InTheLou

Hughes can do a good job on Kobe, he covered him with the Cavs/Bulls and New York. He does a good job of keeping the ball out of his hands, and both a true 6'5". We know Hughes can't be that tired like a lot of players are now. Will be interesting to see if Kobe stays under 40 with VanGundy's choices.

Pops rested his starters last night versus Miami, the announcers new he was going for Orlando tonight. He rested them for the fourth quarter, having some fresher legs tonight. Van Gundy is paying for playing his whole bench for the first game, for Hughes and Richardson to have their first decent minutes with the team after three weeks of sitting, VG waited too long an expected to much. Dwight playing over 40 is going is a tad too much also. Maybe VanGundy will get the whole bunch playing as a team. Duhon, is still an empty body on the court, good too see Wafer playing decent. He was the only bench player that got time before tonight, and it showed. Players have to have game time and Van Gundy can get that with some of the blow-outs we have had, and leaving in the starters the whole game. Get the whole bench in those games, playing some time with each other. Hughes can still make passes like Magic, but none of the team has played with him yet. Would have been a sweet win.

17 plus minutes, all 0's in the stat box, not a single point, the dude is a ghost. Pops with San Antonio pulled all his starters after knowing the game was gone to rest the starters for tomorrow night, no such thing here, though Wafer is getting some good time and numbers. Please try Hughes over Duhon for just a game or two.

I want to see Hughes come in to give Jameer his break versus Duhon (who is a ghost on the court). Hughes is 6'5", can cover the passing lanes, and can guard the best of other teams through-out his career. Yes, only a dozen games in, but Duhon averages about 1-2 shots and plays about 40% of the game. There is small amount of turnovers, assist, fouls etc., but basically the guy bring the ball down the court and is out of the offense. VanGundy brought Hughes to try out, and put him on the team, Hughes who sat out last year is in great shape, this next week of three games in a row should see Hughes and Q-Rich get some minutes when Jameer, and Richardson are having a bad night.

I can't see getting anything for Duhon, of 413 players listed in the league, Duhon is number 318 through 11 games with an average of over 18 minutes per game, but only 3.8 ppg, and no defense that stops anyone when he is in. Maybe Nelson is out of shape, so Duhon gives him a rest, but contributes nothing to the team, I can't figure it out. Finally VanGundy broke away from his great 8 and gave Wafer some minutes, which he is putting up over 5 ppg in 11 minutes per game average over the same 11 games. Hughes has not been used, but probably one of the best in shape players, knowing he had to prove himself in training camp to secure a job. How can Duhon have so few touches and no defense, there really is no other player in the league that is this non-productive on the court with playing close to 40% of the minutes. Nate Robinson gets signed by Golden State a couple weeks ago and already has 58 points this season, our "Where is Chris" is closing in on 40 with double the time on the court. Play Hughes and Q rich, with back to back to back games next week, try to showcase them and get something for them if we aren't going to play them. Duhon just hides on the court after he makes his pass after crossing the half court line. Nobody will take these other guys unless the have some stats (Hughes, Q Rich), and nobody is taking Duhon with these numbers. We have a serious point guard problem. When your in the bottom hundred players in the league in productivity, you should not be on the court 40% of each game.

Good article: http://ripcityproject.com/2012/01/12/game-10-recap-blazers-104-magic-107/ Duhon for the minutes he gets in a game is "Do Nothing", it is maybe 1 basket, 3 misses, turnover, maybe a steal, but the activity just doesn't match the minutes, I believe Hughes could contribute way more.

Probably the Kardashians trying to hype themselves

Hell, he can play 48 minutes plus triple over-time, but when your leading by 25 points and playing the Bulls in 24 hours, take him out of the game so he is fresher. You want him to turn an ankle, break a wrist have have Glen Davis for two months? It is just bad coaching playing 8 players in a season that already most rosters have at least one injury, some two, and they are playing the whole 10-12 every night. It is going to be a real strategy this year to keep a group of core players healthy and able to play consistent. Young teams are going to have an advantage, Dallas already it can be seen, they are tired.

VanGundy is playing Howard too much these first 8 games.....no other center in the league is averaging over 39 minutes a game and few players at any position are putting this many minutes. Hey Stan, "When we are up by 25 points, sit the big man so he can be fresh for a tougher team like Chicago last night". Duhon your number two point guard, still can't hold a candle to Larry Hughes who you have on the bench with Q Rich and the rookies. They got three garbage minutes in the fourth quarter when we were up over 20 points. Hughes took Cleveland to the finals, through Chauncy Billups when he played the point for Detroit, his assist and court vision and defense are all better than Duhon. His speed or coverage of the passing lanes is still great, but no playing time. You can see him coaching the other players on the bench, but we didn't get him for that? If your not going to use the bench, release them and get somebody you will let play, Nate Robinson would have been better than Duhon and would have filled the seats (keeping your GM and Owner happy). I believe somebody already picked him up this week though, so no movement by management. Your starting eight, nobody is playing a smaller squad in the league, most teams are using all 12 players in games, at the least 10 players, we are using eight. It won't work, not with the back to backs, the travel, and this group of players. And I don't know if you can call Duhon's point guard minutes much more activity than sitting on the bench, he is a decent defender (Hughes better) but will never bring the ball into the paint, usually passes off before he hits the 3 point arc. Either make Dwight happy, or get all you can for him, but don't run the guy and other 6-7 into the ground, there isn't another center putting up the minutes he is in the whole league. If the game is tight, I would play him too, but we have had some wins that the reserves could have held the lead enough for a sure win.

