Another rookie who you might hear about as the season goes on. Rookie Trenton Hassell doesn't care what he's called as long as he's called into action. "Rook" or "Hey, you!" would suffice too. Hassell got Tim Floyd's call often Saturday night in the Bulls' victory over the Knicks. The 6-foot-5-inch guard from Austin Peay played the entire fourth quarter, mostly matched against speedy Latrell Sprewell, and finished with nine points, three rebounds and two steals. Sprewell has one of the quickest first steps in the league. Hassell didn't care. He helped hold Sprewell, leading the Knicks at 21.3 points a game, to one free throw in eight fourth-quarter minutes. "I just looked at him like he was another player," said Hassell, using a tone far more humble than his words indicated. "I can't be intimidated by players like him, because if I am, I'm already going to lose. I just tried to deny him the ball and play basic defense. "I have to focus on defense right now. That's how I'm going to get my playing time." The Knicks might have been surprised to see a no-name rookie from a no-name college in a name-making situation—crunch time. But teammates who have squared off against Hassell in practice weren't. "You have to remember: Trent's a four-year guy coming out of college, so he's a little further along fundamentally," said guard Greg Anthony, who burned his former team with 17 points and a lead-grabbing three-pointer late. "Trent's a really, really special defensive player." http://www.chicagosports.com/bulls/content/story/0,1984,166692,00.html
Chris Porter played great against Sprewell in a game last March that the Warriors lost in OT -- scored 24 points while holding Spree to 6-for-19 shooting. Currently unemployed if the Bulls would like to pick him up.
Of 9 NBA "experts" 2 believe Andrei Kerilenko will be ROY . 2 votes for Eddie Griffin , 2 for Battier , 1 for J-Rich , 1 for Pau Gasol , and 1 for Kwame Brown
Does anybody know where "rookie phenom" and "defensive machine" Roderick Rhodes is? I don't know why he didn't win ROY after shutting down Payton and keeping Jordan in check. Oh well!
Rhodes got waived by cleveland with reggie slater, when CLE performed sign&trade gatling for ricki davis and somebody else with MIA.
Doesn't really relate to this thread...I just thought it was a nice pic: Truth be told...I'm not yet sold on Tyson. He's a good defender, but...but...but...we'll see. He does have unbelievable springs for someone thats 7'1"...
Those springs better be worth Elton Brand!!!! Kirrilenko is an unbelieveable player - he's a great defender and has plenty of speed and ups - can certainly make the highlight reel plays! I don't remember him as a very good shooter though, he seems to hit a 3 every now and then (from international 3 range) but doesn'e have a consistent shot. Of course I haven't seen him play in just over a year, so who knows how his shot is going since then!
You know, I really liked the pick of Trenton Hassell by the Bulls. He's not a multi-dimensional player, but he does one thing well, and that's score. He can really put the ball in the bucket on offense, but I wonder how much that will translate into professional success.
Make that multi-dimensional Pued. He and Mercer shut down Stack last night. Shaq at 18: Curry at 18: Curry is so nimble and agile...in two years... ...I can wait.
Yeah, and Mercer had a great game on the offensive end. Mercer vs. Stack was a wash last night. It matters not, as Detroit came away with the easy victory.
And this is my main man playin D on KG. Griffin "is so nimble and agile...in two years... ...I can wait. "
Yea Garnett had his way with the Rockets, but Eddie did show flashes of some great D on him. I re-watched it a fe times and he changed some of KG's shots to near impossible... but KG made them anyway, this is KG we talkin about.
Rocksmillenium-- I know this post is days late, but thank ou for the post on Roderick Rhodes- I laughed out loud. I remember as a rookie he was interviewed by Charlie Palillo-then at KTRH. Rocket MGT seemed to have very high hopes for Rhodes. A good laugh
