RealGM

Of all the triple-doubles that have been recorded this season, Houston forward Chuck Hayes’s has to be considered one of the most unlikely. Hayes recorded 14 rebounds and a stunning 11 assists against the notoriously defense-adverse Golden State Warriors, and he sealed the triple-double with a jumper in the fourth quarter.

The triple-double was more of an amusing outlier than a true signature performance for Hayes; after all, the Warriors do allow the highest ratio of assisted baskets in the league, and they have the worst rebounding rate in the league, so racking up rebounds and assists against the Warriors is not a particularly difficult challenge. But the triple-double does draw attention to the fact that Hayes has quietly turned himself into a respectable offensive player.

Chuck Hayes has long been a subject of fascination for both scouts and the statistically inclined. When Hayes first began playing for the Rockets during the 2005-6 season, the 6-foot-6 center was regarded as an oddity whose amazing prowess for grabbing rebounds allowed him to be a rotation player.

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As much as things have changed, Rockets coach Rick Adelman laughs during the introductions. In a way, that might be a change, too. Laughing is better than crying.

"I kind of crack up," he said. "Every night they announce the starting lineup and our last guy is 6-6 center Chuck Hayes. The guy has gotten better and better and better. This year, he is playing both ends of the court. He's a factor at both ends. You have to give him tremendous credit."
As unlikely as the Rockets' playoff push has been, more stunning has been that one of the keys has been Hayes' sudden offensive prowess.

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"It's funny to me," said Hayes, 27, of the sudden wave of attention that came with his triple-double Wednesday. "I think about it, the attention, and I just think about my upbringing and how I came into this game as undrafted, in the D-League and on a 10-day (contract) — just my story. I think about the long road that it took to get that."

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Mr. E wrote:Good to see Chuck getting some notice outside of Houston.

He deserves the Most Improved Player award.

He also deserves to be on the All-Defense Team.

A buddy of mine who's a Knicks fan

told me the other day that they would sign Chuck for about 3 years, 6 million.

(6 million total over three years...I don't think he understands just how much we value Chuck! )

Guy986 wrote:Chuck receiving more national attention. Don't know if thats a good thing. He'll be tougher to resign.

texasholdem wrote:Thought it was ironic that Blake Griffin had his first career triple double the same night as Chuck did.

College Boy wrote:

Guy986 wrote:Chuck receiving more national attention. Don't know if thats a good thing. He'll be tougher to resign.

What's with the sig, did you lose a bet or something?

texasholdem wrote:Thought it was ironic that Blake Griffin had his first career triple double the same night as Chuck did.

How is that ironic?