At what point will Morey blow it up?

[jzmagic]

Morey so far has been steadfast in his perception that we're a serious title contender despite our early season woes. What if we move into the allstar break with a subpar .500 team, or limp into the playoffs as the 8th seed and get destroyed by the lakers in the first round? Do you guys think Morey will continue to do little "tweaks" to the roster?

One more failed season, we should rebuild, but I don't think its going to happen under Morey's watch.

[durvasa]

I don't think he'll ever blow up the team. The closest thing would be not resigning Yao and seeking out another star to build around. But the Rockets aren't going to gut the team and hope for the lottery to save them.

[G-Money]

If we go winless on this road trip, he should definitely do SOMETHING.

[rockets934life]

Yea, I don't think he would start trading away EVERYONE but I can see him making serious changes, if this doesn't get better, by new years.

[coachbadlee]

I feel bad for Morey because this team and coaching should be better than it is. This sh** is embarassing. :o

[Carl Herrera]

If the team is terrible, then they are already in the lottery, why do you need to blow up a lottery team to get into the lottery? You'd trade/not resign some of your older guys.

If the team has talent, then they'll figure things out.

We'll see, in any case, I don't expect anything to happen right away.

[jzmagic]

If the team is terrible, then they are already in the lottery, why do you need to blow up a lottery team to get into the lottery? You'd trade/not resign some of your older guys.

If the team has talent, then they'll figure things out.

We'll see, in any case, I don't expect anything to happen right away.

Rockets won't be the worst team in the league, but there's a chance that they will finish 14th worst just like last year, or as a 7 or 8 seed that gets stomped.

Perpetual mediocrity is the worst thing in the NBA, you don't finish low enough to get elite lottery talent, or you never get past the 1st round of the playoffs.

[redao]

If the team is terrible, then they are already in the lottery, why do you need to blow up a lottery team to get into the lottery? You'd trade/not resign some of your older guys.

If the team has talent, then they'll figure things out.

We'll see, in any case, I don't expect anything to happen right away.

Going into the lottery is a war.
It takes courage and wisdom to win the whole thing.
There is so much we can do to lose and suck.
I'd blow the team up after every game to keep our lead.
Trade every tradable player for cash, picks and cap space.

BTW, the Ariza trade was a perfect one in the sense of going for the lottery.....Morey was way ahead of us.

[Carl Herrera]

Rockets won't be the worst team in the league, but there's a chance that they will finish 14th worst just like last year, or as a 7 or 8 seed that gets stomped.

Perpetual mediocrity is the worst thing in the NBA, you don't finish low enough to get elite lottery talent, or you never get past the 1st round of the playoffs.

Sure, at some point you'd trade parts of your, say, 38 or 40 win team, who can be useful to other teams, for future picks and prospects. I agree with that.

You do that when your current 38-40 win team is basically getting old and have little growth potential left, and have no assets (picks, propsects) to trade for a star player or two to seriously upgrade your roster to jump into, say, 55 win territory (which would give you a somewhat realistic chance of playoff success). One such team is the Bobcats.

On the other hand, if you have, say, a 48-52 win team, and have either young enough players who have possibility of growth, and assets to possibly get an upgrade in a trade or in a draft, "blowing it up" is somewhat foolish.

(And if you have 25 win team, you are already blown up, so don't bother blowing more).

The question is where the Rockets think they are, the first 7 games don't look good, but given that "blowing up" can be done any time, most typically in the offseaosn or at the trade deadline, the team should continue to explore all trade opportunities but it doesn't make any sense to make a firesale now.

[cjtaylorpt]

Hard to blow up a team when the team already looks blown up.


We have players with potential, exp. contracts, injured vets, and are in dead last in the NBA.

P. S. I still support my Rockets :grin:

[Sanity2disChaos]

I feel bad for Morey because this team and coaching should be better than it is. This sh** is embarassing. :o



Thats being nice! The expectaions proceeded the team.....Morey is already thinking of ways to improve this mess of a saeson.. please believe!!

[dobro1229]

If the Rockets do not show improvement and are clearly out of the Playoff picture in February, you will see a series of small moves to prep the team to go younger and move past the Yao Ming/Battier/Hayes era.

