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[ESPN] The Deep End of the Rotation: Assessing Playoff Benches

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Robjos, Mar 17, 2009.

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  1. Robjos

    Robjos Member

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    <img src="http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/nba/med/trans/hou.gif">
    <b>Houston Rockets</b>
    For a team that lost 40% of its starting lineup a few weeks back, the Rockets haven't had much trouble figuring out their rotation on the fly. Houston doesn't feature any supersubs along the lines of Manu Ginobili or Lamar Odom, but they have one of the most underrated reserves in the league in forward Carl Landry, and an unheralded backup point guard in Kyle Lowry. Landry and Lowry are both undersized, gritty defenders at their positions, who understand their roles and limitations offensively.

    Tracy McGrady's absence is most glaring at the wing where the first two subs off the bench are Von Wafer and Brent Barry. Both can spot up on the perimeter, but neither gives the Rockets much else, particularly on defense. Rick Adelman often keeps Ron Artest on the floor with the second unit to limit the Rockets' defensive exposure against more athletic teams, or inserts Chuck Hayes, who does a serviceable job guarding almost anyone on the floor.

    The Rockets bench won't lose them many games, but by the same measure, don't expect any off-the-bench heroics from the second unit. Like Houston's starters, their most distinguishing characteristic is their functionality.
     
    #1 Robjos, Mar 17, 2009
  2. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!
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    They have not watched the Rockets at all based upon that summary...Landry a gritty defender?

    No offensive explosions off the bench? Hello VON Wafer !

    DD
     
    #2 DaDakota, Mar 17, 2009
  3. eveluvsrox

    eveluvsrox Member

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    they had to put chuck in there for his job on KG.
     
    #3 eveluvsrox, Mar 17, 2009
  4. JeopardE

    JeopardE Member

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    LOL at Wafer being nothing more than a spot up shooter.

    I'm still trying to decide if that's funnier than Landry being a "gritty" defender.
     
    #4 JeopardE, Mar 17, 2009
  5. durvasa

    durvasa Member

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    Sometimes, it seems to me that people outside of Houston don't realize that Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes are not the same player.
     
    #5 durvasa, Mar 17, 2009
  6. yobod

    yobod Member

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    This is a great example of absolutely no accountability in sports journalism. If you can't even take the time to watch a couple of games so you can be better informed about the topic you're writing about, then why the hell should readers like us feel the need to take the time to read your crap? It's hard to be wrong that many times in just a couple of paragraphs, but this guy figured out a way.
     
    #6 yobod, Mar 17, 2009
  7. Hayesfan

    Hayesfan Member

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    I think this was on truehoop, but do you have the link?
     
    #7 Hayesfan, Mar 17, 2009
  8. durvasa

    durvasa Member

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    He's a blogger. It's possible he could have just read someone else's bad analysis which colored his perception, watched maybe 5 Rockets games, and he came out with that impression. You need to watch a team more regularly to understand the strengths/weaknesses of little known role players.
     
    #8 durvasa, Mar 17, 2009
  9. Robjos

    Robjos Member

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    yeah my bad, forgot to post it here it is.
    <br>
    <a href="http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-38-324/The-Deep-End-of-the-Rotation--Assessing-Playoff-Benches.html">http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-38-324/The-Deep-End-of-the-Rotation--Assessing-Playoff-Benches.html</a>
     
    #9 Robjos, Mar 17, 2009
  10. Alvin Choo

    Alvin Choo Member

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    lol. Gritty defender and spot shooter.
     
    #10 Alvin Choo, Mar 17, 2009
  11. jevon3012

    jevon3012 Member

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    I think they forgot about our offensive juggernaut, Dikembe Mutombo
     
    #11 jevon3012, Mar 17, 2009
  12. professorjay

    professorjay Member

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    Our bench won us plenty of games earlier in the season when Tmac and/or Artest and/or Yao were having bad games. Brooks and Wafer in particular would go on a scoring tear off the bench and bring us back from the brink of a loss.
     
    #12 professorjay, Mar 17, 2009
  13. Hayesfan

    Hayesfan Member

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    thanks! I thought I had already read it, but wanted to make sure. :)
     
    #13 Hayesfan, Mar 17, 2009
  14. Kracka0476

    Kracka0476 Member

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    Something going good for us and he gets shot. Thats just great.
     
    #14 Kracka0476, Mar 17, 2009
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