He's been trying to do something which is frankly really hard. He came in with a roster that had two talented injury-prone stars, and a bunch of other players with low talent. There were bad contracts strewn all across the roster. There were two high-level decisions the Rockets (either from Les, or from Morey) made which are questionable: (1) Keep McGrady and Yao together and build around them, so long as there is a chance (even if its not great) they can make it through a season playing at an all-star level. (2) Rebuild the team without going through a losing season. If we for a moment accept those choices and judge the moves he's made with those constraints in place, then for the most part he's made very savvy deals. He's done about as good a job as one could expect. I don't at all believe it is in the low-level details of his deal making and draft selection that Morey can really be faulted. Rather, its the high-level strategy and direction of the team that I think can be fairly criticized. McGrady's stock was high enough after the 2007 season that his name came up in trade rumors for Kobe Bryant. Maybe Morey should have foreseen McGrady's steep decline and made a trade while his value was higher. But I can't kill him for that. I'm guessing it wouldn't have been so easy to convince the owner to part with McGrady while he still showed flashes of "T-Mac" a couple times a week. Ever since McGrady was basically out of the picture, the Rockets strategy of remaking the team without having a losing record has been ambitious, to say the least. I think its correct to say that what they're trying to achieve (completely remaking a team without going through a losing season) would be unprecedented. One might want to believe the Rockets are taking a principled stance against tanking and are trying to imbue a winning culture in their young players. That would be admirable in some respects, though maybe also naive and short-sighted. That said, the bottom line is with each passing season where the Rockets fail to get appreciably better, this strategy is looking more and more foolish. I don't know if its coming from Les or from Morey, but right now its hard to defend.
You cite Brooks, Lowry, Landry, Chuck & Wafer as the "great core" we once had. Brooks went down with injury, and never bounced back. He is now replaced by Lowry who is a DEFINITE upgrade at the PG spot. Brooks is now stuck in China. Still have Lowry. Landry was traded to Sacramento for Martin. Since then, Landry has put up some solid numbers, but nothing that makes me lose sleep over the trade. When he isn't playing terribly, Martin is one of the best scorers in the league. In addition, we have a bunch of PFs on the roster now, so it isn't like we're missing Landry. Chuck is the only player the Rockets might be missing. Great leader and great defensive mind. Only held back by his physical limitations. Wafer. lol. Dude can barely get off the bench in Orlando. Plays behind J-Rich and JJ Redick. So yeah, I don't think a core of those players is much better, or at all better than what the Rockets have now.
So, the Rockets shouldn't have traded McGrady? If so, do you think they should have given him an extension, or just let his deal expire? McGrady was worthless to us, sorry. We gave up Landry for Kevin Martin + a first round pick and Jordan Hill. That certainly isn't a bad deal. Getting Lowry for Rafer was a lateral move? Drafting Brooks late in the first round, and buying a draft pick to acquire Landry -- lateral move? Oh, and Wafer was kicked off the floor by Adelman in the middle of the playoffs. He frustrated his coaches, and was unliked in the locker room. He wasn't going to return and wasn't a big loss. Flynn was throw-in. The Rockets were able to trade Brad Miller's salary and a lottery-protected 1st round pick in 2013 for the rights to Montiejunus and Parsons. That was another smart move by the Rockets front office.
I agree with most of what was said in here but we got dalembert instead who think will be our back up center when we get either Drummond or Davis in town. Dalembert is doing alot of things I like right now and given some time he might be our Hayes with height and better scoring ability. Also known as not a scoring liability. Wait...... Isn't that what rockets fans have been wanting? We're going to be fine and Morey is doing the best he can. Alot of these new fans are just not used to the rebuilding phase. like you pointed out Morey has definitely done the best he could have done. Morey and Les know what they are doing. People just need to relax and realize what is happening. Welcome to rebuilding. It is something every team goes through. I am just glad Morey realizes that and isn't trying to build around what we have which is just a bunch of tradeable assets.
