As a true fan, I am getting more and more excited about this squad. Hated losing KMJ and TyTy and Garuba for nothing (didn't care about Jaygup, sorry @Williamson), and I still think we need to move KPJ for a true culture reset, but the more I think about it, what matters is that our young core (Alpi, Tari, Amen, Jalen, Jabari) is now complemented by experienced veterans who can actually tutor these kids, keep them in line, and who are strong where these young guys maybe don't have their biggest strengths (yet). And to be honest, having plus defenders at the 1 and the 3 and maybe 4 (either if Tari plays or if Jabari starts playing better, which I expect) will hopefully help both Jalen and Alpi to improve and to evolve into true franchise players. So while I was super annoyed with what Stone did yesterday, I'm coming around to being optimistic again. And even the failed Brook Lopez acquisition will hopefully end up being a blessing in disguise - like it was when the Robert Horry/Sean Elliott trade fell through.
Care to elaborate as to why that's wild? Here are some numbers from last season: Win Shares: Brooks: 1.6 KMJ: 4.9 Box Plus Minus: Brooks: -3.9 KMJ: -.7 Value Over Replacement Player: Brooks: -1.1 KMJ: 0.7 Apart from actual numbers, KMJ also isn't a chucker or a distraction in the locker room.
I don't even see it offensively. I know Dillon averages more points but he takes more shots. KJM gotta show me more man. I mean he gets baskets off cutting and waiting for a pass moreso than even creating his own shot.
By some fancy analytical statistics I could spin anything to look a way to favor one over the other but man KJM hasn't even averaged 25 points a game in a playoff series yet. Matter of fact I'm willing to bet Brooks improves offensively with Houston next year and KJM does worse with the Clippers next year. Not playing for AAU Silas anymore... Tyrone Lue is about to develop his game and it will impact his playing time early on.
Lol fancy analytics. Brooks was a lot better the year he averaged 25ppg in that one playoff series, for sure. KMJ is not as good as he was then. The problem is, Brooks has declined the last couple of seasons. Hopefully Ime can turn that around. Now that KMJ isn't on the Rockets I don't really care about him anymore lol, but I'm sure he'll be a solid rotation player for them.
I do wish the best for KJM. I didn't want him gone. I'm more of a advocate of Ime and the coaching staff we have now. I believe more in that then the two players we are comparing.
It's funny to me Had we brought I Harden on the exact same contract as FVV Everyone would be screaming 2nd round or bust Meanwhile Back at the Hall of Justice We are praying for play in Excites. ..I dunno about that but interested This is the first year we are actually trying to win in the last 3 years Rocket River
That is my thing The Rockets have not even tried in 3 yrs So Even a 15 game improvement doesn't mean much except we actually tried Rocket River
OK, somebody explain it to me like I'm 7 years old because I'm way older than that and I can't keep track. FVV, Jock, and Uncle Jeff are officially Rockets, correct? KJ, TyTy, and Garuba are officially gone, correct? Has Patty Mills officially come and gone or is that related to the Brooks deal? Everything else is related to the Brooks deal, correct? Is there anything that could upend that deal and leave us looking like a meth-head holding their junk on a corner desperately hoping to earn a few dollars for the next hit? After Brooks arrives, we still have a couple of slots to fill and presumably some money to do it with, right? Does anyone know if we are seriously moving in on the Dame deal and is it related to the Brooks deal? Has there been any name we are legitimately pursuing or is it all speculation and hope? Thanks.
This year's Thunder improved by 16 wins, and that's with SGA turning into a borderline superstar, the 2009-10 Thunder improved by 27 wins, after drafting their third MVP in a row. The Suns went from 19 to (on pace for) 38 through internal improvement, then 38 to (on pace for) 58 after adding Chris Paul. Then again, the Knicks went from (on pace for) 26 wins to 46 (pace) wins a few years back, but never really took the next step afterwards after a 20 game improvement. Anything fewer than 14-16 wins of improvement from this team and somebody, whether Stone, Ime, or the young core, failed.
