If the rockets are interested in developing Sam Dekker then it makes more sense to send him to the Vipers. If anyone needs to play with the veterans, it would be KJ. This doesn't make any sense.
The puzzling thing about this to me is that we have seen K.J. perform when he was with Sixers. I do realized that it was the Sixers but the talent he was playing against was NBA talent night in night out. I like that he plays defense and on this team we need every perimeter defender we can get to put around James and Ty. His shot will develop in time(which a viper stint could help) but if I was Mchale I would tell him that his defense is what would get him on the floor and keep him on the floor.
Great post and thanks. Was just about to spout how ridiculous it was that KJ got dropped/moved without even getting a decent sniff of court time. But you make some valid points. I like KJ. Watched a few 76's games where he looked really good in and was excited when we traded him. Disappointing, but hoping he develops in the D-League and refines his game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dekker has had some back soreness, keeping him from going to D-League. An option after rehab, McHale said.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/664583455963877376">November 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">McHale on KJ McDaniels going D-League: "Just needs to get some games in. He's not getting much time in right now."</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/664588106041917440">November 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I think its a good move... He was sitting every night anyway. The only way you become a better basketball player is by playing basketball so hopefully he will go down to the valley destroy the competition and be ready for a call up when someone gets hurt.
good move, keep him fresh. though i'd rather give him a ****in chance with the brewer/ariza brickfest going on, beverley too. but w/e, let them play through it, while kj is the odd man out.
Dekker can play some 4 and we need insurance there right now. McDaniels is being sent to get in game shape. If anything, I see this as a sign that they're getting him ready to take some of Brewer's minutes if KJ hits 35% of his 3's. We also need Brewer to up his trade value, we clearly don't need him anymore. Between Ariza, McDaniels, Thornton and Dekker we're set at the 3. I'm just not sure anyone will want Brewer till next season. I love the guy but he's redundant on this team. Just give KJ some more time to acclimate.
He needs an opportunity to refine his shot mechanics...and wont get that opp sitting on the bench. Just like it helped Capela leaps and bounds for an extended stint last year...KJ will be able to work on his 3 point shot. Shouldnt be disappointed...bc the Rockets have had most of their draft picks improve after their stint with the RGV. Would be nice if he was a true 3-D threat. All ready know he can play terrific defense, but his shot is suspect.
Actually we don't know about the defense except for the occasional great chase down block and some steals. If he could just be a bit like Pat Beverly as an on the ball defender it would be great. He should completely dominate defensively with the Vipers if really great defense is in his future. Let's hope for some development of his shot, too.
Sending rookies this early to the D-League is what wouldn't make any sense. Teams always keep their rookies this early so they can acclimatise to being in the NBA.
Because he is a talented young basketball player. Even talented young basketball players need to "develop" further to be impactful NBA players. Hence the word Developmental in The NBA Developmental League. Also we signed him to essentially what you would be paying a mid to high 1st round draft choice. They didn't give him the max or anything. They signed him as a young player they knew they would have to develop. Lastly- He is on a 3 year deal, with bird rights. The Rockets have Ariza, Brewer, and Thornton ahead of him. He was signed as a solution to develop long term to follow up on Ariza & Brewer's tenure with the Rockets. Not to beat out Ariza & Brewer this year. If KJ doesn't play after a ton of injuries to our wings, or next season then it's an issue that we signed him. Playing this year was never going to be likely at least for the first half.
