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Kirk Snyder: "Houston is where I did a lot of growing as a player and man"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by OrangeRowdy95, Mar 25, 2008.

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OrangeRowdy95 Contributing Member

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http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_8685965

Reaffirms what he told me at TMac's softball charity matches that JVG made him understand what's most important in his life.

Snyder, Wolves both winners in trade that brought him to Minnesota
By Rick Alonzo
ralonzo@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 03/25/2008 12:47:54 AM CDT

For Kirk Snyder, the opportunity to play as much as he has in Minnesota is somewhat bittersweet, given where he came from.

He was stuck on the bench in Houston, which is fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Now he's starting for the Wolves, who are bound for the lottery again.

Asked if the trade was good for him, Snyder said yes, in terms of playing time. Conversations he had with former Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy and Houston all-star Tracy McGrady confirmed that.

"They reassured me that it's time to play now," said Snyder, in his fourth season in the NBA. "Sitting behind (McGrady) and having to learn all that stuff from the coaching staffs I've been around, it's time to apply it.

"Obviously wins, that's a big part of being happy as a basketball player. But just the opportunity to help a team, I think, is better for me at this point in my career."

Snyder has been a pleasant surprise for the Wolves since he arrived in Minnesota on Feb. 21 at the NBA trade deadline. The Wolves traded Gerald Green to Houston in exchange for Snyder, a 2010 second-round draft pick and cash considerations.

Snyder said he isn't sure how he's going to feel returning to Houston for Wednesday's game, but he knows one thing: "It's going to be really emotional for me. It's where I did a lot of growing as a basketball player and as a man."

At least in the short term, the trade appears to be a steal for the Wolves. Snyder has started the past 11 games and gives Minnesota a more physical defensive presence at small forward, and he scores effectively.

"He attacks the rim with force and with aggression," the Wolves' Ryan Gomes said. "That helps us out and takes the pressure off the bigs and the guards because you've got a guy who can get in there and slash. He's a big contributor to this team."

In 14 games with Minnesota, Snyder has averaged 8.4 points and 3.9 rebounds, and shot 48.8 percent. He's also given coach Randy Wittman a different option at small forward.

"He's got my confidence in a short period of time," Wittman said. "He's doing some good things in 14 games to have that (confidence). He's playing within himself. He's been good."

When Snyder was acquired, some outside the organization thought he wouldn't get much of a chance with the Wolves. But Snyder, a restricted free agent at the end of the season, likely has earned careful evaluation from the Wolves in the remaining 13 games.

"He's caught our eye," Wittman said.

The coach said he wasn't quite sure what to expect when Snyder arrived. With athleticism and explosiveness, Snyder helps the Wolves in fast-break opportunities, and he's making good decisions.

He first entered the starting lineup as a fill-in for rookie Corey Brewer, who missed two games because of a thigh bruise, and Snyder hasn't relinquished the starting spot.

Regarding his future, Snyder said he's going to explore free agency and see what happens. The Wolves can retain him by matching another team's contract offer, and Snyder said he's open to returning to Minnesota.

"I like it here," he said. "It's a nice place. I've got to get used to the cold. It's snowing here and there. I'm looking outside and it's like, OK, it's Christmas every day."
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#1 OrangeRowdy95, Mar 25, 2008

WhoMikeJames Contributing Member

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I wish we gave him more minutes. His jump shot was the only thing he needed to work on.

#2 WhoMikeJames, Mar 25, 2008
Apollo Creed Contributing Member

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I hope he does well in Minny or somewhere. Even though he had a bad rap early in his career for being a hothead, he was nothing but a good kid while he was here.

#3 Apollo Creed, Mar 25, 2008
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He really seem to have finally found some consistent playing time in Minny, avg close to 30min 10pts 4reb.

Kirk has all the physical talents to stay around this league for a long time. Just have some mental lapses on the court from time to time, hopefully he could use the PT he's getting from the TWolves to continue advancing his game, I wish him all the bets.

#4 rz04, Mar 25, 2008
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yeah, its kind of sad that he was the opening day starter then got hurt and never found a role again...I wish him the best and looks like he might be putting things together. I always thought he eventually would. Hes bonzi but in shape.

#5 GAY4WHO???, Mar 25, 2008
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I think Morey did an honoury job of finding him a place that would give him a chance to play. I believe we did that trade mainly for Snyder rather than getting G.Green.

#6 Blue Brick, Mar 25, 2008
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Blue Brick said:

I think Morey did an honoury job of finding him a place that would give him a chance to play. I believe we did that trade mainly for Snyder rather than getting G.Green.
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Yea I think the trade was definitely to trade Snyder to a team where he could get more playing time, too bad we had to throw in a 2nd rounder for Green tho .

#7 rz04, Mar 25, 2008

TeamUSA Member

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so if he plays good this wednesday, he'll yell in front of the bench again?

#8 TeamUSA, Mar 25, 2008
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We could really use him now as a backup to McGrady and Battier.

#9 ColomboLQ, Mar 25, 2008
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Glad he's doing steady. He'll get a chance to do some more learning once he comes back and gets schooled by McGrady.

#10 Yaozer, Mar 25, 2008
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ColomboLQ said:

We could really use him now as a backup to McGrady and Battier.
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basically we traded him for Mike Harris, which is a lot cheaper but just as good, if not better. I always liked Kirk though, but he's not a high IQ player, which means he doesnt have much chance in coach A' system

#11 ColdspringX, Mar 25, 2008
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I'm glad we were able to trade him to a team where he can finally see some play-time. A good guy and I wish him nothing but the best.

#12 Humer, Mar 25, 2008
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Synder may not be the smartest of the bunch but he was still a good bench warmer and cheerleader/

#13 nycundaground, Mar 25, 2008

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I wish him well, I never thought he really got a chance to shine. Very talented kid.

#14 solid, Mar 25, 2008
pgabriel Educated Negro

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dude hasn't been in the league that long, if he's grown as a player, of course alot of it was in houston

#15 pgabriel, Mar 25, 2008
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ColdspringX said:

basically we traded him for Mike Harris, which is a lot cheaper but just as good, if not better. I always liked Kirk though, but he's not a high IQ player, which means he doesnt have much chance in coach A' system
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I get that much of it, but Mike Harris isn't playing right now. Plus Kirk has better size and better range (which isn't saying much cause Kirk didn't exactly have a great jumpshot).

#16 ColomboLQ, Mar 25, 2008
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The worst thing that happened to Snyder was when he broke his hand last year. He played great the first month of the season, when he came back, he just didn't have a consistent playing time he had. When he played in the preseason last year, I remember how easy it was for him to slash to the basket and dunk it out of nowhere.

From what I remember also, him and Head looked like they were close and had a knack for knowing each other's game in the court, kinda like how Cat and Francis did back in the days.

#17 Dave2000, Mar 25, 2008
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Interesting that he has talked to both Tracy and especially Jeff after the trade.

#18 Carl Herrera, Mar 25, 2008

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Apollo Creed said:

I hope he does well in Minny or somewhere. Even though he had a bad rap early in his career for being a hothead, he was nothing but a good kid while he was here.
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Agreed. Snyder seems like a good guy and the kind of role player that will hang around for a long time. I'm glad we got Mike Harris, just for his aggression, but I wish Snyder nothing but the best.

#19 weslinder, Mar 25, 2008
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Best wishes to him.
He is a good guy.

#20 sleepirlo, Mar 25, 2008

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