Ryan Hollins should get more minutes

[G-Force for MVP]

He plays with such energy when he comes off the bench and i think it helps the team out. When he gets decent minutues i think we usually have a good chance at winning. If he keeps getting experience i think he has a chance to be a special player.

[TheBeagle]

Yep. There's no getting around it; Ryan isn't just a novelty anymore, he's a relevant player for this team. It was hilarious though to watch him tonight..he wanted to guard Rose straight up so bad it hurt as he was always about 8 our so feet from him each time he brought the ball up the court, then once Rose got well over halfcourt, he'd finally trail off back to his man.

It's been a pleasure to watch the transformation from, "why the hell did they re-sign Hollins?" and "why cut Jermareo and not Hollins?" to clamoring for Ryan to get more minutes in a game.

It's obvious that Larry appreciates what Ryan brings to the game, and I think Larry will continue to use him as our "energy" guy off the bench. Needless to say, he's earned his minutes.

[MilZo]

Agreed, he rebounds well on both ends and alters/blocks a lot of shots. Also, he helps the offense by moving without the ball. Tonight I noticed a couple of plays where he made himself available and Diaw found him for a basket and some free throws, that was nice.

[Mustachio]

Ryan Hollins may very well be my favorite Bobcat. for my money... we don't have a more entertaining player on the roster. He gives it 110% every time he takes off his warm ups. He lives to dunk and he is working on a little 10-15 footer it looks like. You don't see many 7 Footers that can jump like him, its almost scary. Even when he messed up tonight and let that ball roll inexplicably out of bounds.... even then he was entertaining because i was laughing like hell. He isn't perfect or an all-star and he probably never will be, but as long as he keeps playing his heart out on the floor he can be on my roster any day.

[krazyrumpshaker]

he had a nice spin move on the baseline for a reverse dunk. If he keeps working hard and developing, he is going to be a nice piece for us.

[WarioVsMooChicken]

He might be a steal for a 50th pick.

I've loved Hollins for a while, but finally it seems like he deserves some actual praising. =p

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

definitely, he is a good role player for us and who knows..maybe one day he could be a legit #2 center.. i think he is still raw, but he has the physical ability to improve, it's up to him

i like seing hollins play minutes throughout the game, he definitely keeps us in the game with his blocks and few points here and there.

i don't think LB feels comfortable putting him in at crunch time. it seems that LB has one lineup in mind when it's crunch time, even if this line up didn't do particularly well during most of the game.

i gotta wonder, do you guys thinks if hollins had been guarding joe johnson (instead of Mek)...would JJ been able to hit the 3 that made us lose? Hollins may be a bit slower than Mek but he has long arms and he can jump..

[polarcat]

i'm starting to finally come around to his place on this team. i was in the "what does this organization see in him....still" camp after we cut davidson. after the pistons game though, i'm a believer. it took a few years of frustration, but he is an excellent bench guy and plays with heart. when he and ajinca are in, it looks like a couple of skyscrapers in the paint..... albeit 400 lbs. combined skyscrapers. :biggrin:

[BRNC]

definitely, he is a good role player for us and who knows..maybe one day he could be a legit #2 center.. i think he is still raw, but he has the physical ability to improve, it's up to him

i like seing hollins play minutes throughout the game, he definitely keeps us in the game with his blocks and few points here and there.

i don't think LB feels comfortable putting him in at crunch time. it seems that LB has one lineup in mind when it's crunch time, even if this line up didn't do particularly well during most of the game.

i gotta wonder, do you guys thinks if hollins had been guarding joe johnson (instead of Mek)...would JJ been able to hit the 3 that made us lose? Hollins may be a bit slower than Mek but he has long arms and he can jump..

JJ is a tough match...Mek made him alter his shot but he still hit it...since Ryan is taller with better vertical it is possible he would have made JJ alter it more...(does not mean it wouldn't have gone it so tough call)...

[Keetch]

What I appreciate most about Hollins is his ability to guard all of the "big" centers that sometimes can overwhelm Okafor. I mean watching Ilgauskas stand a full head over Ok50 was borderline absurd. We needed Hollins on Big Z. We played Hollins on Dampier...a very physical player; and it nearly paid off with a win.

Hollins can take the beating and give some back. Okafor isn't quite big enough and shouldn't have to; we need him to be the team leader, not the punching bag.

In the past, Hollins didn't help much because he'd be in foul trouble too fast. He seems to have overcome that.

We'll see if the coaches agree.

