http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6663237.html Develop a rhythm With forward Shane Battier available for the first time in the preseason, Rockets coach Rick Adelman said he would concentrate on keeping players together in groups more the way he expects them to be in the regular season. “We need to get him (Battier) out there and watch his conditioning, but I think I want to see the guys that are going to play together be on the court more,” Adelman said. “I'll try to play nine or 10 guys in the home game (tonight). I'm not sure about the two road games.” The Rockets play a back-to-back Wednesday and Thursday, with Adelman playing a shorter rotation in one, and experimenting more in the other. “It's important,” Battier said of getting time with new rotation players. “I don't know Trevor (Ariza's) game. I don't know Dave Andersen's game. I can watch tape and I know their game from watching them, but I don't know it on the court personally. I don't know how I can make them better and they can make me better. The more minutes I can get with those guys, the more it will help us.” Timing crucial for Battier Rockets forward Shane Battier said he had “no issues” practicing Sunday, a day after his first practice this month, but that he does need to get up to speed. Battier, coming back from a pulled hamstring, is expected to start tonight against the Bucks, but might not return once he sits. “I'm just trying to get my timing, which is off right now, which is to be expected,” Battier said. “I'd have timing issues the first day of camp when I'm healthy. It's passing, catching, understanding the speed of the game. That comes back in time. “I'm in pretty good shape. I didn't get too out of shape in the past week.” McGrady on schedule Guard Tracy McGrady went through brief portions of Sunday's scrimmages, playing roughly the same stints — less than two minutes on a game clock — as in his previous participation in practice last Sunday. There has been no change in McGrady's timetable to return full-time to practices, with an MRI planned for Nov. 23. dingaaa
It says he's starting tonight And RA is expected to play a regular season rotation... Which means... Will the official startling lineup be.. Brooks Ariza Battier Scola Hayes I wonder if Battier will be moved to the bench once Tracy returns. Ah.. so many questions.
Wow, that starting lineup is HORRIFIC, if it is indeed our slated lineup this season. Atleast start Andersen over Hayes, Rick. It's just now starting to hit me how long of a season this might be.
Yet, sad as it sounds, it might be the lineup that gives us the best chance to win this season unless t-mac comes back strong. So far, Trevor's defense AND offense have been nowhere near Battier's. If T-Mac comes back it should be Trevor coming off the bench.
