Edit: Had to re-read your take on the organization's responsibility in the DMo saga. I haven't pushed to give Dwight a new contract, and I've acknowledged that he has had injuries. I don't think he's worth the max, but yes, I do believe he still has great value to this team. I don't know if I believe he's been used the correct way over the last few years. If you've watched Dwight, he's never been the best at being a spot-up post player. In Orlando, possibly, but he's at his best when he's moving without the ball, in a pick and roll offense. We don't do that often. I have also admitted that TJ has had a pretty terrible year. However, you CANNOT claim that he is unable to contribute at all. TJ is able to put points on the board, rebound, etc..We've seen it. You're suggesting that he's unable to do these things anymore because he's had a crappy season. I don't buy that, nor does any other player in the league who has had a bad run. Players have slumps, both long term and short. DD, with all due respect, you are constant in your DMo support, which is great. But, do you ever recognize that with all of that "love" towards DMo, you tend to lose objectivity in your analysis of our other forwards? It's like you think there's always some sort of fan debate.DMo hasn't really played this season, but you place him on too high of a pedestal. TJ HAS played this year, although not well, but you devalue him completely. I agree that TJ isn't the BEST fit here, just like everyone else, but I'd rather be objective and recognize what TJ can do, like what we've seen him do, rather than dismiss him altogether because of his current stats. And, before it turns into it, I'm not on ANY side of the fan-created TJ/DMo debate. I like both guys on our roster equally. I'm going to agree to disagree with you about Josh Smith. You can TRY and claim that he is a "terrible" NBA player or say he's just useful as Dwight's "Dawg" (Really ?), but his personal stats don't lie. You can go as far back as ATL or take a quick look at what he did with us last season. Again, you're basing your analysis on a season, or in Josh's case, a set of games. Morey disagrees with you about Josh and so would the majority of talent scouts , and heck, players in this league. Smith is a proven vet. Even at his age, he is still a valuable asset on the court. I can go all day into how, but we both know that you're unable to be objective about the talent in our front court. You may dislike his shot selection, but I don't think you have considered Josh's defense or underrated passing. When it comes down to it, the Rockets need stability and that's why they brought Josh back. He can hold down the paint, score in the post and defend. It may not be at a level of his past, but it's still effective. Has he lost a step? Sure. Players do that when they age. I don't know what your point was there. You and I have lost a damn step in age, or in my case, health. I don't understand how you want to put DMo in such a powerful role, or have the organization "pull its head out of it's collective asses" for an unproven, injured young player. Talent and potential are great. When the Rockets have found guys with immense talent or potential, all of us have rejoiced. However, a player can have ALL THE TALENT in the world, but if he can't play due to injuries, or if the team is in a "win-now" mode, there isn't always time to wait around for that "talent" and potential to come to fruition. Personally, I want DMo to do well. I think he is talented, but you can't invest in a guy with a long-term injury or just HOPE it all works out. It hasn't all worked out for DMo, unfortunately. You could even look at the earlier injury to Pat Bev. Luckily, DM signed a guy named Jason Terry to step up for him. Jason isn't the killer he used to be, but IIRC, he can still play at a reasonably high level, take care of the ball, defend and score on occasion. That's why a GM looks for a mixture of young guns and vets in cases like these. TJ and Josh may not be your preference, but they can both play from a talent standpoint, regardless of if you think they're not "fits" for the team or just here as Dwight's groupie. I hope DMo pans out, but even as a Rockets fan, I want the best possible outcome for the team. If that's without DMo, fine. If that's without TJ, fine. If that's without JSmoov, alright then. If you're objective, each player has strengths and weaknesses. We may have flaws on this roster, but I don't see any individual trash.
