In response to Will, here are our opponent's shooting guard production since Wesley became a Rocket: December 29 - Lebron James 3 points 5 assists 3 rebounds in 17 minutes. December 31 - Michael Redd 21 points on 9-22 shooting 2 rebounds 1 assist January 2 - Raja Bell and Gordan Giricek combine for 15 points on 5-15 shooting January 5 - Joe Johnson scores 17 points on 7-15 shootimg January 7 - Kobe Bryant scores 27 points on 10-19 shooting. January 9 - Dermarr Johnson scores 11 points on 4-5 shooting January 12 - Darrell Armstrong scores 3 points on 1-2 shooting in 23 minutes. January 13 - Rodney Buford scores 14 points on 4-9 shooting January 15 - Manu Ginobli and Brent Barry combine for 14 points on 2-9 shooting. Opposing SG are averaging 13.9 points per game against Wesley.
Since joining the Rockets, Wesley's Ast/TO ratio is 4.24, which would be 3rd best in the league. Too lazy now to count up all the opponents assists and turnovers...anybody have a good site with defensive statistics?
I knew he would do good and told you guys. I love JJ but it seemed like he was taking shots away from Tmac and Yao.
According to this he has been slightly below average defensively (opponent PER just over 15) and way below average offensively. On the other hand, the TEAM performs better with him manning the SG spot.
How is it again that we know JJ was a leader? I mean, apart from his being the veteran on last year's young team? I'm not so sure he *is* a leader -- there's a reason teams keep trading him after a year or so.
When JJ was hurt with back spasms earlier in the year we played great while he was sitting on the bench. Since he has been gone, we have played great. I think it has little to do with D Wesley as much as it has to do with getting rid of a guy that sits on the 3 point line, and doesn't do much else. That worked last year when he was hitting his shot at a decent clip, but he had been terrible. The trade was simply addition by subtraction.
The proof is in the pudding. We seem to have a better mix. The chemistry seems better. Can we please stop hearing about how we lost a good young talent in Boki??? please???
Bron got hurt, and didn't get a chance to put up what I'm sure woulda been a monster second half, as he's shown the whole season. I don't recall Wesley guarding Bron BTW Ginobili got hurt and left the game. The other SGs either had decent games or were nonames who were expected to stink it up.
You know what, if McGrady's added shots, Wesley's "terrible" play and Steve Francis in Orlando means winning 8 of their last 10, then I'm all for it. Go crawl back into your hole.
Wesley is quicker and does other stuff to make our team better. he needs to start making his shots again though.
I don't think there is just one reason the Rockets are a better team. We have many, each plays a part in our recent success. 1) Getting Wesley is a plus. 2) Getting Barry is a plus. 3) Sura is a plus. 4) TMac taking control over the team is a huge plus. 5) Howard, Deke, Barrett are pluses. The 2 holdovers from last year: 6) Yao has been subpar, but he has contributed in some defense, some rebound, drawing double team ... a small plus. 7) MoT is a small minus for me. In games where he knocks down shots, he is a plus. A lot of times, he is just a liability in defense and rebounding. BTW, many people were against 1 or all of the above trades, I guess you need to sit back and watch our guys play a little more to appreciate them.
Question: To me this is NOT the same offense as the beginning of the year I mean they shooting off the break which we had been SCREAMING about Normally JVG seemed like he wants at least 4 passes before a shot Rocket River
I think some ppl on this board are giving way too much credit to Wesley. Looking at stats alone, he have been below average for the most part (maybe 3 decent games and 1 good game). As far as defense, Memphis lit us up last night and Pacers had their way with us tonight. Additionally lets not forget the shootouts with the Suns and the Mavs. Other teams like the Lakers have also had good offensive games against us. We need a 3td scorer (especially with Yao doing very little) on this team and as of right now JJ (and the few pts that Boki gave us) would be much more useful than Wesley.
Wesley has become a streaky shooter for us. He can get points up quick but will stay quiet the rest of the game. His shooting is too inconsistent for him to be a key player on this team. The same goes for Barry. The only thing consistent about this team is it's inconsistency.
Lets be honest, Wesley has sucked, but the team chemistry has improved dramatically. So who cares. The team is better off than they were before the trade.
Wesley personally has had 1 good game in a Rockets uniform (to date). I thought he'd come and spread out the offense, but so far he hasn't shown me anything. Is it too late to undo the trade? Hell, they can keep Boki!