So True, no defense, VanGundy tells the reporter Dwight is tired, playing a lot of minutes, hey VG, why didn't you think about that when you were up 25 versus the Wizards 48 hours ago? Play your bench deeper on the easy games, your the coach giving his bench the least amount of minutes in the league to date. Maybe we pull it out with the crowd.

Get Hughes in on Rose, give it a try or this game is going to be a prelude to the next few weeks. He helped coach him his rookie year at Chicago, played against him in all the practices, can defend him better than Duhon or Jameer. He won't let him drive the lane and he is at best a low 30's 3 point shooter if someone is on him. Duhon was standing by himself, not even in front of the in bound pass to Boozer for the 3 pointer, before the half, zero defense. These guys are tired, not in shape yet, and VanGun needs to use the bench more, 55% FG for the Bulls first half, our defense is not that great.

Agree, we are up 12 in the first quarter, so Duhon is now in, let's see if coach can use the vets and rookie's for some much needed game time. A few have not seen the court this year. No other NBA team is playing as shallow 8-9 players every game, then VanGundy. Hate to get a starter injured in the third quarter when we are up by 30 and kiss the big games like Chicago good bye. They need floor time bad.

20 teams played, nobody sat four players like Orlando, "DNP Coaches Decision" more than VanGundy, with almost 85% using the whole bench. These guys are tired, next they are going to get injured and the reserves is all you will have.

Use 11-12 players on the bench, Hughes has been in one game and a great defensive player, but sitting 3-4 players every game has this team beat, Washington won't be easy as everyone thinks, with the travel and Chicago another L. Some of these guys are not in shape to be playing over 35 minutes yet, and Van Gundy played Q Rich for about the second time this year. Duhon did well, but had some wide open shots, had better D tonight, he still can't penetrate the arc for a point guard, he is gun (elbow) shy.

There was not one player that played as many minutes in 9 games, (18 teams), that played more than 15 minutes and scored one basket, but our Chris Duhon does it and still gets the minutes each game. Maybe Hughes wouldn't be better, but DNP every game for him and Q-Rich is burning up these starters early. And Duhon can't nearly get inside the arc before he passes off on offense. Yes, I have too much time on my hands. This week will be interesting, I think VanGundy better start using the entire bench with all these back to backs this year, or this is going south fast.

With this tight season, VanGundy better start using more than 9-10 players a game. You have Q-Rich and Hughes, that haven't seen much time so far, and the team is playing flat. This week is easy teams, but if you keep the starters in there with 3- minutes breaks (timed with the commercials and halts), this team is going to be spent in another two weeks. Every team in the league is using their full bench, if VanGundy put them on the roster, he better start using them, for this was a team with poor defense and a squeak out win in the fourth, first three quarters, starters were out played by Toronto? Use the bench before a serious injury comes down and you have to start using Duhon for a full game. Richardson was spent, give the guy a break, some of these guys didn't stay in shape, Q-Rich and Hughes were fighting for a spot and earned it by being in shape, now the are growing roots into the pine.

What is Coach V's game with giving Duhon so many minutes? Duhon's family must be paying him under the table. He's been in this game enough and doesn't have one more point than I do, and I am not even there? Hughes can cover their guards, and has covered Vince Carter for the last 12 years. I don't think Duhon even breaks a sweat.

Augustine had 10 points the first half I believe with Duhon on him, but only had 2 free throws on a foul by Hughes, did not score. Plus Hughes did not have the benefit of Howard in the paint as Duhon did, BB Davis was in. Duhon got twice the minutes and about the same stats on offense and defense, except for a few more assist. Sure, color me biased, but would like Hughes playing point coming of the wood, giving us better defense. Augustine and Walker could not rattle him, and he has not been in an actual game in over a year. Duhon plays way to slow, never will drive the lane, and the guy receiving his pass, is wider open then I am.

Good to see Hughes and Q-Rich get the dust off, believe it would have been better to do this a few games earlier. Augustine and that pesky Walker didn't phase Hughes, and his 3 point shot was good timing. I just think Hughes has better court vision than Duhon, making for some better assist. Duhon just seems scared to shoot or drive and slows the game down with an easy telegraphed pass. Time will tell, and Duhon has put up a few good numbers as of late, but if Hughes gets more time, I think we would see a better point guard for first choice off the bench, or to use as a 2 guard when needed. Hughes put up as good as numbers as Duhon in half the court time, plus being in his first game since 2010, you could imagine the adrenaline rush. The announcer said it was just like "getting back on a bike", but sitting out a year for a guy that has started 500 of his 700 games, if he gets some steady minutes, he can make some great assist, slash, and the occasional 3 pointer. Augustine didn't score with Hughes on him except for being fouled and sinking the two free throws. Augustine put around 8 points in with Duhon on him, this is the defensive difference of a 6' 5" point guard over a 6' foot one, with more speed. Also, Direct TV and NBA League Access is showing FREE games through January 8th, trying to get people to buy the League Pass for the season, so you can tune in on your computer or T.V. I got Charlotte's broadcast last night free via Direct T.V. , and every NBA game is on until the 8th, unless a TNT or ESPN broadcast (good to hear the announcers of the other team point of view sometimes).

