Rockets forward Carl Landry did not know how he would feel but looked forward to finding out. With Luis Scola out Wednesday because of the swelling and a seven-stitch gash in his right eyelid left by a meeting with Etan Thomas' left hand, Landry will do something he never has in the NBA. He will start Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Clippers. And as much as he has been a solid rotation player for several years and a go-to scorer this season, this is different. “Growing up as a kid, your dream is always to play in the NBA and to put on an NBA jersey,” Landry, 26, said. “Having the opportunity to start in the NBA, that's another level. I'm going to be psyched up. “I've never started a game since I've been here. This is my third year. I'm going to try to roll with the punches, go with the flow and see how things work. I'm going to stick to my same routine, stretching and doing the things I did before every game coming off the bench. There's a first time for everything.” For all of the Rockets' injury-forced adjustments and all the games they have played with stars on the inactive list, it seems odd the starting job never came around to Landry. That is largely because in his three seasons, Scola never has missed a game. But the Rockets have come to expect the unexpected, including developments considerably more unpredictable than being without Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady. And they believe the experience has prepared them to adjust. Never a dull moment “It's unfortunate that since we do play for the Rockets, we have a lot of injuries, but everybody is prepared and ready to fill in,” guard Aaron Brooks said. “We're pretty much used to it, unfortunately.” The Rockets also will need contributions from center David Andersen, who had 12 points and a season-high eight rebounds Sunday in a 100-91 win over the Thunder. They could use Chuck Hayes, Shane Battier or Brian Cook at power forward, as they did in Sunday's first half when Landry was in foul trouble. But much of the responsibility for making up for the loss of Scola will fall to the 6-9 Landry, who is in the unusual position of having to become a go-to scorer before he has started a game. “The front office and the coaching staff have had confidence in me since day one this year,” Landry said. “I'm playing with a lot of confidence. My teammates are confident in me.” But the Rockets will need Landry to play on the road as he has at home and to avoid the unnecessary fouls that forced him to the bench Sunday. Landry is averaging 20.1 points on 68 percent shooting in Toyota Center. He was averaging 11 points on 41.1 percent shooting on the road before Sunday, when he had 17 of his 21 points and nine of his 10 rebounds in the second half at Oklahoma City. “I think he broke through,” coach Rick Adelman said. “After his foul trouble in the first half, I think it was really important for him to come out in the second half and play the way he played. There's no reason he can't do that at home and on the road. “When you have two fouls in the first quarter, you have to know that, and you can't get a quick, easy foul. He got his third foul on a nothing play. He's got to be a little smarter. “He's got to realize we need him to be big every game for us. He's got to demand the ball, and he's got to understand that he has the ability to score against anybody in this league. I don't care who it is.” Ready to rebound Landry said he must improve his defense and “basketball IQ.” Carrying an average of 5.8 rebounds, he likely will have to take care of the boards more to make up for the loss of Scola. But the Rockets have reason to believe no player, no matter how valuable, is irreplaceable. “(Scola) is such a big part of this team,” Hayes said. “We look to him a lot in the post. We expect a lot from him. This gives us an opportunity to let other guys step up. It's been like that with the Rockets since I've been here, and it seems like it's going to continue.” lock if posted
Nice to have Landry start, but we unfortunately lose that offensive threat off the bench (besides Andersen). Gratz to Carl though!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6746409.html This is basically the same stuff from the practice videos posted earlier, though.
Interesting. RA will get to put Landry in the starting lineup for the first time without hurting Scola's feelings. Should be interesting to see how Landry handles this role change.
When is the last time Scola miss a game tru injury? I just can't remember him injured. He took the pre-season off due to fatigue, and basically thats it.
One thing Landry will have to watch out for is early foul trouble like he got into vs. OKC. If he is to play, say, 35+ minutes in Scola's absence, he'll have to watch for these much more than when he was expecting to play 20-25 minutes. I think a part of the reason why Landry hasn't been starting is worries over early fouls.
I want to actually get someone back in a trade but that is just dreaming hence the quotes. I think it was funny that NY started to showcase Eddie Curry and then pulled the plug on that one after a few games because he wasn't helping his value. I actually think his stock dropped which I didn't think was possible (which I admit I was for taking him back in return for a good player).
Not really since Scola has been an iron man and Scola is the more polished player. I like Landry a lot but he has been more of a raw talent who only now is starting to come into his own. This will be a great step for Landry's development but I suspect once Scola is healed he will be back at the starting spot.
Landry will be fine, but bench will be key. Might have to play a loot of small ball with Battier maybe switching to some 4...
We should be thankful to have someone like Landry. The guy is a straight up stud that doesn't mind coming off the bench and doing everything to help the team win without ever complaining. Its hard to find guys like that in the NBA nowadays.
