Official Game Thread: [Rockets @ Washington] - Jan. 3, 2006

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Well done on the W.

What's your take on Juwan Howard? He's one of those that is always condemned but he seems to be playing pretty solid, if unspectacular, ball right now.</div>

Howard does some nice things on the defensive end which doesn't show up on the stat sheet, and that's what Van Gundy likes about him. His jumper is very streaky, however. While he has some nice, polished post moves, he's very soft near the basket and will get his shot blocked most of the time when attempting a layup in traffic. His rebounding is lackluster, in general.

Overall, I think he's probably having his worst season as a pro, but he has had a handful of solid games since Yao went out. Hopefully, like last year, he'll find his groove for the second half of the season.

 

Nice preview julio-r!

It seems that the Rockets will thrive best in a running game compared to their slow tempo type. A fast tempo offense type combined with good ball movement makes everyone alert on the floor and will confuse the opponents in setting up their defenses. You will notice when everyone moves on the offense it will increase the chances of getting a good shot selection. TMac will likely be less prone to double teaming when his teammates always gets a good look to the basket. On the defense side they should however grind it out and slow down the opponents. The addition of Alston and Lucas made the rockets faster on the attack while Mutombo provides inside presence on the defense.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">Howard does some nice things on the defensive end which doesn't show up on the stat sheet, and that's what Van Gundy likes about him. His jumper is very streaky, however. While he has some nice, polished post moves, he's very soft near the basket and will get his shot blocked most of the time when attempting a layup in traffic. His rebounding is lackluster, in general.

Overall, I think he's probably having his worst season as a pro, but he has had a handful of solid games since Yao went out. Hopefully, like last year, he'll find his groove for the second half of the season.</div>

Thanks for that.

Are you happy for him to be playing 40 minutes a night whilst Deke and Strom split time at the 5?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Thanks for that.

Are you happy for him to be playing 40 minutes a night whilst Deke and Strom split time at the 5?</div>

I think Howard should get about 20-25 minutes a night, and Swift should get a similar number of minutes as the backup PF and C.

 

nice W i hope all team keep contribute.. i think we can go 8 on the playoffs

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Howard should get about 20-25 minutes a night, and Swift should get a similar number of minutes as the backup PF and C.</div>

Even now with Ming out?

You only have three bigs now and you can't expect more than 20 minutes from Deke, meaning you've still got 60+ minutes to split between Juwan and Strom.

 

48 mins x 2 = 96 mins between 3 players

I think Deke should play about 25-30, don't want him getting hurt from too many minutes...
Stro can play both positions so he can play 30-35.
Which means Juwan can play 30-35 as well.

The problem tho, is if one of the 3 gets into foul trouble.. then you might see one of them play 40+ mins or Baxter/Bowen might get some time at the 4..

 

We are only 3.5 games behind the 8th spot in the west, but there are 5 teams ahead of us.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Even now with Ming out?

You only have three bigs now and you can't expect more than 20 minutes from Deke, meaning you've still got 60+ minutes to split between Juwan and Strom.</div>
I'm not so sure about playing Swift that much. While I really want to believe that he has turned the corner and will continue to play like he has in the past three games, his years in Memphis, as you should well know, serve to dispute that. He is maddeningly inconsistent and you don't know what you can get out of him. 20/15 some nights, then 4/3 the other. Howard is much more consistent effort-wise and people seem to forget that he's just one and a half season removed from a 17/7 year, and he's been a 18/8 guy for much of his career. He's gotten less touches in Houston and has been relegated to a spot-up shooter from the top of the key, but with Yao out, he has proven that he still can carry a large bit of the offensive load; he's earned his time and I'd want him to get 35 minutes a night, minimum, with Yao out.