We don't know what kind of interest there was from other teams. Just because it wasn't reported in newspapers, that doesn't mean no other team expressed interest privately. It doesn't mean he wouldn't have gotten a contract from another team if he wasn't picked up by us. That's number one. And again, how often do you hear about other teams actively pursuing role players that are restricted free agents -- particularly ones that are young and aren't well-known, established veterans? Further, both sides had said since the beginning of the offseason that Chuck would return to the Rockets. It was pretty much accepted as a forgone conclusion that it would happen. So, why would teams publicly bid for him? Finally, the amount of salary a player can demand is a not a great indicator of the true value he brings his team. Other factors go into that like projected upside, name recognition, and how confident a team can be that a player will continue to perform. There's also the stigma of being a young player who was undrafted and playing in the D-league a couple years prior.
How many elite defenders at their position aren't well-known, especially if the start? All teams are heavily scouted. I could see if he was on the bench and not getting any time. I am not saying Hayes is garbage overall (just offensively), but this elite defender argument is a little over the top. If you had five PF's to pick to make a defensive stop, in the league....not just on the Rockets, would you really pick Chuck Hayes? Let's be honest now....
FYI, I would say Battier defended Okur as much on the perimeter as Hayes did. They switched off on the Pick and Pop with DWill constantly.
Chuck is 25 years old right now. At age 25, Ben Wallace was playing for an Orlando team and barely recognizable by most casual fans-- even though he and Bo Outlaw brought a lot of energy to a suprisingly good team. When he was thrown into the Grant Hill trade, no one thought much about him. At age 25, Bruce Bowen was not even in the legue. In fact, until he got to about age 30, Bruce was not any more well-known than Chuck Hayes. This is a league that let these two guys, not to mention high lotto pick Chauncey Billups bounce around for years. Yeah, they have scouts, but scouts miss things and even when they don't, scouts don't get listened to sometimes.
Agreed. I said Hayes alone made Okur shoot poorly but it was a combination things - help defense and rotations, Battier, and Okur just slumping. It didnt take much Utah effort on D at all for Rafer to clank shots. Still have to give some credit to Hayes for respectable D. If Hayes wasnt guarding Boozer and wasnt guarding Okur who WAS he guarding, Kirilenko? A combination of Sloan unlike Van Gundy making ADJUSTMENTS, and Kirilenko getting involved instead of being a b-tch was enough to lift the Jazz past them... But thats the past. As of TODAY, in JVG-speak Hayes is maybe/maybe not elite, but he is a "very very good" defender Who'll be lucky to average 20 mins a game again this season but should average over 10.
Looks like Chuck isn't quite done yet. He played nearly 10 minutes in the 2nd quarter against Atlanta. Perhaps Adelman wants to use him against small ball teams, because he can guard wing players while still giving us a decisive rebounding edge. Oh, and in his 9:36 on the court, Atlanta scored 8 points. Funny how that seems to happen with him.
Hayes is not done he is part of the 4 Big man rotation with the less minutes of the 4th, I love to see Yao drop his regular season minutes to 35 especially vs lesser teams and them when we play good teams he can play his 40+ minutes if they need to.
Don't post stats like this. They go over the head of a lot of posters. If Chuck isn't pulling down 15 boards and blocking 5 shots a game he isn't a good defender. No matter what NBA coaches and scouts say.
Hayes is a nice defensive and rebounding option to have. It just adds to the versatility of the team.
Name me the last player who actually did this... Chuck is hands down one of the best defensive interior players in the nba. Have you watched any games in the last 2 years?
Actually, we're 6-0. And we were 4-0 with Yao and T-Mac playing and Chuck starting before that. But we're playing well right now, so I have no complaints.
He exaggerated. But slightly. Blocks and steals are the only thing most people care about when it comes to defense. Some also use all-defensive teams as an argument. It's hard to tell which criteria is more idiotic.
