Two takes from two very different players in the NBA: - Larry Hughes - On the other hand........ - Luis Scola - To me, this is such a shame to see. I feel sorry for Larry Hughes. He just doesn't get it. He will never be a winner. Luis's attitude, however, is a the root of our 22 game winning streak. Then again, isn't this attitude displayed by Hughes at the core of what is wrong with today's NBA? Isn't this why some of the older generation have migrated away from the NBA, and prefer college hoops? http://chicagosports.chicagotribune...rry-hughes-hard-smart-chicago,1,5342607.story http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2008032610
i dont really agree with you. IMO both players make valid points. The comment made by Hughes is correct. I mean you can play hard, hustle and get on every loose ball and whatever, but if you cant string 2 passes together then you aint going to win many games. Playing hard and executing are two totally different things and you really need both to win basketball games. Thats my opinion anyway.
Larry Hughes is dumbass personified on the court. And he's got no game off the court either considering he let Nelly steal his girl
I think they're both spot on. Playing hard is important but if you can't execute a lay up consistently like Chuck Hayes then you're not going to do a whole lot. Not a knock on Chuck because his hustle does create more opportunities, but if you can't execute then its all for nothing.
Larry Hughes is no chump either. He was on the 04-05 All Defensive 1st team and I believe he led the NBA is steals too. He's not some lazy guard who only cares about how many points he scores.
Didn't Hughes say, not too long ago, that he didn't really care about winning? That, to him, the game is more about entertaining the fans? I recall something like that. Edit: Ah yes, here it is: [rquoter] "I play to enjoy myself, some people take this the wrong way, but winning a championship is not what I base everything on. ... I didn't come here to play the point guard, that's just it. I came here to run the wing, just like [LeBron James] was running the other wing. I was asked to sacrifice for the team to win and for everybody, I guess, get paid. That is what was told to me and I wasn't happy with that." [/rquoter] Not play to entertain, but play for the joy of the game. I guess, to him, playing to win isn't what makes him happy.
Totally disagree Hughes is like Randy Moss - If he wants to take a play off, he does. He did make the All D team, and lead the league in steals, but his defensive efficiency has always sucked. It saddens me that a guy like Hughes can make the All D team and Battier has yet to.
playing hard helps. it definitely does. but it doesn't matter if the results are losses. we played hard the last few years (probably top 3-4 in terms of the most effort being put out). where did it take us? when the playoff rolls around, 99% of the teams play just as hard. it comes down to who's better at executing, knowing how to handle pressure... so both guys make a valid point. hughes did go to the finals last year you do know that right.
Yep, but I think they still get there with or without him. Bron took that team to the Finals by himself. What did he score, like 25 out of the last 27 points against Detroit in Game 6 of the playoffs? This year Lebron got a W after their big trade with 4 D Leaguers and Damon Jones. I would have to put an * by Hughes finals appearance when discussing whether or not he is a winner.
I think you may be misinterpreting those quotes. I don't think they're mutually exclusive nor do I think either of them are wrong. You can't win in the NBA if you have a team of guys that want to win, give everything on the court, but play unorganized streetball. Steve Francis is actually a good example of that. He poured his heart out, but needed to just scrap and dominate the ball. No teamwork, no execution. You aren't going to win, especially not in the postseason like that. IMO, this is also something that haunts the Nuggets. Then with Scola's remark, some nights you might execute but the shots aren't falling. Only way you're winning is if you put out more effort and determination than the other guys. Evan
Hughes is a lackluster worker with real nba skills, and looks even lazier when comparing his hustle or work ethic with Scola, the energetic constant. Easy set up, if you ask me. The point you are making is spot on, that Scola is hustle-money and Hughes is selfish or lazy. The quotes are taken out of context though, and prove nothing. Both players are right in what they said.
Not care about Hughes as a player. But what he said is not wrong. Like many other have already pointed out. Execution and playing hard aren't mutually exclusive. You need both. If playing hard alone is the basis for winning, you need to fill you team with guys like Chuck Hayes and Ryan Bowen.
I think Tmac said a similar thing before, however he said it more of the lines that he's gonna do what he can to win, but if he doesn't, then he's not gonna beat himself up about it as if he failed at life. And in a way, Tmac is right; there really is more to life than just basketball. I may be wrong, but I think that is something Van Gundy and Yao also believes. It's not that they didn't believe that winning is important, but rather believed that it isn't THE thing that's important. Now, for Larry Hughes, he just sounds kinda selfish IMO.