Hughes and Q. Richardson riding the pine for the year?

I agree, but Hughes was DNP for game one, and maybe game 2, so I don't see how anyone can compare Duhon to Hughes. Hughes is a better defender, and can make some assist that can amaze you, but why isn't he getting any minutes to date? Coach decision, injury? Heck if I know.

Agree, but I will take Hughes who has played the point and been at the finals, averaged over 14 points over Duhon's 7 over their total careers, and Hughes has twice the steals. Hughes also gives you about another 4-5 inches (6'5") and gives you more versatility off the bench at a 2 spot or small forward. Way better defensive game, and that is Hughes specialty. His wrist was broken in his last year, hence taking the year off to let it heal and he has himself in awesome shape. Average length of an NBA career is about 3.5 years, Hughes is on year 13, so we will see how it pans out. Duhon's 17 minutes on the court tonight, game 1, I didn't see anything better than when he was playing at Duke, and don't see why he deserves the that sort of time when we just got further behind. Zero points, a lucky steal that fell in his hands. Your correct on Westbrook, bad stat on my part, and he will get better, the 3 pointer is in the high 20% range though , but it would be a great addition and big name star is needed or the franchise is heading backwards. Too many teams in the East made huge improvements. Everyone looks pretty rusty though, probably a month of some pretty bad hoops until these players start to gel.

Du? Du Nothing, 17 minutes on the court in the NBA and you can not get a basket, you can't even get to the stripe? Pre-season, 4 points with all those minutes, I just don't understand it, his defense did nothing to slow down OK, the lead grew. Maybe we will see what the rest of the bench can do tomorrow night at home. If Van Gundy plays Duhon like D'Antonio did two years ago. He started every game and near 30 minutes in February 2010, and had 18 points for the month, the whole month, while Nate Robinson and Larry Hughes rode the pine. I am missing it, what does this guy contribute? I see nothing, since nearly 3 years ago with this guy. He had as many turnovers as he did points in the preseason. I would have cleared the bench with the starters putting forth that effort, this so called short season may feel like a long one with tonights game. I want my two plus hours back.

From St. Louis, I am a Hughes fan, so this is tainted, and your 9 minute comment is right on, but Hughes natural position is a 2 guard, but he can play the point very well, and he is not going to loose the rock. Your not going to get many players that can do that. That is why he is here, and that is why he is playing in his 13th year in the league. Cleveland made him play the point, after giving him a huge contract and promising him the 2 guard spot. Then Eric Snow went down, but Hughes did get them to the finals, playing the point his whole time in Cleveland and Lebron's only other time at the finals. I would not get hung up on the 40% number, Westbrook is at 36%, John Wall and Jason Kidd at 40% career numbers, up to C. Paul, Rondo, and Nash at 46%. So at best you may get another 2-4%. Some are solid 3 point shooters, Hughes is not, never has been. Rose is not either, shooting no better than 30-31% from the arc. You have to look at all the numbers, and other stats that are not in the numbers. Hughes game is DEFENSE and assist, and this is what we saw. He will lower the other teams best players game, watch which assignments Hughes will get on defense, they will be the other teams best players. This is what you don't see on the stat sheet. He will be guarding Kobe, Lebron. Hughes can play point, 2 guard, and small forward and is going to have some amazing games, and is also going to have some ugly ones if his role changes every week. Duhon went cold in New York, and has not come back, and is not going to play another position. He has some decent defense, but Hughes is a keeper for the bench. I think VanGundy, like Larry Brown, knows how to use Hughes, so the next 4-6 weeks, not the 9 minutes as you say, will give us the real answer.

Yes, Hughes is better on offense and will take 4-6 points off the other teams score on defense. Still has his speed, still can cover the passing lanes. D'Antonio made the big mistake of playing Duhon the whole year, starting almost every game, yet both Nate Robinson and Hughes when given a chance to get into the flow, would up the slashes in the WIN category. Duhon did lose his mojo, but D'Antonio kept with him the whole season (09-10), and wanted to show the team how bad he could treat a few players that were going to be free agents. What happened, not too many guys wanted to go to New York, and Miami signed the big free agents. Nate sat on the bench a month after shooting the ball after a buzzer at the other teams basket. Not a single minute for a month. With Hughes and Nate DNP, the Knicks could have made the play-offs. If Hughes can get the minutes, he will produce. Coached used him perfectly last night.