If the Rockets go full tank, then you gotta expect a launch. no Tank and I would expect they remain on the launching pad. So then what do you do...
I started to think you were onto something , then .... I wondered how exactly are they going to fix it in the summer ?! Cap space alone isn't going to get it done. Dwert walks .... You don't replace him even with his ineptitude on the offensive end. T_ones .... are you gonna resign him ? I sure hope not. Lawson .... He better not be here next year , you coulda gotten a second rounder or something for his corpse instead of ..... Nothing. Terry .... He coulda gone and helped a contender and you coulda gotten something in exchange. Maybe you could have given away one or more of the above for someone to take Brewers contract off your hands. That's better than .... Nothing.
We need to make the playoffs to continue Harden's growth and reduce the amount of time he can get fat over the summer.
Actually, given that he'll be logging extra miles in the Olympics (and getting into shape doing so), this would be an excellent summer for James Harden to have off from the playoffs.
I've come around on the tanking question. Clutch's brief article on the Lawson bust helped swing me around. http://rockets.clutchfans.net/9552/rockets-waive-ty-lawson/ I guess I'm ready to join the tank brigade.
Who would have thought, the Rockets might be the only HOUSTON team to NOT make the playoffs this year.....
I'd go full throttle on tanking this season with shutting down Harden and Howard to keep that 1st round pick as a potential trade chip. This team will get smoked by the Warriors and the Spurs if they end up as the 7th or 8th seed. The DMO voided trade really hurt the franchise.
Yep. And Ariza, if anything comes up. Play Capela, Dekker, Harrel, and KJMD to find out what is there.
I'm getting old. Should at least grind it out while we have the likes of Howard and Ariza still on this team.
Logically I'd say tank for the pick, but part of my feels that missing the playoffs would be tough to recover from. That would be a complete disaster, everyone would be on the hot seat, morale would be terrible, it would be a mess to an already miserable season. With D-Mo back, I say grind it out and try to make a run. Far-fetched we win anything this year, but if we could end season with a 6 seed and play a hard fought playoff series against OKC I wouldn't see the year as a complete disaster. I can't see any FA's wanting to come here if we can't beat out Utah for an 8th seed.
They already are, it just wasn't planned! Could work for the Rockets future, although Morey's future may be in jeopardy. I honestly, believe Morey thought we would have 2 lottery picks to trade to either move up in the draft or to get a talented player on a rookie contract
Morey clearly had designs on that first rounder Detroit backed out on, probably to grease a trade somewhere. Play some of the young guys who deserve it. Sure we might lose, but what are we doing, anyway? Tank or playoffs? A playoffs in which we get de-pantsed, bent over and cornholed (think Tim Robbins, "Shawshank Redemption") by San Antonio or Golden State (while their bench guys play spectator, laughing and waiting for their turn? "Me next, me next! I want Harden!") Hell, for various reasons, half our players have quit on us already---we're not going anywhere, we've fallen so short of pre-season expectations, guys not getting playing time they deserve (McDaniels, Harrell) while JBB's boy (Corey "I'm Still Smilin' Like This :grin:" Brewer) continue to show us that young kids can dream....because even THIS guy can get 8 million dollars a year!!! Get the pick back.
You mean to say we haven't intentionally been tanking? SMH! I really hope more minutes are given to the likes of KJ, Harrel and we start seeing some Dekker. Let's see what these kids can do and make decisions on them end of season. End of season is time to clean house starting with the coach. Build a team that can match the style of GSW.
Keep the pick, even if it turns out to be a bust or someone they trade 2 1/2 years from now. Playoffs? What good is that? Giving up a first rounder for a guy not even worth the dog **** on my shoes? More practices? They don't practice. More time together? They don't like being/playing together. "Playoffs will be a good experience for the young guys on the team" — Except this is a veteran team, which makes it all the more disappointing/discouraging.