[rQUOTEr]Leslie L. Alexander Houston Rockets Owner Houston - I am extremely anxious to see the Rockets play this season. For eight years I have wanted to move to a running style of play. If you play good defense and run consistently you are tough to beat as your edge in easy baskets is difficult for the opposition to overcome. The basketball staff this year from the first day of training camp will put in place a top notch running game. It will be exciting to see the new players in the system, starting with Trevor Ariza. Daryl Morey and his staff believe Trevor has a good chance to take a significant step forward in his level of play and will thrive in a running style. Chase Buddinger, Jermaine Taylor, and David Andersen all should fit in nicely and we will see who emerges as a valuable player. Everything we do is with an effort to bring another championship to the fans of Houston.[/rQUOTEr] So basically in the past 8 years, a.k.a. Yao era, the team has been playing a style not wanted by their owner?? It seems to me that the boss thinks Yao is the obvious reason hindering the progress of the team (to play his favourite style). Nothing wrong to think this way though. Interesting part is if the team really that obsessed to running style games, the Amare deal was too good to reject. I agree that Adelman's system was not meant for players like Yao. Yao should be traded when he returns healthy. And that's the only win-win situation for both parties. Disclaimer: I am a Y-O-F. http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Note_from_the_owner_Les_Alexa-313498-34.html
First off a healthy Yao supersedes any offense. A good coach will adapt to him (as Adelman has). And yes Les has been saying this for awhile. Bless Les' heart, he puts up the money and makes the moves, he does his best to keep us contending, but he just doesn't know much basketball. So don't put too much into anything he says basketball-wise.
Interesting part is if the team really that obsessed to running style games, the Amare deal was too good to reject. What Amar'e deal? I have seen the words but I have never seen the deal.
But don't you think a healthy Yao could get certain great players who not only better fit into Adelman's system but also contributes more to the team? Honestly I think the best of Coach Adelman's basketball has never been fully exposed in his Rockets days, the previous Kings team has played better basketball than 08 and 09 Rockets.
They had a deadly outside shooter and a real point guard. I'd like to see Yao with those tools for once his life.
faster paced games are more entertaining --> which means more revenue. The Suns were so popular with their run, even though they got exposed in the playoffs.
I don't understand why he hired JVG, if he was just going to fire him for not playing a running style. JVG had no chance with Les.
It doesn't matter what he says as long as he lets Morey and Adelman make all the decisions. And on that score, he's been a great owner (unlike, say, Dreighton).
Are you being sarcastic? If not, I think your smear doesn't have a lot of weight behind it. In truth, Les has done all he can to win Championships, and he backs that up with his own $$$, unlike many owners who are content to simply soak up TV revenue and keep their payroll to a minimum. Granted, his comment can be interpreted in a negative way, but I think the man deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Say what one will about Owner Alexander, he has been a committed owner and one lousy communicator. Which would the BBS prefer?
The one constant during the past 8 years of midling success has been the presence of Yao. All other players have come and gone. Oh, wait: Constant #2, players who can't get him the ball for one reason or another. The thing is: EITHER Get one hell of a point guard who can get the ball to Yao OR Trade Yao for a more mobile, albeit less dominant center An option shouldn't be, Keep Yao because we like him and love the revenue he brings us. When healthy, Yao can kick A, and he loves the game, but is easy to game-plan for. Front him and take him out of the game. Beat him up; the refs won't call it anyway. I wouldn't want to see Yao go, and Les won't give up his cash cow anyway, so I have no worries there, but again, the two constants on this team: 1) Yao; 2) players who can't get him the ball (or who try, and he fails to get the ball when the refs allow defenders to mug him down the floor).
The Lakers won rings with Kareem, and his plodding half court game......Yao can play on a running team, he can be our Kareem. All of this reads like subtle messages to Tmac to me....... DD
That's a fair point. Les seems to either not know what he's saying when he makes this statement or, as was suggested, he's a douche. It's almost like he wanted to pre-emptively put a positive spin on what were about to see out of traning camp, but he got it twisted.
let's just wait and see how many games this new "running" system will win before we decide it is so much better than before. "running" teams don't fare well in playoffs. the history shows that. also they have a small window to work within. legs go very quickly. suns are proof of that. those guys ran hard for a short period of time. now they are a little bit better than average team. can't win big. in my opinion les is too easily swayed by the hype. one year he's one way....the next year another. i don't think you can win big by changing your system just like that. back in the old days when the rockets won big...they had been true to their system for many years before it resulted in a championship. many thought it wouldn't come. but then it came together. i think we are screwed. maybe 30 wins this season. adelman will be exposed and lack of a solid system will frustrate Les. quick fire next summer
JVG was often seen waving his arms to run. the guy with the ball in his hands most often (tmac) was too lazy to do so. '05 against the mavs; that was a pretty good running team. if only they had a real pg, and players who could finish a fast break better than wesley, bowen, and padgett.
