I come out when i read you lecturing other posters on what the Rockets should or shouldn't do, as if you weren't the imbecile yelling for the Harden for Simmons trade. You should be ASHAMED you ever posted that lol. That is unforgivable
Generally I agree with you when the trading deadline approaches and you've got people posting tweets from a bunch of randos with no followers. StanfordKP is legit on #RocketsTwitter, though. And when you think about it, if he came on here and posted what he tweeted, would you question it? On Twitter, I like his takes for the most part. That, and.... he doesn't come off as a dumbass.
This really is an interesting debate because I can see both sides of the argument. Trying to project a player's improvement and motivation is difficult. Maybe last year's playoffs were the "Significant Emotional Event" that have reshaped Ben Simmons psyche and will propel him to a new level of play. For those that know... What is a significant emotional event? Dr Massey defines a Significant Emotional Event as: “an experience that is so mentally arresting that it becomes a catalyst for you to consider, examine, and possibly change your initial values or value system.” There really doesn't appear to be a good value move for John Wall now. With him willing to sit, Stone has the advantage to wait. Wait for what you say? The season to unfold, injuries to occur, disappointments to arise and team's start to get desperate. At the same time Wall's contract begins to shrink. A healthy Wall can be a difference maker as a leader, playmaker and 3rd offensive option (who can be a 1 or 2 on any given night). Would I trade a favorable Wall package for Ben? If you can buy low you have a much better chance at making a profit down the road. So I think that answer is "Yes" and I'd trust Stone to do the right thing. I don't get excited necessarily about acquiring Ben, but he's got some redeeming qualities (defense, playmaking, size). His weakness may be one of our strengths as a team. Stone made the right call for Harden, he'll look at all of the angles and make the right call with Wall. If that's for BS, so be it.
Great post! Also, I want to ask all of you guys who are high on KPJ: what was his "mental state" before coming here? Was it better than Simmons'? People can change, you know, especially young people. If you have a cataclysmic event and/or you get into a healthy organization/environment people can change... That's one reason I have been ranting about the previous regime: it's counterproductive to treat players like corporate bonds, without care about what environment you create and whether it is conducive to personal growth.
NA: I believe there is a good article on Scoot's life that helps explain some of what he went through growing up (e.g. father killed when he was 4). Can't look for it now, but maybe one of CF brothers/sisters can point you in the right direction.
I don't think you would have rant as much if the Rockets would have won Game 7 under the previous regime. Every GM has their own style/culture in how they build their team. Morey built fantastic teams and one almost won it all but failed due to reasons beyond Morey's control (e.g. he couldn't predict that Paul's hamstring would go out or that this team would have missed 27 straight 3s). I don't fault Morey for how he approached transactions because his teams had sustained success. Now whether or not that kind of culture would have worked with this roster is a different story. These players are young and they need a different type of voice...a more personable voice..and that's where Stone can succeed. There's much more at stake in building relationships with these players and the last thing they need to see is a "This is the NBA and it's also a business" decision made right now. As for KPJ: his issues were not on-court issues. That's where a person like John Lucas can help him and get him to a better state. That's where Stone can help him get the necessary help he needs. Simmons' issue is on the court and that would require someone like a sports psychologist to work said issues out. Unfortunately, if his entourage and his agent do not encourage him to get that help or if he doesn't acknowledge that there's a mental block there...there's nothing that anyone can do for Simmons.
Father shot and killed, trying to stop a robbery, when Scoot was a child. Grew up in Seattle area with his single mom, and later asked him mom to transfer him to his father's high school alma mater in Rainer, where his father was a multisport legend, to follow in his father's footsteps. You can tell by his decision making when he was younger that his father is very symbolic and important to him. The impact of his father's death clearly had a massive mental impact that I'm sure he still feels to this day. I think, understandably too, that he suffers from guilt, depression, and self loathing in regards to his father. If you follow him, you'll know that the Joker character is a massive influence on him. That also tells you a lot. about how he processes the world and his feelings. I doubt him and his mom ever had the resources to process and deal with the trauma. But know they do and he's found a home.
Let's be honest - the main difference is the cost. We got KPJ for nothing and there were no long term cap consequences to adding him to the team. If he had bombed, we'd have cut him and moved on. Shoot, that's still a possibility if he were to fall apart badly this year. Simmons would be a full-on investment. We'd be tying up a huge part of our cap space for multiple years on him, and if he fails, we're stuck with dead weight that can't be easily traded away. You can still treat people like humans while considering the costs they impose.
Wall costs even more. And he is in street clothes this season, healthy DNP. Simmons would not only play but would start. And vastly improve rebounding, playmaking, pace AND defense.
Wall costs more this year and next Simmons would cost more over 4 years, and hinder flexibility. Not comparable.
Simmons can be traded too for expirings next season or season after. Simmons has more trade value than Wall, only 25, still in his All Star prime and not coming off serious injury. There is more optionality in trading for Simmons. ON and OFF the court.
If Simmons were as valuable as you say, he'd have been traded already for a much better package than Wall. But that hasn't happened - interpret that as you will.
OK, I don't want to start a whole nother sh|tstorm, but I'll say this: 0-27 is directly Morey's fault, I hate him for that, that was the most traumatic experience I've had as a Rockets fan. He is a sleazy scumbag weasel who promoted the BS Morey-ball sham for self-aggrandizing purposes, in the process robbing James of a championship and traumatizing thousands of Rockets fans.
This is Morey's own fault for asking for the moon. Simmons will undoubtedly be traded for a much better package than Wall, Morey just needs to stop pretending that he is going to get attractive young talent + a plethora of FRPs. Simmons is definitely valuable, him not being traded is Morey's issue with compensation.
No sh*tstorm. It's pretty easy, you are wrong and I'm sorry Morey ran over your dog. No one made Harden never take what the defense was giving against the GSW.
2 Questions. Obviously Simmons biggest negative is his shooting followed (some say) by his mental. Yes Lucas has proven and is known for his ability to reach and help with an individual's mental IF they are willing to receive AND accept the advice/mentoring, but what about the JUMP SHOT? I know a lot of you remember. Can't forget. Ever! How much you hated the Jazz. Yes the immediate thoughts are about Stockton (err!) and Malone, but JH stands out to me as well. He was money. When he shot the ball it just seemed to always be a bucket. His career 3pt % is over 40. Hence the hate! (Sports Hate) So my 1st question is... Why don't we ever hear anything about Hornacek as a SHOOTING coach? Maybe he is and I've just never heard it mentioned. Has anyone? My 2nd question... Hypothetically they trade for Simmons. Is he the type that will not only work with someone like Lucas on the mental aspects of the game, but ALSO work with a SHOOTING coach and be WILLING to put up 1000 shots a day until he changes his shot? What do you believe?
