If the starting lineup is not . . . ill lose my mind

Nonsense IMO. Hayes started over Howard. Howard would eat up Europe too. Hayes was by far in our best starting 5 units. Hayes is a proven NBA power forward, albeit one with limitations that will always make him a part time guy.

Scola has to prove himself a part-time NBA powerforward before starting over Hayes, let alone prove he is a workhorse who can be effective and stay out of foul trouble for 30+ minutes.

Scola might end up starting, but more than likely he comes off the bench while getting used to NBA level athleticism (as it will impact him on both ends).

These stats also given you are very good indication of the level of defense Scola is used to, and likely the level of defense he is used to playing.

Now if I were betting I'd say Scola gets more minutes than Hayes, but Hayes should start to keep Scola (and Yao trying to cover his D mistakes) out of foul trouble.

Oh, and Steve Francis should not start at the one. James (my preference) or Alston will start. Steve should back up the 2 foremost and maybe also the 1. Steve has his strengths and talents, but he makes James look like a pass 1st, disciplined, PG. I envision Steve and Scola being a major part of the bench punch, though they may finnish the games if they are rolling.

 

I guarantee this will be our most productive lineup and have the most chemistry:

Brooks
T-Mac
Bonzi
Scola
Yao

 

WHO CARES WHO STARTS AT ANY POSITION!!!!
Its all about what is best for the TEAM! Will Scolas style of play mesh well with Ming and TMac? What dooes Francis still have in the tank? Is Bonzi really serious about playing at a high level again? What about Mike James? Is he the payer that played in Toronto or the player that that played for Min last year? These questions need to all be answered before we even begin these talks. After the Rockets go through preseason and we see who is the best fit at all positions all this talk is just premature. Dont you guys think?

 

Desert Scar -- With all due respect, where else in the league could Chuck Hayes get a job as a player? If the Rockets don't sign him, he will have to play in Europe. He is too small and can't score even when left alone under the basket.

The Rockets will sign him as a fan favorite only (reminds me of Moochie Norris' when he first joined the Rockets). I'd bet they are searching high and low for a decent backup for Scola or, even better, a PF that Scola could back up -- not likely but I can dream.

Let's face it. Hayes was a JVG kind of player .... and JVG is gone.

 

thumbs, you'd be suprised how many teams can use Chuck Hayes. After all, Reggie Evans has a multi-year contract and he's somewhat similar (better rebounding rate, but inferior bball IQ, hands, and position defense). Chuck also, overall, outplayed Juwan Howard and Stro Swift, and these two have jobs.

Hayes would likely not be a great fit if your other big man isn't a scorer and the rest of your lineup lack shooting and scoring ability, but he's a VERY good throw-back garbage PF.

 

How many offers has he gotten from other teams?

 

i agree...

 

I don't like Bonzi in that mix. Even if he plays at a high level as he had in the past, he is not a shooter. He is most comfortable in the post. Do you really want him on the floor with T-Mac and Yao? I think Battier is the glue guy in that mix. He is going to guard the other teams best and take that pressure off T-Mac (I don't think Bonzi is going to do that.), and he is going to knock down the open three at close to 40% which Bonzi won't do.

I like the line up of

James or Brooks (if he is as good as many think he is)
T-Mac
Mattier
Scola
Yao

With
Francis and Bonzi coming in to provide scoring relief for T-Mac and Yao.

 

Don't know, I am not his agent. But offers for restricted free agents from other teams are generally sparse, doens't mean no one wants the player.


Team think about it, but generally decide not to make the offer due to the original team's right to match (guys like Blatch, Amir Johnson, Varejao, Pietrus, etc are all pretty much in the same boat this season, same thing happened to others in the past, too).

The thing is, if your offer is reasonable, the player's own team will match, and all you do is tie up your decision-making process while the player's own team decides. If your offer is unreasonably high, they won't match but why would you stick your team with a bad contract?

There have been a few exceptional situations, but the effect of the restricted FA is pretty well documented.

 

You are grasping at straws. Blatche, Amir Johnson, Varejao, Pietrus, etc. sought or are seeking mid-level money or better. Their teams came out and openly warned other teams they would match (except Pietrus for some reason). The Rockets have not tried to "protect" Hayes at all -- nor will they IMO. We'll see how it plays out over the summer.

 

Morey has said they'll be matching offers so, yes, they did make an effort to warn other teams.

That and the fact that Chuck has a shoe contract that gives him incentive to come back to Houston pretty much keeps teams from wasting their time.

 

I'm talking about a lineup that has the most offensive punch and chemistry. Battier only provides 3 point shooting, but when he's defended well, there's not much he can do. Bonzi can break down a defender and get a quality shot. He's also great at moving without the ball and getting offensive rebounds. His on-court IQ is actually very high but because of off-court issues that trait goes unnoticed. In fact I'd say he's the second smartest player on our team basketball wise, behind battier. Guys with high basketball IQs know how to play together. Bonzi and T-Mac will have the best chemistry on the court i guarantee that.

 

Liiked through all chuck threads, they have one thing in common: fight, then stoped at shoe contract.

 

morey believes chuck has great impact on winning. he will be the starter unless scola is really good.

 

Face it Hayes lovers, the Rockets would've signed Hayes as soon as possible if he is considered as the starting pf next season, or if they think Hayes is better than Scola at this point. Come on, it's not that hard to tell. Hayes is being used as an insurance plan if we can't land a pf, or a free agent the Rockets plan to sign after their land a pf with the financial LEFTOVERS. Sorry that an elite NBA coach and Daryl the Wizard Morey don't see eye to eye with you guys!

 

Read denniscd's post above yours.

 

Oh really, this is interesting.

Now Mr.Insider, could you shed some light on why the Rockets aren't signing Chuck Hayes, I mean, if what you said is true, then why the Rockets don't sign their future starting pf ASAP, instead putting him on hold while in search for another pf?

One more thing, since when Morey has become the head coach of the Houston Rockets? Isn't it Adelman's job to decide who starts?

 

Personally i dont see why everyone get rid of him. sure he isnt great, but he is the only Pure Point guard we have right now. i just dont feel safe having a couple of combo guars like francis and james running the point. i say start rafer in the first 6 minutes of the quarters and bring james in the last 6. that gives both Rafer andd james 24 minutes a game. francis will backup tracy and will get 20 minutes +.

 

It's all about getting rid of the last van gundy player.

 

the reason hayes isnt signed yet is that hes a restricted free agent. hayes wants more money and more years on his contract. morey wants to limit his money and the years on his contract...thus an impasse. restricted free agents have little power. most teams dont deal with them or make offers because any reasonable contract will be matched by their previous team. morey is not the head coach but he is in charge of who is on the team. he loves hayes. hayes will be back with the rockets unless some team makes an outrageous offer which is not likely.

as far as looking for someone better...i would hope so. but that doesnt negate morey's belief in hayes.