I agree, Ibaka is also declining, that's why also a lot of Thunder fans want to trade him (some of them also say that he's probably older than stated). Anyway, he's a great shot blocker, good defender but that's it, Horford is a better rebounder, smarter defender, and on offense they're just on two different levels, Ibaka is basically Beverley in 6'10 body, if he's free he can make a jumper, but he can't post up, he can't pass, no court vision.
You are going on the assumption that he still believes that coaching doesn't matter and that he didn't learn anything from JBB being the worst interim head coach in NBA history. I would argue that his statements about how seriously they are taking the head coaching search suggest that he's learned his lesson. Pointing out that the Rockets hired a bad head coach last time doesn't make it logical that they'll certainly make that mistake again. I blame them for being emotional rather than logical, but I certainly understand why they are being emotional. Thinking logically, the team is in a pretty solid spot right now.
I think its a pipe dream to land Durant. Morey is having yall eat up this fantasy. Durant wants a legit coach to play for. No coach is available right now of that caliber.
I agree. Barring an absolute miracle, the Rockets are going to require a slow and methodical rebuild to the reputation of the franchise and the roster itself. I would caution anybody to temper themselves if they think that is going to be fixed over the span of a summer. But hey...I'd love to be wrong. Just doubt it.
I never thought ill say this but bobbythegreat is right . But it depends what coach comes at the end for me .
Durant ain't coming here. Neither is Horford. It would be great if we somehow convinced one or both to sign with the Rockets, but we're likely looking at a multiyear rebuilding project.
If you choose to ignore the fact that past coaches, people around the league, and journalists (even within the rockets org.) have cited repeatedly that the conflict b/w GM and coaching territory has been an issue and coaches don't want to puppets---then sure it would make zero sense to think that rockets would follow a pattern they have fanatically invested in. The very idea of getting a coach you are speaking of automatically implies that Morey will have to take his foot out of coaching and offense dictation. Coaches, good ones especially have a problem with being puppeted. There is a reason Mchale was hired after a HOF coach was let go. If you think it's logical to assume that the rockets are in a "solid position" you must not understand the meaning of logic. What you are citing is blind optimism and using that bias to fantasize about what could happen. Rather than look at reality and predict the sequence of events, you are looking at the end game of Durant et al coming here and building the steps you believe will happen to fit that narrative. That is not logical thinking. Tipjar bet? The rockets will not sign any name recognition FAs at an ideal price, and they will not sign Durant at all---aside from a meeting customary to everybody they won't have any real chance like they think they do. They have a small chance at Horford or another non all-star if they overpay him much above market value. The coach the rockets will sign will not be one that is free to do what he wants on the court, he will be along the lines of a McHale. That is what will happen. We can keep going back and forth or settle this by revisiting this dilemma in the form of a bet that will help the site out as well.
I don't agree with this JR, the Thunder aren't a great team, in fact i think they've a similar roster to the Rockets, they just have two superstars, which helps a lot, especially in regular season. But the rest is just "meh". We have the chance to assemble a better team overall than this Thunder. That said, you may be right, but we should not forget that the Warriors two years ago were basically an identical team than the Rockets last year. If you manage to gather the right mix of players, then you just need a bit of time and chemistry to reach higher levels. Nobody (me at least) thinks that you pick up a couple of player and you're automatically going to win the championship (which is possible btw), but between this scenario and the one that some guys are suggesting (sign Ryan Anderson, Afflalo etc...) which is the better one for you? I think we can all agree that at the end we just want to see our team in the best position possible...
What you seem to be missing here is that I'm not saying it WILL happen, I'm saying it MIGHT happen while you are flatly saying it won't happen because you still have a rain cloud over your head due to the poor outcome of the season this year. Going back and forth won't change anything, but I think in time you'll come around and see things without the bias of emotion.
I'm not saying I will win the lottery tomorrow, but I'm saying it might happen. That analogy is more along the lines of the chances of each situation taking place. The point being, I will not rely on the lottery to dictate any sort of plans I have in place. For the rockets it will mean focusing on a complete rebuilt just as count just pointed out. Hoping that a big named FA will sign with us and squandering last minute to overpay someone like Ariza (like we did in 09') isn't going to solve any problem. Acknowledge that Howard and Harden didn't work out, move on and invest in some sub winning seasons. I don't understand how that doesn't sound optimistic to you. It's remaining optimistic in the face of a reality that is less than favorable at best. If you don't acknowledge the problems and steer the ship in the right direction, it's ignorance.
