Presti

Mainly observing the implicit expectations and trust fans have on Murray. Don't really give much thought to Presti...I guess he's on dbag ainge's level in strategy. Looking at the last five years, he doesn't have Danny's scruples or freedom of control so I don't think he's a monster to be feared.

Anyways, some children here like to think Murray is triple chinned and useless, but if it were a franchise like the Knicks this would be a desirable short term move with the cynical fans expecting the worst. The big two would be in their way out and rebuild mode would be on the table. Again, big tasks for any GM but we trust Maury to be in playoff hunt in the loaded West.

You have a point that the league prevents GM's from being stupid from selling off consecutive picks, but the worst can still happen like fluke injuries or unpredictable shitshows like what happened with the Lakers picks to the Suns for Nash.

 

Ok but giving 2 picks top 4 protected still isn't "mortgaging the future" especially for a team with championship aspirations like the Rockets. TBH I'm surprised WB's market value is so low, Presti even took back CP3's contract in exchange lol if it was me I'd work a deal with Miami first and this would just be the last and no other option resort. As bad as WB is he is still only 30 vs CP3's 34. Those 2 picks pay for themselves by extending the Rox's window of contention by at least 4 years.

 

Losing 2 "near" lotto picks during rebuild mode assumes Murry can pull out playoff contention without a sweat (while putting whiny internet fans (and owners) on mute). What if Jimmy wants to retire a Rocket? It's a first mortgage at least, but again the risk is different because of Murry.

I don't think Presti had too much leverage w/ Murry after PG demanded and received his trade. This is a "did him right" move for WB. I bet he could've extracted another pick or swindled the Knicks, but that would prob be done mid season while ******** on OKC's already salted rep as a player destination.

At least for now, the team is blameless to their fans and can try to rebuild.

If Presti can ship CP3, would make sense for his legend outside here would grow.

 

I completely disagree with everything you said, as usual.

For one, Morey has never been in the position to tank, because he at no point in his Rockets has he put them in the position to fail. Generally with the same pick range, Presti and Morey in player quality in relation to pick and pick history.

Morey's never been awful enough to grab a high lottery pick, yet Presti has managed roughly the same number championship wins with 4 "whole" superstars, 3 of which became MVPs. If any other GM in the league did that for the Rockets, even Morey, that person would be shot out of Houston on a rocketship with no travel pass to return ever.

Morey's tenure has lead the Rockets to being the most winningest team in the league, since 2006. Never winning less than 40 games. Only the Spurs, Lakers, Warriors, and the LBJ team, maybe the Celtics, name another team with a comparable record overall. Now, go ahead and name some that were able to push forward without "tanking" and "bottoming out." Gotten superstars without breaking the bank.

Coaching wise name a Thunder's coach of the quality Adelman, McHale, and D'Antoni's.

Hell, the Rockets have been more ridden with bad luck than anything, if injuries do not occur in or around in playoffs, especially 2008, 2009, 2017, and even this year.

 

If Harden wants to retire a Rocket those picks are gonna be in the late first round. His game isnt dependent on athleticism at age 34 he will still be good enough to get an 8th playoff spot.

 

What if Presti just decides to keep CP3? (Assuming CP3 is willing to play with a bunch of literal teenagers).

OKC is going to suck for the next couple of years, so why unload CP3's contract knowing you'll have to throw in picks? You're not going to get anyone good in return for the contract dump, and unless you draft the next LeBron James, no rookie is immediately going to make your team a playoff contender.

CP3 mentoring Shai while OKC sucks and drafts high for the next couple of years might not be the worst idea...

...then when CP3's contract ends, you'll have some rookies who are just now starting their sophomore years / third years in the league. Then you can make a big FA signing or 2, to pair with your young rookies.

 

Guess we can continue to let Presti draft players on our behalf...

 

Not one star, near star in the group, maybe Adams and potentially Sabonis. Are there any other perennial starters in that group.

 

Yes sir
Is morey prestis daddy?

 

Presti / cuban are more overrated than the beaver nuggets at buc ees.

Surprised people arent still trying to get damon stoudemire here

 

Nobody denies that Moreyball was not successful.......but paired with MDA it only gets you to the WCF and maybe one Finals appearance if not for the Worriers.

I would like Morey to lead the Thunder and have all those picks for himself.

That way nobody is going to compare them again.

 

Imagine if he'd been able to trade KD a few years ago? This is smart GMing. OKC like Houston can only consistently build thru the draft and second tier FAs who exceed expectations. HOU and OKC are not destinations for top tier FAs.

 

Those picks are garbage, picks from Hou and Clippers when the last time somebody picked 20+ became an allstar? Last one I remember is Draymond Green, and he was picked 7 yrs ago and only because he played with Curry and Klay.

I highly doubt OKC gets a core piece from thise picks unless they package it with their picks from tanking to get something else.

 

Garbage is an extreme description, but I get your point. They'll have flexibility supreme. They picked up six picks in two trades plus any they already owned over the next 2-3 years before the swapping possibility even arises and those are the picks that may really be the haul unless Harden and Westbrook get on Tom Brady's program.

Draft choices represent hope and someone may want some hope instead of the guy who's a player but whose next contract that team can't afford.

 

Need 3 firsts

 

Good thing we built this Rockets team through the draft.

 

Oh the irony. We give up picks to get rid of bad FA contracts. We get excited about buying second-round picks. We're only as good as we have been because Harden exceeded expectations and a few other shrewd moves by Morey, but now it is turning into his fault that we haven't been crowned.