First move would be to let the younger guys play extended minutes to prep them for the next year. Second would be to move the older vets for either picks or young talent. Any team with playoff ambitions would probably love to have Hayes, Battier, and Jefferies on their squad suprisingly.

The biggest move that will be made that would be the closest to blowing up the team would maybe be moving Adelman and announcing that Yao will not be resigned. Brooks and Martin could go either way but I assume they would be able to be had at the right price. Probably one of the two would be moved at least.

[dobro1229]

Thats being nice! The expectaions proceeded the team.....Morey is already thinking of ways to improve this mess of a saeson.. please believe!!


Agreed. Inquiring about Kevin Love tells you exactly what he is looking to do given the way this season is going.

[Raven]

Rockets won't be the worst team in the league, but there's a chance that they will finish 14th worst just like last year, or as a 7 or 8 seed that gets stomped.

Perpetual mediocrity is the worst thing in the NBA, you don't finish low enough to get elite lottery talent, or you never get past the 1st round of the playoffs.

Which is exactly where we're at.

[makman]

I'm sure he's already blowing up the phones right now.

[BimaThug]

Guys, when talking about the Rockets "blowing it up" to get back in the lottery, please consider this:

The Houston Rockets are in the (somewhat rare and enviable) position of having the rights to as many as two (2) lottery picks in the next two drafts FROM ANOTHER TEAM.

For as bad as the Rockets are playing, they are surely better than a 1-6 team. They have held a fourth quarter lead in every single game. Meanwhile, the Knicks are a little-below-pedestrian 3-5 and do not exactly look like they will be a force in the East this year.

If things play out perfectly for Houston, the Rockets could get as high as the #2 pick in 2011 and the #6 pick in 2012. Of course, that is not likely to happen. But getting, say, the #9 pick in 2011 and the #12 pick in 2012 is a fairly realistic (if not highly probable) outcome.

Even if the Rockets "gutted" the team, whatever players were left, running Adelman's system, would likely not fare much worse than those draft slots.

Bottom line: Calm down, people. If the Rockets are absolutely horrendous for a significant stretch beyond now (which I doubt they will be), then the lottery pick will come. But even if they continue to be mediocre, those lottery picks may still come.

Just sit back and enjoy rooting against the Knicks for the next two years.

[DaDakota]

Also, you don't make any moves under duress....

Got to take time and do a proper evaluation, now maybe at some point you bench the old guard for the new, but not yet.

DD

[JuanValdez]

I don't think he'll ever blow up the team. The closest thing would be not resigning Yao and seeking out another star to build around. But the Rockets aren't going to gut the team and hope for the lottery to save them.

I agree. I think he'll try to find a way to rebuild the team without ever sucking. I'm not sure if that's advisable, but given his asset-hoarding approach, it seems likely.

Heck, if there was ever a time to blow it up, it would have been before last season when we found out we wouldn't have McGrady or Yao. They could have traded off the vets then and gone for the lottery. Instead, they buckled down and actually tried to win. If they didn't try then, no way they ever try.

[AggNRox]

he will break up this team when yao has another major injury as we all know yao will retire in this case.

as dm said many times, the team is built around yao, a post thread and defense force under basket. you can't find a capable center to fully utilize this roster. in this sense, he has to blow up this team.

[dobro1229]

Also, you don't make any moves under duress....

Got to take time and do a proper evaluation, now maybe at some point you bench the old guard for the new, but not yet.

DD


Trying to make a move for Kevin Love this early in the season sounds like Morey is at least being aggressive early. Who knows exactly what he was wanting to give up as well. Might have just been picks... might have been Yao( I would guess it would probably have to involve Martin or Brooks and picks IMO).

Regardless, I believe there really isnt any more time to waste. They need at least 50 wins to even make the playoffs. That means this team needs to win 49 out of the next 75 games. This team has shown that it has serious issues and something dramatic might be needed to Kick the coaching staff and the team into gear.

[thumbs]

Guys, when talking about the Rockets "blowing it up" to get back in the lottery, please consider this:

The Houston Rockets are in the (somewhat rare and enviable) position of having the rights to as many as two (2) lottery picks in the next two drafts FROM ANOTHER TEAM.

