The last two games (at least), we have started the third quarter with our 3 guard lineup (SF, SA, CM). To put this into perspective, Cuttino never started the 3rd last year unless he started the game. I'm sure this partly has to do with injuries to the frontline, but I also suspect it has to do with Walt's useless 1st quarters, lately. Rudy has a tendency to stick with line-ups and rotations longer than most coaches. There is a lot to say for that. For intance, rather than changing line-ups a lot, you can instill competition by forcing bench guys to seize their moments. This is a philosophy of player management that uses the starter doghouse less often, but it is a bigger deal when you land there. Walt is not hitting his shots out of the gate, so Rudy isn't letting him have the chance at the beginning of the 2nd half until he starts doing it in the 1st. Walt really needs to get out of his slump. We need his 18' shot. It makes us a better team. Until he does, I'm with Rudy, bench him in the 3rd period and compensate by giving the 3 guard line-up more minutes. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited December 19, 2000).]
Yeah I agree with you on that. I think this is Rudys favorite lineup. C - Bullard PF- Anderson SF- Mobley SG- Franchise PG- MOOOOOOCH ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris fan club & Vice President of the Jason Collier fan club!
nice one Francis3. haha, I'm laughing. Just to set the record straight before everyone equates a 3 guard line-up with a small frontline, we are starting Dream and Mo at the time of game referred to in this thread. The small lineup that Francis3 refers to is SF, CM, MN, Walt (or Bullard) and a only one big man. This is not what I'm talking about in this thread. Thx Francis3.
hahaha. No problem, I just wanted to shift the topic to somewhere else. ------------------ President of the Moochie Norris fan club & Vice President of the Jason Collier fan club!
I agree with the benching of Walt. The guy is shooting 40% and giving you nothing else -- pathetic. Here are the main problems I have with the rotation: 1. Moochie and Bullard are playing TOO MUCH! These guys should be around 12 minutes a game. Moochie is a good player for us, no question, but with our 3 guards, how is he getting 18 minutes? That shouldn't happen. I understand we have to have a stretch-the-defense guy on the floor. With Walt sucking, and Collier out, I can see Bullard's minutes going up. But I don't see how both these guys are playing this much with the guys we often have on the bench (Anderson, Taylor). 2. Taylor and Anderson aren't playing enough. Taylor is our best option in the post. He could be the most gifted offensively ON THE ENTIRE TEAM. With that in mind, why would we EVER have a front line out there consisting of Bullard, Walt, and KT? This seems to be happening a lot lately. I would of course like to see Shandon out on the court more. Looks like the Pippen syndrome all over again with him and Rudy and the offense (without the complaining). I think Dreamshake has pointed this out before. 3. Francis is playing TOO MUCH. He's up close to 40 minutes. At this rate, he'll be retiring before the age of 30. I'd like to see him in the 36-37 range. A 36/12 split between him and Moochie seems preferable. Minute breakdown: Moochie -- 18 Bullard -- 17 Taylor -- 27 Anderson -- 26.5 Francis -- 39.5 It's tough to argue with the results up to this point. The team is 13-10, I'd say they're definitely over-achieving. I'm definitely happy with the team, and let's be honest, their success is almost 100% attributable to Rudy, which makes it hard to criticize him. I guess they just haven't been as fun to watch as last year. These are just some things I've been thinking about as I watch the games. ------------------ "I'm all tapped out." -Larry David
yep...Wizard is definitely benched to start the 2nd half. Forget Mo this, wave off that, Mobley...what??s Damn Wiz has been under our radar. The man MUST make he shots, or we are exposed!!!!! oeilpere...you've refrained long enough...be my guest!
The odd man out in it all is Shandon Anderson. Moochie, when he plays, isn't digging in to Francis' minutes, but rather Shandon's ironically enough. Rockets have a 3-guard rotation alright... unfortunately Shandon isn't in it. And unfortunately Shandon isn't justifying the need for him to play more. Mo Taylor, on the other hand, has been playing pretty well, but can't get out of the sub-30 minutes mold Rudy T has him in. ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET [This message has been edited by Clutch (edited December 20, 2000).]
Maybe if Rudy was giving the guy enough time, he would get into some kind of a rythm. Am I the only one that remembers Shandon being a good post up player for the Jazz? They need to run some screens to get him open and slashing. If Mo can stay out of his usual foul trouble he would be an awesome offensive option for us. It is hard to criticize Rudy, but I hate his freakin rotation! ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! ----- RoyDElton - is a SHEEPSUCKER! [This message has been edited by R0ckets03 (edited December 20, 2000).] [This message has been edited by R0ckets03 (edited December 20, 2000).]
You know that you can say that about every player in the NBA. I don't really buy that. It is about seizing your moments, and Walt IS NOT! We really need Walt. Many of our offensive options weaken without him, or a shooter like him. If this keeps up, Mobley will be starting soon, IMO. In fact, I saw Mobley run two Walt Double Picks last night. That is a first.
IMHO, Bull and Wiz are both in mini-slumps. We saw Langhi close out the final 2:06 against the Spurs. Perhaps with Cato's return, we may see Langhi get some PT at the 3. Hey, Moochie, Cat, KT, Cato, and Langhi doesn't sound like a bad second unit to me! I am NOT anti-Bull, but other than experience Langhi brings most of the things Bull does. And he's quicker and more athletic. On those occassions when Bull and Walt BOTH don't have their O, Langhi is a nice option. On the Shandon situation. Rudy might be thinking that not starting Shandon could impact him negatively from a mental standpoint. IMHO, Shandon would get his confidence back playing in a lineup of Moochie, Langhi, Cato, and KT. ------------------ GATER
Replying to the original post, HeyPee, I too agree Walt's minutes need to be cut unless he starts playing better. (shooting) With the injuries to Steve and Cat, I think tonight's game will be different, however. With Steve likely to play and Cat not, you may see Bullard start the 3rd with Steve, Shan, Mo and Dream. Mooch comes off the bench for Bull with Steve moving to SG. Fouls could change that. Also, I'm continuing my braying for Langhi to get some PT. ------------------
Francis could easily (and probably should) play 45 mins a game. Energy level is not his problem. ------------------
