http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Snyder_is_finding_a_role_with_-192135-34.html?rss=true HOUSTON -- Since arriving in the Bayou City, Kirk Snyder has been adjusting to a new scheme and adapting to a new role. So, really, not much has changed in Snyder's world. The Rockets guard is wearing his third different uniform in three NBA preseasons and has flipped through more playbooks than most of the league's veterans. Snyder jokes that at his current rate of adapting to new systems, he could play for just about any team. "That's been my NBA profile," Snyder said. "I'm always having to adjust. I'm getting to the point where I can adapt to any offensive or defensive scheme in the league." Deep down, however, Snyder is hoping one more period of adjustment will be enough. Over three years after entering the league as a first-round pick, Snyder is hoping that he has finally found an NBA home in Houston. The Rockets' 6-foot-6 and 225-pound guard is certainly convinced that he has landed in the right place. He is the big and athletic guard that the Rockets have been missing on the perimeter in recent seasons and Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy believes that the third-year player could eventually become a "lock-down defender." Snyder, in other words, might finally be finding a clear-cut role with a team. While Van Gundy is still tinkering with different lineups in the preseason, Snyder has never felt better about his own situation with a team. He sees himself finally fitting in somewhere. "The best thing you can do is just play basketball and I feel like I can do that here," Snyder said. "I like being with this team because the guys here have roles right off the bat. There are established players and they're good people. When a guy is a good person like Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, it makes it a lot easier to fall in line and do what everyone asks." Since entering the league, Snyder has rarely had the opportunity to see things so clearly. After spending his rookie season with Utah in 2004-05, Snyder was shipped to New Orleans/Oklahoma City. He said he was overwhelmed with learning another scheme in his second season and didn't fully adjust until the season was underway. The guard eventually became a part-time starter and proved he could be productive with point guard Chris Paul, sinking 46.3 percent of his shots. The Hornets, however, shipped him to Houston after acquiring a bundle of guard talent over the offseason. Snyder is optimistic that he has found a good situation in Houston. "I have a good idea of what they want from me and I'm willing to do whatever they need from me," Snyder said. "Right now, I'm still trying to figure out where coach needs me to be and what I'm supposed to do since I'm new to the team. But I think I'm in a good situation with coach Van Gundy." Snyder has shown flashes of his potential. After a rough outing against Memphis in the preseason opener, Snyder bounced back to score 15 points and secure seven rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench against Atlanta on Friday. He made five of 10 shots, including two of three beyond the three-point arc. Since Bonzi Wells hasn't played in the preseason because of a groin injury and two root canal procedures, Snyder's role isn't completely defined. He could either be a starter at shooting guard or a regular off the bench. Van Gundy said the most important thing for Snyder is being consistent. "He has some good moments that he needs to string together more," Van Gundy said. "He has worked hard and he has size at that position that we haven't had. But most guys want to be go-to players and that's not really going to be here for him. He's just needs to be consistent on every play. That's the main concern for him." Snyder believes he'll eventually do that for Van Gundy. After all, he'd like to keep wearing the same jersey. "There is no hoping to it," Snyder said. "I can't worry about those things, but I don't want to keep changing. I just have to do the best job that I can do."
He is a great addition to our squad. He has a great attitude, and he is young and big. I hope he can develop into a starter for us for many years to come!
i think if he can maintain his enthusiasm, it'll will give him the drive he's been missing on other teams.
Fluff or not, I loved reading it. I'm hoping he's a huge surprise to the league, along with Chuck Hayes, for the Rockets this season. Two players who will give the Rocks a different look when they're on the court, and both doing things this team has needed for quite a while from their positions... defense and rebounding.
Why did he get traded is not because of his own attitude. NBA is a business. If you dont show all star potential there is then chances that you are getting traded because you are not a franchise player is really high. Team chemistry is a very important function in determining the possibility in getting traded, that also means you have to fit into the coach's system (which also depends on how secure the coach is) Snyder was traded in Jazz because he was a nut-case (unfortunately) and second of all Jerry Sloan prefer white players more than black ( not racist comment but i find it very convincing) He was later traded by the Hornets because he was never to become an all-star and he had bad chemistry with the team. That also explains why he is recieving poor stats even though he was a starter of the team. Byron Scott was also a big problem because he was also a nut-case. There are always bad endings when two nut-cases crash. I always thought the Hornets traded Snyder because he had conflicts with the coach or probably with chris paul because he was dirt cheap in return (2008 second round draft, but snyder was a first round draft pick, sth like 16th pick) Anyways i've been so far very pleased with Snyder's tough D. The only thing im worried about is that his attitude towards other people as he gets pissed off easily. Hoping VGD can hold on to his legs this time
I'll be comparing Snyder with J.R. Smith this season since so many here wanted Smith. IMO, Snyder is the much better choice.
i know you guys saw that nasty tipin dunk. it was awesome that guys got some hops. hes gonna have those bonzi wells moments though or at least the jhoward moments when he just feels like picking a fight.
If this kid develops a half way decent jump shot, he'll do fine for us because if he is a starter...we need him to make teams pay when they rotate off of him. I'm glad to have some size at the 2 because he can guard the other's team 2 or 3 unlike our 2 guards in the past. I like his toughness and attitude...it's takes that to become a lock down defender and we need someone that will smack somebody because we have a team with all nice guys...so having him and a Bonzi that will "pop" you but yet play clean will be a welcome addition for JVG. You know we'll be top 5 in D this year with the system in place and the athletes. Should be a great season.
yeah his shot looks funny but then as long as he is effective and not going 2 from 8 i am happy also, he is a really good blocker that may turn the tide with massive blocks
Snore... If you're going there you should probably put the blame on Larry Miller. But I still wouldn't go there. Fact is that SLC is a very tame city; not a free agent hot spot. Man I can't believe I just stuck up for Jerry Sloan
He's a very good athlete and he's built like a bulldog. He provides athleticism we haven't had at the 2 since Mobley left. He doesn't handle and shoot particularly well. His dunk against the Lakers was ranked number 2 for the 05-06 season. Here's the link to his dunk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61z4UJq3xnY Here's the link to the top 10 dunks of 05-06 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqBl6n58iCI&NR
