Yeah, just like Webber, he went to Michigan, he's 6'9", he took money from Ed Martin, and uh, uh That's about where it ends, Webber is a top five player in this league, he can score, rebound, and his passing is very underrated, Taylor can score and uh, uh, uh, he grabbed 2 rebounds in 29 minutes last night.
MoT is becoming a much more solid player, in my opinion should start, and yes, the Rox could use his help if they want to make the playoffs, but he's no CWebb, maybe Otis Thorpe,...maybe.
He is doing the right thing for Rox ---- Posting up. His jump hook is starting to look really good. BTW, I don't think he can knock down those 13+ jumpers consistently like Webber. KH
I have been down on Mo T for his lack of effort, but this year, he has been rebounding, and starting to really hustle. I like Mo T...a lot more then EG. DD
Chris Webber? Otis Thorpe? "It's 'Puff, puff, pass'....you f*&^#>@ up the rotation!" Try a nicer, smoother Corliss Williamson when looking upon fair Maurice.
Honestly, I don't think MoT is starter material due to his underwhelming defensive game and rebounding. However, I think his offensive skills are good and (more importantly) consistent enough to merit him becoming the sixth man. Putting him in with Cato (who's become a great rebounder) should offset his deficiencies. MoT is definitely not in CWebb's class, not even a little bit. I wish we weren't paying him the amount we were, but I'm glad he's finally played himself into shape. That jump hook has become a nice weapon.
Yeah, those two rebounds last night were very impressive, Last night's game was a clear indication why the Rockets need to ride EG as a starter the rest of the season. EG can sleepwalk through a game and put up better numbers than MoT. MoT has been playing well, but you just can't have a powerforward starting who only scores. I would much rather have a powerforward who only rebounds and blocks shots, especially playing next to a center like Yao.
Pgabrial, We disagree again. I would rather have a scoring threat who can hold his ground against other PF, and let EG come in and build his confidence against teams 2nd string players. EG is not even close to being ready. His shot is flatter then a thin pancake..and his shooting percentage is lower then spat on the belly of a centipede. DD
Let me see, a team with a powerforward who doesn't rebound or play D, that makes a lot of sense. That's exactly what we need.
When MoT's in the game, we really need players who can nail an open J. When MoT posts up, he's now demanding a double team. If he doesn't get the double team, he'll just muscle his way into the middle of the lane and bury a jump hook. This means the C needs to clear out, otherwise they can just double team late, and defend him after he makes his move to the lane. If the C clears out, the double has to come early. Simply kick it out, work it around the horn, and boom, open J. I don't know what anyone means by "undwhelming defense." His defensive positioning is right on, and he knows how to use his size & strength to his advantage. Yes, he could use work in rebounding, but he's not really any worse than Griffin in that regard. Besides, our team is one of the better rebounding teams in the league. I'm willing to sacrifice 1 or 2 rebounds a game in order to insert all the other advangages you gain by giving MoT more minutes, as long as his ACL can handle it.
Pgabrial has no clue about basketball. Teams are leaving EG alone on defense because they know he can't shoot, this causes them to pack it in on Yao and make it harder for Steve and Cat to drive in. Playing 4 on 5 is very hard. On defense EG gives ground like the Iraqi army. He has no strength to hold his position and gets dominated night in and night out. Until EG drinks milk and starts eating doughnuts put him in the 2nd unit. Mo T has earned the starting spot with his improved play and the ability to at least hold his ground on defense. Mo may not be the best rebounder, but with Yao and Posey and Steve, he doesn't need to be. Toast, it was his achilles not his ACL. DD
I know basketball, and I know your powerforward needs to rebound, I know MoT was outplayed by E.G. last night, and I know MoT doesn't pass out of double teams well. MoT is a nice player, but 6'9" 250 pound player who can only score and play minimal D, should be bench players. And check the numbers, E.G. almost doubles Mo's rebounding output in only 5 more minutes per game.
My bad. Still, I'd only want to give him starter type minutes if his health can handle it. First and foremost, if you think MoT plays minimal D, you're simply not watching him on the defensive end. He defends the pick and roll better than any of our other big guys. He's always in the right position to defend his man. EG's defensive strength is helping from the weakside. I'll just leave it at that, 'cause I'm in no mood to bash EG after he came off one of his better games last night. Rebounds. I crunched the numbers. All things being equal, if both players played 24 minutes a game, EG would be averaging just under 6 rebounds, and MoT would be averaging 4.3. Compared to the other things MoT brings to the table, I'd say it's worth losing a couple rebounds.
Well, I wouldn't say that EG outplayed Mo, but it was nice to see Griffin play well. I was particularly pleased to see how active Eddie was, the team needs more of that from Eddie. Last night couldn't have worked out better for Rudy in regards to his PFs. Truth is, Griffin's not ready to be a contributor, but Mo's one-dimensional, which means that PF is the weak link of the roster. However, if you can get production from both, as last night showed, you have a nice little 2-headed monster at PF.
There is little difference in our defense when Mo is in there. Mo is a proven player and is in great shape. His jumper is money and can hold his ground against most 4's. He is not a great rebounder but with Posey, Yao, Cat, and SF in there, he doesn't have to be. Under no circumstance should Posey and EG be on the court together because it become a game of 3 on 5 on the offensive end and it allows Yao to be molested when he is in the paint.
Since MoT is playing so well, maybe we should start him to PF and have EG moved to SF. We have the scoring of MoT and EG will compensate MoT for the rebs. EG always get slaughter by many PFs anyway and plays outside. Think going against smaller opponent should built confidence in EG
Let me see Taylor played slightly more minutes, scored the same number of points on the same percentage of shooting, yet one had TEN more boards and a blocked shot and the same number of assist. Yeah he didn't outplay him.