For as bad as the Rockets are playing, they are surely better than a 1-6 team. They have held a fourth quarter lead in every single game. Meanwhile, the Knicks are a little-below-pedestrian 3-5 and do not exactly look like they will be a force in the East this year.

If things play out perfectly for Houston, the Rockets could get as high as the #2 pick in 2011 and the #6 pick in 2012. Of course, that is not likely to happen. But getting, say, the #9 pick in 2011 and the #12 pick in 2012 is a fairly realistic (if not highly probable) outcome.

Even if the Rockets "gutted" the team, whatever players were left, running Adelman's system, would likely not fare much worse than those draft slots.

Bottom line: Calm down, people. If the Rockets are absolutely horrendous for a significant stretch beyond now (which I doubt they will be), then the lottery pick will come. But even if they continue to be mediocre, those lottery picks may still come.

Just sit back and enjoy rooting against the Knicks for the next two years.
BimaThug, we rarely completely agree and often disagree, but I am in complete agreement with your sentiments above. I'm pretty happy with our players as a whole but unhappy with their defensive intensity. IMO, they have the tools but for some reason are not giving 100%.

[professorjay]

EDIT: oops, wrong thread

[cglede]

I don't think he'll ever blow up the team. The closest thing would be not resigning Yao and seeking out another star to build around. But the Rockets aren't going to gut the team and hope for the lottery to save them.


well they should gut this team. What have a nucleus of chuck hayes, battier, Yao Wing, and aaron brooks done for this team. It seems people are just happy with winning games during the season and not going far after the seaon. Im in it for winning championships and nothing less. This team have proved nothing in the past four years to five.

Just LAME! how bout that dynamo squad?? they suck too!!! :mad:

[BimaThug]

well they should gut this team. What have a nucleus of chuck hayes, battier, Yao Wing, and aaron brooks done for this team. It seems people are just happy with winning games during the season and not going far after the seaon. Im in it for winning championships and nothing less. This team have proved nothing in the past four years to five.

Just LAME! how bout that dynamo squad?? they suck too!!! :mad:
[Not directed solely at you, cglede] Okay, I'll play this game. But let me pose the following questions:

(1) To "blow it up," who does Morey need to trade?

(2) Of the players to be traded based on your answer to (1) above, what do you REALISTICALLY expect to receive in return? Cite specific examples and the reasoning for why the other team would make such a move. ***Please realize that teams RARELY offer up unprotected future first round picks, and most future picks are either lottery protected or at least top-7 or 8 protected.

(3) Even if another team is willing to offer a trade package for one or more of the players mentioned in your answer to (1) above, is that team interested--or even able under salary cap rules--to make such a trade right now? On December 15? In February? Next summer?

(4) Assuming that such trades occur, what is the long-term plan for the Houston Rockets, other than losing a lot of games?

And . . . go!

[cglede]

BimaThug,


My reasoning behind what i said is that our current plan isnt working, and soley just replacing a coach and its staff isnt going to fix our problems. Im not going to check the numbers on where everyone is on there contracts and pay, but something needs to happen. If i had the answers and experience i wouldnt be working right now where im at!

Anyways, at some point there needs to be some re-organization and on the team on focusing on a different strategy on what is expected out of our players. There seems to be no team chemistry and lack of the "Go To Guy" on this team. I think that Kevin Martin is just an exceptional role player (lets be honest with each other). Whats funny other organizations, Fakers, Celtics, Spurs just to say the least always seem to find a way to keep the organization rolling. I just feel we have the talent and staff to be in such positions but non-exist for at least last couple of years.

[thetatomatis]

You trade Martin AND Brooks. They both have suitable backups. You trade them buth for a superstar. Thats exactly what its gonna take. Then you go with Superstar you aquired at one of their positions or SF and have one of these backups at the remaining spots.

Yao
Scola
???(Star in trade)Battier /Budinger
???(star in trade)/Lee/Battier
???(star in trade)/Ish/Lowry

Which ever position this star fills you have guys at each of these slots who can take over if you trade MARTIN AND BROOKS for this guy. Maybe a second player who is a quality depth guy inserted from trade with other team to make trade more even for us? Then you dont worry if it makes us better this year. You build around him. You still have your draft picks and other moveable parts. You still have Yao and Scola. All the role players.

