<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As much as the Rockets are telling themselves having this much depth and experience makes sense, because of age and recent injuries to players like Bob Sura and David Wesley, it doesn't. In a perfect world, maybe general manager Carroll Dawson's and Van Gundy's hopes would be realistic. That is, considering how happy a family this team became last season ? and truly, it did ? adding Swift and Anderson should not disrupt things too much. "The chemistry was so great last year," Dawson said. "Really, you would not believe how good this team got along and was in it together." Yes, it was one big, happy family. The chemistry was magnificent. Then the Mavericks threw a stink bomb at the Rockets in a 40-point Game 7 win. Thus, the need for a new look. In the real NBA world, it is rare that there's better chemistry in numbers, especially when you're trying to fit 10 players into barely more than two positions' worth of minutes. Yao and Dikembe Mutombo, after all, will gobble up the 48 minutes at center. Swift and Juwan Howard will fill the ever-important four spot. McGrady will get about 38 minutes, minimum, at the three. That leaves 10 minutes at the small forward and time at the point and shooting guard positions for Anderson, Sura, Wesley, Mike James, Moochie Norris, Ryan Bowen, Vin Baker, Ward, Jon Barry and draft choice Luther Head. Even if you count on the Rockets releasing Baker and Ward, that's eight players for basically two positions and a few minutes behind McGrady. "There will be a lot of sacrifices that have to be made," Van Gundy said. "We've sort of protected ourselves in case we're not as healthy as we hope to be. If everybody's healthy, there's only 240 minutes to go around. It'll be challenging." Van Gundy knows better. It's OK to count on 12- and 13-man rotations in church-league games, but in the real NBA world, eight- and nine-man arrangements work best. Head likely should start looking for an apartment in Austin, where an NBA Developmental League franchise will play and could be a Rockets affiliate. The most likely candidate who should stake out a little room on the bench? Barry. Still, there are too many chances for rifts and bad feelings to begin seeping into the closely knit Rockets locker room. And even if that isn't the case, there's another reason to believe the next deal the Rockets make will be the one that solidifies this team as a contender. For all the guards the Rockets have, they still need a big man to help behind Swift, Mutombo and Howard. Baker has nothing left. It might not happen until well into training camp, when coaches can better decide just which backcourt players fit into the plan, but it should happen. September? Early October? These offseason deals have been great. I love what Swift could bring to the fast break and how he will help Yao on both ends of the floor. I love the options for McGrady, who now can run the half-court offense sometimes, run the break sometimes, and has complementary guards who can either slash or shoot. This team has all the ingredients. Actually, it has too many. That's the only thing that could be a problem, unless one more deal is made.</div> Source
Team Chemistry and How players get along in the locker room are two totally different things. For example: The Lakers, Shaq and kobe hated eachother but had great oncourt chemistry. The Bulls, Scottie Pippen actually hated Rodman, But on the Floor you would never know that. Being all buddy buddy is not the key to winning. Its gathering the players who are willing to sacrifice everything for the sole purpose of winning titles. In the end thats what matters the most. Winning comes before friendships! As long as a Team is winning noone cares what goes on in the locker room. GL Houston!
Hmm. I'm going out on a limp here and just say that Norris, Ward, Baker, and maybe even Wesley will all be traded away to make roster space. Although Wesley is a nice asset, the addition of Andersen and resigning Barry makes him tradeable. Its great to have him but he's certainly not needed. The article has a point, if you have too many players battling for minutes, it usually doesn't work. I understand that a lot of the players here don't have too much egos, but I'm sure problems will arise if players like Barry or Wesley don't get enough playing time. Just check out the problems rising out of Memphis last year. Maybe Houston will be trading them away for a low post player for insurance in case Mutumbo goes down or retires.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Hmm. The article has a point, if you have too many players battling for minutes, it usually doesn't work. I understand that a lot of the players here don't have too much egos, but I'm sure problems will arise if players like Barry or Wesley don't get enough playing time. Just check out the problems rising out of Memphis last year. Maybe Houston will be trading them away for a low post player for insurance in case Mutumbo goes down or retires.</div> Some teams have the problem of Players thinking their spot is un touchable when its not.There is nothing wrong with a little competition. If u know a guy is on ur ass you will step your game up or lose your spot. Thats teams sports.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Some teams have the problem of Players thinking their spot is un touchable when its not.There is nothing wrong with a little competition. If u know a guy is on ur ass you will step your game up or lose your spot. Thats teams sports.</div> On paper, yes thats what should be happening. However, some players believe that they deserve more playing time, and sometimes, rightfully so. Plus, if you get inconsistent minutes because of the competition, it would be much harder for you to get into a shooting groove. Players need to know what role they play game to game so they can know what to expect. If they are constantly battling another player for minutes, there's no doubt they will be questioning if they are needed on the team. And when all those problems arise, overall the team chemistry will be negatively effected, bringing down the whole team.
