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@  thenit : (20 March 2016 - 02:40 PM) Its time someone in the team got into Harden's face. I don't even care what the reason was or if Jet was at fault, just good that someone is willing to do it
@  slick shoes : (20 March 2016 - 12:04 AM) did anyone just see James and JET get in to it? they had to be separated by Brewer.
@  thenit : (17 March 2016 - 09:25 PM) I don't know, Feigen tweeted that they had another meeting, and that Dmo said that we had 6 or 6 of those according to feigen. Basically said its no time to talk because nothing changes and walk the walk
@  slick shoes : (17 March 2016 - 09:19 PM) Who is calling these meetings? Does anyone even show up at this point?
@  thenit : (17 March 2016 - 08:48 PM) Its laughable, they had another players only meeting. I think its like the 10th one. Still no change. Its so stupid, like Dmo said whats the point of talking if we don't play hard.
@  slick shoes : (17 March 2016 - 02:54 AM) are you surprised? this is the same team that we've seen all season. so much talk from the locker room about improvement and change. the grizz win was a fluke.
@  Cooper : (17 March 2016 - 02:52 AM) on pace to give up 144 at half, pathetic effort.
@  RocketMan : (15 March 2016 - 11:34 PM) Per the references, yes.
@  slick shoes : (15 March 2016 - 12:51 PM) Is Terrence Jones even on the team any more?
@  majik19 : (12 March 2016 - 06:15 AM) didn't watch the whole game, but we actually looked solid on both ends. the defense was rotating appropriately. i can hardly believe it.
@  DenverRocket : (11 March 2016 - 08:51 PM) Great interview with DM: http://espn.go.com/e...lay?id=14951528
@  majik19 : (10 March 2016 - 02:20 AM) pathetic how close this game is...
@  thejohnnygold : (06 March 2016 - 12:48 AM) Those are some sweet socks. Have fun!
@  bboley24 : (05 March 2016 - 06:38 PM) Im going to the game tonight in Chicago. Ill be in the bright rockets sweater. Wearing my socks as usual. Then off to the Cleveland game in a few weeks as well! My wife is an amazing woman.
@  thejohnnygold : (05 March 2016 - 05:52 PM) Dekker and Harell looking pretty good down in RGV...especially Harell. LINK
@  majik19 : (03 March 2016 - 04:53 PM) the Rockets are so desperate they signed Michael Beasley to a 1+ year contract...
@  thejohnnygold : (03 March 2016 - 01:59 AM) Gotta admit, I like what I'm seeing so far...4 minutes left in 1st half and the entire team looks good...now if we can just get some of these 3's to fall...
@  slick shoes : (02 March 2016 - 09:10 PM) I wonder what happens to his share of the team now?
@  slick shoes : (02 March 2016 - 09:09 PM) "The Oklahoma City Police Department said he was traveling at a high speed and "pretty much drove straight into the wall.""
@  thejohnnygold : (02 March 2016 - 08:57 PM) Sounds more like suicide...

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A look at the passing of Big Papa


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15 replies to this topic

#1 Red94

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    Posted 31 October 2014 - 12:56 PM

    New post: A look at the passing of Big Papa
    By: Rahat Huq

    I just realized after typing the above title that it read as if previewing an examination into the death of mid 90's rap icon Christopher Wallace.  Rather, my topic of choice is the distributing abilities of Houston Rockets rookie guard/forward Kostas Papanikolaou.  Through two games, Papa has dazzled, most recently fueling the team with four 3's in the first half at Utah.  But what has stood out to me most, thus far, is the passing ability.  While they haven't always led to baskets, Papanikolau just seems to have an innate feel and understanding of the game.

    2014-10-31 07_35_54

    Here, he gets a step on his man, gets into the paint, sucks in the help, and feeds Tarik Black for the slam.  That type of awareness from a rookie playing in just his second game is a very rare thing.

    There were other instances which I noted, the clip for which I could not find as the pass did not result in a basket.  In particular, on one occasion, I recall Papa threading a double team with a pocket pass.  It's clear so far that this is a highly skilled player.

    I've noted in previous posts that the loss of Chandler Parsons greatly concerns me in one area: playmaking.  Parsons often was at the head of attack in the pick and roll, especially in situations when the first pick&roll was snuffed out.  Right now, the Rockets don't have a capable secondary playmaker after James Harden; creating plays is not Patrick Beverley or Trevor Ariza's strong suit.  To date, we've seen Papa make plays like the one above either in transition or out of the triple threat, as he did there.  Once he gets his feet wet, I hope they increase his responsibilities of test the limits of what he can do.  Playmaking is an extremely tall order, the difficulty of which is highly underestimated.  (People toss Turkoglu comparisons around way too indiscriminately).  But I'd like to see McHale experiment here, when the right time comes.  At first glance, this is a very deft, savvy player who will pay huge dividends this season.

     


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    #2 Alituro

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      Posted 31 October 2014 - 03:52 PM

      Would Craig Ehlo be a good comparison for his potential? It's all I could come up with.


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      #3 timetodienow1234567

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      Posted 31 October 2014 - 05:01 PM

      Hedo is so underrated. People treat Dwight's finals team like it compared to Iversons or Lebrons(2007).

