Are we building to compete for the title next season?

Don't think we are done making moves. If we are, then Harden is gone after this year. They WILL make moves

 

He won't leave a situation where he can play with Dekker and Brewer.

 

I think the Rockets could be really good if they acquire Mike Conley, Evan Fournier and a legit Center. Fournier's price tag is steep though.

 

I'd actually be ok with that. It would mean we were going for ping pong balls. I'd much rather that than wear out Harden only to wind up with the 14th pick again.

 

How about there's no way we get Durant, our roster is one of the worst in the league and we will strike out with evert big FA, therefore we will be going for the 14th pick!

 

Rockets will be competiting for the 14th pick, mediocre team for life.

 

You know who our owner & GM is right?

Rockets would gladly sign Horford, Conley, win 50ish games, lose in the first round and call it "success".

Rockets can build/be Indiana of the West. OK team, not contending for a championship.

Teague - Ellis - George - Young - Turner
Harden - FA - Ariza or FA - Motiejunas?/FA - Capela/FA

Then Daryl & Les can tell you 3rd best record since I've been here, least amount of coaches except for one or two other teams, Rockets are a winning organization & will continue to win. Top 5 destination. Players want to play here. :grin:

 

I like how all the poll selections revolve around an impossibility.

 

Just do a proper rebuild. Sure, it's painful, but all teams have to do it at some point. Even great teams like the Celtics and Lakers are doing a proper rebuild. Harden is gone in two years. Why wait until he has no value? Harden is not a player that will be able to recruit top talent to Houston. Les needs to wake up and realize that all teams have to start from scratch at some point. This franchise is a train wreck right now. It will take a miracle this summer for us to become a contender.

 

I think they'll make most out of bad situation but are likely being realistic about chances this year. KD, Horford, Conley aren't coming. Batum, Anderson, Barnes, Parsons will be overpaid. Throw cap at Barbosa, Marvin, & Courtney Lee for big 1 year contracts w/opt outs after 1 year. Focus on upgrades via trades and young player development.

 

What's the difference between "yes if we get Durant" and" no if we don't get Durant"?
To me there are three choices in the 5 choice poll that mean the same.

 

The notion of : if we ain't going to be a legit contender for the championship, we may as well quit and tank,

is just silly.

By this standard, ALL of the teams in the EAST should quit already except the Cavs.

And in the west, other than 4 teams, GSW, Spurs, Thunders and Clippers (already not very convincing), the others should quit also?

NO.

If you have a chance to get in the playoff, no matter how big an underdog you are, you still would prefer it rather than a 14-15th pick.

This current Rockets team has little to no chance to compete for the championship this coming season, nor the near future (unless we will have some major shlt luck in drafting or FA), but it doesn't mean we should just flat out quit.

 

Exactly.
I listened to the Lowe podcast after the finals.
He said that a lot of GMs were talking this year about giving up because GSW would be unbeatable and a dynasty for half a decade and they should rebuild for the far future.
And here what happened. If you don't try you already lose. Some injury here and there, someone asking for a trade, aging and you get your chances.

And if you get in the POs and you do well you get more chances to get a great FA want to join you or retain your own.

 

Its depending on which FA we obtain during the off season. Everyone will give me crap for wanting Lin/Parsons back but I do think they would help the team if we ware going for the run & gun/ 7 second offense. Parsons would be able to play the 4 to stretch the court and Lin's penetration has actually improved. I mean obviously I would rather try and get a Batum instead of a Parsons but I don't see that happening.

 

I don't think people realize what a tough spot the rockets are in . We would need to land durant or 2 of Conley/Batum/horford for us to even think about contention. Then we would also still have holes to fill .

The coaching has to massively improve . We have to find 8-9 players that are capable of playing smart , consistent basketball.

I believe our best shot is holding onto harden , playing the young guys , taking a chance on Dmo , and going for some bargain / upside free agents . At the deadline we can try to sell for draft picks / assets for next year .

We need more talent . 14-15 was harden putting the team on his back and just being incredible. It's not fair to put that burden on him again ... Especially if we are demanding he play more defense .

We need guys either off the bench or starting who are versatile and are two way players . I like the idea of bringing llull , Lin , GPII in ... Those guys all have great potential to fit next to harden . As does Conley , Conley being by far the best player . Conley also being the biggest risk in terms of it it doesn't work out you are screwed.

My answer to the poll would be unless we get durant we aren't competing ... But you never know how our talent might grow or our system might work . We could make noise even without getting durant , we just wouldn't be favorites on paper .

 

There is such a thing as trying to build to compete and wanting to win a championship. Of course we will try, but we will probably come up short and end up with a 6th to 8th seeded 1st round exit. It's the mediocrity treadmill we keep running on. Hey, at least LES get's to keep his "winning record."

 

Championship? Lmfao, are we even going to make the playoffs?

 

We aren't winning anything. I bet Harden leaves as soon as he can too. Please sell the team!!!!!

 

As long as you have Harden you're striving to be a champ not rebuilding.

Harden, no state taxes and enough cap space for two max deals is extremely attractive. Conley, Whiteside, and Harden would make for a good team.