http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-091208/awards-watch Several Rockets are mentioned in the article such as Carl, Trevor, Aaron, and RA
Why is Artest on this list? It seems more like success by association. Just because you have a reputation as a "good" defender doesn't automatically get you a vote. WHERE IS CHUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Landry should be #2 on most improved over AB and Ariza. He has seen a big jump in his ppg despite only 4 extra minutes per. I wouldn't even have Ariza on the list considering he is a product of volume at this point.
I LOVE all the Artest hate now that he's not a Rocket. Everyone kissed his ass while he was here, and now that he's gone he sucks. Oh the biased minds of fans...
I don't know where you were, but pretty much everyone here thought his defense was overrated even when he was with us, mostly because we saw it every game. Dude's lateral quickness was terrible and he couldn't guard a PnR to save his life.
Watching Kobe own Artest made everyone second guess his defense. LeBron was the only star he defended well last year.
Almost posted this as a new thread. Bump back to page 1. Preliminary Rankings based on their performances so far. http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-091208/awards-watch Most Improved Player of the Year Watch: 2. Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza, Rockets (tie): They are thriving as the go-to players on a team that has shown great chemistry and is currently top eight in the West. (Last week: 2) Sixth Man of the Year Watch: 4. Carl Landry, Rockets: Not only is he a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, but he might be in the conversation for league's Most Improved Player. (Last week: 4; NR) Coach of the Year Watch: 4. Rick Adelman, Rockets, and Rick Carlisle, Mavs (tie): Adelman has Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza playing at such a high level that Houston fans can only dream about how good the team would have been with a healthy Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. (Last Week: NR) --------------------------------- I don't want Rick Adelman to win COTY. That curse is definitely true; it's just a matter of time until they figure out Mike Brown and his ineptitude. He's probably the most deserving, but he's great as the underdog. I'd more than happy for Carl to get the 6th man award, or MIP for Ariza or Brooks. Unfortunately, if McGrady comes back, their stats won't sustain at this level; unless he cuts into Battier's minutes instead of Ariza's. People that shocked me on the lists: Dahntay Jones (he can't last can he?), Ron Artest (if Thabo Sefolosha can get on that list, then Battier/Chuck can too), Al Harington (inflated stats on d'Antoni's offense)
All those coaches have done nice work, but I don't know how you can compare them with what RA has dealt with. But he'll get his in due time once we get all of our players healthy and win 60+ Games.