[jim1961]

I think "Blowing Up" in the Rockets case would mean coming to the conclusion that how good the parts are doesnt mean as much as how well they fit together. So if the Rockets see things arent working, they could make some lateral trades in terms of player capability in order to try other pieces in the hope of finding the sometimes elusive cohesiveness that exists among players who compliment each other and fit well together.

[JayGoogle]

I doubt there is a big blow up.

If anything they will just start to play the young players more and win or lose with them....Guys that may help the team win like Scola and Martin will get 'nicked' up a lot. Well not Scola...but usually when a team is really bad a lot of guys take days off any ways.

I don't know how bad this will be, i'm trying not to think about the all-star break but the next few games. Indy is looking like a loss.

The easiest way to rebuild is to get a top 3 draft pick. Maybe even if don't land in the top 3, maybe some of our assets can trade us up into that? I think NYKs 2011 pick may not be worth anything if Melo wants to go there that bad, he'll be there by the 2012 draft.

[ryano2009]

I feel bad for Morey because this team and coaching should be better than it is. This sh** is embarassing. :o

How about feeling bad for us (fans), we thought this was going to be a great year for us, and possibly contend for a championship, I think it's embarrassing to us as a fans.

[yaomingyaoming]

You guys are funny. No one blows up a team when they haven't even finished the first month of the season! If the Rockets don't improve after January, then that would merit a discussion but you guys are comical to talk about this so soon.

[asmith8266]

We're three games out of the playoffs!

[BradMiller]

NAHHH BAHHH

Lets just make sure the knicks sux.

[johnstarks]

If the team doesn't start improving their defense and find someone to take the shorts down the stretch, I guarantee there will be some moves soon.

But there may not be many trades to be had until the trade deadline. If we are clearly out of the playoff hunt near the trade deadline, Yao will be officially dubbed "Yao's expiring contract". He will be shopped around for young talent. If he's still productive and healthy, he might get traded to a contender with the need for a big. If there are no takers at the right price, Yao will simply become an UFA and either re-sign for a low price or go somewhere else. No need to panic. If we are bad anyway, no need to do a panic trade--we've got tons of assets and will clear some space in the summer. We are in good shape for the future either way. But I'm hoping for some chemistry all of a sudden.

[BradMiller]

If the team doesn't start improving their defense and find someone to take the shorts down the stretch, I guarantee there will be some moves soon.

But there may not be many trades to be had until the trade deadline. If we are clearly out of the playoff hunt near the trade deadline, Yao will be officially dubbed "Yao's expiring contract". He will be shopped around for young talent. If he's still productive and healthy, he might get traded to a contender with the need for a big. If there are no takers at the right price, Yao will simply become an UFA and either re-sign for a low price or go somewhere else. No need to panic. If we are bad anyway, no need to do a panic trade--we've got tons of assets and will clear some space in the summer. We are in good shape for the future either way. But I'm hoping for some chemistry all of a sudden.

You have a pleasant mind

[Yao4REAL]

This team is average without Yao and "can" be GREAT with him. The team is built and set up around Yao. Without him as the foundation, everything seems to collapse.

Nobody on the team can create their own shots or demand double team....except Yao and Scola...so these secondary players need them to function......they're not going to survive long without an anchor.

[tiger0330]

I would think if the Rox are still playing like this in Dec. you can expect some kind of trade on Dec. 8 I believe that's the date that players can be traded on deals done this off-season.

As much as the Rox have sucked this season, they're only a player or 2 away from getting back to a team that can win 50 games. We just need better chemistry, need to get rid of some of these shooters and bring in some size and defensive presence.

[BimaThug]

I would think if the Rox are still playing like this in Dec. you can expect some kind of trade on Dec. 8 I believe that's the date that players can be traded on deals done this off-season.

As much as the Rox have sucked this season, they're only a player or 2 away from getting back to a team that can win 50 games. We just need better chemistry, need to get rid of some of these shooters and bring in some size and defensive presence.
The date is December 15.

2010 free agents can be traded on the LATER of (a) December 15 or (b) three months after signing. So, any player signed on or before September 15 can be traded effective December 15. Any day beyond a September 15 signing, and you have to wait that many days beyond December 15 to trade that player.

