I agree with you, but I think the logic going into the season was if Harden ceded some of the playmaking duties to Lawson and shot more efficient shots off the ball, he could use his energy to up his defense even more than last year. But instead what we got is, Harden being the same Harden with the defense from 2 seasons ago and Lawson standing around waiting for the open 3 that he only makes about 30% of. It's the worst case scenario. You can definitely start Lawson and stagger Lawson and Harden throughout the game, I think they try that, but even when Lawson is the one initiating while Harden is sitting, he isn't very good. He's playing like 39 minutes a game after-all, and so is Harden. I think we might have to grasp the fact Lawson just isn't very good on a good team. He put up all those numbers after Carmelo left and Denver was a bottom feeder.
well sure, but every situation has it's own nuances. They didn't have a Dwight Howard who missed almost all of the preseason and is skipping back to backs now, or were missing a critical piece like we are with DMo. look at that Miami game. why should we be surprised that we blew a 21 point lead with a frontcourt of Capela, Hayes, and Harrell? we just need time. once it "clicks" for everyone, we are going to see some beautiful basketball.
good points...both Cleveland and the Heat both had/have chemistry issues with better players with Lebron being on both teams. So comparing the Rockets to those two experiments in no shock we're seeing similar chemistry issues being that the Rockets talent level as you said are not comparable
"not very good on a good team". he's won a championship at every level thus far. but whatever 8 games into a season tells you everything apparently. someone who thinks galloway and trey burke is an upgrade is not very credible
You should try watching them instead of just assuming they aren't very good. Those guys are 23 and are easily outplaying Lawson right now. Burke is shooting like 45% from 3, Galloway is shooting like 60%. Those guys also are neutral defenders while Lawson is a huge negative on defense. I don't think you guys are actually watching Lawson play. He's been terrible and it's not just fit, he's lazy and not aggressive.
I've seen them plenty of times and for you to think they're better than Lawson is ridiculous. what you should do is probably avoid judging a player after 8 games.
There is no excuse for Lawson, his overall performance sucks this season. The bottom line is so clear. - Ty Lawson is not a rookie, there is no learning curve for him, not at this level of performance. - His contract is not a bad one, but also limited the Rox's options for this season, hence the high expectation for his performance is reasonable and fair. - Playing with Harden, a ball dominated player isn't an excuse for Lawson's poor performance, he may score few points, has fewer assists, even less playing time (which is NOT the case so far), that's all understandable, however, that's not the disappointment about, he just sucks. He is very passive, and playing without any confidence at all. Brewer sucks donkey ball so far this season, but at least he is keep trying and do not pass up on open shots, while Lawson is so passive and everything when he has no confidence in his shots, he isn't even looking to take the risk to create and just making some weak ass dumping passes, that's the worst you can expect from your PG. - Not to mention his defense, he's better than Harden in this team and that's about it.
Look if Lawson was playing replacement level ball, I would agree with you and he could get back to levels of years past. But he's playing like one of the worst starting PGs in the NBA right now.
so is JH one of the worse sg's in the league right now? Evan Fournier is better than him huh according to your logic. Was AD one of the worst pf's in the game a few games ago?
I've been really disappointed in Lawson so far. I don't think its really his fault though. God have mercy on anyone trying to integrate into our YOLO offense
Is this some sort of joke? Harden's PER is like 22, AD's is like 25. You can throw out PER as a stat if you'd like and dive into the numbers but comparing how Harden and Davis are playing to how Lawson is just silly.
as silly as that list you put up. if you think JH and AD have played great so far then you must be the one joking
They have not played their best, but they also don't look lost on the court. Maybe he's depressed because he can't get drunk everyday, who knows. I mean am I the only one seeing how bad Lawson has been? I don't really get why everyone is so quick to defend him.
of course lawson hasn't played well thus far. that's a given. it's not like you're the first person to notice but according to your logic he is now one of the worst pgs in the league which is far from the truth. It's not easy to just jump into the regular season and look like the same Ty Lawson. Ask yourself how much real NBA gametime has lawson played with the immediate core of the rockets. He played more with the players that all got waived than Howard and Harden. You don't just step onto a team and automatically fit. It doesn't work that way.
Everyone knows he's been playing badly. Everyone is quick to defend him because the Rockets have played like 2 weeks of basketball.
I'm not saying he hasn't struggled but when he gets Harden, Brew and Trevor open shots and they can hit them, should he not be afforded some leeway? Not to mention hes normally Hardens target when he dribbles out the clock then passes it with 3 seconds left.
Only way to get the most out of Lawson is to make him the 6th man. I doubt it ever happens, therefore he will always be marginalized as a Rocket until a true X's and O's coach comes in that can maximize his abilities alongside Harden, which I also don't see happening.
disagree. When Harden called for another "playmaker" in the offense, i don't think it's credible to believe he meant "when I'm on the bench". He'd just come off a series where GSW mobbed him, knowing we had no one else who can create. If Lawson's ONLY role is to be the guy who keeps the offense going while harden sits, then our ceiling isn't much higher than it was last year. Sure, there were plenty of games where Harden got us a lead and returned to find a tie game. There were also plenty of games against GOOD competition where Harden went to pieces and we ended up with Trevor Ariza/Jason Terry pick and rolls. To be real contenders, these guys have to learn to play in the same line up. Sure, Lawson should be The Man when Harden sits, but if that's all he is then we're in trouble. I think the Kyrie-Lebron (or Wade-Lebron) comparisons are totally apt and i expect us to continue to struggle for a few more weeks just as those teams did. Lawson is no Wade and Harden is not Lebron but the principles hold true - two excellent ball dominant playmakers trying their best to avoid the "your turn/my turn, your turn/my turn" offense while also avoiding one guy completely slinking into a corner. This will take time and maybe Lawson should spend some time as 6th man. It certainly helped Josh Smith get comfortable. But the ultimate goal should always be those two making plays for each other and punishing the defense when they load up against one of them.