[BRNC]

What I appreciate most about Hollins is his ability to guard all of the "big" centers that sometimes can overwhelm Okafor. I mean watching Ilgauskas stand a full head over Ok50 was borderline absurd. We needed Hollins on Big Z. We played Hollins on Dampier...a very physical player; and it nearly paid off with a win.

Hollins can take the beating and give some back. Okafor isn't quite big enough and shouldn't have to; we need him to be the team leader, not the punching bag.

In the past, Hollins didn't help much because he'd be in foul trouble too fast. He seems to have overcome that.

We'll see if the coaches agree.

Agree...even with a guy like Ryan (when he gets a quick foul or two it is usually adrenaline rush) you bring them to the bench...remind them they are not going to "shut down" every play...you need them on the court and just make it a tough play for your man every play...remind him why he's on the floor...he responded very well in Dallas and it gave us all a chance to see what a beast EO50 can be...and a chance to get a "W"...

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

A while back I looked up more info on how Hollins played in college and how he stacked up in the draft ( i always though he was a FA)

This should be an interested read for some:

"there are a few things that Hollins must work on to be a top of the rotation player in the NBA. During the competitive workout, Hollins lost focus in a number of different instances. This was something that showed itself a bit the previous day when he had to be reminded on a few occasions on what to do during a given drill. In the competitive workout, Hollins got caught “ball-watching” when the guards had the ball. This caused him to be out of position for a number of rebounds, but also seemed to be a principle factor in his biggest flaw, composure. It is common for players to jaw at each other and be physical, which Hollins certainly was. But, physicality must be used within the context of game play and Hollins allowed Johnson (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ed-Johnson-3001/)’s constant contact and work to take away his focus and start reacting with inappropriate retaliatory elbows and shoving. "

"Being a former track star, he has very impressive leaping ability, being able to get off the ground quickly and knowing how to use his length well to finish around the hoop if strength is not an issue. At times on offense UCLA would just throw the ball up to him and let him go get it. Hollins is a ferocious dunker when no one challenges his shot, if he has a free lane or path to the basket he can finish with authority. "

"At the next level he either has to extremely define his already decent outside shooting ability, or develop a more effective back to the basket game, be it using a fade away or a short hook shot. "



http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Ryan-Hollins-310/

[BRNC]

Good find...he is very athletic...he has a couple of things (athletic and size) that can't be coached...what he has needs is to be coached and I think he is finally getting that...he is becoming a much better player because of it and a real asset to the team...

[spectre]

I was very surprised by Twiggy last night. He actually showed POISE! I never thought I'd use that term in a sentence with him (unless preceeded with "lack of"). That baseline drive/reverse dunk was just sick, and his in bound defense was just perfect the few times I remember. He was also timing his blocks very well...I recall one esp. against Noah that was beautiful.

Haven't looked at the numbers, but it seemed we actually made a run or two right after he subbed in for Mek.

Major help for us. I doubt anyone (other than Keetch!) thought he could actually be a plus instead of just hoping for neutral.

[BRNC]

Spectre...I'm watching his numbers behind the numbers and they indicate he is indeed helping the team...problem is he is not up to 25% floor time so they a virtually meaningless (statistically) until he reaches at least 25%...

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

the problem for LB is....who do you give more minutes to: Hollins or Ajinca?

I can't even figure out where Ajinca fits in the long term plans for us...he is listed as a PF too.

I also hope not to see Nazr in for a while, he is terribly slow

[110oldeast]

I've long been a fan of Ryan's potential. I like that he TRIES TO DUNK EVERYTHING when close to the basket, as well as that he tries to block all the shots he does. He has great length AND moves well laterally better than the rest of our bigs on the defensive end. Furthermore, even with his energy, he doesn't get outside of himself as much as one would assume. The kid has heart.

[docend24]

Ryan is 4 years older than Alexis. Maybe he can serve as a preview of what Alexis could be someday. It looks like they have some chemistry. OT - Ammo looked like a solitary man on bench. Didn't smile and looked unhappy.

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

I hope alexis is much better than what ryan is right now four years down the road...alexis was a first rounder!

docend - didn't think Ammo looked unhappy..if anything he was pretty pumped i thought

[docend24]

Well maybe letargic.) I even wondered if he is ok regarding his health issues. (especially because of the pain/cry during the Mavs game).

[Mustachio]

I hope alexis is much better than what ryan is right now four years down the road...alexis was a first rounder!

docend - didn't think Ammo looked unhappy..if anything he was pretty pumped i thought


yeah i agree... Adam didn't look sulky to me. He was fighting it out with Howard to be the first guy up off the bench when celebrating and time outs.
I think any competitor isn't going to smile a lot when sitting on the bench.

