I hold on to the belief that players shouldn't ever lose their starting spot because of injury, no matter how well their replacement plays while they're gone (unless the incumbent starter is out for an extended period of time). AB has proven himself as a starter for a year and a half, so in my opinion, it's still his job to lose. Of course, if AB comes back, and Kyle does prove himself to be the better player for an extended period of time, then I'd love Kyle to start for us. I just think it's rash to insert Kyle into the starting lineup based on a week or two of solid play. If it turns out to just be a hot streak, then you have to put him back on the bench, mess up the chemistry, and both your floor generals have bruised egos I can see the other side of the coin too; I just like my side better.
It is because Lowry and Rondo are actually similar to each other. They are both tough, high energy, defensive specialists who can finish strong at the line. They both look to get teammates involved first before looking for their own shot. Now Rondo is obviously a better player with better court vision and masterfully controls the offensive flow of the Celtics, but Lowry is pretty good as a playmaker in his on right. Parker and Brooks have absolutely nothing in common aside from they both look to score first. Parker is a decent mid range shoot who likes to slip through traffic and take it to the rim. AB spends most of his time launching from the perimeter (though I can't deny how effective 40% shooting from downtown is) and is afraid to take it inside, hence his low FTA.
A few flaws in your argument: 1. The job of the PG is to run the offense and end up with the highest percentage shot, not energize the team. If you're the best shooter on the floor, chances are the highest percentage shot involves you shooting the basketball. If a play ends with your best scorer shooting a layup or open three, then the PG has done his job. 2. I don't know what you were watching last year, but being a shoot-first PG is NOT the same thing as being a ball hog. I agree that Brooks looks for his own shot first, but if he doesn't have it, he passes the ball off or tries to create something for his teammates. Aside from called iso plays, I can't think of a time when Brooks has held on the to ball for 20 seconds. 3. Lowry hasn't won these games by himself either. Miller has been exceptional. Hill has been developing nicely. KMart has been money. Scola has done his thing. Basketball is a team game. I don't know where you got the idea that I was trying to say Brooks was the only reason we've played well in the past, but he's been the main reason in a significant number of our victories. 4. Parker and AB are the same TYPE of player. Obviously Parker is better, but their games are similar. Both are the third maybe second best player on their team. Both are able to take over a game on a good night. Both look to score before looking to pass. Neither are ball hogs. AB is a lot closer to Parker than Lowry is to Rondo, from whom many people on this board draw comparisons.
I will say damn Lowry went off. Good game for him, lets see if he can duplicate it a few more times, then I will say he is a starter.
1. The PG's job is to run the offense and get everyone involved and to take the shot himself only when its the best option. AB does not have the knack of finding people for the highest percentage shot that Lowry does, which is why he'll find himself in a tight spot where he has to take the shot himself. When this happens, the rest of the team becomes stationary and off the ball movement decreases so that AB can drive past his man to get to the hoop. Granted, this isn't a bad move since AB is pretty fast and can finish, but the negative effect is that our other players aren't getting their mojo flowing. 2. I'm not saying that being a shoot-first PG is the same as being a ball hog. I'm saying that AB is a shoot-first PG and at times has ball-hog tendencies, and is more prone to play Iso than anyone else on the team due to his speed and talent. 3. I never stated that Lowry has been winning these games by himself. The increased production and improved play by the rest of the team is a pretty big factor. However, you can't deny Lowry's tenacious D on the opposing PG's being a huge advantage that he has over AB's sub-par D, or that Lowry has made critical defensive plays such as steals and rebounds during clutch-time that are qualities that AB cannot replicate when given the same minutes. I cannot deny AB's white-hot scoring abilities, but last year when Lowry was injured, there was a huge stretch of rocket losses where AB's hot shooting didn't help. When Lowry came back in, our misfortunes immediately began to reverse. 4. I have never made the Rondo - Lowry comparison. I take issue when people compare AB to Parker because on the surface it is misleading. While AB and Parker may be the same type of player and do the same things, AB does not have the same sort level of decision-making or passing that Parker does. Talent wise, Parker is on a higher tier, just as Rondo is to Lowry.
Amidst the euphoria after a rare win you are right about this disturbing lack of interior defense. I hope Yao will recover enough to provide it because this weakness will haunt the team in the playoffs. I think they will make it to the playoffs withe current roster though.
I noticed in the box score, that O.J. Mayo only scored three points in 24 minutes? I guess that's why Memphis lost? I'm wondering why though he didn't get 40 minutes or more. For the Rockets, its great to see Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin show up offensively. Of course for Kevin Martin, that is a given. I would like to see Ishmael Smith given more minutes though.
When we run and play press and trap defense, we are a very good team. I just hope to god we still keep playing like this when/if Yao returns. No more halfcourt offense.
Nice win. Now on to Chicago for some payback. No excuses on this b2b, Bulls played the Celtics and they will also be tired.
Memphis are fools for letting Henry start, Mayo has been terrible of the bench for the past games. Are they inofficially tanking to attack next year?
Could care less about the 8th spot, that would be the worst possible outcome but we are only 5.5 games out of the 6th spot and 6 games out of the 5th spot in the West. Those two spots are still VERY realistic possibilities thanks to the surge we've made.
When Yao comes back that lane is gonna get clogged up and they can hit even more threes!!! Everything is coming around now for the Rockets.. Might be the best Christmas yet!!! :grin: :grin:
Henry and Gay in the starting lineup looked about as effective defensively as Martin and Budinger. They could use a more defensive player at SG to complement Gay, but I'm not sure Tony Allen is up to that task.
