Following the new leaders

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Following the new leaders
The idea — more of a Rick Adelman order than a notion — was to have Kyle Lowry and Chuck Hayes become more vocal.
That job had fallen to Shane Battier. The practice speeches and timeout demands were his. The Rockets heard his voice before they huddled and when they gathered. When Battier was traded, the Rockets knew that more than the starting small forward would change.
But that voice in their ears turned out to be just the start [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
Nearly a month later, the Rockets have grown accustomed to hearing Hayes and Lowry, but their influence has become greater than a matter of following their commands. The Rockets have become like them, strong-willed and prideful, determined to overcome obstacles.
Respect all around
"Our players watch Kyle and they watch Chuck and they see what they do," Adelman said. "They respect that. They listen. It's how you play the game. There is all kinds of leadership, but they have to respect the person. Everybody on this team respects Kyle and Chuck."
More than just vocal or vital, they embody what the Rockets have become, especially in their revival since the All-Star break. Undersized and often unappreciated, neither was expected to even start this season.
Yet as the season moves to its final month, they represent their team and teammates and a shared determination.
Lowry, a 6-0 guard, did not like an overachiever label for himself or for Hayes, saying they are only doing what they should be expected to do. But they bring that attitude, and that suits the Rockets.
"Yeah, we definitely have that," said Hayes, [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
Time to be heard
They have made a point to be more outspoken, a role uncharacteristic of Lowry, 24, but Hayes believed the point guard needed to be heard.
"Just talk more, teach, try to inspire, motivate some young guys, encourage them that it might be hard to do but you can do it," Hayes, 27, said. "If you are committed to making a play and helping us win, someone will feed off of it."
Lowry's direction tends to be specific, more about schemes and strategies; Hayes more often handles the motivation. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
"We don't have a superstar, but we're in every game," Hayes said. "We're competitive. We push teams to the limit."