I don't think we have a real problem on our hands. Charlie Ward, Moochie Norris, Jon Barry and Baker are all veterans and out of the four, Ward, Norris and Baker weren't in the rotation last year after the roster was set, and we didn't hear much grunting from them. Barry re-signed with us for a chance at the championship, and probably already predicted that he might be regelated to the third string when he signed his new contract. Head, as the article already suggested, will probably be playing D-League basketball, so he won't be a problem as well. Basically, what we will have is Sura, Anderson, Wesley and James sharing minutes in the backcourt. A fifth player could be Barry, and that would be it. I like how this roster is shaped in the backcourt because we are very deep and won't be much worse with the injury of any starter. If any one of Ward, Norris or Baker actually do complain, then it would be easy to waive/trade them, therefore settling the problem.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">The article has a point, if you have too many players battling for minutes, it usually doesn't work.</div> Wrong. It NEVER works when you have too many people battling for minutes. Portland had that problem a few years back, and they still haven't got it together.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rock:</div><div class="quote_post"> Wrong. It NEVER works when you have too many people battling for minutes. Portland had that problem a few years back, and they still haven't got it together.</div> It works when players don't have egos and are willing to work together for a great cause. Just look at the 03-04 Grizzlies under Hubie Brown. They were using the ten man rotation and got themselves all the way to the playoffs after a couple of disoriented seasons. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post"> Basically, what we will have is Sura, Anderson, Wesley and James sharing minutes in the backcourt. A fifth player could be Barry, and that would be it. I like how this roster is shaped in the backcourt because we are very deep and won't be much worse with the injury of any starter. If any one of Ward, Norris or Baker actually do complain, then it would be easy to waive/trade them, therefore settling the problem.</div> Well, actually the issue I was worrying about is Barry. I'm sure he wouldn't care too much if he was going to be in the third string, but he also probably wants to contribute to the team. Last year he got good minutes from Van Gundy and the switch might not go over too well with him. Anyway, its probably something that just worries me, I'm a big pessimist if you all haven't noticed.
If Barry isn't playing and the team is losing, I don't think that he'd keep silent. Obviously, anyone who thinks they can help the team improve is going to be disgruntled. However, if we are winning and Barry isn't a fixture in the rotation, then I think he'd be content. The team is evidently playing well without him in the rotation so I doubt that he would want to mess it up and let his ego get in the way.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Head likely should start looking for an apartment in Austin, where an NBA Developmental League franchise will play and could be a Rockets affiliate.</div> This "article" is so stupid its not even funny. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Basically, what we will have is Sura, Anderson, Wesley and James sharing minutes in the backcourt.</div> Lets see Sura 10+ years, James 5 years, Wesley 10+ years, Anderson 9 years, and Barry 10+. See a patern? To put our most athletic, young, and potentially defensive guard in the Developmental league is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. With the abundance of talented gaurds in the West the Rockets need as many defensive options as they can get. Luther Head provides a very good contrast between the other guards of the Rockets; to think he would be put in the Developmental league shows a lack of understanding in the whole scheme of what the Rockets are trying to do.
