After coming in and shocking our worlds with his dunks, offensive rebounding and general energy and hustle, Carl got injured, came back, but wasn't the same. I think many of us had become concerned that the injury was lingering. My greater concern was that the league had caught up to him and I didn't know if Carl could adjust right back. His recent play against the Jazz suggests that he's physically ok (maybe not 100%, but ok). More importantly, I think it indicates he has mentally gotten over the injury and has regained his rhythm. He's gotten back on the glass, is making hustle plays, and has even made moves with his back to the basket. But to me, the most encouraging sign has been his defense. When he first burst on the scene, he looked somewhat lost on the defensive end, not sure how much contact to make, not moving his feet well, and as a result fouling by using his hands. Starting with Game 3, we saw him sliding his feet. Using his natural quickness and athleticism on the defensive side. His play in Game 4 was consistently good also, but I thought he really shined in Game 5. Several times, Okur tried to take it to him and Carl flat out shut him down. Carl moved his feet, held his position, utterly refused to bite on the pump fake. Earlier in the year, he would have gone up and been whistled for the foul. Carl also "showed" well on the other side of the Derrrrron Williams PNR, and defending in space is perhaps the toughest challenge for a big. Carl has also had his moments of defending against Millsap and Boozer, and contributed to the limiting of those two strong post players. I'm close to saying that Carl Landry is one of the few players on this team that is untouchable in terms of any trades. Or at least as close to untouchable as a player can be. Development on the defensive side of the ball is the last element I was waiting to see from his game. I think he will mature offensively and develop a back to the basket game and a consistent mid range jumper. I cannot tell whether he has the skill set to face up and drive, but I think he can definitely play the post and hit a 15-17 footer. If forced to move Scola or Landry to bring in a key piece like Artest/Maguette, I'd move Scola. Landry has a much greater upside.
I think the ROX should give him good physical and Knee cheks before they sign him. He has not had the springs that he had since the injury, but I must say that he had looked very good in the last 2 games and I hope he is getting his hops back.
untouchable no but he does have upside i agree with you on that, but you dont trade him for elton brand. i love landry's hustle and scola's something this team has lacked at times in past years, i agree with what you said but i think you have to add scola to the almost untouchable list unless we get a big time player.
Nobody on the Rockets not named Yao or T-Mac can be considered untouchable. But Landry is one of the least likely of the supporting cast to be moved. He'll likely re-sign with the Rockets for a few mil per season and his upside barring any further knee problems is huge. You don't give up a player like that unless he's part of a trade package for someone really good. And yes, he has looked like the Carl Landry of old as this series has progressed. Especially in Game 4. He was playing like a man possessed that night.
I'm not so sure. He's a rookie who has already had knee surgery and then been out for knee related injuries. That is very worrisome to me. Especially considering how fragile Yao and T-Mac are. With that in mind, I'd much rather see Landry traded than Scola, who seems very durable. However, I agree that Landry is nearly untouchable and should only be included in a trade if it brings in a legitimate third star.
Some guy named Amare Stoudamire has had a couple of knee problems already as well. I know Landry isn't on that level, but it at least shows you that these days, you can come back and have a good career after knee issues.
I wouldnt want to see either of our 4's get traded. We've been lacking in that position for years, now that we have a 2 headed monster i would like to enjoy it a while. Both are going to get better, it creates defensive and offensive match problems and we can go small ball and put them both out there to help give Yao a rest.
I have heard descriptions of Landrys dunks and his play as comparable to Amare Stoudamire in his rookie year. If this is even remotely true...you can't trade the dude.
The only true untouchable player on the Rockets would be Yao Ming. Not everyday is there a 7'6 center with the skill set that Yao has. There will be, probably in the next draft, another Carl Landry. Another Yao Ming? Highly unlikely.
For me, I think landry is still not playing his offense the way he did during the streak. I don't see his double pump helicopter dunk anymore. his jumps has decreased a bit in height. However, he has made them up by increasing his effectiveness on defense and hustle. To me both Landry and scola are untouchable. for one they are cheap, second they have so much potentials, and lastly they fit well with Yao and Tmac. I do however would liek morey to add a big star as our 3rd scorer, just in case if either tmac or yao down again, we will have a 3rd scorer. I like artest with his hustle, defense, and scoring ability. even if his personal side problems.
landry is faaaaaaar away from untouchable status. only a few in the entire league that are truly untouchable. i really like landry. but have we learnt any lessson from the cato's, mo taylor's and maloney's?
