That isn't the case in the NBA. Under Morey (since 2007), the Rockets have never had a season under .500.... it is very difficult to rebuild without really lean years that allow for higher lottery picks.
Morey did what every single GM would have done. He kept a young team that made the WCF and added more talent to it.
DD, do you seriously believe that McHale was a "Morey hire?" I think it has Alexander's fingerprints all over it. Les revels in superstars. He expects his GM to bring them to Houston and win championships. Fair enough, but Les also revels in former superstars who enjoy talking about the old days and sucking up to him. How else can Clyde still doing broadcasts be explained? I think McHale bowled Les over in the interview and Alexander decided that he was "the guy," not Morey, who didn't fight it because Les signs his paychecks. So blame Daryl for a lot of things, but blame Les for McHale, in my humble opinion. So I'm both agreeing and disagreeing with you, DD. Les is the Decider, but Morey wasn't the guy would really wanted McHale. In my opinion. Gotta add, however, that I think the idea of the players "quitting on Morey" is absurd. Players sometimes quit on their coaches, and sometimes quit on their teammates, but quitting on their GM? That's something agents might do, but the players? Perhaps that sort of thing comes up in conversations with their agent during the off-season, but now? I just don't see it.
I pretty much agree... Morey built a helluva team on paper... we were all giddy before the season... I sprang for the NBA League pass, bought tix and airfare to Dallas game from Vegas... it looked like this was potentially a championship year.... Who could have anticipated Harden turning into a lazy, self absorbed, self entitled prima donna who would drag down the morale and work ethic of the whole team... Even the coaching aspect... never was a McHale fan... but he did get us to the WCF - where Hard-on turned into a turnover machine to end our season... No, Morey is not to blame - he did what appeared to be a great job! but, now it is his job to fix this 'problem'... and the solutions are either hire a coach that can hold people accountable (esp Hard-on) or get guys with stronger work ethic, passion and pride...
If you think that way, I want to ask you: Do you think Morey was against McHale? I think he was cool with the decision.
This one is on the players. Morey needs to identify the keepers: Harden, Capella, Motiejunas. Maybe Beverley as well. And then start looking to retool everything around those 3/4.
IMO it's not a Morey issue whatsoever. There are personal things going on with these guys. Not between them, but in their lives. And if someone's gonna argue that Morey should have seen that coming or should have hired a coach who is a psychiatrist, I'd say that's dumb.
Depends on the standard for "irate" but you certainly weren't the only one upset. http://rockets.clutchfans.net/9002/josh-smith-not-returning-houston-signs-with-clippers/ I can't blame Morey for doing something I agreed with fully at the time, so what I said in the last podcast was there were two mistakes from my view -- first, not keeping Josh Smith. I thought for sure they would trade TJones this past summer and keep Smith... seemed to have Morey written all over it. I agree it looks like they may have botched the handling of that, though I don't know 100% for sure. But keep in mind, Smoove was unrestricted... ultimately it was his decision and he opted to take half the money to go to LA. I really think both parties lost here. Second was taking Dekker in the draft. Dekker wasn't a need at the time (and yes, I know the Rockets never go need and always go BPA, BimaThug ). But on a BPA standard, you took a guy with a back issue -- likely zero contribution this year. I eventually bought in but I wanted Bobby Portis. In fairness however, the Rockets did get Montrezl Harrell later and I have hopes for him. You're going to make some mistakes in the draft... just got to make sure you hit on others.
I think he would gone in a different direction had the decision been left up to him. That doesn't mean that he fought it, and certainly doesn't mean that he didn't like McHale. I think when Alexander made his preference plain, Morey went along with his boss and didn't lose sleep over it. Heck, I'm sure Daryl liked/likes McHale. He's an easy guy to like out of a Celtics uniform.
Additionally, the only things I would have done differently.. retain JSmoove - even if it meant gambling and losing KJ... and I would have dished TJones/picks for a more soid rebounder... but maybe the market wasn't there...idk..
nothing against KJ... I wouldve hoped to retain both - and I think we could have.. it just wouldve been a gamble on what offers KJ got... Dont underestimate JSmoove... he was one of the only guys that was feeding D12 last year... add his lobs to the mix this year... maybe D12 isnt so frustrated and performs at a higher level...
I agree here. I called Dekker a certified scrub as soon as we drafted him and a blown 18th pick. No two ways about it. This guy doesn't have a single skill set that will translate well at the NBA level. BTW, have you heard anything about Lawson? Why is he just not the Lawson of the past? Is it trade rumors? Lack of confidence? Playing with Harden? Something is not right with him.
What's done cannot be reversed. We could say we got the maximum out of the McHale gig here. He just was not a championship caliber coach, just a HOF player. If they somehow had the hunch before his appointment can they take the blame for this? Obviously no, Alexander is the boss and he can waste all his money and time. I think Alexander wants what is best for the city and the fans no doubt but his ineptitude whatever that is, is impeding the Rockets to get high draft picks, do whatever is necessary to explore every other options there are to build a top notch contender again. That should be a concern to us and many fans out there. A lot of fans here are worried about their organization and are not dumb to understand what is going on in the field of basketball. (Result attendance number will further decline) We will see but this just reeks of a conundrum which is partly proposed by the guys responsible.
If the problems were shooting slumps or chemistry or something like that... I'd say give 'em time to gel... but after 25+ years of managing people, when the problems are lack of desire, laziness, self entitlement... you gotta make a change... I wish it weren't the case... but it is what it is... make a change or keep coveting fools gold...
This feel like 05-06. A team that had some success the season before was brought back with one shiny new addition (Lawson now and Stromile Swift then) and neither the new guy not the returning guys look quite right. Don't think the decision was necessarily unreasonable, but even reasonable decisions don't work out sometimes.