Dick Justice on 1.11 talking about Morey(though nothing really fascinating or worth noting. Just posting for poops and giggles ) Spoiler JG: Daryl Morey, as hard as it is and a lot of people saying whatever, we suck, to pick up a Chandler Parsons in the 2nd round and see the talent, the way he is translating, the night he had, Parsons is quite possibly nice fodder to get someone big in here. DJ: You mean someone big in stature? JG: Yeah DJ: I wonder how Daryl really in his heart of hearts felt about that game last night. I think he doesnt mind losing right now. Think they feel like that at the end of this season, they need to be positioned for a great draft pick. JG: I dont know. I dont know. You've seen Daryl. Hes not fun to be around when they're losing. DJ: He's not a good loser. Hes competitive so I'm sure the competitive part of him loves that but for the big picture part of the franchise, I think you can only go forward by taking a step or two back. JG: Yeah Unfortunately that's their fate. I think they'll have plenty more losing in the future. 3 out of 9, thats not so bad.
It seems how much failure that morey does he always ends up being in the texas cowboy GM legend no matter what he does. I am not even criticizing his effort because I know he puts in lots of effort. Or the fact that he gained lots of weight, because all of these factors are besides the fact. He just doesn't have the 'IT' factor that GM's need to have to be successful. But again, this season if he does nothing, or does another failure, his fans will continue to support him and continue to blame on the external factors on the cards that has been dealt. If you keep saying the cards has been dealt..what's the point of hiring a GM or a coach? LOL
Like players, GMs are judged on who they get. Morey has done great with the hands he's been dealt with. However, he needs a big trade ASAP. He tried for Gasol (thank god that didn't go through), Bosh... but he needs one to go through.
QUIET! Morey is the Rockets and the Rockets is Morey! In morey we trust! Morey, ALL HAIL! Morey, ALL HAIL! (Wild applause) Please Morey, lead us to our final victory! Lead the masses to Rockets glory! No questions asked! Where you go, we follow! Morey, ALL HAIL! Morey, ALL HAIL! (Wild applause)
Morey is really a GOOD GUY. The moment Marcus Morris got injured, Morey was there and talking to him, giving assistance, watching over Marcus..... He cares....
You have to admit it's an unfortunate state of affairs when a team has to intentionally be terrible just to land good players. It speaks of the nature of the NBA and the way it is run.
Some perspective from TheDreamShake Rockets blog, illustrating what Morey has done well: http://www.thedreamshake.com/2012/1...-starting-lineup-lowry-scola-chandler-parsons [rquoter] I'd like to take full advantage of Chandler Parsons' recent baptism as an NBA starter. Just a second round pick, Parsons has continued Daryl Morey's recent trend of scoring what Colonel Hans Landa would flamboyantly refer to as, "That's a BINGO!" So, in case you aren't up to date on Morey's genius or the phenomenal timeline (during his tenure) that paved the way for the current starting lineup (which is quite good, don't you forget), have a seat, grab that Capri Sun and refresh yourself: PG: Kyle Lowry -- Acquired from Memphis for Rafer Alston. Also received Brian Cook, for the occasional laugh. SG: Kevin Martin -- Acquired from Sacramento for Carl Landry. Selected Landry in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. SF: Chandler Parsons -- Selected Parsons in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft. PF: Luis Scola -- Acquired from San Antonio for Vassilis Spanoulis and a second round pick. Also received Jackie Butler, whom we can all thank for brilliantly serving his role as a salary dumpee. C: Samuel Dalembert -- Signed Dalembert to a two-year deal with a team option after the first year. The Golden State Warriors signed Kwame Brown to a contract that pays a similar yearly amount. To recap this little rags-to-riches story, Houston's starting lineup consists of the following: Three second round picks, Rafer Alston, Vassilis Spanoulis and a free agent at a great price. You all may now collect your jaws from the floor.[/rquoter] This isn't to say that Morey is immune from criticism at all. But, I think from the standpoint of player acquisition via trade and the draft, his record has been very strong. Again, its the larger direction that the Rockets have elected to take which can be legitimately criticized (in particular, remaking the roster without going through a losing season).
