i always wonder why they never give gerald green any consistent playing time he has played very good when given the chance to play
Not really. He has had a few games where he scored some points, but he's pretty bad in every other regard. Granted, we could use points. But we also need ball-handling, defense, good decision-making, etc. And he's been poor in those regards. You might as well just assume that, barring injuries, you're not going to see Green. Someone else said--Mateo, possibly?--that it's best to just presuppose that he's already been let go, because he's just collecting a check until his free agency begins this summer. He is obviously not in the team's plans.
With the team's second basket (8-4 Houston), Gomes had a nice offensive rebound and putback. It's that kind of hustle play I'd like to see more of from him. While he is a streakily decent shooter who can hit those jumpers, his real value is as someone to scrounge for the ball, sneak into open spots, etc. I think when his mindset goes to that of "I'm a scorer," he and we are worse for it.
In the time it took to type that--a minute or so--it went to 12-4. Ugh. But a Big Al jump hook makes it 12-6.
One thing I dislike about the recent Wolves is that since McCants has begun getting more time and scoring, and with Gomes still playing pretty well in the past dozen games or so, Corey Brewer's role has really declined. Considering Wolves management often discusses those three publicly as being three of the four or five keys to the future (they also discuss Jefferson and Richard, the latter for less obvious reasons), I don't like to see that.
Brewer played an average of 31.1 mpg in December, and averaged 7.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 2.3 apg, and just under one steal and block per game.
In January, he's down to about 23 mpg, and 3.5 ppg and 1 rpg.
I think he's got to be on the court, even as he continues to struggle offensively. There are times when this team will have to go with one of the PGs, McCants, Brewer, Gomes (or Smith) and Jefferson for long stretches. Brewer needs to play.
Jefferson and Smith really should be trying to bully Yao down low and get him in foul trouble, which will really disrupt the rockets D
As much, or more, they ought to be running the court hard and trying to wind him. Yao does get tired in an up and down game, and then if they go at him when he's winded, he's more likely to commit fouls. Even if he doesn't, they'll have to sit him for rest.
I really love Luis Scola, by the way. He's no star at this level, or even a star-in-the-making. He'll always have physical limitations (in terms of his quickness and lack of leaping ability). But he's just such a smart, tough player, in the way that seems to typify the Argentinean players of this generation.
Game 35: Wolves (5-29) @ Rockets (19-17)
