Yeah our coach needs to be assertive. Send an example for any player on this team that doesn't work hard. You play like shit, then you sit on the pine. Also, I like that he rewards those that really work hard. Babbitt was busting his ass and was rewarded with much playing time. That is another "positive example" to the other bench players. If they bust their ass, they get more time.
There might not be a harder worker on this team than Hickson. He hasn't played well lately for sure and it is time to look at other guys but this has nothing to do with him not working hard enough.
Damn right. It was nice to see Babbitt trying to anticipate on defense to make up for the slow feet. Guys like Mullin and Bird weren't the fastest on their feet but were good help defenders mainly by using their brains. I was watching Babbitt when shots were in the air and he really makes an effort to position and block out. Great to see him have some success.
Hickson barely looked like he even knew he was in a game Monday night. He's a space cadet who has worn out his welcome at two previous teams, and he's already Tweeting vague threats and checking out of games 18 games into a season where he is on a one-year contract. He also may be the worst front-line defensive player (not rebounding, defense) that Portland has had in recent memory.
Hickson's play has certaintly dropped off. He has never been great at Defense and now he seems to be getting out of position and making it worse. As far as working hard in a game though that is basically what has gotten him this far. You could call him a garbage-man. Out hustle other players to get offensive rebounders and put-back baskets. I think we need to look at other lineups as I said. I wouldn't be surprised if Hickson's role is lessened. I was commenting on the fact that someone said he was not a hard worker. Quite the opposite imo as that is basically what he has hung his hat on to get this far in his career.
I agree with you that he is a 'hard worker/high motor' guy. The problem seems to be that the computer running his engine goes haywire at times, making him useless and unpredictable in terms of focus. I suppose my biggest problem with him has nothing to do with him personally, but just that I don't see him as a legitimate starting front-court player for a decent team. Great first big to have off of the bench, though, if he can keep his focus. At least, that's how I see him. I like what he does rebounding and hustling when he is mentally in the game. He seems to have disappeared a bit late in this road trip, though.
From what I've seen, Hickson works hard at tracking down the ball and moving full speed toward the backboard. I don't know that he does much else. Of course, I'd have to be able to see the fucking game to be able to take a better look at that. I hope there is a special place in hell for Comcast execs.
I'll take Hickson's bad games over Babbitt's good games. What is a great game for Babbitt is a subpar game for Hickson.
What you are not taking into account is that When Babbitt has a good game, Aldridge has a monster game because thet two fit better than LA and JJ. I will take Babbitt's good games over Hickson's so-so games any day
For years I've heard, this guard doesn't fit with Roy and that forward doesn't fit with Aldridge. You don't hear that about authentically good players, who wear their big boy pants.
Babbitt canned that basketball to the rim. [video=youtube;QHBqUuKkzLY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHBqUuKkzLY[/video]
LOL. Throw it down, medium sized man! Average dunk for a dunker -- big time for a three point specialist. Almost killed himself on the landing. If there is ever a next time, maybe he'll hang on the rim to get his balance before coming down.
I fucking hate his pump fake, leg karate kick for 2 seconds before he gathers himself and drives into the D for a contested jumper. Sometimes he just needs to release and shoot that fucking jumper. It is the most telegraphed fake I've seen in a long while.
3 years is more than long enough to wait. He should have been cut instead of Price, who helped us more.
Behind Lillard and Maynor (and Smith at SG), while being semi-injured-- Price wouldn't have even gotten those 9 seconds.
