I don't know why Rudy insist's on keeping him in the starting lineup. Sure, it's great when Eddie plays well, but that usually only happens once every 10 games. Maurice Taylor, despite his rebounding problems, is a far better player at this point. And he is a much better compliment to Yao Ming. The best five players should always start, and that hasn't happened all season.
Eddie Griffin has been getting double doubles like every other game. I think he has been playing well. Maurice Taylor has been awesome...but today he was horrible. Mo Taylor just doesn't have a chance against Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki. They are too tall and big and fast for him. And both power forwards got injured. But usually, Maurice Taylor is just hot. Maybe he should be a starter.
I agree. Eddie is not ready to start at PF right now. I wish we had a blue-collar type PF. Even Najera would do wonders for us.
Yes, Eddie has been getting a fair amount of double-doubles, but his shooting percentage is pathetic. His shot has gotten worse since last year, and there is no way he has the bulk to guard any big forward. Mo should start, because unlike Eddie, he can shoot the ball.
Unless Eddie starts playing intelligently, his place should be the end of the bench. As for Francis and Cat, err...never mind. Eddie can play.
But Mo Taylor is either MAKE ALMOST ALL SHOTS...or MISS ALL SHOTS. He is too streaky...and too small. He is bigger than Griffin, but he still cannot defend the many great PFs in the West and East. Maybe we should experiment and find something that works...
I wholeheartedly disagree. And not because I don't think Mo is a more effective player right now. Mo is usually in when Yao is out. What you're talking about would mean we would have Griffin and Cato as our "post presence" for a good portion of the game. Rudy has even said the reason he does it, is so the Rockets have at least <i>one</i> offensive-minded player in their second unit.
I don't buy into that philosophy. You don't start an ineffective player just for the sake of having someone good off the bench. The bench is already so bad, that having Eddie come in instead of Mo would make very little difference.
Today just another prove that Griffin is no as great as you guys described. Seriously, if Rox want to be a contender in 2-3 years, they have to find a real power forward. I agree EG is good among 20 years old boys, not great, compared to Amare and Tony Parker. But he is ok. But can you guys wait 2-3 years long and see Roxs even struggling going to the playoff, can you? And perhaps some of you guys are missing point that right now he is playing as STARTING POWER FORWARD IN THE WEST, That is right. IN THE WEST, you know how many elite PF player play in the west, they are eating up EG right now, we almost always have trouble facing those teams with great PF. I have no problem keeping EG, but not as starter, he should come off bench, given 10-20 mins, give him time to develop. Then see what will happen. But now is tooo late for the movement. And I also cannot believe we give up 3 picks for him, and give up players like Jefferson and Collins. UGH! Well if most Rox fans still happy with that, I just have nothing to say
So THAT'S what Rudy bases his substitutions on. I had no idea. . Maybe that explains why Steve and Yao sit at the same time. Ummm...no, it doesn't.
I'm sorry, I just can't make any sense out of this statement whatsoever. Well, I guess we disagree on the importance of a bench. I think Taylor would be less effective starting, simply because it would mean he would almost always be the fourth option on offense. When he comes off the bench he's usually the first or second option.
I also wanted to add, that I agree Taylor should be given more playing time (even more minutes than Eddie), but I think his skills will be better utilized coming off the bench.
Our bench is NOT THAT BAD. I think our bench is probably the 5th deepest in the NBA. It is not bad. JUST AS A TEAM TOGETHER, we are too inconsistent... Mental difficulties. Yeah...hopefully Eddie can develop. OR ELSE...we shall get Dirk Nowitzki!
Our bench is definitely not that deep. Eddie and Taylor are both streaky and inconsistent. (you don't often see two power forwards shooting below 0.400) We don't have much other options at the 4, so we either play one or the other. I thought Eddie has been playing a little better lately, but he still jack up too many outside shots for my liking. He even air-ball it twice. As a PF, Eddie should learn to drive up to the hoop more for the higher percentage shot. Although Taylor has an inside game, but he shoots way too many outside jumpers. -G'day-
Totally agree on Griffin, he has fell in love with the three point line and is getting worse then the guards about not passing once he gets the ball. I want to keep him but he really needs to change, and decide that playing inside and passing are not always a bad thing. I am willing to write it off to youth but right now he is hurting the team. As for Najera, he was a cheap shot player for four years at Okla and has not changed at all. His day is coming and I am damn glad he is not a part of the Rockets. One day his little cheap shot will fall on the wrong player.
