Where is the SF who surprised us and can shot the ball really well, who was activated a few days ago from IL? No single minute playing time? ------------------
My guess is that Rudy does not want to destroy Dan's confidence by throwing him to the wolves so early in the year. I bet we will see him in the second half of the year after Langhi proves he can perform in practice consistantly. Just my opinion. ------------------ http://home.swbell.net/rkb3/hr.html = Live Rockets Chat
I may not know what I am talking about here, but this method of introducing rookies has always seemed questionable. It seems to me that getting rookies <u>time</u> is the most important thing. If your confidence gets shot by having only a few games when you start your rookies season, either you have no nerves, or you some grossly false ideas about how well you thought you play in the NBA. ------------------ She hates testicles, thus limiting the men she can admire to Democratic candidates for president. -- John Greenway, "The American Tradition", on feminist Elizabeth Gould Davis
If a couple of bad game's as a rookie is going to blow your confidence and ruin your game then you probably don't belong in the NBA anyway. ------------------
i believe the answer is either: a. in the doghouse or b. waiting for bull to retire ------------------ Mobley and Francis ...are not the two best players on the team. - Rockeem 11/2/2000
It's all about a player's mental strength. Some rookies are ready to play right away. Others aren't ready to handle the pressure. It goes both ways. Sometimes players fail when they get minutes. Sometimes they succeed. I can name a bunch of 'em on either side. Coach knows best. Rudy has a feel. I trust it. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I think it's less about mental strength and more about physical strength. The guy's body is just not NBA-ready. He's way too skinny. I've heard him mention in interviews the Rockets are trying to bulk him up, esp. to enable him to create mismatches at the 4. Right now, I don't see him being able to guard any 3 in the NBA. He might be quick for 6'11 guy, but most small forwards can still outquick him without much trouble. Without any strength, he won't just get outquicked but also pushed around. Moreover, I don't think there are many minutes to spare even if he was strong enough. Collier wouldn't be playing much except Cato got injured. ------------------
I have to admit I'm surprised we haven't seen Langhi more, but it may just be a case of a preference to play other guys ahead of him, namely Bull and Walt. We may not see much of Langhi, barring injury, until next season. Which means we'll have to endure Najera talk for some time ... ------------------ NOTHING BUT .NET CLUTCHCITY.NET
We need a veteran. Last night Langhi was at the scorer's table with 3:55 left. The Rockets had a huge lead and a foul to give. In the past you would have seen Barkley grab a guy to foul so that the game would stop and the rookie(s) could get in. As it was, there was not a stoppage until around 2:50. I was glad to see them give Langhi the technical free throw, but it was real disheartening to see Mobley jacking up 3's rather than getting Langhi the ball. ------------------
Bobrek, I noticed the same thing with Cat. Not only was he jacking up 3's, he was dribbling out the clock first. Well, no one ever accused Cat of being the sharpest tool in the shed. ------------------
Would we have won more, or been closer to winning more if he had played? I don't think so. He is there waiting for an injury to Bull or Wiz. Given recent events, that will come. No sense throwing him garbage minutes till then... ------------------
Rich, that's as puzzling a post as I've ever read in trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. Are you really saying that we should wait until there is an injury to give Langhi garbage minutes? Are you saying Cat needs garbage minutes until there is an injury? Are you saying a rookie will progress faster by sitting on the bench than by getting garbage minutes? ------------------
I agree with Oatdog here. Langhi probably just isn't physically ready yet-needs more muscle. Until he bulks out a little more, Bullard and Rogers will be more effective. It's not like his shot will disappear anytime soon. Still, I' wish Rudy would put him in during garbage time! ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
Good point, Moe..I am not saying don't give him the minutes. However, there have been few occasions this year to give him garbage(Chicago being the exception). Putting a rookie in when you are 20 points down late in the fourth period will lead to developing sloppy habits. The play at that piont is usually degenerated to a point that would make Dewayne Schnitzus look like an all star. If they want Langhi to get better, he will need time with the better players on the floor. The only way that will come is with an injury. With the state of Walt and Bull, that is going to come. Walt is out now. Give the guy a few 2nd period minutes(against other teams 2nd tier players), and let him develope. I hope that clears the confusion. ------------------
