Obviously I am still excited about this season, we can take the warriors. But I tell you what: acquire George Hill and this team becomes a juggernaut next year.
just to be clear, I don't think any of us can call Les cheap after this season. According to BB-reference the Rockets only trail Portland and Brooklyn as the team with the highest amount of salary obligations for the 14/15 season. The Rockets used every financial option they had to improve the team, bi-annual exception, MLE, etc... The team is currently about ~11 mil over the salary cap, they are hard capped at the apron and had nothing left to offer but minimum wage contracts at the end of the season. Until the Rockets deal with their own free agents (renounce them, re-sign them, someone else sign them) they will start the summer about about ~17 mil over the salary cap. depending on how much they value their own free agents, the only two they are in any danger of losing are Josh Smith & KJ McDaniels. However, they can use the MLE to match any offer McDaniels receives or add additional money to what Josh Smith can get from the team. Using the MLE to sign players can be tricky when a team is operating so far beyond the salary cap as the Rockets. If a team uses too much of the MLE they will activate the hard cap. Because Daryl Morey has always been smart enough to find ways to keep the Rockets below the tax threshold (officially) some people mistake that for Les being cheap. Most people forget to count the dead money that is not counted against the cap, such as the money they Rockets are still paying Luis Scola.
I think in the right context, this is a worthy conversation. I've considered starting one but haven't since I already know it would turn into McHale bashing. I personally think he is a good coach but is he the right option to take the Rockets to the next step? I don't know. There was a lot written about Bill Fitch and if he was the right coach to advance the Rockets to the next step after the 86 finals loss.
I apologize boys. Looks like the Rockets are so excited for next year they've decided to skip the remainder of this one.
The Rockets are 0-1 all-time in games following this thread made by SamFisher. Just disgraceful that one poster would ruin an entire basketball franchise in this way. Think of the children.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/preYt4ux9sE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Imagine Bev hounding Curry and Dmo doing what TJones isn't. Not to mention, Dmo was white hot from 3 at one point. If we keep our core and some of our bench guys, and Harden only getting better by the year, trading Jones or somebody for pieces we truly need, I can truly see us having our best year next year barring injuries.
Seriously, Howard is a big tactic hole of this team. We need players like Green not ISO Post whatsoever Howard.
Les Alexander has always spent the money. It's pathetic to read the ballsack-washers of Morey try to deflect any blame on Les. Alexander has been an elite owner for the Rockets his entire time here. And regarding OP's nonsensical "analysis" of GSW, it is mind-numbingly ignorant. Given Dwight's issues with staying healthy, one can argue GSW has advantages across the floor over the Rockets.
What's wrong with K-pap? I'm out of state and have seen more Rocket playoff games this year than regular season games, but the regular season games I saw included this young kid just over from Europe. He seemed to bring a nice well-rounded game with high energy to the floor. No evidence of him in the playoffs. What's the story there?
McHale happened, that's why. McHale and his stubborn rotations. Start of the year, Papa was playing well for a rookie, except for his inconsistent 3pt shot. He helped us in some games. Then he had a nasty knee sprain. Out for several weeks. While he was out, we acquired Brewer and Smith. He was out of the rotation permanently. A sprain during practice further derailed his playing time. We wanted McHale to use him vs LAC when TJones was playing badly, but Capela and Johnson have played more minutes in the playoffs. Salary cap issues--we don't see how we can keep him. We'll probably trade him to another team where he will blow up. Story of the Rockets.
I feel like there should be some solid talent at 18th overall. Hoping we can land a real starting PG.
I doubt we keep him mainly because his contract is a nonguarnateed trade chip. Will probably use it to acquire a player via sign+trade.
Did that same "story of the rockets" lead to a 2 seed and WCF appearance? Sometimes I don't know wtf some of yall are b****ing about.
Let's be real LA kicked our ass in that series they just slept on us in game 6 and got too relaxed. We were not the better team
