Rafael Stone the HEDGE GOD! Why Stone has done a great job rebuilding the Rockets

Sure, but I don't think that's very franchise altering.

 

Stonie the hedgehog

 

I think what Stone does this offseason will seal his fate. It's going to hurt, but we have too many young players and we need to start consolidating (not necessarily go all in). This was always going to be an evaluation year.

 

Ehh… Stone hired Silas and he choose to have Wood and KPJ on the roster… and he undermined Silas all the time. He built this roster that doesn’t fit together well.. that doesn’t shoot well, that has inconsistent effort and honestly the lack of development is on Stone too.

He has time to turn it around, and there is some talent - but he is more responsible for the current Rockets than anyone else. He lacks an eye for detail, is thin skinned ….. and with all that, is a good draft away from more job security.

 

This off season is huge. There is a 1/3 chance the Nets pick is top 4. So there is a real chance he gets to draft a difference maker if he drafts wisely.

He also will explore trade avenues… and it’s possible the Thunder offer the Rockets their pick back for some unprotected pick(s) down the line.

 

Not that it matters, but I just googled Rafael Stone and learned that his dad is black. Didn't see it at all with Stone. Thought he was just white.

https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/where-are-they-now-rafael-stone-former-uw-point-1165973.php

 

Yeah, it is not that visible.....

 

I still do not think he survives this .....the draft picks will need at least need 4-5 years to really hit and if he has not delivered a Harden or at least a Jaylen Brown or Markkanen caliber trade by then, I am not seeing any borderline contending chances....

He is too cautious and he doesn't do his job making minor moves all the time.

 

Bro we were tanking. Any sort of systemic/developmental time attributed to a coach or player within that edict is chasing the wind. Its being mad for no reason. The buildup of assets during this process SCREAMS to a star acquisition via trade. Hindsight is just too convenient in these conversations because most fans cant see the forest for the trees.

 

When he lands a disgruntled star with the ammunition he's accumulated you'll just find another reason to be disgruntled. I was never high on Udoka YOU guys were. As far as the drafted players go "good" GMs strike out more than they hit home runs in the draft. Lucky for Stone draft slots still give an impression of value so he's set up great to make a move on a player that does make a difference in the near future. Now if Stone sits idly on his hands and trots out this same lineup next year we can ramp up these talks. As of today you guys are just looking for scapegoats to satisfy an omniscient 1st person point of view.

 

I’m not looking for anything. I’m just stating the nature of that job.

 

Just curious, what would you do in the offseason if you were in Stone's seat?

Me personally, I think we need to emphasize getting high percentage shooters who can also play some D. And obviously we need to trade Jalen Green and turn him into something useful.

 

The only 2 players I think will be "available" as of today (and even then its not a sure thing) would be Donovan Mitchell and Lauri Markkanen. I would trade a combo of future picks, current young players and either/both of FVV/Brooks to make it happen. Both of those guys slot in great next to Sengun and can impact the outcomes of games with their own skill levels. Im anxious for the playoffs to see which contender flames out, which star wants out and I expect Stone will be ready to pounce.

 

Funny thing is GMs can go from "bad" to "good" within the context of one single move. We have yet to make that move.

 

Too many young players during a rebuild will seal his fate? You guys still fantasizing about Stone getting fired lol

 

Hiring Silas during years we were tanking is redundant because we were tanking. We tanked & benefitted.


These dumb azz narratives don't even make sense

 

The only way is to gamble and trade for a pick that is going to be Cody Williams......

Or someone who is close to being Jalen Dub Williams.....because that is kind of dude you can team up with Alperen without much worries......a tough dude that is going to get better and better like Alpe has.

But first the Rockets as a Whole havet to grow some COJONES and COMMIT to Sengün once and for all!

 

Hired Silas
Passed on Jarret Allen for Oladipo, who he tried to extend
John Wall for Westbrook who he paid to stay away
Tried to build around Christian Wood
KPJ
Drafted Jalen and stuck him in the backcourt with KPJ
Gave away all of our late round picks for nothing
Struck out on Brook Lopez, no plan b so signed Landale and tried to blame Lopez
…there’s more, but why go on.

 

he also drafted garuba/tyty

 

No - you can tank and still have good coaching/player development and a healthy culture.

Instead the Rockets had a rookie GM (Stone) that hired a rookie coach that lacked any backbone. A GM that undermined his coach, letting players come to him and not the coach, concerning absences. The Rockets GM brought in Wood and KPJ. They groomed Jalen Green to be entitled. Around the league the Rockets were known as toxic and there was a complete lack of accountability. You cannot put young players into that environment and not think there are consequences.

As far as building up assets, what assets? They have the picks from the NETS and that is it. Raffy Stone has wasted a number of opportunities to get more assets.

It isn't that Stone is a complete boob, because he isn't - but he has no attention to detail at all.