At this rate, Landry will end up being the starting power forward next to Yao, with Scola getting the minutes at backup PF/C and Hayes becoming our defensive specialist. Pretty good frontcourt rotation.
Numbers are skewed. Carl scored most of his points in the 4th where everyone else had trouble scoring.
I think Scola is still better, but all three of our PFs are useful - they just have different strengths and skillsets. As DD said...all we need is a real PG, and we'd be instant contenders...all other positions are strong.
You guys are right in talking about his leaping quickness. He barely gets it over the rim because he is throwing it down quicker. It's stupid to bring the hammer way back when you can get up that quick and thunk it down right over the edge of the rim. It also protects you against other skywalkers attempting to block it. He's right at the rim, defenders are coming from back or sides looking for chances to swipe at the ball. He does it to perfection, straight up, over, and down, highly efficient, and ultra effective. Can you just imagine what the kid could be like if he develops a 3 point shot or he develops a dribble drive move to go with the 15 footer??? I really like or big man rotation right now. I don't want to trade any of them. I don't think we could possibly get better production out of our 4/5 slots for the amount of money we are paying those guys. Morey should go ahead and offer Laundry a contract extension for $10 mill over 3 years right now before he gets totally crazy. The only thing we need to add is a taller shotblocking/rebounding type player to replace Deke when he leaves next year.
It was really impressive to see his spin move around the Indy defender on his way to the basket and he had a play where he elevated and shot the baby hook shot right at the rim. Landry is fast off the floor but I agree is he can move like that with a dribble drive move he could create shots for Yao right at the basket and put major pressure on the defense. With the way he's been playing so far he's looking more like a starter. Not bad for a 2nd rounder.
With Landry's explosiveness, I was going to compare him to Charles Barkley, but after watching a video compilation on YouTube I must admit I was out of my mind. I had forgotten how good Charles was back in his prime. That guy was "sick", especially considering he was really like 6'5" (or shorter)and a little on the heavy side. Probably the comparisons to Boozer are the best. Boozer's probably got better handles, although the way Landry's been playing, he hasn't had any reason to need it. Wouldn't that be a great surprise to see him be able to take his man off the dribble. Another question, does anyone know if he's good at jumping on the run? I've noticed that most of his dunks come flat footed.
Watched him at Purdue. Dude has great handles! Like his midrange jumper, you have yet to see his dribble drive.
Haha, i hope you do bump it, cause it would be great for the rockets if he got that good. I just don't think he will.
The kid has exceeded all expectation for a rookie... I like the Scola/Landry tandem and don't care who starts; either one is a better option than Chuck on offense. Landry reminds me a bit of Jermaine O'Neal. If he can continue to his the mid-range shot, the sky is the limit. Time to develop a bit of a post-up game as well. Would the rookies have emerged (at all?) if the Rockets didn't have that 6-game losing streak and the struggles at the beginning of the season? (after starting 6-1)... I'm thankful the rookies have gotten their shot and are doing well. Hopefully we make the playoffs and go from there.
No ... off basketball-reference.com. But you're right, I made a mistake. 4 other rookies have done this: David Robinson, Shaquille O'neal, Alonzo Mourning, and Arvydas Sabonis. http://www.basketball-reference.com...3val=10&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=per
I don't know what GATER's point was. But the -2 aggregates the ebb and flow of the game while Landry was on the court. There were some stretches (most notably, the end of the second quarter) where the Pacers went on a run against the Rockets while he was on the court. And there stretches where the Rockets went on a run, end of the game where it really counted, when Landry was awesome. When you add it all up, it ends up slightly in the Pacers favor. That does not mean Landry hurt us. Landry played with energy throughout, and in particular was a beast down the stretch. Like any rookie, he made some mistakes on the defensive end (completely blew a PnR coverage, for instance) ... but it was still easily the best game of his career. A -2 plus/minus does not take away from that. If he had a -10 plus/minus and the Rockets played very well without him on the floor, then that would be much more interesting.
Jopatmc, his dribble drive is one of his strengths, we just haven't seen it yet. Agree with you on adding a taller shotblocking/ rebounder type to replace the cookie monster when he retires. The rockets may get a descent shot a center in the draft like a DeVon Hardin or potentially a Brook Lopez.
me think people are over-excited because Rockets haven't have any exciting rookie to talk about for a long time. Landry is good for what is expected of him, but there's a lot remains to be seen. how will he do after he gets defensive pressure? after people pay attention to him, etc etc...
The guy CL reminds me of is DW in New Orleans-- not big, but ice quick PFs with nice midrange Js. CL is a bigheaded version of DW.
Talking about how his numbers compare to Shaq etc is meaningless, because he is not FEATURED. You can always get whacked stats somewhere.
That's what you want, you want people to focus on Landry AB and other support casts. Then Yao will have room to dominate inside and TMAC will have room to score on the outside. Imagine if other team cannot leave anyone open on the rockets! Yao always single covered!
His stat have been extremely impressive to say the least while he played. We haven't had too many good rookies to talk about and now we have three potential good rookies in one class? You know how fans are.
