's weakness. Ming / Cato MoT / EGriff Rice / Posey Posey/ CM SF/ CM Don't play Moochie Norris until he plays like he's capable of. Thats penetrating the ball and dishing it out. Play CM at the point backing up SF. THat would be my 8 man rotation. Play TMorris 3rd string at 3 and 4. JHawkins, MNorris, Nachbar, and Maddox not ready yet.
