With zone defenses it will be harder for him to score in the low post but he will be very useful with his mid range jumper.
I'm pretty blown away by the news. Since we got Howard, I always thought it was a slam dunk that he'd start. Heck, Mo couldn't start over freakin' Cato, who played the 4 a hell of a lot better than any of us expected, but couldn't shoot to save his life. Yes, I remember Taylor getting us off to those fast starts in the 1st with Rudy, but after coming off the bench all season last year, and comparing his, and Howard's numbers, Howard starting seemed like a no brainer. Gotta be something going on behind the scenes that we're not privy to, not yet, anyway.
Another way to look at it is, Talor had one thing in mind when he was the bench player, scoring. Now with him in the starting lineup, his mindset might change that he feels he needs to play both ends as a starter. Just some wishful thinking.
Yes, Bill Worrell was calling him Mr. First quarter because of his lights out shooting in the begining of the games. I hope he has Bill calling him that again.
I hope so too.. MoT is a perfect compliment to Yao offensively.. I think its more effective to have MoT up near the top (within his range) and drawing his man (usually the other teams big man) out with him. This would give Yao more room to manuever and space the court better. MoT has a very consistant jumpshot out 14 - 15 feet (almost automatic) and could prove valuable in spacing the floor for Yao and Tmac. I hope he has worked hard on his defense and rebounding If MoT worked a lil harder getting rebounds (boxing out and chasing down loose balls) and played tougher defense (already a very good man to man defender just very poor at rotating and help defense IMO) he could become a premier PF.. He has all the offensive tools and the body.. Everything thats wrong with this game is mental. Whats the difference between him and EBrand? ZRandolph? KMart? KThomas? Boozer? (I chose these guys as an example because they are all about the same size) Height and Weight. I think his offense ranks near the top of that group but it was his poor box out and rebounding skills and puts him a level below. J
I really don't understand this way of thinking! Just because you don't start doesn't automatically mean that the person starting in your spot is better than you. Just take a look at Bobby Jackson....you're telling me teams wouldn't be dying to have him as one of their starting guards?
I'm glad they made this move. With the offense going through Yao, Howard would not get too many chances to post up. He's not that great of a rebounder either, and wouldn't get many putbacks. Taylor will open up the floor for Yao and Howard will bring a low post presence when Yao is off the court. I'd like to see how many rebounds Jackson get. Remember when he pulled down 20 in that playoff game last year? Hopefully he can get some boards.
