Chron: Keeping Rockets Bench Players Happy a Problem

Rockets2K · Nov 27, 2002

Originally posted by heypartner
Rockets2K,

Feigen did his very best to get some soap opera quotes, and he failed at it. Neither player gave him anything to write about. Sure, neither player gave the Cato, "I prefer to be a bench player," but that's not what we want to hear from them, anyhow.

Bench's and defense are proven to win titles. Arguably the 2 best teams in the league are also the deepest: Kings and Mavs.

It is Rudy job (and he is the very best at it) to make sure no one becomes a cancer. Wanting to start does not make you a cancer. What makes you a cancer is not doing what the coach asks, right? I do not see either Mo or KT not doing what the coach says. In fact, the last two games they both see eager to do very well and share the ball with each other when they come in together. Mo's presence with KT has allowed KT to draw small forwards and double teams, and he has hit Mo a couple of times for slams, from that. I also do not see them fighting each other for low post position. KT sent several entry passes to both Rice and Mo.

Rockets2K, Are you inventing things that are not there...just like Feigen tried to do and failed at it?
Click to expand...

Wow, I didnt think my piddlin little post deserved all this, but I see you were just gettin warmed up.
I am not advocating a trade at this point..I was just worrying that he was becoming unhappy with his situation. Not having his contract renegotiated and then not automatically getting the starting slot back has led to problems from other players in similar situations.
I really hope KT can accept the need for him to play more team oriented ball...and possibly come off the bench if necessary.
Dont get me wrong, I love having depth..especially of the quality that we have at this point. I dont overlook KT's defense and hustle, thats two of the things I like about him..
I just am still seeing him try to take guys off the dribble instead of passing to someone that is more open than he is. Teams know his moves at this point, and sometimes his quickness isn't enough to get him the bucket..instead we get turnovers.
I am not inventing things, that would imply that i have an agenda to promote...have you EVER seen me be negative enuff to suggest we trade a good player based off of imagined attitudes??
No, you havent..I think you have seen me post enough to know that I am positive at least 90% of the time..If maybe this once, i get concerned over a perceived attitude problem...It's not like I comeon here day in and day out and want to trade everyone from Sf to Turbo..Come on man..you know better than that.

What this depth competition can do is make Mo and KT better, and make certain that Rice keeps hitting his shots and Griffin plays tough defense. If Rice and Griffin fail to do what they are supposed to do, you can yank them...just like Rudy yanked Griffin for not working againt Brand.

<b>This Depth will get us to playoffs</b>

Someone in this thread said that these guys need to know that the playoffs are our goal. Well, someone needs to tell Griffin that too, because when he disappears, he needs to be benched for Maurice. And when Rice is getting smoked on defense and not shooting, Kenny gets the minutes.

Depth like this is great on a Rudy team, and you guys (just like Feigen) are just expecting the worst. I am expecting depth to make everyone better. Please look for that, and quit expecting the worst. Quit saying the Mo and KT iso-ing on the wing means they are selfish...Rudy calls those plays. When they come in, I'm sure the game plan will be to attack the low post with both or the one who's having the better mismatch.

How does Mo saying to Feigen, "whatever" "I've never played from the bench before" or Kenny saying "I'm going to have to claim the 5th" sound like whining? Mo and KT are not whining...they want to play...want to compete. That's want you want, but they also know that if they say to a journalist, "I think I'm better than Griffin/Rice right now and should start," that could snowball. Only Cato doesn't want to start. If you don't want to start, you should be traded.

I don't understand how PF low post/high post plays makes a power forward selfish....it doesn't, and especially not off the bench. imo, we don't overdo it...KT did one game, but looks like he adjusted. When KT is against a SF, he'll get doubled and will pass, but he needs Mo to draw the opposing PF, because Griffin sure isn't.

Adjustments is what fighting for minutes can do...make you adjust. And they all need to fight...Griffin and Rice, too....especially Griffin and Rice, imo. Mo and KT both think they are better than Rice and Griffin, and we could soon find out that Mo and KT coming off the bench together is indeed better for the defense, scoring and motion. It's not like Griffin really knows how to help offensive flow.

<b>Depth makes the starters fight for minutes, too</b>

When Rice doesn't hit and Griffin gets pushed around, you will see Mo and KT come in and perform. That is a luxury. That is a good thing. We can also play 3 PFs when Yao is having trouble.

bottomline: This is what makes Rudy a great coach. He can make this work. Have faith, and quit being so accusatory and negative when Feigen's article couldn't even get them to break silence. It hasn't happened, yet. And it won't this season.
Click to expand...

See above...I was not being accusatory...maybe this is pent up frustration from others being so...
I think maybe alot of what you are sayin in this rant must be aimed at others, cause I sure dont remember sayin half the stuff you seem to be throwing into your post...hmm...let me check...

nope..all I said was worrying that KT may not be happy..

I aint arguing about depth, I like having lots of good players..I do believe that having guys competing for minutes is a good thing. It would tend to bring out the best of all the players in a perfect world.
Unfortunately, we all know this isnt a perfect world, and some players will get their feelings hurt if they dont get what they think they deserve. I really hope KT and Mo can adapt and accept their roles on this team. if they do, we are goin places..if they dont..we should get rid of them. I just want a TEAM that plays like a TEAM. Period. End of Sentence.

heypartner · Nov 27, 2002

lol...I couldn't resist your statement..."this is just my opinion, so don't jump on me."

sorry Rockets2K. Did I overwhelm you with volume of words? Treat it as personalizing a Feigen response just for you. anyhoot, treat it as a fellow FART intervening on another FART who sounds ready to trade Kenny for a 4th guard. Feigen is addicting and can sway our minds.

[edit] and where were you at the Cleveland game. I guess you went down the stairs at halftime. We always go outside on concourse level.

Rockets2K · Nov 27, 2002

Originally posted by heypartner
lol...I couldn't resist your statement..."this is just my opinion, so don't jump on me."

sorry Rockets2K. Did I overwhelm you with volume of words? Treat it as personalizing a Feigen response just for you. anyhoot, treat it as a fellow FART intervening on another FART who sounds ready to trade Kenny for a 4th guard. Feigen is addicting and can sway our minds.

[edit] and where were you at the Cleveland game. I guess you went down the stairs at halftime. We always go outside on concourse level.
Click to expand...

Yea, as usual you overwhelm with words. What's new?
I could respond in kind, but I would rather ppl *thought* I was an idiot than ramble on and remove all doubt.

On that note, Ill say that I am not for getting a fifth guard (we already have 4 guards)...at this point I would trade Mooch for a veteran guard that would have the ability to run a play instead of dribbling around and giving the defense time to ready themselves for whats coming at them.

EDIT response: We didnt find the other place till the end of halftime...We will be back soon tho..catcha next time. Remind me to find out where ur new seats are at..then we know where to find the loud fans at. The ones where we were sucked!..

JoeBarelyCares · Nov 27, 2002

Before you know it, someone will get injured, and our depth problem will be solved. I am not being a pessimist; it is just a fact of life and the law of averages in the NBA. So I would wait until the trade deadline in February (when the best deals are usually had, anyway), before doing any deals. I would not be opposed to just letting KT walk this summer. We don't need any more late first round/second round draft picks with the depth we have, and we don't need any more salary being taken back in a trade.

Forums

Chron: Keeping Rockets Bench Players Happy a Problem

Rockets2K Clutch Crew

heypartner Member

Rockets2K Clutch Crew

JoeBarelyCares Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!