We are not attracting them now - other than Dwight Howard every single big name free agent has turned us down. And Howard was broken anyway. I don't think the way the org does business is attractive to players, but they will come here for the money. DD
So we lost out on Carmelo who wanted to play for his hometown and we didn't have the money to match their offer any ways....Same for Bosh... LMA went to the Spurs a better winning situation. Howard was pursued by every team that had the money, including GSW.
This is absurd. No, it shouldn't affect us, why? simple, because the free agents that we are likely targeting to make us contenders are the ones that will move the needle towards that goal. For Example if we manage to keep a core of Harden, Bev, Beasley, DMO, Capela and Ariza, and we land big names like Durant and Horford along with a good coach on paper we become a contender. The big name free agents ARE the ones that turn us into contenders. Also because of the way free agency plays out one big name that agrees to sign with the Rockets could attract another one like a domino effect. Durant should be the name that the free agency follows first, once he makes his decision the rest should follow, and if for example we manage to land Durant then another big name like Horford or Conley that otherwise might not have the initial intention to come to Houston could then feel interested in joining Harden and Durant. As for our Durant chances, I dont believe we are the favorite to land him, but i dont think is far fetched either. As ugly as this season has been we do have our attractiveness, we already have a another superstar in his prime who also happens to be a very good friend of his and former teammate (together they reached Durant's only NBA final), a team that does have a decent roster that has been underachieving but with a good coach should perform better, Houston is a large market, a state with no income tax, Houston also offers him the opportunity to have a change of scenery but at the same time keep looking for that elusive championship pretty much right away especially if together with him we also land another good free agent and able vets, also his childhood friend who so far seems to have found a place to thrive in our team. Houston might not land Durant, but we do have a case, and I am sure we will at least make him think about us a bit. If we dont land big names like Durant, Conley or Horford the second or third tier free agents would come to Houston mainly for the money not for the title possibility.
Seriously, the worst thing that could happen to the Rockets would be if Dwight opts in. If he realizes that no one is going to pay him so he takes that one more season of ridiculous money then that would do more to run away prospective FA's than anything else that has or could happen.
Still can't believe anyone thought it would be good to play vs GSW, everyone could see the desaster about to unfold and us becoming the laughing stock of the media. No serious FA will consider joining this trainwreck.
Houston is the laughing stock of the playoffs and every player sees it. Harden, Dwight and beverly have bad reps with fans and the team itself is inconsistent and plays a ugly basic style of bball. If it was a FA , MONEY would be the only reason i come to Houston.
And money is no advantage when every other team also has it. I guess they could sell the no state income tax?
We can only attract guys who like their wallets more than NBA rings. So maybe this time we can get Melo... OUCH!
Go on. All of these places have their own issues, so it makes me feel better about the Rockets chances.
No other team has Harden though. Most of the teams other people will throw out don't even have a all-star. Meanwhile the Rockets have a player that the players themselves voted as MVP.
We just have to hope that Durant and Horford really wanna play together + they're ok with Harden + a coach they like is ok to sign here. I know a lot of people do not agree with this, but i really think at this point losing Dwight can actually be a plus in chasing Durant and other all stars. That said, the "making the playoffs to attract free agents" argument was always weak imo. This team will be blown up anyway AND ESPECIALLY to make room for free agents...
Money talks. With Howard's money free to spend, we'll get somebody. We sure as hell won't be getting Spurs veteran "I just want to win" discounts, though, and the brutal chemistry will be considered by guys who can get the money anywhere and still pick their favorite fit.
I think James Harden is going to cost us FA's.... who wants to play with a narcissistic stat padding aloof prima donna who won't accept accountability?
In other words a fresh start with say so in coaching and a few picks in role players surrounding set big 3 is certainly appealing.
I voted no because of what we did last year and our coaching situation. I think if we hire the right coach then this series will not matter. That is not to say we will land someone like Durant because if he wants to come here or not, I do not believe this series will be the deciding factor.
yes cuz we have a top 10 talent. thats the main reason. rockets since adelman rockets always had a winnign record. thats has to help rockets aren't the first place fa's wanna go but def not the last.
