[Chron] Dorsey ready to answer the call

Lock if already posted, thanks.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6850050.html

[rquoter]The call Joey Dorsey had waited so long to hear finally came.

But he didn't move. No way. He knew better.

Dorsey had finally been summoned to check into a game, the first time he would play meaningful minutes in an NBA contest. But Dorsey kept himself parked on the Rockets bench.

“I thought it was some of the guys on the team playing a joke, trying to get me to run up there and check in,” Dorsey said of the order to get in the game Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. “I waited for a couple seconds to go by, then coach screamed it again. I was so excited, I ran up there and almost took my jersey off when I took my warmup off.”

Dorsey was not being overly cautious. As a rookie, he was scammed by former teammate Rafer Alston. And he had reason to be doubtful. His only NBA playing time in two seasons has been three two-minute cameos mopping up routs.

But against the Suns, Rockets coach Rick Adelman wanted another defensive option against Amar'e Stoudemire and said Monday he thought he would mix in Dorsey in more games.

Homecoming of sorts

Dorsey did not play Tuesday against the perimeter-oriented Warriors until another stint to close out a rout. But when the Rockets play in Memphis Friday, Dorsey could return to his college town as an option against the large and physical front line of the Grizzlies.

“I'm playing really well in practice, trying to dominate on the defensive end and be productive on offense,” Dorsey said. “Playing against Carl (Landry) and (Luis) Scola, I think I'm doing pretty well at being a defensive presence down low.

“It's really big going back home to the same arena where I played college ball. That would be big if I can play a couple minutes.”

The next step

It would represent another step in a long climb back from the disappointments of his first two seasons in the NBA. Dorsey had grown so frustrated by his inability to crack the Rockets' rotation and eventual return to the NBA Development League he considered giving up the game.

“I started doubting myself a lot,” Dorsey said. “My first year I got hurt (with plantar fasciitis) and had to sit out the whole year. Then this year came up and I thought I played pretty well in the preseason. And then I got sent down to the D-League. I almost gave up.”

Instead, he improved. Dorsey was told to reduce mistakes, fouls and turnovers, rebound, follow the defensive game plan, especially on pick-and-rolls, and run the floor. Tracy McGrady told him to “go down there with a positive attitude and try to dominate.”

Dorsey dominated enough to be named to the NBA Development League All-Star game and show Rockets coaches he did improve.

“I thought it was a good experience for him,” Rockets assistant coach Jack Sikma said. “I thought his focus is better. I think he is more efficient on the court with his actions.”

For Dorsey, learning those responsibilities was the biggest adjustment from Memphis to the NBA, where a center is expected to anchor a defense.

“It's the same as the point guard running the show (offensively),” Sikma said.

“He's the one who has to know how to handle that on the defensive end. You have to be in the right place.

...

Trusting his ability

Most of all, Dorsey got his confidence back. Next time he is called to get in the game, he won't be surprised.

“I came in a guy that played a lot in college,” Dorsey said. “Then you come into the NBA thinking you're going to play a lot more, and you don't play a lot your first year. Second year, you go to the D-League.

“Once I got down to the D-League and I started playing, my confidence starting coming back and I started falling in love with the game again.”[/rquoter]

 

Right. McGrady cannot go to the D-League. Too old, too many years.