right now is the perfect time to train rookies and train our new offense, especially against team without an all-star PF. but as the playoff approaches, and as our offense gets better, Hayes will see more mins. He is a shutdown type of PF defender.
I don't think Hayes is a "shutdown" PF defender. He's a good one on one defender, but I think his real strength was illustrated in today's game. The Rockets were very comfortable with him switching onto LeBron James on several possessions in the second quarter. That type of defensive versatility is rare to have in a PF, but it can be a significant benefit for your team defense. That's something Scola and Landry don't really bring. Hopefully the Rockets can make due without it.
Can we pick up another player while we are at it http://games.espn.go.com/nba/featur...2834~1051~2445&teams=10~10~25~25~25&te=&cash= This trade works too. I like this Delonte West kid he has some skills.
Hayes and Landry looked pretty good for the short span which they were in the game together today. 2 hustlers a lot of diving for extra possessions, good box outs, rebounds, and overall positive energy on the court. I'd like to see this combo a bit more.
Wow really unappreciative bunch some (I stress 'some') of you are. Scola and Landry are playing well but Hayes is a good player to have on your roster, even if it's not for major minutes. He plays hard, hustles, gets rebounds, tries hard on defense, etc. As for the question of 'is he done?', yeah I think he's done because Landry and Scola are both physical enough to play with teams like Utah yet they have enough offense not to bog the team down. Maybe he could spot them minutes if they are in foul trouble later on down the line. As for the 'no game' and 'no skill' comments, that's too harsh. I hope the Rockets keep him, he doesn't cost much, is a nice guy, and he would fit right back in if any of our frontline is injured. Alas, he was more of a Van Gundy player to begin with. I appreciate what he has done for the team. Even if he's not the best guy out there, I sure as hell loved watching him hunt down offensive rebounds and keep other PFs aware and working.
I was thinking the same thing. I think Landry and Scola will get sorely abused against Boozer. Hayes won't stop him, but he can slow him down a bit.
If Hayes can keep embracing his role as a defensive specialist and remain focused and competitive, he is very far from done. Off tangent but what's happening to Hayes is what I actually expected to happen to Alston: That is, have the starter's spot at first but gradually have his minutes decrease as the new guys get adjusted to the team. Unfortunately, James and Francis haven't proved themselves as capable as Scola and Landry.
The fact that Hayes has actually REGRESSED on offense from year 1 to year 2 is kind of alarming. Now he can't hit layups and FTs, which makes him 100% useless when we're on offense. I honestly don't know the reason why he has not improved his offense. If the guy can hit some jumpers, he'd be a MLE kind of guy, or basically triple his current salary. But as a defensive stopper, Hayes is never going to get a better contract than he currently has.
Remember that Hayes won us the Seattle game - he blocked Durant on the last possession. I think he is being used right now - as a defensive specialist in spurts. Great asset to the team.
If they hit a rookie wall, it's gonna be on the offensive side of the game. So do you put chuck hayes in the game to overcome there lack of offense? I think not. Hayes as we all know has no offensive game. Chuck is a one dimensional player that has been downgraded, which i am personally happy about. By this move, it shows that we are able to step forward at the 4 position. When chuck was starting, it symbolized how desperate we were for production at the four spot, that we were willing to risk losing scoring at that position for some hustle. I am proud that we have finally climbed out of that embarassing stage of desperation. Thanks Chuck, but winning is everything!
The Winning Percentage with Chuckie on the bench doesn't lie... Scola is developing into a monster offensive rebounder and low post scorer. Landry brings the energy off the bench on both ends. That being said I want Chuck in on defense down the stretch on every play, he is such a smart defender. I think this role is a lot better for him, takes the offensive pressure off him.
No much like Chuck, Deke is going to be used in situational minutes. Against the big guys when Yao can't. As for the original posters questions... let me as you this. Suppose... Game 7 against the Pistons in the Finals. McDyess has fouled out because of guarding Yao so they are playing small with Sheed and Maxiell in the game. So of the three, Chuck, Scola and Carl... who do you want to guard those two guys with the chip on the line?