I am all about DMO returning and making an impact but the argument to start him is not smart. I have no doubt he would lubricate the offense and help to provide more spacing. I also have no doubt that the bench would continue to struggle to score. I agree with Cod about Smith needing to work his way into playing shape? What do you think happened to his commitment level in LA when he figured out he wasn't part of the rotation? I just mean that he didn't play in games and probably didn't practice that hard. I expect Smith to improve over the last 20 games and take the starting PF gig. It disturbs me to think that he could have just been in that role all year and we would be better off record wise. Give DMO 20 minutes a game for the next 15 games and see what happens.
I agree that Dmo should come off the bench because that allows Harden to rest if they feature Dmo on offense with the 2nd unit. The thing with Smoove is that he looks hurt. I've noticed him limping that last 3 games. Almost dragging his left leg on some plays.
We are just not going to agree Codman - I think the org is scared of DMo's situation which I know can be managed - and they will continually flip looking to land that 3rd superstar instead of finding our own Draymond LIKE player a guy who because of the setup fits perfectly....Parsons was that guy, DMo is now. TJones - is not a fit, I like the guy, but he has to score off the bounce, he is not a catch and shoot player so will never fit with Harden. Josh Smith is terrible - he is a good chemistry fit, but a terrible NBA player, you are right the numbers don't lie, look em up... The Rockets org, has proven time and time again, they are swinging for the fences, and I believe that is 100% the WRONG thing to do, to go all in every year on players that 31 other teams will chase. We have a star in Harden, we need to build around him....keep Howard for a lesser contract, resign DMo now that his value has been crunched (Maybe a QO year) and build with players who move off the ball, pass and can shoot - and play smart high IQ defense. And Cod - it is not about my love of DMo it is my understanding of how the players fit around our one superstar in Harden, Dmo is the ONLY one whose skillset fits perfectly, followed by Capela, Harrell, Smith and Tjones. I don't want to give up on this year, I think they can pull it together - but they need that 2nd creator that makes everyone better and someone you can go to in a pinch...which is ONLY Dmo. DD
I wouldn't start him right away, but if he's healthy, DMo is BY FAR the best PF on the roster. Smith is pretty bad right now and sure, we can hold out hope that he'll get better than he's been all season but really even if he returns to being what he was last season, he's best off the bench. The better question when it comes to the PF spot is if you play Smith or Harrell. Right now, Harrell brings more to the table than Smith has and I'm not certain that'll change any time soon.
Agree with not starting him right away, but if he is your best, you play him, regardless of how much the other players like their "DAWG" in Smoov. Play him until he drops, find out if his back can hold up, so you make an informed decision on his RFA this summer. Otherwise you are kicking the can down the road once again. DD
I believe starting DMo is bad, because he gonna suck big time in the nearest future, because of all the circumstances. But I think he'll suck even more off the bench, because in starting lineup he'd have lesser role than off the bench. He needs a lesser role right now, to get back slowly.
He was fine in the D-league, played 20+mpg there shot 52% overall and 47% from 3pt range. If he comes off the bench fine, but he HAS to play with Harden to relieve the creative pressure that Harden has.... DD
If Donuts truly is healthy at some point in the hopefully not too distant future, I certainly agree with you. The problem is that he's got a long way to go, regardless of DD's optimism. DMo can't be ready to play starter minutes. Heck, we'll be lucky to get a few good minutes from him here and there until he's truly in NBA shape, and that's assuming that he's well on the road to recovery from serious back surgery. Donuts isn't Smith, who's not in the shape he should be in, thanks to being parked on the bench with the Clippers, but is at least healthy. I lean towards Codman's take about our 4's a few posts earlier in response to DD. My fingers are crossed and this is my opinion, naturally.
If they play DMo 6 minutes again I'm writing an angry letter to the US embassy, demanding an explanation.
