He was recommended by Scottie Brooks to Rudy. He got handles, hops and rebounding skills...not to mention speed! Will we have room for him on the roster? Looks like he can add instant offense AND intensity!!! I really like this guy and I hope we sign him a.s.a.p.!!!
where did we get this guy from? i know he has been injured for most of the pre-season, but i dont know much else. does anyojne know much about him? thanks.
Bill & Calvin said that he has played everywhere including the Harlem Globetrotters, and against Yao Ming in the Taiwanese League. They said he played in the developmental league and was coached by Scottie Brooks and that's who made the call to Rudy for a work out.
i'd definitely keep him over maddox, though i don't know if they're battling with each other. he probably has to win a job over torres. maddox looks friggin bad out there. he either can't dribble or he's just terrified of double teams. the trap eats him alive. tierre really showed how much better he is tonight.
I thought Maddox would win a roster spot instead of Brown, but Tierre took enormous strides in changing my mind. Regarding the other guard position: as well as Hawkins played, this is only one game. I'd prefer to compare Torres, Mickeal and Hawkins a bit more before I jump on a bandwagon. RT and CD have some tough choices ahead.
I thought that Maddux, Hawkins, Torres, Goodrich, and Mickeal are all playing for JOBS. Not positions. I mean, I don't think that Rudy will cut Torres or cut Hawkins, just because they are fighting for the same spot. He'll keep both if they beat out Maddux, Goodrich, and Mickeal. I gotta tell ya, I love Brown's passing ability! He's the best passer PERIOD. He does't pass, JUST TO PASS. He actually setups his teamates with wide open looks. Nachbar played well for a rook! He seems like he's just trying to learn the system, rather than "show his stuff."
i was thinking more of just 2 of those players making it rather than 3. and if that's the case than one of those will have to be a point guard meaning tierre or maddux. if it's gonna be 3 of them then definitely both torres and hawkins have a shot at getting on, and both should over maddux, semi-guaranteed contract or not. boki definitely looked better out there, though he still didn't get the ball too much. he took it to the basket pretty well. i think he's shown he doesn't have the langhi fear, he just needs to get healthy and comfortable. defensively, grant hill was having his way with him so he does need to work on that.
I thought Hawkins played excellent defense and looked like he was in the 'flow' of things better than anyone. We'll see how he does in the next couple of games. So far my take on the 'on the bubble' players. Tito Maddux - Just can't seem to get into the flow, makes many mistakes and so far has been the turnover king. He should be invited to the summer league next year but out this year. Hawkins - From what I've seen of him so far I'm impressed, if he keeps it up, he should make the team. Scotty Brooks did us a favor with this guy. Oscare Torres - Never has really been able to contribute, he had one 22 point game last year, but generally I think he doesn't add much at this point so we should let him go. Goodrich - Hasn't shown up in any games as of yet? I'm guessing we'll let him go as well. Mickeal - Looked like a solid rebounder and decent player. Problem is we have a lot of players with similar skills. Should get an invite to the summer league but I'm guessing we let him go also. Tierre Brown - He has looked excellent from the summer league through pre-season. Generally can get his shot and pick up significant assists. Great insurance policy for Steve and Mooch. He should stay. So my take Tierre and Hawkins should get jobs, the rest let go and some invited to the summer league next year.
Rudy T and his staff are gonna have some really tough decisions over the next couple of days. I was very impressed with Hawkins. The guy can flat out play ball and he's hungry. He played all over the world and he wants to stay in the NBA. I hope the Rockets can find a way to keep him.
I had an opportunity to go home to Houston this past weekend, and so I had the chance to watch the Rockets game on Friday. As it was preseason, I knew I would be seeing alot of players like Tito, Tierre, and Griffin. It was too bad I didn't get to watch TMo, but I did see the vets (Mo & Rice) play for the first time in many months. What really impressed me was how effectively he handled the point guard duties. He seemed to be like Griffin's little brother, both sporting their white head bands; a dangerous big man/little man tandem. I could really see him adding even more energy in the pg spot. Tito, IMHO looked like the scrubs you see in college pick-up ball games. 2-yr contract or not, please lead him to the right paths of the NBDL. Francis, Mobley, Mooch, Tierre, Hawkins Add Mickeal to the mix and I say we're ready to go.
There will be guys on our team that are cut, but still belong in the NBA. We didn't have this "problem" last year did we? I feel lucky right now.
According to Bill, Hawkins is 6'6" and playing the 2 guard. Looks like Oscar and Hawkins are in for a big battle fighting for the backup 2 spot.
