Reply With Quote
Why did they ever let Mike Wilks go?
Barry adjusts quickly to new team
Guard impressed by Rockets' roster, sees turnaround
By MEGAN MANFULL
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
Jon Barry's arrival at Sacramento, Detroit and Denver coincided with each franchise rising to the next level. For at least one night, the same was true in Houston.
Before Barry even entered the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night, the Rockets had a 10-point lead. When he stepped onto the court, the Rockets only got better. Despite being in town for less than 24 hours, Barry instantly fit in with the team and helped them to 96-79 victory at Toyota Center.
Barry showed signs of possessing everything the Rockets hoped to acquire when they traded Tyronn Lue to Atlanta for the veteran shooting guard Dec. 23. Barry created plays for his teammates, was aggressive on defense, drove the lane and made the open shots.
"I was probably a little too excited at times, but I thought we moved the ball well," said Barry, who finished with seven points and three assists in 22 points. "It looked like I've been playing here a while. It really didn't feel like I was a newcomer. Guys who know how to play the game make you feel like that."
Barry's new teammates were saying the same, but about him. Barry took a late flight out of Atlanta on Saturday night and arrived just in time for Sunday morning's shoot-around. He received a 30-minute crash course about the Rockets' system. He stepped on the court acting as if he knew where everyone was going and even threw a couple of perfect no-look passes.
"It really seemed like he had been around the whole year, the way he was playing so aggressive, knowing our sets" Tracy McGrady said. "He was feeling comfortable on the basketball court and knocking down shots. I think he's a great asset to this team."
Barry hopes as much. He is thrilled to be out of Atlanta, where he hadn't even moved from the bench in the last eight games because the Hawks started devoting more time to developing rookies Josh Childress and Josh Smith.
With the Rockets needing a backup shooting guard, Barry was the first reserve off the bench Saturday. He instantly felt comfortable, and he also saw an opportunity to be a part of another major turnaround. He has experienced such quick success in three of the previous six NBA cities in which he has played.
When Barry arrived in Sacramento along with Chris Webber for the 1998-99 season, the Kings were coming off a 27-55 year. During the lockout-shortened season, the Kings finished 27-23. They compiled a 44-38 record in 1999-00, and a 55-27 record in 2000-01.
Barry's next stop was in Detroit. The Pistons were 32-50 the year before he arrived and the year before Rick Carlisle became the head coach. In Barry's first season in 2001-02, the Pistons finished 50-32. They posted an identical record in 2002-03.
Barry again moved before the 2003-04 season. He arrived in Denver at the same time as Carmelo Anthony and the team finished with a 43-29 record just one season after going 17-65
"Those were different situations, I mean, they were completely rebuilding situations where a lot of new guys came into the teams and I was able to be a part of it," Barry said. "This roster is stacked. Everybody knows it. It's just a matter of clicking."
[email protected]
Why did they ever let Mike Wilks go?
JVG is another coach, like Pop, that runs a "system" and emphasizes defense. How can Jon adapt so fast, apparently, when Brent hasn't?
I think you ignore the desperation factor.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