Back On Topic though:
Here are a couple youtubes of The Freak in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd4ZUDKedkg&feature=related



Ryan yelling Patrick O'bryant to the floor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJo9fsblWKI

an oldie but a goodie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Nx4x4uPUA

[dav7z]

Im a Hollins fan all so . His defence has come a long ways this year . One can tell who ever is coaching the bigs is doing a good job . Mek is starting to inprove as of late . And i think Alexas is closer than most think .

I told the Beagle at the game saturday night with a combo of Mek and another big . We could into that score . Hollins and Alexas did just that.
Last night Hollins played a big factor . T he momentom changed when he entered the game. His energy seems to spread to his team mates. I would like to see his mins increase to about 25 per . A constant in the rotation behind MEK and behind Diaw in favorable match ups.

Last game Hollins was a +13 in just fifteen mins of play . Second highest on the team behind Augustin who had 40 mins of play .

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

yeah i agree... Adam didn't look sulky to me. He was fighting it out with Howard to be the first guy up off the bench when celebrating and time outs.
I think any competitor isn't going to smile a lot when sitting on the bench.

Back On Topic though:
Here are a couple youtubes of The Freak in action.






HAHAH, awesome...i can't get over the first video "get that shit out of here"...reminds me of the sonic commercial.
Can we change ryan's nick name to Ryan "Don't you bring that weak tot action" Hollins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjY9VGEUdGs

[playoffs...PLAYOFFS?]

Im a Hollins fan all so . His defence has come a long ways this year . One can tell who ever is coaching the bigs is doing a good job . Mek is starting to inprove as of late . And i think Alexas is closer than most think .

I told the Beagle at the game saturday night with a combo of Mek and another big . We could into that score . Hollins and Alexas did just that.
Last night Hollins played a big factor . T he momentom changed when he entered the game. His energy seems to spread to his team mates. I would like to see his mins increase to about 25 per . A constant in the rotation behind MEK and behind Diaw in favorable match ups.

Last game Hollins was a +13 in just fifteen mins of play . Second highest on the team behind Augustin who had 40 mins of play .

well, i'll be the debbie downer...but hollins is playing what he should, 5-10 mins is enough for now, i think that more than could be too much for him...with his energy sometimes he gets some bad fouls that he shouldn't...but it's all about maturing and if he were ever to play 25 mins per game that would be huge for us.

[dav7z]

well, i'll be the debbie downer...but hollins is playing what he should, 5-10 mins is enough for now, i think that more than could be too much for him...with his energy sometimes he gets some bad fouls that he shouldn't...but it's all about maturing and if he were ever to play 25 mins per game that would be huge for us.

I truely think hes ready to become a consistant back up to MEK . And in favorable match ups back up at the p/f. His fouls are down this year and his defence is better ever game , Im all for playing him as long as hes porductive. To me hes more of a assit than Nazz

[spectre]

I truely think hes ready to become a consistant back up to MEK . And in favorable match ups back up at the p/f. His fouls are down this year and his defence is better ever game , Im all for playing him as long as hes porductive. To me hes more of a assit than Nazz

I would SO love for LB to think Twiggy can be Mek's backup and just stand pat with the roster. I have doubts Diaw can be as effective at the 3 and I have major doubts Mek can be effective at the 4.

[TheBeagle]

the problem for LB is....who do you give more minutes to: Hollins or Ajinca?

I can't even figure out where Ajinca fits in the long term plans for us...he is listed as a PF too.

I also hope not to see Nazr in for a while, he is terribly slow Lexy is a 3/4 type; Ryan is a 4/5 type. I don't see them competing for each other's minutes since the play different positions. Lexy and Juwan will be backing up Diaw (at least, as the roster is currently) and Ryan and Nazr will back up Mek.

Where Lexy fits in in the long-term? Our future star at either 3 or 4....count on it!

[Ampsportsduo]

On the broadcast last night, Steve Martin said that Hollins was becoming one of LB's favorites, even if he didn't always make the right play, he always played hard. Moments later, Hollins fouled a guard in the backcourt.

I'll be the first to admit that I was skeptical of some of the Hollins love, questioning whether people were getting too excited over some big blocks, but with the departure of Duds, he's quickly becoming one of my favorites on the team.

[Ghost Kat]

I have been a long time Hollins hater, I'll admit to it. But he does bring some energy off the bench this team sorely needs. By no means is he a offensive threat in any way other then dunking of a pick a roll. But he's playin smarter this year and maybe thats due to LB. Maybe Hollins is playin for another contract since he just had a new baby... either way... He's been productive when he has gone in.