[BackNthDay]

No contract for Yao, Battier, Chuck, Jeffries, and AB. Let's GO and get something done quick.

[larsv8]

What exactly is Morey going to blow up?

He is sitting on his assets waiting for a superstar to be available via trade.

[knote32]

Guys, when talking about the Rockets "blowing it up" to get back in the lottery, please consider this:

The Houston Rockets are in the (somewhat rare and enviable) position of having the rights to as many as two (2) lottery picks in the next two drafts FROM ANOTHER TEAM.

For as bad as the Rockets are playing, they are surely better than a 1-6 team. They have held a fourth quarter lead in every single game. Meanwhile, the Knicks are a little-below-pedestrian 3-5 and do not exactly look like they will be a force in the East this year.

If things play out perfectly for Houston, the Rockets could get as high as the #2 pick in 2011 and the #6 pick in 2012. Of course, that is not likely to happen. But getting, say, the #9 pick in 2011 and the #12 pick in 2012 is a fairly realistic (if not highly probable) outcome.

Even if the Rockets "gutted" the team, whatever players were left, running Adelman's system, would likely not fare much worse than those draft slots.

Bottom line: Calm down, people. If the Rockets are absolutely horrendous for a significant stretch beyond now (which I doubt they will be), then the lottery pick will come. But even if they continue to be mediocre, those lottery picks may still come.

Just sit back and enjoy rooting against the Knicks for the next two years.
GREAT post. Can we sticky this thing? ;)

BOO KNICKS BOO!

We better start playing better though because 3-5 is looking REAL nice from where I am sitting...

[knote32]

We need to find a young C to develop in one of these upcoming drafts, no matter where we pick.

I just hate to rely on Yao and freaking Brad Miller If we need to make a swift youth change.

[BROOKS & DONE]

Morey is always looking for the blue light special we need a serious baller someone with some fire martin is a baller but no fire lee and bud have drive but lack certain skills pair those three with a tier 1 star and we can contend with anybody.

[BROOKS & DONE]

And k low please get better soon we need him to be 100% he will fix some of our problems

[Entropy]

We need to find a young C to develop in one of these upcoming drafts, no matter where we pick.

I just hate to rely on Yao and freaking Brad Miller If we need to make a swift youth change.

It'd be nice if we were developing the young players we do have.

[Spiegel]

If the team is terrible, then they are already in the lottery, why do you need to blow up a lottery team to get into the lottery? You'd trade/not resign some of your older guys.

If the team has talent, then they'll figure things out.

We'll see, in any case, I don't expect anything to happen right away.
Damn you're a vindictive YOF. look at you're signature.

[Shroopy2]

I agree. I think he'll try to find a way to rebuild the team without ever sucking. I'm not sure if that's advisable, but given his asset-hoarding approach, it seems likely.

Heck, if there was ever a time to blow it up, it would have been before last season when we found out we wouldn't have McGrady or Yao. They could have traded off the vets then and gone for the lottery. Instead, they buckled down and actually tried to win. If they didn't try then, no way they ever try.
Right. Trading Carl Landry on a cheap contract for established vet Kevin Martin, resigning Scola and Lowry, showed Morey is going for on-court success. Morey acquiring picks through trade, buying draft picks and the team's operations with the Rio Grande D-league team shows he does have SOME future outlook along with it.

[Scolalist]

I kind of think Morey is rebuilding while still trying to remain competitive..I think that is his genius.

We are a fairly young team with highly productive talent.

Courtney Lee-3rd year
Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill-2nd year
Patrick Patterson, Ish Smith-Rookies

If we are out of it in Febuary I think he is going to get some young talent in return for a team looking to add a solid vet to their squad like Battier, Hayes, Miller, Lowry, etc.

And he could even the pull the switch on a big package of Brooks, Martin, etc. for say Danny Granger.

I'd be kind of alright going into 2012 with Danny Granger, Harrison Barnes, Luis Scola and a supporting cast of Ish, Chase, Courtney, PP, Hill and whoever else.

[JayGoogle]

I kind of think Morey is rebuilding while still trying to remain competitive..I think that is his genius.

We are a fairly young team with highly productive talent.