Bobby, I forgot to point out that I think it is you relying on emotion as opposed to me. Here's what you've said. "Lets focus and start from the point of contention that Durant might come here and we'll do a complete rebuild in one off season" Even you'll acknowledge that is a pipe dream and wishful fandom talking. I'm saying: "It didn't work out, lets clear the table, focus on the issues and rebuild." Realistically, which seems more applicable? Fixing everything in an off season or approaching the issue by saying, "hey we struck out, but lets move on and make sure we don't repeat the mistakes of the past"----
Yup, but it's also a basic roster argument, the Thunder have KD and Wes, Ibaka which is a good, really good role player, but that's it... - Kanter is a one way player, ballhog, worst defender in the league, soft and overpaid - Waiters is a great Spoiler chucker - Collison is done - Foye is playing really bad - Singler is Steve Novak but not as good in shooting - Adams is a garbage man, he rebounds well but he's on the court cause he's good in frustrate opponents and give some cheap shots. - Roberson is a decent defender who can't score to save his life If we can bring in Durant and Horford keeping some of our actual players, we'll be definitely better than this Thunder roster...again, for what is worth, but yeah...
I think you'll come around, but just to make sure, a friendly tipjar bet that helps this site out sounds fair to hold both of us accountable. I'll be more than happy to be wrong and contribute.
It's not emotional looking at Durant's options and pointing out the obvious fact that the Rockets have one of the better offers for him, it's emotional ignoring that and saying "It won't happen" based on nothing other than being upset with the franchise over the season not ending the way you want it to. Look at Durant's options, tell me all the places that are better places he can have a shot at winning AND be "the guy". That's looking at things logically.
I don't think you understand what a logical thought process is. By saying this you offered no counter as to why he would leave the team he currently has a shot of winning a title in, is the "the guy"---actually the all-time franchise guy----to go to a team with an uncertain future HC, uncertain system, uncertain roster, and 2 playoff series wins, one that primarily stemmed from benching its best players in a pivotal game---which also can't be blamed on much since the same personnel barely made the post season and got embarrassed by a team without its best player. Those are the facts. That is the reality. That is what happened. What you are relying on to make an "educated assumption"---are assumptions. "He wants to be more of the guy---he has no shot at winning there." Claims that rely on getting insight into a guy that has relayed nothing of the sort and a team that has far more playoff success than the rockets. If we were to follow your flawed logical thought process, he'd have a better chance of it at Dallas (had Cuban not ticked him off), they did better even with Parsons injured and they have a real coach. You have to abandon thinking of this from the POV of a fan and think about it from an outsider with incentives to come here. When you do, you'll realize that apart from your own ties to the team, your claim is completely baseless and illogical. Its best to think of things with a clear head. Every team has to do a complete rebuild at some point, you gotta stay optimistic and stick with it though.
With a good coach we'd be ahead of the Thunder for sure. Donovan is not impressive at all as an NBA coach. Now, who that "good coach" would be is the hard part.
There is certainly nothing appealing about playing for the Rockets. Literally its only Harden here but even he doesnt rub you off of someone who is a great teammate.
He knows he doesn't really have a chance to win in OKC, they'll get crushed by San Antonio this season and if he chooses to stay, they'll have one more season of the same thing before Westbrook leaves for a major market and the Thunder are in a full blown rebuild from scratch. He'd be going to a team where he had some say in the future HC, some say in the system, a roster that is certain to have James Harden on it for the rest of Durant's prime and is certain to be able to offer a 2nd max contract to another FA, a team that makes the playoffs even without him....something you can't say about OKC. When you talk about benching players and whatnot, that's talking about a coaching staff that's no longer with the team so it's not relevant to the team he'd be coming to. Those are the facts, that is the reality. What is happening, what is reality is that the Thunder are getting crushed by the Spurs, similar to how the Rockets got crushed by the Warriors.....which is why he knows he has no real shot of winning in OKC in the potential one more season before Westbrook leaves. The fact that you think he'd have a better chance of winning in Dallas shows that you aren't thinking very clearly. I'm not thinking about this from the POV of a fan, I'm thinking about it from the perspective of Durant. He knows he's not going to win anything in OKC and his prime is quickly running out. He's got only a few years left where he can be "the guy" on a championship team and he's gotta know that. If you go down the list of other potential teams and think about what they can offer and then do the same for the Rockets, you'll realize that the Rockets have one of the better offers out there....if you do it right and without bias based on sadness over how the last season turned out. If he signed on with a team like the Spurs or Warriors, he's just riding coat-tails, if he doesn't mind not being "the guy" then those are his best options. If he wants to be "the guy" then the Rockets are one of the only teams that can offer him that plus a legitimate chance to win. If you disagree, feel free to point out teams that can offer him more and I'll listen.
Why would Durant want his own HC and his own system? He wants a proven organization already. Not one who will just do what he wants. He has experienced that already with OkC. Stop the wishful thinking. Durant has no time for games, for teams that do not know what the hell they are doing. He wants to join a team that does know. Its not his job to deal with management.
