I'm dying to know what it is. What other reason can there be other than an injury, complete lack of skills, or your team is deep like no other (not applicable to us)?
Maybe Rudy's aversion to playing guys who didn't have the full 4 years of college hasn't entirely gone away. Playing Yao the rook and EG the sophomore was already too much to handle. Or Glen Rice would have been too much of a handful if he had lost playing time to an untested rookie? Or we wanted to know if we were keeping T-Mo in the long run? (Gawd, 4 1st-round picks wasted on EG and T-Mo. Sigh)
I cann't speak for Nashbar's skills. However, what I do notice is that the coaching staff seems to favor athletic players. What I mean by that is players with great individual talent. Unfortunately, sometimes players who might not be as athletic do not get the chance to prove themselves on the court. For example, Nashbar might not be that fast or great on defense but is a great shooter. But because Nashbar gets beat 1 on 1 in practice or the so called Iso's then he is deemed not ready or not good enough to play. Listen, the King's Peja is horrible on defense. He certainly isn't athletic. However, you have to have Peja on the floor because of his offensive skills. I am guessing this is the same story for Nashbar. He has offensive game but his defense stinks and he is probably being beat every time in practice. Perhaps, the coaching staff does not know how to use a guy like Nashbar on their team. Instead, we will probably trade him to another team who knows how to utilize such talents while we pick up another Moochie Norris. The reason, I say what I say is because, we don't even know how to use a prime vet like Glen Rice who should always be in position and open to drain a three. Until the coaching staff learn how to integrate these other players we will never see the true potential of this team.
I think he will be taken by another team, and wil rip sh** up! Will be a hell of a player, and get all the mins that a guy possibly could get. ...... .... PBN-----Play Boki Now.
It's got to be in this case, especially considering the strong statements made in the Chornicle after drafting him about how they seriously expected him to be a contribution this year. I'm holding out some hope that he is one of those guys that takes some time (he did sit a year in Europe too before becoming a significant player), but I only put that possibility at 1%-2%. I've been convinced into thinking a player would be more than he is in the past by the Rockets too many times.
they said from the beginning he wasn't ready for the NBA as a starter or even as someone getting regular minutes. plus, rice is like the only veteran on the freaking team...a team that clearly has some growing up to do.
A couple of things: This is what I heard, consider the source and take it for what it’s worth: From someone who’s close to Boki’s girlfriend/fiancee: 1) The coaching staff (read Rudy) is not high on him at all 2) Along those lines, the “Nachbar is next year’s first” seems to be what it sounds like - hot air. Boki does not expect to be with the Rockets next year. What went wrong? Personally, I think Boki got caught up in Dan Langhi’s practice legacy. Sound weird? Hear me out. They play the same position, with presumably similar roles. They play on the second team in practice. My money is that Langhi was a better practice player - much better. The iso-style, primary scorer role is something Langhi was used to and thrived on at Vanderbilt - he likely got the ball in 1on1 situations in practice a lot and produced. Even though Boki was the primary threat his last year with Bennetton, he’s used to playing off teammates with court sense and ball movement. With Moochie as his practice point guard, Boki probably reaggravated his hernia yelling for him to stop dribbling. So, teammates/staff see the discrepancy and think, “Langhi’s better. He couldn’t stick with our team, why does this guy deserve playing time just because he’s a first-round pick?” If true, this logic is flawed. 1) Langhi was let go because he couldn’t convert his skills to a game situation. His difficulties probably had to something to do with having the ball in his hands much less than in practice and having to read situations and defensive changes he didn’t practice against daily. How can you just assume Nachbar would be as ineffective? To me their strengths are different. 2) I’m no scout but having seen Nachbar in ~10 pre-game shootarounds and most of his limited court time this year, here’s my impression with emphasis on what our 3 must do. Catch-and-shoot skills: He’s no Glen Rice, but his form is certainly better than two of our starters that caught-and-shot us out of the playoffs (Posey and Griffin). He comes off screens in shootaround with good footwork and a solid release. Catch-and-slash: He’s fluid off the dribble. Watching him move next to Griffin (they’re the same height), the difference is drastic. Of course, Griffin’s a 4 and his movement with the ball is painful. But Nachbar’s excellent mobility is just as obvious. His greatest strength. Finish: He’s got one. A definite touch around the rim. He won’t be throwing down alleys like Posey, but he won’t get to the lane and look intimidated like Langhi. Defense: Major strength issues. He’s long but plays passive. But who really knows? He plays the occasional helter-skelter garbage minute or two. Overall: From a limited perspective, Nachbar’s game and potential reminds me of a Hedo Turkoglu. I think he would thrive in a moving offense and in the open court. He is what I’d term a “multiplicative” offensive player. Throw him in with players with similar court sense (only Yao and Rice come to mind, sigh), and the sum ends up much greater than each part. Examples are obviously the Kings and Mavs, but also teams with stars at positions similar to us like the Lakers and Spurs. Every player plays with court awareness. The Rockets are such an “additive” team. The sum of our team is what each player brings each night simply added together. Sure it has to do with system, but I think it’s got more to do with players. 3) I hope Nachbar is with us next year and gets some meaningful time. His fiancee’s diluted comments probably reflect frustration but likely negative signals he’s gotten from the staff and/or front office. Kind of a shame - I’d love to see what he could do ball side with Yao in the post. At least we might resemble the Kings on one side of the court.
I just feel bad because he just seemed so damned genuinely happy to be a Rocket...the thank you note and all...
CB4ever: thank you. thank you. thank you. that was very informative (albeit heresay). truthfully, i believe that very well may be the case. i wonder if there's any chance nachbar could become the jack haley to yao ming's dennis rodman?
Sure. But again, it is hearsay, so just take it for what it is. The theory about Langhi and practice is just my opinion, not something from the Boki "camp." In a way the pressure and criticism from missing the playoffs may be invaluable to changing the Rockets roster and philosophy for the better. Rudy's system is based on loyalty and consistency. In general these are good things, but sometimes you get tied to doing things a certain way, resist change and end up just being stubborn. Failure can be a good way of softening your point-of-view. And then, "Hmm... Nachbar may not be good in practice but he does do some things well. How would he be entering the ball to Ming, then cutting or getting a ball screen for a mid-range shot? Seems reasonable, let's try it." One of the dozens of changes the Rockets should think about...
This is wrong. There is an articel shortly after the draft that has Rudy and Carrol both predicting that Nachbar wou;d be a significant bench player. I've posted it here before but the search is down. CB4ever's version sounds more accurate. Either Langhi really sucking or the Rockets really sucking - hence Langhi sucking - both make me feel the same way. It sucks.
I'd take it. Not because I'd want Nachbar to stink like Haley... But if Yao ever picked up any Rodman tendencies, fuhgetaboutit. He could even wear the wedding dresses once in a while, who'd care?
What you said is the only thing that makes any sense as to why Boki didn't play. But it will be interesting to see how many jelly rolls Glen has around his neck when we start next season. Why don't he lose some weight for crying out loud? If he keeps gaining weight, we ain't gonna be able to get anything for him besides a bag of cheetos and and old pair of Converse tennie shoes.
