Langhi to get more playing time (and other stuff)

All fans of Damn Lanky tune into Wednesday's game because, according to Rudy, they're going to give Lanky more playing time. Apparently he didn't play in Tuesday's game because of stomach flu :

The following article is from the Houston Chronicle (online) :

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.hts/sports/bk/bkn/869198
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Rockets shut down hobbled Taylor
With playoff chances remote, Tomjanovich revising approach
By BRIAN McTAGGART
Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle


Slowly but surely, the Rockets are beginning to come to terms with what almost certainly will be a second consecutive season without a playoff berth.

With seven games remaining and standing 4 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Rockets may have taken a step toward conceding their fate Wednesday by shelving ailing power forward Maurice Taylor for the rest of the season.

"That's the precautionary thing to do," coach Rudy Tomjanovich said. "It will get some other guys an opportunity to play. We're not out of it, but the chances have slimmed down, and we're beaten up. But we're going to hang in there."

Taylor, who will likely be placed on the injured list today, has been slowed by a strained right Achilles' tendon for the past month and returned to the lineup for Tuesday's 109-97 loss to the Dallas Mavericks after missing three games. But he lasted just 24 minutes and scored 16 points against the Mavs before being forced to leave in the fourth quarter.

"I just love that Mo wanted to play even though he was not feeling great," Tomjanovich said. "He went out and did a good job. It just shows he's the kind of guy that's not going to let something hold him out. I just think the smart thing now is to be safe."

Taylor's final scoring average of 13 points in 69 games is his lowest since he averaged 11.5 during his 1997-98 rookie season with the Los Angeles Clippers. But the Rockets have been pleased with his production. Taylor averaged 16.8 points two years ago and 17.1 last year with the Clippers before signing as a free agent in August.

Taylor, who is eligible for free agency after the season, blended in well with the Rockets' athletic lineup and was averaging nearly 16 points over his last 17 games before Tuesday. He set a career high in points (34 vs. Orlando on Feb. 23) and played a vital role in helping the Rockets win 16 of 20 games to turn a 22-25 record into a 38-29 mark, putting them in the thick of the playoff chase.

"We love what he's given to this team," Tomjanovich said. "He doesn't have to prove anything else to us. I think it's been a real good mix, not only with the basketball but the guys on our team. I think he's really happy, and we are, too. I'd hate to see something happen to him if he did get hurt that he wouldn't be ready until this time next year."

Taylor's injury, which likely will not require surgery, is one of a handful of ailments plaguing the Rockets as they enter the final two weeks of the season.

Forward Shandon Anderson played only 24 minutes Tuesday before leaving with a sore right foot, and forwards Kenny Thomas and Dan Langhi missed Tuesday's game with the stomach flu. Thomas is also bothered by a sore right wrist.

"We've been dealing with a lot of injuries all year, especially making this playoff run," forward Walt Williams said. "Adding onto the pressure of us having to win every game has been the injuries. That just means guys have to step in and step up their games a little bit more."

Tomjanovich said Wednesday he's considering giving some of his younger players, specifically rookie Langhi, more playing time in the final seven games.

"I'm going to rethink how I handle the rest of this season," Tomjanovich said. "We're getting to the point where I need to do that, but I'm not giving up that we're going to win all our games and the other team is going to lose all theirs. I have to start giving some valuable minutes to Dan Langhi, who hasn't played a lot this year, and also looking at the health of our valuable assets."

The players, who heretofore have steadfastly believed they had a shot at the playoffs despite losing six of eight entering tonight's game against Seattle, have even started to face reality.

"It will take a miracle for us to get up in there now," Williams said. "We'd have to win the remainder of our games and hope that Minnesota and Seattle lose more than half of theirs. Realistically, I don't see that happening, but we still have a chance. You don't want to go out and have a bad showing because of pride."

Guard Cuttino Mobley wouldn't say the Rockets' playoff chances are dead in the water, and he hopes the team doesn't roll over down the stretch.

"We're going to keep playing hard," he said. "Hopefully, everybody will go out there on the same page, instead of individually, and we won't be embarrassed. We have a lot of teams the next seven games that can embarrass you.

"We just have to keep playing hard, no matter what the circumstances are. We've been injured all year. Our chemistry was here, and now it's gone. Hopefully we can put a lot of things behind us and keep working hard like we should. We haven't been playing our game lately and have been inconsistent. We need to pick that up and get some more pride and go out with a bang."



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