I think this team could beat anyone in a 7 games series assuming we're healthy, of course. It would be nice to add additional depth, though. I really wish we could add a Tyson Chandler and Barbossa to the squad, or Koufos. But, even without those pieces I still think we're capable.
Thanks for your answer/definition of "win", I know the question wasn't directed towards me. So I will step aside and look forward to D-rock's response.
I believe that this team can win, even win it all. Harden in MDA's system is just that good. But the conditions have to be perfect, or near perfect. This team can even lose one or 2 role players at bottom of the rotation and still contend. Not just talking about just injuries but fatigue as well. We have seen how much injuries and fatigue affected the Rockets in January. So simple answer is "yes" this team is built to win under MDA and Harden right now, but success can still be maximized by expanding the rotation to avoid obstacles, big and small, that may hinder that success, even end it. Current rotation is too short IMO, and there are small (as well as big) opportunities still out there for us to achieve that end goal of a championship. So why make it harder on ourselves, upgrade the talent/depth at the 5, wing and point. This can still be done, and cheaply if necessary.
Morey really wanted to draft Vala, but there's no way he's trading RA this quick after signing him in FA. It would set a bad precedent for incoming FA's.
History tells us to be very weary of players the Spurs let go and are quickly shown the door by their new team.
Yeah, those would be minor moves and something I think Morey would have a better chance of pulling off.
LOL. Yes, a guy in the D-League who has zero NBA experience to date could instantly step in & provide the same production as a sixth man of the year award winner, who is averaging over 18 pts/gm this year on almost 39% three point shooting. Throw in 3.1 assists as well. Do you understand that York is playing against insanely inferior opponents than Williams, most of whom will never even sniff the NBA? I suppose you think someone crushing in A ball could also immediately replicate Carlos Correa's production as well. Come on.
Ever hear of Yogi Ferrell? Hassan Whiteside? Wilson Chandler? Robert Covington? Jeremy Lin? List goes on. York can provide better 3 point shooting and spacing than Williams (critical requirement for success in MDA system with Rockets), without giving up any assets and at, stay with me here, a fraction of the cost. We are talking about a player who will be backing up Gordon (who himself backs up the guy who averages most minutes per game in NBA) and Bev.
I'm one level less optimistic and think we would need to have Tyson Chandler on our roster to challenge the throne. I would give up Harrell, a 1st round pick, and filler (3 team trade if needed) for Chandler. Despite his age and contract, he fits like a glove and I think he could give us 20-24 minutes per game for the rest of his contract. He ran the PNR with Chris Paul and under D'Antoni with the Knicks while adding defense and rebounding. We have great offense, if we can cash in some of our international prospects (Gentile and Lull), Harrell, 1st rounder, Brewer, and KJ for Tyson Chandler and a veteran/average role player at the 1-3 spot we would be ready to do battle with anyone.
I still have hope for Capela and I think he will continue to develop as he works his way back from injury. I think he's the 2nd most naturally talented player on our team right now, and his footwork is top notch among NBA bigs. I also think he has a chance to be one of the better shot blockers in the league but he often gets lost on defense and needs to improve there, as well as his FT shooting, but I think he will with time. The question is will he be ready for this year? Tough call but I doubt it. Assuming we can't land another big, I think the staff just needs to keep feeding Capela minutes and let him keep improving out there. Nene can fill in against the bigger teams, Harrell against the smaller ones. It would be nice to have Chandler over Nene, I agree with that. Who wouldn't? But Nene hasn't been chopped liver, either. The only problem I have with Nene is how much rest we have to give him in order to get a solid game out of him.
Noel ran PNR under D'Antoni last season and raved about the system and the coach. Genius was what Noel called MDA. Noel is younger, more athletic, more explosive and not only on the upside of his career, but he loved playing for Mike. If we are going to give up picks, young up and coming players as well as depth then do so with eye toward both future as well as present. Then sign Lance Stephenson (playmaker & 3-D wing) and Gabe York (scorer and 3 point specialist). Would also bring in Jamaal Franklin and Smoove from China for end of bench break glass in case of emergency type players for postseason. 1st, 2nd, KJ, Dekker, Ennis and rights to Llull for Nerlens Noel. Noel-Capela-Trez Ryno-Nene-Smoove Ariza-Stephenson Bev-York Beard-Splash-Franklin Wiltjer and Onuaku in street clothes. Rotation should be 10 deep in remainder of regular season, rest nicked up players, rest Nene every other game, limit Harden and Ariza to no more than 32 minutes a game.
Dmoney was willing to give up even more for 35 year old Tyson Methuselah Chandler. Which part was the straw that broke your back?
I think you would have a tough time selling a Dekker for Noel straight up swap around these parts let alone attaching that smorgasbord of draft picks. Noel is an intriguing player and I'm interested, but I think there's a tendency to overvalue players like him based upon the fact that he went to a superpower college like Kentucky and was drafted high. I see potential but there's nothing about his game that's extraordinary at the moment.
I agree with much of the things you post D-rock......we differ on others. I'm sure vice-versa as well. I like the passion you show in the Rockets!!
Are you kidding me...... You do this deal every day of the week and twice on sunday... dekker has nowhere near the upside that noels has.... NOEL is going to be a beast in the nba and with harden and MDA, the sky is the limit. I just dont like york or stephenson.... i would want more "name" players playing back up lol
you have 2 sorry picks..... 2 sorry players... and a one that might be at best a player than can contribute off the bench some solid minutes in 2-3 years.... plzzz... NOEL is worth every bit of what we can give them in this trade.
