[NBA.COM] Training Camp Draws Near and Questions from China

We got a Dirk lite lite and a DWade lite lite in Budinger and Taylor.

 

Nice blog from Friedman. Hopefully, we can get some updates soon on how the newcomers (McCants, Pops, Stoudamire, etc.) are doing.

 

I wonder about chuck hayes if he maybe has confidence issues. In scrimmages and practises all reports point to him being an absolute monster, going coast to coast, dunking on people all over the place. But in games, he's a total nonfactor on the offensive end.

 

He's been working hard all summer on his game, and the level of competition isn't nearly the same.

 

I think it has something to do with the fact that most bigs on our teams are undersized.

 

If Chuck lost weight, how might that impact his ability to defender bigger players in the post?

I thought he gained all that bulk before becomes he was going to be playing more at C and he decided to sacrifice some quickness for strength.

 

It's unbelivable how everybody is so cautious while talking about Tracy McGrady.

 

My theory: Chuck is awfully scared to death of freethrows. Hence in the actual games when he goes up for a super-high percentage shot like a dunk or a point-blank layup he will get fouled on purpose especially if its lategame and the game is close. However in practice no one is gonna try to foul him as it everyones just playing and they won't Hack-a-Hayes.

 

yes, but it's obvious that he has major offensive basketball skills in practise but in games he looks clueless. I can understand for example there are some shooters who can be deadeye in practise but can choke in games, however at least you can tell that they have good shooting mechanics or are offensively aware etc.. everyone can miss shots.

With chuck you can't even see potential offensively because he is so passive and nervous.

 

Peter has cried wolf so often that no one believes him any more......

DD

 

You are right, It is just so weird. I am not saying it is bad, I'd even said it is better. It is better to make everyone out there a big suprise than to fail again.

 

I liked the greyhound analogy with Trevor.

 

His lower center of gravity should help him to stay consistent as far as people backing him down. But I don't know if it will effect him or not... not guarding Yao at all in practice may affect his post defense as well. Even when Deke was here I am sure he spent part of his practice time guarding Yao... and that has to make you a better defender.

I can't wait to see the preseason games in a little more than a week! I am anxious to see how the guys all look in person - not that I don't trust Jason's opinion, but it's always good to see for yourself!

 

The weight has nothing to do with his defense. It's his strength. He was bench pressing 300 lbs and squatting 450 in his freshman year at Kentucky and that was when he was running around shooting 3's. He has probably gotten a bit stronger since then. With all that strength in the legs and the arms, few players can back him down. Plus he knows positioning, so he is the real deal when it comes to defense. That is a fact.

Losing weight WILL help his offensive game. He will get up and down the court quicker. He will be able to get above the rim easier. Maybe snag a few rebounds that he normally wouldn't have gotten.

 

It's not a confidence issue. A real NBA game and a scrimmage are very different. Players have a lot more on their mind than just having fun. The players that play really loose are the guys who get guaranteed playing time. With Chuck, it's not like he is going to go in there with the mindset of getting up 15-20 shots per game. On offense, he doesn't get the ball in scoring position very often. When he does get the ball, it's usually on a broken play and hence it might appear to the average fan that he is afraid to miss, goto the line, etc. When in reality, nobody is going to run a play where the objective is to get your 6' 6" Power Forward/Center a contested layup. When you see that, it's a broken play. It's hard for Chuck and usually anybody else of his size and skill to score in those positions anyway.

And Chuck sure doesn't have any confidence issues when he runs the offense and zings those passes to the backdoor cutter.

 

If they bust, ownership only loses a few million. If they exceed expectations, the Rocket's front office look like geniuses. In other words, low risk and high value, aka: Morey ball.

 

I'm imagining how crazy it'd be if Chuck had handles like Magic.

 

Wake up, bro. You was daydreaming.