Yep, and I think the number of games he has left as a Rocket is 15. I doubt the Rockets excercise their option on him this offseason, and unless he is willing to take a pay cut, I think he is gone. DD
It seems like people forget that Andersen is still a rookie in this league. Scola didn't adjust as fast is first year either.
He's on the same boat as Battier....A championship contender would love to have Hayes to be able to come into games and help slow down a big man.
Yeah but not at nearly $3 million a year......I think the Rockets decline his option and he signs for around the league minimum. Maybe with the Rockets..I am sure they would love to have him back but not at the level he is getting paid now, he is not worth it. DD
IMO Hill has all the tools to be whatever he wants to be. If he works real hard at it, he can be our starting PF/backup C next year. It is all up to him. Durvasa, one of the most respected posters, has said that Hill is already a better defensive player that Stoudemire. That is just a sign on how good this kid can be. Size, athleticism, quickness. Only question to me is whether he has the desire to be elite or just be content in drawing a big paycheck. I hope for the former.
My sentiments as well. What the rockets need most from a big next year is defense. Someone to fill in for Yao. We have enough scorers and Yao gives us enough scoring at the center. But there will be times we need a big to help out against the elite teams. I know i's early but IMO Hill is not that guy. I will say he is much better than any film I saw of him in New York. But he's still so raw. I know the number of blocks are impressive stats and he seems to have a well rounded average game. But my main criticism is his lack of defensive execution. People complained about landry being a poor defender but he was much better than Hill. Still he is young and Battier and Scola are working with him. So there is time for him to come around. He is a Rocket and I will be rooting for him but I would not pass up on an opportunity to get a defensive big in the draft or by trade because I hopeful Hill will fill that role.
Hill is a much better defender than Carl Landry has ever been... He is raw on offense, but his defensive rotations are the reason he is getting so many minutes...
You're right.... He's been a starting center all season, and a captain....does that demand a salary higher than the minimum? That probably wouldn't mean much going to another team, but if the Rockets wanted to keep him, they'd probably have to give up more than that....or just pick up his team option. It's a lot of "ifs" in this: If the Rockets really feel that they have a championship team next year (including whatever they decide in the offseason)...would you want to keep Chuck? He could be useful. If the Rockets did decline his team option, hoping Chuck would sign for less, would he do it? With a family to take care of, and a possible lock out coming.
Jesus, a young player shows flashes of promise in games and the pessimists come out and points out the negatives of a rookie. Meanwhile, at Knicks forums, Knicks fans are crucifying D'Antoni for not giving Hill a chance in light of Hill's recent good performances in a Rocket uniform. There's a reason why the Knicks let him go alright. It's because Walsh wanted salary space and D'Antoni didn't think much of him to play him enough. IMO they blew it, to only get what amounted was salary space for the 8th pick of the last draft held, that's not getting value. So far from what I've seen, Hill has not been a bust which many Knick fans have labeled him. He's a project for sure, and not the instant impact player that many expect a lottery pick should be, but there's a lot of positive attributes about him to work with. If he's still on the team next year, I think he has a great shot to be a rotation player and backup both the 4 and 5.
This is going to be a hard decision for the Rockets.... Andersen is still just a rookie....still learning. Chuck is a vet, and you know what you're going to get. Offense > Defense. But it's always good to have someone that's able to come off the bench to shut the opposing big man down. Some nights the Rockets don't need Chuck...he simply starts and you hardly see him after that. But you ALWAYS need offense...but then again, with Yao coming back, we have enough players that can score. Chuck has started so many fast breaks and scoring opportunities for us with his defense. OUTLET!
Last i checked Landry was not a rookie who just got traded to a new team mid season.Do you still think Hill will never be better then Andersen?
I think Hill is already a better defender than Landry....Carl was really poor on defense, Hill is a little lost at times, but he is new to the system and is already showing more ability to block shots. DD
Andersen maybe an NBA rookie but he's played against NBA talent before in FIBA and the Olympics. He's 29 and in my eyes what you see is what you get; a soft finesse outside shooting big with little to no defense, has an adequate post up game but not someone I'd throw the ball into continuously ala Scola. If he's not hitting those outside shots he's basically worthless because I don't expect anything else from him.
I agree with most of what you said, but I don't think he's that raw of a player, that title would go to a player like Joey Dorsey. This guy rather just needs refinement and work, he's definitely got NBA ready skills, just needs to be taught on how to put them to use in a more productive manner. Big men usually take some time to improve, I don't see why it will be any different for Hill, as long as he puts in the work he has the potential to become a solid player. Nobody should expect a rookie big man to produce consistently day in day out, having a good game every few games is exactly what should be expected and that's what he's given........that should be great news. People complaining that he isn't giving double double's every game need to get a reality check!!
Scola also played against NBA talent...Olympics etc. It took time for him to adjust to the NBA...other than that, I agree. At this present time, since he isn't well adjusted...when he isn't hitting his shots he is useless...and hasn't shown the hustle and heart ala Scola.
If Hill doesn't get traded, they should put him through one heck of an intensive crash training program this summer. Make him work with: 1. CD and Sikma - on his big man playing fundamentals. 2. Hakeem and Mutombo - on defence and shot-blocking 3. Hakeem and Scola - footwork 4. Yao - make him defend and go up against Yao in some one on one pickup games. 3 months of this intensive stuff will give him plenty of polishing