Courtney Lee-3rd year
Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill-2nd year
Patrick Patterson, Ish Smith-Rookies

If we are out of it in Febuary I think he is going to get some young talent in return for a team looking to add a solid vet to their squad like Battier, Hayes, Miller, Lowry, etc.

And he could even the pull the switch on a big package of Brooks, Martin, etc. for say Danny Granger.

I'd be kind of alright going into 2012 with Danny Granger, Harrison Barnes, Luis Scola and a supporting cast of Ish, Chase, Courtney, PP, Hill and whoever else.


Yes Yes and Hell yes.

This is the one guy that Morey needs to get. Looks like he has a great all-around game and when you hear that he loves the game and has a intent on getting better and better he sounds like he's going to be special. I guess we'll see how he does at UNC.

[rox81]

Morey will only blow it up when Yao goes down with a career-ending injury. I don't care how it happens: car accident, Chinese mafia, midget ninjas.

Get 'er done, Morey!

[Carl Herrera]

Morey will only blow it up when Yao goes down with a career-ending injury. I don't care how it happens: car accident, Chinese mafia, midget ninjas.

Get 'er done, Morey!

ME THREAD CLOSED! ME WISH YAO END CAREER HERE! CUZ ERBODY MUST KNOW ME OPINIONS!!!!!

[rox81]

ME THREAD CLOSED! ME WISH YAO END CAREER HERE! CUZ ERBODY MUST KNOW ME OPINIONS!!!!!

Damn, dude. First you hated on Asians, now you're speaking Caveman. You may need help.

[JayGoogle]

Damn, dude. First you hated on Asians, now you're speaking Caveman. You may need help.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_n3qcp-j1OyU/SV7040rskII/AAAAAAAAAF0/SuG9gK9107U/s400/caveman.jpg

[eburress]

Morey so far has been steadfast in his perception that we're a serious title contender despite our early season woes. What if we move into the allstar break with a subpar .500 team, or limp into the playoffs as the 8th seed and get destroyed by the lakers in the first round? Do you guys think Morey will continue to do little "tweaks" to the roster?

One more failed season, we should rebuild, but I don't think its going to happen under Morey's watch.

What would blowing the team up look like? Allowing Yao to leave via free agency?

This team is already made up of sub-All Star caliber players and youth. At this point, maybe they can unload Martin, but beyond that, the team is already pretty stripped down.

[BimaThug]

What would blowing the team up look like? Allowing Yao to leave via free agency?

This team is already made up of sub-All Star caliber players and youth. At this point, maybe they can unload Martin, but beyond that, the team is already pretty stripped down.
Exactly.

Beyond this season, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola are the only Rockets players guaranteed more than $5.75M in ANY season.

[RocketForever]

Damn you're a vindictive YOF. look at you're signature.

Right, whoever thinks it's still not the time to trash the current team and rebuild is a YOF. I see many other posters hold the same opinion. Some of them are old timers. Why didn't you have the courage to say the same thing to them? You are such a coward to have to pick your target to preach your hate against a specific group of people.

[LosPollosHermanos]

I don't think he'll ever blow up the team. The closest thing would be not resigning Yao and seeking out another star to build around. But the Rockets aren't going to gut the team and hope for the lottery to save them.
no you're right. THey are far too ignorant for that. THey would rather repeat past mistakes and be an 8 seed that gets nothing.

[liljojo]

no you're right. THey are far too ignorant for that. THey would rather repeat past mistakes and be an 8 seed that gets nothing.

If the Rockets ever tank a season, I'm going to stop supporting them them, flat out, until the entire front office is replaced. If 9th in the West is the highest they can possibly get, they had better scratch and claw their way to that 9 spot, and miss the playoffs with their heads held high.

No team at any level should ever tank a season. That's BS.

I know the Spurs did it, and it yielded good results. I'm not a Spurs fan.

[RocketForever]

If the Rockets ever tank a season, I'm going to stop supporting them them, flat out, until the entire front office is replaced. If 9th in the West is the highest they can possibly get, they had better scratch and claw their way to that 9 spot, and miss the playoffs with their heads held high.

No team at any level should ever tank a season. That's BS.

I know the Spurs did it, and it yielded good results. I'm not a Spurs fan.

Only idiots would want the team to start tanking this early in the season. These fools give up without giving it a fight.