tinman, we did not think he was going to "step down." You did. He never was a bad player. He's always been a good/to very good player. It's just that his old contract made him look "bad." And yes, he looks better while playing with Tmac/Yao. But you could say that about any "good role/player." P.S. SCOTT PADGET never had a 105 Mil DOLLAR CONTRACT. So he *seems* like he's playing better. Most NBA fans never expected Padget to play this way. He was expected to be a role player. JH was supposed to be a "superstar." So, it's these expectations that have created the illusion of "bad player" or rather a failure to live up to those expectations.
I went to Washington during the Juwan years. My friend told me that they couldn't give away tickets. When MJ took over as GM. The GREATEST FEAT he did..was trade Juwan. Juwan is benefiting from good passing and unselfish players on the Rockets. Plus WIDE OPEN JUMPERS. Did you not forget that Orlando was the worst team last year? Juwan played with Tmac there too. The reason why Juwan is playing better: Remember when JVG put Juwan in the dog house? I think JVG told him to quit being a selfish bricklaying b*stard and let the game flow to him. Now Mo Taylor is in that doghouse, but apparently Mo doesn't get it. Am I happy he's playing better? YES Do I still want another PF instead of Juwan to be on our team next year? YES
Yes, I'm familar with the Bullets/Wizards...I live in MD. Jordan got rid of JH because of his overrated salary which didn't match his output. That's a given. But that does not mean that he's playing that much "better" now than he did back then (17ppg/45.3FG% last year). His role has changed. But his consistency is about the same. JVG has helped the WHOLE team. Not just JH. They all had to get on the same page and get a feel for this team. That was inevitable that JH would find his place on this team. The WIDE OPEN JUMPERS are his benefit. Yes. But his FG% has been around 45+%, regardless of TMac or Webber or JVG. He's been consistent his whole career. Orlando's record has nothing to do with it. You said it yourself. TMac was there. Consisent winning comes when you get the right mix of players that know their roles. JH is playing just that. His role. Orldando lost alot becasue the were one of the worst defesive teams in the league. JVG gets credit for emphising defense! That's for sure. JH was already a good shooter. Our team plays both offense and defense. TMac has benifted from that just as much as JH.
Tinman - I hope tonights game was one of the 4 Rox games that you have seen this season. Van Chan and Worrell were loving Juwans game, Van Chan said Juwans play was one of the top three reasons the Rox were playing so well, Worrell also gave props to Juwan. I don't know what your problem is with Juwan, maybe you dropped a bundle with your bookie betting on a game that Juwan was in but you have been out voted. Give it up for Juwan.
Sorry Tiger, I forgot you think Juwan Howard is the next Kevin Garnett. Why dont we stop giving the ball to Yao then. Juwan surely took OTHELLA HARRINGTON to school. Don't bother to mention the great game everyone else had. Wow Van Chancellor gave props to Juwan, lets give him the MVP trophy. Excuse me, the "Em-Vee-Pee" Trophy. If actually read my threads, i've been giving him credit. Unlike you Im not changing my opinions based a couple of games. I'm looking at an entire career and this season. As soon as Juwan starts short arming his shots and playing selfish, you guys will start bashing him. I've been consistent unlike 99% of the people. He scored 12pts and had 7 boards? You know what? Kenny Thomas could do that . Carl Herrera can do that. Mark Bryant can do that. Matt Bullard could do that. You know you actually want me to be incosistent in my criticism. Guess what pal? Im not a fair weather, easily swayed, I-hate-JVG, Trade-Yao-cause he had a bad game. I'm the truest form of Rockets fan. Your brain would explode if you had the loyalty I have for the Rockets. Matt Maloney had an awesome series that one year against the Sonics. I thought he, sucked overall. Did I hate Maloney? No. Was I happy he made shots. Yes. Hakeem is the greatest Rocket of all. But he stunk toward the Steve Years/End of the Barkley Era. He lost most of his moves. Did I root for him? Yes. Has my opinion changed on him because of last years? No. I judge him for his entire career and what he has done. Vernon went AWOL cause his pride, which is his strength and his weakness, on the Rockets. Do I hate him for it? No. He has done too much for the Rockets. Sam with Mario, he was bitter too. These are the greatest Rockets. I would have them on my team again, any day. Do I think we are getting rid of Juwan. Yes, but in the off season. Do I think Mo Taylor sucks? Yes, he has been replaced by Padgett. Did you remember how bad Juwan was earlier in the year? Do you kiss Juwan's butt when he has a good game, but turn your face away from his rear when he has a bad game? My opinion on Juwan has not changed. There are 10 or 20 other power forwards I would rather have on the Rockets. But I will cheer for him. I will give him props when he has a good game. I will point out his mistakes when he has a bad game. Why Tiger? Cause Im a ROCKETS FAN. I'm REAL. I'm the People's champ of Rockets fans. Feel my Power!
I'm not seeing what everyone else (besides tinman) is seeing. He's sucking a little less than he did earlier in the year. He's still sucking though. Given his position, his shooting percentage is low, his points per shot are low, and -- save a couple standout games -- his rebounding has been poor. He's not doing a whole lot out there on the floor. Since the start of the new year, his rebounding numbers have been: 12, 7, 9, 4, 6, 8, 4, 5, 3, 3, 8, 4, 4, 6, 5, 1, 13, 14, 8, 7 with never having fewer than 20 minutes. That's an average of 6.55 rebounds per game at 30 mpg. That's Tayloresque.
I appreciate Juwan Howard's offense and veteran role player's know how. When the right deal come along, I will trade him in a heartbeat. IMO, we still badly need upgrade in PF position. It's important to find someone that's good in defense and rebouding as well as complimenting Yao's game. IMO, finding the PF is critical to our team's success.
I like your analysis. I did not do much research, but I watched a lot of Rox games, one glaring weakness we have is the inability of our PF to play decent defense against the opposing PF. Most of the time the opposing PF is allow to go around Howard, that forces Yao to rotate to Howard's man and defend out of position, Yao picks up unnessary fouls. Howard just stood there dumbfounded. I know Howard's good teammate and all, he probably is playing his best at his age, and I appreciate his hard work. Still we need better play out of our PF.
