Look I'll possibly get some heat for this because, Hayes is an amazing rebounder, and a solid defender but, people it is what it is and that is a player who is a big fat zero as an offensive threat. He's Ryan Bowen only a much better rebounder. All that being said, how can you not put Scola in the starting lineup? Hayes' best games don't equal Scola's worst! Landry frankly it's a travesty to not put him on the floor for at least 20 minutes a game. How many times has Hayes missed uncontested layups? How often has he scored 10+ points? Typical line: 4 pts, 13 reb. Y'all don't think Scola would not be able to equal or better THAT? Plus, Landry? C'mon ... With Scola and Landry those questions wouldn't be asked! Landry off the bench gives us extra energy and athleticism (and he's a good finisher at the basket-he can SCORE!) in tandem with AB makes our bench just sick and would make life for Bonzi SO much easier! Bottom line, my opinion but put Hayes on the bench. Use sparingly in key matchup situations like we do with Zeke and/or put in only when Scola or Landry are in foul trouble during games. If you're going to make a significant run at the playoffs, you better fire ALL your bullets! Otherwise, you're just wasting time!
We still need Chuck. You can't expect two rookies to man all the minutes at the four. Scola is different because he's played professional ball for a long time but he's still in a new league, new players, etc etc. I agree Landry should play more but you can't just give him that huge responsibility just like that! He's got to play more and earn that trust. He hasn't earned my trust yet.
I love Landry's game and I need to go cop a jersey of his, but I still think we should stick with Chuck/Scola/Landry combo. You can't just demote Chuck like that because he is too good of a rebounder and defender. I know his offense lacks greatly, but we should bring him along slowly much like we are with Brooks.
Yes and no. Yes, he does a good job but, I've just been looking at the last couple of Rocket games and I just see an extra burst of energy from the teammates on court and from the crowd. You know what you get with Hayes. What I already mentioned but, he can't make an open midrange perimeter shot forcing the D to play honest. He misses WAY too many easy layup and dunk opportunities and that's why come crunch time the D sags hard on Yao and/or T-Mac whoever is the hottest. Free throws? We won't go there. With Scola, he's a legit scorer, solid rebounder, relentless competitor and he's already getting that important bond and chemistry with Yao and T-Mac, they trust him! His teammates respond to him! Just my opinion but, you dug yourself an early hole in this season! You have to play better than good from here out. You have to be AWESOME and CONSISTENT! Can Hayes do that for you on the court? That's why I said what I said. You have to be consistent and great not just consistent and good.
2-11 isn't consistant enough shooting to surplant Hayes' defence. Yes, Scola & Landry will replace Hayes in the rotation if they continue to improve. For the present, Hayes/Scola/Landry is our best option.
the only reason rox have hayes out there is because of his defense. Look at games against bosh and jamison to remind you about how his defense help the team. And look at the recent hornets game where scola was getting torch by west every single time scola was defending west. Thats the reason hayes is a starter for the rox team. When the team have 2 players looking for 20 points every single night, you need someone that is not looking for his own points on the floor at the same time.
Stats don't tell the whole story. They would probably tell the story of Scola fouling out every night if he absorbed Chuck's minutes.
Our rotation as of now is: Yao/Landry Hayes/Scola Battier/Bonzi Tmac/Head Alston/Brooks Thats a good 10 man rotation. That second unit has a lot of speed and athleticism but is young and inexperienced, while the starters are solid (we know what we get out of them day in and day out) and they are experienced veterans. I think the only way for things to change from this point is with an injury. Otherwise, I'm happy having Landry/Scola/Hayes get 15-25 mins each.
He has seriously cut down on his fouling.....Scola has figured it out, start him and play Hayes as the backup.....and give Landry more minutes. Hayes days are numbered. DD
Get Landry in the weight room this offseason. His game with Hayes' bulk would be scary for this team.
No No NO !!!!! Let his body mature naturally......most players getting bulky is not a good thing. Basketball is a game of skill and finese not brute force.... Some weight training is good and necessary, but not a lot.... DD
He already weighs 10 pounds more than Hayes, and is pretty bulked up at 6'8" - 248 pounds. Just needs more playing experience and to work on his defensive ability, that's all. It'll come with time.
I think what will eventually happen is Scola moves into the starting lineup, and Landry/Hayes split the backup minutes depending on matchups. The Rockets starting group is offensively challenged this year. Last year they did fine offensively against most teams, and they were terrific defensively. As for Chuck, that was pretty frustrating yesterday, but he isn't going to miss 5 or 6 shots in a row very often (has that ever happened before?). I thought he did a pretty good job, otherwise. Last time I checked, I think his FG% was significantly lower against the bigger, defense-oriented teams -- closer to 50% than 60%. He seem to have a really tough time finishing on the left side of the basket. Maybe he should consider laying it in directly into the basket, instead of off the glass.
lookin good and almost set, and i would like one of those 10 packaged with M.James in a trade to take us one step further
I think Adleman should only put Chuckie on when the other team has a dominant/athletic PF/C...like Bosh, Boozer, Pau... Otherwise, Scola/Landry works out better.
I don't think Chuck's strength defensively is so much his man defense against the "dominant" PF/C. He's a pretty good post defender, but that isn't his real strength, in my opinion. What the Rockets like about him is his ability to cover ground quickly on rotations and switch onto smaller, quicker players (e.g. against pick and rolls). And amongst our bigs, he's easily the best face up defender.
I love the energy both of these guys bring, but I got to tell you from a simple excitement stand point. Seems like I'm jumping out of my chair like crazy when Landry is in the game. If I am feeling that energy from him on my couch you know the players on the court must love playing with him. I say Landry will be getting 20 minutes by the time the stretch run comes and at the expense of my man Hayes. I love Hayes, but Landry is getting better the more playing time he is gettting. Scola is better then both and will be starting by the time the stretch run comes. It will take a little bit of time because of RA's coaching style. It seems that once he gives a player a chance he doesn't quickly take it away from him. He gives that player a fair chance to play himself into or out of the rotation.
Scola isn't quite ready yet, and Landry is definitely not ready to be a starter or get heavy minutes.
I like Chucks D and effort, but his inability to play above the rim, his lack of height, and lack of an offensive game hurts the team in some ways..................................I'm sure Landry will be seeing more minutes.......
It is incredible how many Hayes apologist this site has. He should not be an starter period. He barely deserves to be in the NBA. Just remember he was a free agent in the off-season and no other team was interested. If he will have everything fans in this site claim, he would have signed a good deal in the off season. I understand people like him because of his hustle, but Ryan Bowen was the same type of player. We need the best talent on the court period.