      I agree about Kostas. He's looked pretty good. Also Beverley is an undersized 2 guard. I've been criticized for saying that all last year, but I still believe it's true. The number one quality of a PG is playmaking(mostly for others). That is Harden. Hopefully Canaan or Johnson(probably not this year) step into the backup PG role when Harden sits. It might just behoove the Rockets to stagger Harden and Howard's minutes more and always have one in the game at all times. When harden goes out, feed the ball to Dwight over and over.
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      Why so Serious? :D


      #4 thejohnnygold

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      Posted 31 October 2014 - 05:36 PM

      I have made the Hedo comparison--and it was not done indiscriminately.  (I think I also made a comparison to Peja after watching a video of Kostas draining threes for 4 minutes)  Again, comparing a player does not automatically include the supposition that said player is AS GOOD OR BETTER than the one he is being compared to at this time.  It would be ridiculous to compare a rookie to an accomplished veteran in those terms.  No, the comparison is that having watched Hedo's game enough I am reminded of him and see similarities in the size, skill set, and overall play.  Kostas has the ability to be as good as Hedo--we don't know if he will get there--but I see all the necessary tools.  I was confident this was the player we were getting after watching whatever I could find on Youtube this Summer.  I'm glad my confidence was not misplaced.


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      #5 Alituro

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        Posted 31 October 2014 - 08:21 PM

        I have made the Hedo comparison--and it was not done indiscriminately.  (I think I also made a comparison to Peja after watching a video of Kostas draining threes for 4 minutes)  ... Kostas has the ability to be as good as Hedo--we don't know if he will get there--but I see all the necessary tools.  

        I would love to compare Papa to Peja at some point, but the mechanics aren't there (Peja's shot, IMO was one of the most beautiful I've ever witnessed). We can hope though, for sure. Peja wasn't very good in other areas though, so I think comparisons to the Swiss Army Knife types is more suitable, like Hedo and Ehlo.


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        #6 clydesmoustache

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          Posted 01 November 2014 - 03:58 AM

          Ha! "I love it when they call me BIG PAPA!"
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          #7 cointurtlemoose

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            Posted 01 November 2014 - 04:06 PM

            Along with playmaking, he just makes really good decisions - he knows what should happen on any given play.

             

            Like there was an instance vs. the Jazz where he passed up a wide open three to shoot a pass down to Moti for an easy dunk. I thought to myself that 95% of guys would have just taken the open 3, but Papa saw in a split second that pass and guaranteed 2 points.

             

            That's just kind of a microcosm of what I've been seeing. He plays with a cool head, makes really good decisions on offense.


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            #8 Losthief

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            Posted 01 November 2014 - 06:16 PM

            well put cointurtlemoose. Shows that playing overseas at the top levels gives better experience than college i think. Mirotic is showing similar ability/decision making for chicago thus far too.


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            LoSTHieF

            I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Skilled


            #9 timetodienow1234567

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            Posted 01 November 2014 - 06:39 PM

            McDermott is looking good so far though. They're so deep at 4/5 that Mirotic won't get much PT.
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            Why so Serious? :D


            #10 rockets best fan

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              glad you're on board, but I been on this boat since it left

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            Posted 02 November 2014 - 06:25 AM

            I like what I have seen in Big Papa. he is a crafty physical player, and that is proving to be a mismatch on occasion so far. I agree with JG. I see some attributes of Hedo in him. he is a better passer than I thought he might be, and he does appear able to create for himself and others. I must admit I am mildly surprised. as the season progresses it's going to be interesting to see what he develops into 


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            My new years resolution.....drink that special bottle of wine, take your son on that fishing trip, live each day as if it were my last because everyday of LIFE is special B)


            #11 Red94

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              Posted 02 November 2014 - 07:15 PM

              JG - My apologies.  I hope you didn't think I was referring to anything you had said.  I was speaking in general.  

               

              I personally have not yet seen anything to indicate that he has Turkoglu's pick and roll playmaking ability.  What's encouraging is that I haven't seen anything to indicate that he doesn't have it.  So I'm excited to see him get the chance, when that time comes.  It would open up a world of possibilities for this offense.


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              #12 thejohnnygold

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              Posted 03 November 2014 - 04:39 PM

              @Rahat--no worries, I know you were speaking in general.  My wording accidentally came across as being offended, but I wasn't.  In my mind, I remember seeing video of Kostas running pick n roll (I think with Dorsey); however I can't seem to find that and now am wondering if I am getting him confused with another, or just dreamt the whole thing in my mind.  Who knows?

               

              You are right--he hasn't shown it yet, but I also agree that he has shown the necessary tools.  I like watching his youtube videos.  He makes smart plays.  He makes things look simple and easy out there.  I can't wait for him to get more and more comfortable.  Also, I think his defense is pretty good--BONUS!!!


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              #13 Losthief

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              Posted 03 November 2014 - 11:01 PM

              Don't forget the adjustment to the nba took scola (another international league mvp caliber player) a year to really get, so he's probably not even scratching the surface of his potential here yet.


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              LoSTHieF

              I'd Rather Be Lucky Than Skilled


              #14 Red94

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                Posted 05 November 2014 - 02:06 PM

                Scola was horrendous the very first half of his rookie season.  Crazy how good Papa is already.


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                #15 Mario Peña

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                Posted 05 November 2014 - 02:32 PM

                As an active participant and a player on the court effecting both offense and defense I have to say I am pretty shocked at how much of the NBA game he has picked up. I'm happily surprised.
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                I can't stand the Warriors!

                #16 clydesmoustache

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                  Posted 06 November 2014 - 02:30 AM

                  When his shots start dropping I can't wait to see the amount of space he will be working with. There is so much to get excited about him. When his shot isn't going down he still contributes. I love his scrappy approach as well. I think every game he has tried to take a charge or dive on a loose ball. And every game he plays i have biggie smalls in my head. "The most shady, Frankie Baby!" Win win
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