Who will be our best 6th man?

Yes Bonzi probably isin' the best option to start the games with in Rockets' situation but his game will really help us in the bench. This year we have a lot better bench and I say you: It will really make us better, a lot better

 

Same reasons Phx and SA have one of their best players as the 6 man, and then some.

1) I am worried about Scola and Yao getting in early foul trouble. I think Hayes in there early helps both (keeping the beasts of power forwards in the NBA from drawing fouls on Scola, and on Yao if they get by Scola). I don't care on the other hand if Hayes gets in foul trouble because he is only going to play 20 or so minutes anyway.

2) I think the 6 man role gives players lots of extra freedom to be aggressive and creative against teams that just start getting a little winded(Manu/Barbosa).

3) Defense and rebounding.

4) Scola's adjustment to the NBA. He won't get away with the picks he is used to setting and I think is going to have a major adjustment to guarding elite PFs. But I think Scola could clean up most back-ups and take advantage of winded starters.

 

are you actually willing to put money on that? I'll take that bet

 

In a few weeks we will have an insight into how Adelman thinks about the PF solutions. I see your point -- but not with Hayes. I would use Scola as the starting PF and then use Jackie Butler as the battering ram on second stringers and winded first stringers.

As far as foul trouble, Scola will have to learn in the heat of battle as Yao did. Although there is not supposed to be, everybody knows the more established PFs get the benefit of calls. He can't learn about how the game is called for the elite without playing them and scratching his head a few times.

I love Hayes' game as much as the next fan, but he is nowhere near starter calibre. If Hayes starts, the other starter PFs can coast while he is in and give us fits at the end because they are still fresh.

 

exactly what I am going to say

 

it is not necessary to always start the best position player.

look at san antonio last year. they struggled with ginobili in the starting lineup because the bench was not giving them a lift. once pop put ginobili on the bench as the 6th man, finley stepped up his game and the spurs took it to another level.

what you can't do is have both chucky and deke in the same lineup coming in off the bench.

 

Scola may end up being the 6th man by default if the Rockets don't pick up another frontcourt player.
Scola and Yao are looking to be a solid frontcourt tandem. The problem is if Mutombo remains the primary backup center, then the 2nd string frontcourt would be Hayes and Mutombo, which gives the Rockets nil on offense. If this is the case, Hayes and Yao would have to start with Scola and Mutombo coming off the bench.

Or else Scola and Yao starts but plays the bulk of the game separately, paired with Mutombo and Hayes, respectively.

If Butler works out, I suppose there wouldn't be this problem.

 

Oops, I guess ThePrivate beat me to it. With fewer words.

 

I put my hopes in AB
course of our steven will be in the starting-5

 

Butler is a better offensive player than a defensive player. However, he is quite young (22, I believe) and is capable of improvement with the right coaching (come on, CD!).

We need Deke one more year, mostly for insurance, but after that time frame, Butler will be the answer or a Rocket footnote in the acquisition of Scola. IMO, Butler is going to be a very pleasant surprise.

 

Even with scola coming in, his effect on the game will not be as visible as a backcourt player, as he would not be handling the ball much( see deke and jhoward previous season, Head was the more influential 6th man). So i guess it would be bonzi or SF3.

 

I agree, but if chucky starts, it could also be scola.

 

I'm thinking with all this talent, in order to keep some players from going postal, Adelman is going to have to play a lot of different look rosters. Maybe against weaker teams after steamrolling to a 20 pt lead, he can play some of the other players who would normally be on the bench. Or he can look at the matchups against other teams and choose to go big or small.

 

I agree. The Rockets may not have a true 6th man this season. Because of all the talent, Adelman will have the luxury of letting game situations determine his substitutions. He may even be able to platoon. It would be nice to see some “Out of the Box” coaching this year. Show some imagination. The Rockets have the players. Use them. Adelman’s biggest problem will be keeping all the egos in check. On paper, I really like this team. We will have to wait to see if the chemistry is good.

 

I don't know. Maybe I still can't get over what happened last postseason - when the bench all but disappeared against the Jazz - but I'm wary of the "6th man by committee" idea. I'd still rather have that one player off the bench that can be consistently relied upon to spark the offense.

 

I was very disappointed in the bench last year also. But if Adelman picks a 6th man, number 7, 8 and 9 should still get significant PT. I think we are just that deep. And... with the West being stacked with good players at every position, I think there will be times when the Rockets will have to play the match up game. That is unless our team turns out to be good enough to force teams to match up with us instead of us trying to match up with them.

 

Unlike last year, this team is really deep with veterans and guys who have started before. Bonzi, Francis and James could all be starters. If you look at the Rockets and say that the only guy we are loosing as a starter is Rafer, and look at the new additions, this team is extremely deep.

Last years Starters
Yao
TMac
Battier
Alston
Hayes

This Years Starters

Yao
TMac

Next 3 players...anybodys guess!