<a href="http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/878518">Mr. Mean calling the shots</a> Call waiting Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich did not call a play on the road trip. He might have called a couple out of habit, but for most of the Rockets' games in Portland and in Vancouver, when Rockets players looked to the bench for a play call, on occasion even calling Tomjanovich by name, Tomjanovich did not answer. This is not to say the Rockets did not run their usual offense. The calls, however, came from assistant coach Larry Smith. "It's not a big deal," Tomjanovich said. "I just wanted to give Larry the experience, let him do it for a couple of games. He did a good job, too." Smith said credit for the plays' success should go to the players. But after the Rockets' win in Portland, players said Smith stuck with the coaching staff's game plan to force tempo and free-lance more than usual to counter the Trail Blazers' size advantage. "Mr. Mean did a great job," forward Matt Bullard said of Smith. "He did a good job calling plays, but also not calling plays. He really had the right balance." According to my numbers, The Rockets shot a scorching 52.8% in those 2 games, and sure did run a lot more. Coincidence? ------------------ "That's been a lifelong dream of mine." -Vince Carter, after laying it in on a breakaway, much to the Vancouver crowd's displeasure.
That is kinda weird b/c Cat didn't seem to have the same role he usually has in the offense. He took just 11 and 12 in both games. He was outshot by SA. Maybe Rudy does show favoritism towards Cat. ------------------ "GiddyUP!!!" Krammer from Seinfeld
Do you think that the coaching change is for an excuse to showcase our more tradeable players? It may just be a cover up for Rudy with Asst. Smith, just to say that this is what Smith decided to have on the floor. And then players really can't b****. Cat has been playing less while Shandon and Cato and Walt have been on the floor alot. If this was not going on, I believe Los would be on the floor a hell of alot more than Cato. ------------------ "Instinctly u recognize things,now take advantage of what u just recognized!".. Hakeem..
Maybe we just seeing the Rocket's next coach Probably in the 2008 season or something when Rudy moves upstairs Rocket River ------------------
It's the last few meaningless games of a lottery season and they are rightfully so letting the bench players that worked their butts off in practice all year get to play some. Why does everything have to have some underlying critical meaning behind it? ------------------
Some might consider Shandon and Cato bench players getting rightfully deserved time. But, here is some reality: 1) They want to move Cato bottomline and are showcasing him as much as possible--although ironic timing considering Hakeem went down. 2) They also may want to get Shandon the bird rights then move him and need to get him more plays than usual. 3) They are also experimenting a little. 4) Cato and Shandon also know that their futures here are in question (beit by their own volition or not), consequently, they also have become more aggressive to showcase themselves not only for the Rockets, but other teams. Of course, Cato is locked in to the money, but Shandon is not guaranteed a big contract next year on any team. ------------------ "Their Tiger Kung Fu is strong, but our Dragon will defeat them!"
