Chron: Rockets' Nachbar doesn't just shoot, Reserve seals OT win, grabs 8 rebounds

It was a surprise to honestly see him contribute the way he did,...but I'm glad we are getting something from him in that win. My only hope is to see more of this...

 

JVG is all about trust. He doesn't trust unknowns as much -

that is why JJ, Cat, and Francis get so many minutes and also why we have Mark Jaskon and Oak - and might go after Charlie Ward in the off season.

I think that JVG needs some adjustment time with this team, as much as they need it with him

but I will bet you all that Boki is protected in the expansion draft (which will be a positive for him and his role on this team)

 

Im glad to see he has shown my faith in his abilities to have a little basis in fact.

I watched his defensive positioning earlier in the season and felt that if he worked at it...he could do good.

Looks like the time working with VG is paying off...his defensive positioning and technique is muchbetter than earlier in the season.

Slashing and ballhandling is still good...he really really needs to get that shot falling tho.

Keepp up the good work Boki....you gotta convert some more of the doubters...

 

I really disagree about being lost on defense. He started out guarding Carter, who can give any defender fits. Boki picked up some fouls, gave up some buckets and caused a few misses. Carter is really a bad defensive matchup for just about any 6'9" defender I can think of.

When Nachbar was switched to Rose, he had much better success. Rose was going pretty well for awhile. I think he got a couple of buckets over Boki that were real tough shots, but for the most part was really frustrated by Boki's defense. Boki blocked one of his shots & Rose flailed out fouling Boki, then at the end of the game, Boki smothered Rose causing a bad pass and a turnover.

Rose was pretty ineffective for most of the 4th quarter and the overtime. Give Boki credit for his defense.

I think if he got regular playing time, his shot will fall. 13 straight DNP's is not going to help a guy get confidence. I don't like him standing beyond the 3-point arc waiting for a kick-out too much right now for the same reason. Drives to the hoop can get a guy going offensively. If Boki does get more playing time, running a couple of plays where he can slash wouldn't hurt, and may get his jumper going.

It was great to see his hustle for rebounds. Although his last one was the biggest, it basically bounced right to him, but he fought for most of the others.

Good game for him.

 

Actually, I thought the best thing that Boki did was the sideline trap on Jalen Rose, which led to a bad pass (in order to avoid an 8 second violation) and a turnover near the end of regulation. Cat may have intercepted the pass but Boki was the one who forced Rose into the bad pass.

 

I really hope he gets more playing time...I like the guy and think he can game, if just given the chance...That shot has to fall though...

 

I don't think that Boki could get more playing time with JVG a head coach. When JVG brings so many retired Knicks' players here, you know what's going on. JVG enjoys defense much more than offense. That's why most of ROX' games are unwatchable. With almost the worst offense in NBA, ROX couldn't pass the 1st round if they are lucky to secure playoff spot.

 

Heres the link, just in case Clutch comes around.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2467174

Stuart

 

After last night's game, I think Boki has shown that he could be a JVG type player. He hustles. He rebounds. He plays D. His lateral movement is a bit slow, that's why he has trouble guarding quick guys like Carter. But if he can do all those other things decently, he'll get minutes from JVG.

Boki is a good shooter. He once made 23 straight 3s in practice. I know shooting in practice doesn't mean much. But at least it means he can hit his shot with regularity when wide open. He just needs his shooting confidence back.

 

Last night Boki did exactly what the scouting report said about him before the draft. That he was a good slasher and has explosiveness. But that his shooting isn't the best(at least when compared to the likes of Peja or Dirk). But Boki can definitely shoot better. He's just lacking confidence in his shots. His defense was definitely better than it used to be, and the rebounding was unusual good.

I really hope we don't give up on him. Other than Yao, he's the only player on this team with major potential, which is important considering he's still on Rookie pay, and how much we're over the salary cap.

 

Boki has actually been good on defense this year.

But JVG has a huge preference for veterans... more so than most... and likes guys who are grinders. If Boki leaves, though, I'm far more confident he'll do well than other recent non-Yao draft picks.

 

On top of the other positives, midway in the fourth, he had a couple sweet passes that didn't pan out for us - one to a wide open Weatherspoon cutting to the basket (which he missed). With poor passing being a weakness. Ball movement is generally better with him in there. If he's covered, he'll swing it quickly, which is what he need more of to keep the defense from becoming entrenched.

And he didn't jump in the air and throw it up for grabs toward the Toronto basket like all three of the guards did tonight in the second half.

What I don't understand is why neither Rudy or JVG would give Boki spot duty to give our other forwards a rest, especially when other teams are demonstrating superior hustle and rebounding in stretches of previous games. Against perimeter teams which swing the ball alot, or high-powered offenses (Seattle, Memphis and Dallas), it is good to maintain high defensive energy by substituting a bit more often.

 

Boki needs more experience like last night. He can be a good player. But to gain the experience, he has to do the "dirty work" harder and harder to be in JVG's system. He is a smart guy and knows how to earn it little by little. I don't worry about his shooting, it would fall anyway when he gets consistent game time.

 

Boki just needs more playing time. You can't expect someone who has virtually no playing experience at this level to come in and do things like a 10-year veteran. Boki hustles a lot and plays defense, which is something that you typically don't see from an Euro player. However, he also can't do what typical Euro players do the best--shooting. What I like the best about Boki is that he has some good passing skills and seem to make good decisions. These are some of the things that this team seriously lacks. I think that with more experience, Boki can be a contributor for some NBA team, which may or may not be the Rockets.

 

Yeah me too. I have a feeling if he does go to another team he would get a chance to prove himself and would tear it up in the league. He has the potential...damn I am sick of that word.

He just needs more playing time to get more consistant. When he played all 5min of the OT, he actually looked pretty good out there. ANd he was great on the Boards.

Go BOKI!

 

Come on, why ppls keep arguing Boki has a better future in other teams. JJ is a old guy (we do need this cheap but valuable veteran at this point). Boke just need to be patient and learn NBA little by little. Eventually he will reach his prime time along with Yao and Steve and JVG will give him his share. I don't believe JVG has any bias against Boki. This team needs experienced NBA guys to enter playoff, but future belongs to young players like Yao, Steve and Boki.

 

Remember when JVG said "that the Rockets have the only European that cannot shoot." Even though its true for the most part, I think its all about confidence for Boki.

The Toronto commentators lastnight talked about how Boki was draining 3's during warmups like they were nothing. We saw his shot earlier in the season vs. Chicago (thats it), but the D isn't bad, and the guy can rebound. He did all the little stuff that was needed and I think a little more playing time and maybe a little praise (like the article) will hopefully get his shot back. We'll see...

 

One man's injury is another man's playing time! Boki made the best of his chance. If he can knock down the open shots, his PT should go up, then he might be instrumental in the playoffs as the Rox outside threat.