Overall- I see the team congelling. There are high fives and hugs and tears, which are good signs of a possible championship team. Francis - hes starting to distribute the ball now, seems like he wants to win instead of putting on an AND1 show. He's trusting Yao now and his team mates too, he no longer has the carry the team on his shoulders...just lead them. Kudos for him. Mobley - Kings game showed me that he wants to win even if he has to take backseat. I just hope this mentality keeps up. NAchbar - I really hope this guy steps up. I am all for him. I read the scouting reports that he has excellent and consistent range and hes a slasher. I am not sure about his defense but then again he is a rookie and I hope he shows us that he was the steal of the draft. Griffin - Despite hes the youngest rocket on the team, people expect him to be like Richard Jefferson or somebody. He was a contender for rookie of the year and I believe his time will come just like Ming's time came for him. Ming - Definitely the biggest surprise, I had no idea that he would change the team like he did. Houston is lucky to have the next great big man. Ming is a freaking rookie ,with class, heart and game, that is changing the rockets for the better. If he continues to develop like he does, the sky is truly the limit. Also, it looks like his game is starting to rub off on some of the rockets as well. Overall, we'll get into the playoffs this year, maybe even deep into the playoffs. But for the years to come, you guys can expect a championship team soon enough.
I don't think I've EVER seen anyone mention this before, combining that with the fact that I'm pretty sure myself that it's not possible, I'm thinking people are going to think I'm an idiot for even suggesting this... but is there anyway Taylor can play the small forward position?
There is no way Taylor will spend a second at the 3 spot (barring an injury to our depth). EG has a better chance to consistently play the 3 because he has the size, more quickness, and more athleticism. I would love to see Nachbar in the starting line-up by the end of the regular season. I just can not see that happening, however. Has he even played at all this season? From the games I've seen he hasn't seen a lick of playing time. If his minutes don't start increasing dramatically, there will be no way he's a starter this season (again, considering there are no significant injuries). Actually, I'm concerned why Nachbar isn't seeing more action. I'm sure he can make a difference from time to time until he shows he can hang in there with the vets on a more regular basis. I just want to see him get into the games and see what he can do. As far as I know, he's got a great shot and more quickness than G-Rice, can drive, etc. His D is skeptical, but then again, so is Rice's. But then again, maybe I am wrong, considering I haven't been able to watch the past 4 or 5 games. Maybe Nachbar did get some decent minutes. You would know better than I, at this point!
This wouldnt be a bad line-up right now...but Rice and KT have better skills at the SF position. EddieG will progress faster as a back up PF than he would as a starter at the 3. His strenghts are best utilized at the 4 and he will gain confidence as a back=up. He is going to be a big contributer even if he not starting at play-off time.
This team is really starting to look good, but strangely, they need at least one really good outside shooter. I say "strangely" because it seems like we've always had some good shooters. Eddie has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's too inconsistent with his threes. Mobley and Francis can knock 'em down too....but again, they have their off nights. I really think that's why we keep seeing Rice in the game. Besides his experience, I don't think Rudy wants to stash him away on the end of the bench because he needs Rice to get hot. With the offense running through Ming, we need that outside threat. Remember: A 40% FGP from behind the arc (1.2 points per shot) is more effective than a 55% FGP from two point land (1.1 points per shot). I bet the coaches have Nachbar shooting hundreds of threes in practice. We need an outside threat. Regardless, barring injury (or just continued suckiness), I think Rice will be in that final starting lineup.
Um.....I'll shut up now. I just checked the league leaders in 3pt FG%, and Steve is number thirteen in the league, and Eddie is in the top twenty also. I guess are shooting from behind the arc isn't all that bad afterall.
Pole, I was thinking the same thing. It seems like Rudy always wants ONE 3-point shooter on the team; like a Horry or Bullard. Although, I like that idea, it seems like that type of player was more necessary during the Hakeem days when players parked out on the 3-point line. Today our offense is more motion oriented. So, I'm not sure how a Bullard would fit today. Rice has done a lot more posting-up than any other 3-point shooter has done in the past. I hope that Rudy uses Nachbard in the same way that Rice is being used; a swing man 3, rather than a 3-point specialist. What do you think?
I think there will always be room for the three point shooter....especially in Rudy's offense. He's very numbers and percentage oriented. That being said, I've noticed the same thing with Rice. But I wonder if maybe part of it isn't because his shot isn't falling?
That reminds me......it looks like nineteen has just DISAPPEARED! I'm sure he'll be back though....next time we lose.
There is no way Nachbar will be starting this year, unless KT, Rice, and Morris are all injured. Even then I could see 3-guard or Griffin and Mo out there together instead of Nachbar. I don't get the obsession with putting players out on the court who aren't ready to help you win games.