I would hate to see LH go down to the DLeague. He played against better competition in the tournament. NBA time is what he needs even if it is just garbage time. A trade does seem imenent, even if it is a 2 for 1 deal for a garbage player just to pick up a roster spot. I would still like to see Baxter or Glover on the roster. anderson /wesley/barry sura/james/head They all bring something different to the table which is the optimistic way to look at it. Please nobody else mention Ward Moochie or Baker when it comes to getting any quality minutes for this rocket team. No need to waste anybody's time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TMacAttack:</div><div class="quote_post">This "article" is so stupid its not even funny. Lets see Sura 10+ years, James 5 years, Wesley 10+ years, Anderson 9 years, and Barry 10+. See a patern? To put our most athletic, young, and potentially defensive guard in the Developmental league is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. With the abundance of talented gaurds in the West the Rockets need as many defensive options as they can get. Luther Head provides a very good contrast between the other guards of the Rockets; to think he would be put in the Developmental league shows a lack of understanding in the whole scheme of what the Rockets are trying to do.</div> Yea, I see the pattern, and it's veteran leadership wins over unexperienced youth. The reason for Head not to see much playing time is simple, he isn't ready. Did you see any of his games in the Summer League? He was a non-factor, and it wasn't because he's not a good player but he simply wasn't familiar with that style of play (that is NBA style). And those were for a majority scrub NBA players. The only reason he sees some playing time this season will be for defensive purposes or to try and get some experience during a game that is a blowout, to think of anything more just shows a lack of understanding in the game of basketball.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The reason for Head not to see much playing time is simple, he isn't ready. Did you see any of his games in the Summer League? He was a non-factor, and it wasn't because he's not a good player but he simply wasn't familiar with that style of play (that is NBA style).</div> Wasnt familar with the style of play (NBA style). Well how do you expect him or anyone else to get ready for this "style". The Developmental league is not the NBA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">and it's veteran leadership wins over unexperienced youth.</div> Yeah that veteran leadership helped us out a lot against the Mavs... their guards ran circles around Bobby and his gimpy knee (nothing against sura). <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He was a non-factor,</div> He got the job done, nothing more and nothing less; if I recall correctly every game was won. We have play plenty of play makers already on this team. Even if Head isnt ready (this case could be made for most if not all players entering the league) for this "NBA Style" then why would we not want him to be developed under the defensive brilliants of JVG; this could unlock his true potential. In the developmental league he would play for a couple of years and may amount to nothing.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Van Gundy knows better. It's OK to count on 12- and 13-man rotations in church-league games, but in the real NBA world, eight- and nine-man arrangements work best.</div> I don't agree with the article either, the NBA now has 14 roster spots and only one IL spot. The Rockets currently have 14 players on their roster, and will have 15 when Mutombo signs. They could stash Baker or Norris on the IL, and keep head on the bench. I don't think Head needs to spend anytime in the NBDL, because he's not a project, and he is capable of contributing right away. I don't expect much PT from him, he'll be lucky to average 4 minutes per game. However, he could see more minutes against the quicker paced teams in the league like Phoenix or Dallas. I doubt Sura, DA, or Barry play an 82 game season either, and it's probably better they don't.
I don't think Head will get any meaningful minutes with the stacked guard rotation, a more probable projection will be what Fred Jones of the Pacers averaged in his first season: 19 games and 6 minutes per. With that said, does anyone think he'd be better served if dispatched to the D-League? He could still be called up whenever needed and would immerse himself in meaningful competition, although he might be above the level of competition there.
I really expect the Rockets to pull of a 2-for-1 deal so they can clear a roster space and do a sign-and-trade for Sprewell...I also think, as the roster looks now, I would send Head to the developmental league to get PT and experience since we have so many veteran guards who are capable of contributing consistently...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't think Head will get any meaningful minutes with the stacked guard rotation, a more probable projection will be what Fred Jones of the Pacers averaged in his first season: 19 games and 6 minutes per. With that said, does anyone think he'd be better served if dispatched to the D-League? He could still be called up whenever needed and would immerse himself in meaningful competition, although he might be above the level of competition there.</div> Here's a few reasons not to send Head down to the NBDL. 1) You can only send a player up and down 3 times a season. 2) When an NBA club assigns a player to the NBDL, that player will continue to take up a roster spot on the Rockets.
I don't think the Rockets would need to call up/send down Head more than three times during the season. It'd be better if he started the season on the roster and be sent down after the rotation is set, one where he won't be a contributor. If there is any injuries or the Rockets want to see how much better he has become, he could be called up and maybe earn his spot in the rotation. I don't really mind him taking up a roster spot. Wouldn't it be better if he actually plays meaningful minutes in some games instead of rotting on the bench?