Play the guy you think is the "ONLY" creator behind Harden until he drops? That doesn't make sense from a player, team and organizational standpoint. Do you think DMo's crew would allow that to happen? As a matter of fact, do you think any GM would risk a player's future just to make a summer decision? If DMo is this "superstar" or "superstar role player" that you believe, I don't know why you would you support playing him into the ground and possibly aggravating his back. We'll definitely have to agree to disagree there. When I read your quote, I thought of my college athletes. Although they are not considered professional players yet, if I treated their day-to-day tweaks/injuries with that mindset, their basketball ambitions could be destroyed, but more importantly, it would be completely selfish and disrespectful of me. DMo is a young 25 with minimal mileage. If you want him to have a career, you approach his injuries with caution and consider both the present situation and HIS future. With DMo possibly being in the Rockets' future plans, I'm grateful to have forwards like TJ, Josh and even Clint to play the 4/5 spot until he's ready to go. Again, that's why a GM mixes vets and developing players, especially as a response to long-term injuries. We can disagree about stats all day or value Josh as Dwight's "Dawg" (You know you're damn ridiculous for that lol ...your analysis of his stats/skill set is questionable), but you don't risk the career or further injuries for any player on your team. EDIT: DD---your posts about the Rockets front office read as Mel Gibson in "Conspiracy Theory." Honestly, do you think they're hiding something about DMo's health? I don't think you truly mean that they're "swinging for the fences." Do you really think someone is impeding individual player development or team success for some outside reason? ...Again, I think your judgments/theories come from a place of frustration and disappointment with the season and that one of YOUR favorite players has had some setbacks and was temporarily traded. Is that possible?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Guess who's back with the brand new back <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pursuit?src=hash">#Pursuit</a> Skrisim.... <a href="https://t.co/2EamxiePaE">pic.twitter.com/2EamxiePaE</a></p>— Donatas Motiejunas (@DonatasMot) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonatasMot/status/703650055476092928">February 27, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
You don't play a PF who sucks (Smith) just because you are worried about the future of a kid who is about to be a free agent. You do what is best for the team and unless Smith gets a LOT better, what's best for the team is him and the poor man's version of him (Jones) never leaving the bench outside of garbage time.
DMo calling out a Lithuanian girl band -- we might have to start a DMo's New Girlfriend Thread soon <iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Avq5-nhjfTs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I agree. You do what's best for the team. That's bringing back DMo slowly and in the right moments, until he's ready to go for longer periods of time and for consecutive games. If he's ready to rock, great! If he needs time, that works, too. Again, I'm not part of this fan-created TJ vs. DMo thing. I just want the Rockets to win, regardless of who starts and finishes. I disagree that Josh "sucks," and I don't necessarily think TJ is a "poor man's version" of him either. None of our forwards "suck." I think that's how middle school players describe the opposition. Josh wouldn't be here if he just "sucked" (I'll use your preferred word) It's known that he can still play at a high level, as he's done for his entire career. A bad stint with the Clippers doesn't mean he is a rotten apple. He's playing back into his game, just like players do when a situation doesn't work out for whatever reason.
Dang, does Lithuania have a mail order bride system?:grin: But on a serious note, I dont know if its been said about the DMo trade failing but there is a silver lining in the aftermath of it all; Hopefully he comes back healthy and the voided trade scares other teams off for his restricted offseason so we can sign him back on a reasonable contract. Maybe maurney planned it out all along and leaked a failed physical to the league so Detroit would void and deter other teams from even attempting. Who knows, but thats the theory Im gonna go with. D-Mo bout to show the world hes on 2014 D-Mos level.
Fair enough, we'll just have to agree to disagree. If JBB doesn't bench Smith and Jones and switch to playing Harrell or no PF then the Rockets don't come back against the Blazers. The Rockets were worse every time Smith or Jones stepped foot on the court. They are close to unplayable and I don't see how anyone could suggest otherwise even if they were fans.
If I disagree with your assessment with our PF situation, it doesn't mean that I'm incorrect. It just means that we have different opinions. It's okay to disagree without throwing around the snide fandom remarks.
This video is so boring but I had to agree that its still better than any of the Rockets game this season for entertaining purpose.