Patty is gone. Moved to OKC IIRC. I think you have all the other player movement correct. They can sign Brooks directly into cap space I think, but doing so would leave them with no other moves to make. So what they're trying to do is do all these deals to create space (up to 19M-21M or so if they move Tate, 12-14M keeping Tate), use that space to sign (or trade) for a player (e.g., Grant Williams), then do the Brooks sign-and-trade at the end since they can just use salary matching in a trade to get him (instead of cap space). Deals aren't official until the end of the moratorium, so technically nothing is "official" official. But at that point, the Brooks deal will need to be done (and if it is done without acquiring another player, that's it). You can maybe request the other teams involved to wait another day or so to make the Brooks deal, but doubt they'll be too kind in that regard. So there is a ticking clock to do something with that cap space. To my knowledge, there are no hints about what they might do. Grant Williams is a popular target since he's still available, has an Ime connection, BOS *might* not want to bring him back, and allegedly they liked Tate at one point (possibly in exchange for Grant Williams). But don't get your hopes up.
OK, here are my thoughts while I'm here: I *love* the FVV acquisition. I was initially against the idea of FVV at that much money, but I was won over by various stats and praise from smart people. I also watched more tape on him, and I *really* like all the little things he does on the court. It is an overpay, but I think he offers a lot to this team with his skills and leadership. I think he can help out Amen, KPJ, JG, Sengun, and probably everyone on the team. I'm....OK with Dillon Brooks. He wouldn't be my target, but he seems to be someone Ime wanted, so I'm deferring to him. I don't like the length on his deal, but in terms of his impact on the roster, it should be pretty good...at least on defense. I still fear how the offense will go with him, but In Ime We Trust, right? Jock Landale, um sure that's fine. Could be worse. Jeff Green. Great signing. Not sure if he'll even play, but I just like having him around to mentor guys. Throw those guys with Amen and Cam (I loved getting both of those guys), and the core guys we did keep, and yes I'm somewhat excited. I don't think they're a play-in team (unless they get another substantial piece at least), but I expect much better basketball than what we've seen the last 3 years. I don't care if that means they're just a ~30-win team. I'd be ecstatic with that! Ultimately, this team needs that young core to develop and take the next step. The vets that were added don't really change the ceiling for this team too much IMO, but I'm hoping they can help that core develop (and that *will* affect the ceiling). Losing JC, Garuba, TyTy, and KJ for not a ton of value really hurt, but I'm not sure they really impacted winning/long-term plans much directly. Stone mismanaging his assets *will* likely affect those long term things, but that's less about those players specifically and just more about asset (mis)management in general.
I'm excited to see the molding of this roster, I think they can be great defensively, if Udoka can work similar magic as to what he did in Boston. Yes Sengun will be a soft spot, unless he's grows into a serviceable defender, jury still out. Jalen needs to take a big step defensively, and efficiency on the offensive side. FVV, Brooks, Amen, and Cam (potentially are solid defenders, Tari is dynamic on defense hopefully Udoka can get him to thrive in structure. Jabari's shot is the wildcard, was last year an anomaly? A good as his stroke looks, I have to believe he will correct or find his shot, which is still an exciting prospect. I don't know the plan for this offense, and I'm excited to see it...I unlike MANY of our posting members, I do not have a crystal ball, and quite honestly they never use my money, or ask my opinion when making transactions...I look at what we are working with, and decide based on how they perform...wait the season is still a couple of months away (crystal ball thing). I like what they were able to do to this point, based on what was available to them, and the requirement to spend it. Again, not my money.....if you are one of these that bash players, coaches, front office, etc. constantly, just go away. You are not a rockets fan, you are a YOU fan, and your name isn't anywhere on this site except for your horrible takes. So thank you OP for assembling so many of them in one post, I shall block my way to a better clutchfans! Debate, concern, wishes, critique, all foundations of fandom...simmer down.
I'm actually pretty intrigued. I'm high on FVV both on offense and from a culture perspective. Dillon Brooks can be solid IF he buys into a role and doesn't do too much. Landale at first was meh to me, but Monty actually trusted him over Ayton at times and he might be able to shoot 3s but never really got the chance in PHX. Jeff Green is a nice vet. I've been wanting a blend of youth and vets and have done that regardless of price. The biggest key for this team will be Jalen, Jabari, and Sengun all taking a leap. We know what vets can bring. The younger guys need to elevate. Right now I have Rockets hovering around the 10th and final play-in spot if all goes well
