This game shows why Udoka was so hot to acquire Rob Williams. He was not thinking 3rd string 5 but as part of terror unit of all bigs. Shame on Stone for fumbling this ball.
The first GM in history to improve & surpass expectations with the youngest and cheapest roster, all to still have a idiot fan want him fired. Normally when you produce instant results you get a raise
There are like ten teams in the west capable of making the WCF, but only 2 of them will. Should all 8 teams who come up short fire the coach and GM? There are teams every year that have true superstars that don't make the conference finals. Our team is young, has no true superstar, and is wildly overachieving. At this point, some of yall just can't be pleased.
THe lakers went from being worse than us and having a worse future to being better than us *and* having a better future literally overnight. " Let's get real, tanking & drafting a bunch of guys isn't that hard or a remarkable stroke of GM'ng, most of hte draft is just luck. Rockets had some good luck & some bad luck. Oh well. Bringing in Dillon on a bargain deal was good. Bringing in FVV kind of meh, but I guess he's important to the team. Udoka, fine mostly, I think it was Tillman who wanted him, or at least that's the way he tells it. Other moves, pretty average. Even the Green/Sengun extensions pretty average, not really below market or above market. Fine I guess. who knows. Anyway, Stonetitta is basically a "replacement level" GM - as are most GM's. it's not that hard of a job if some of your draft picks hit; even the Pistons who ****ed their rebuild up like crazy are basically on the same level as the Rockets now despite a bunch of silly mistakes like trading for a bunch of bust big men like Wiseman & Bagley. I mean, the best GM'ng of the year, if you can call it that, was Rob Pelinka - who just basically, had to take a phone call and say "yes" .
People saying Stone needs to go and is not the guy to lead us to the next level need to suggest a replacement.
You don't even need to have a GM on the Lakers. You could have an orangutan in the position and just have LeBron, AD and Luka land on your lap
Offensive efficiency in almost every counting + advanced stat has been Rockets most glaring weakness the last 2 seasons.
He + the analytics team uncovered gems like Alp + Tari. I want someone who thinks about basketball 24/7, figuring out efficiencies + mismatches + identifying + acquiring the best players to maximize current system.
Stone has been fine. Maybe there were other players that could have helped more if we had drafted them instead, but the guys he's taken have been pretty good. Not even talking about guys still on the team, but there's like only 1? or 2? guys that he's drafted that aren't in the NBA...Usman Garuba is the only one I can think of and I still think he could eventually be an NBA player. And that's another reason I'm bullish on Sheppard....besides my own belief in Reed, I also trust Rafael's track record with high draft picks. Jalen, Jabari have been up and down...but love them or hate them they have flashed a lot and are currently a huge part of the success this team is having. He's a assembled a very good team and even if there's been some missteps along the way overall there's been a lot more good than bad. He Just needs a little good fortune with a star shaking loose or one of these guys taking a huge leap and reaching superstar status...or maybe just a few of these guys becoming very very good will be enough...
There is a serious power vacuum after Lebron, Curry, Harden and Curry. I see the next generation blossoming but they are not as dominant as the last one, draw their strength from numbers. Young teams are flourishing because there are so many young talents that are equally good in the next years and because of the Power vacuum. Stone and Fertitta used this power vacuum very well ..... only second to Presti...... In the same breath, teams are going to catch up to the Rockets as well due to the Draft being very deep.
Very good post. I would add that the new 2nd apron rules will also contribute to the teams that have multiple good players being better positioned to compete than top heavy teams. Phoenix is a good case in point. NBA teams that aren’t gifted advantages like the Lakers, will need to keep a constant flow of younger talent in the pipeline, analogous to what the Astros have been doing during their dynasty. I think Stone has positioned us well and the Phoenix picks need to be used judiciously and not all spent on aging stars. Young guys that can complete our roster are better targets than guys like Booker or Giannis. If Durant could be had for 1 pick, then I would make an exception.
He may be third to Presti and SA after: (1) Wemby is miraculously healed (2) Pops ended up having heartburn and (3) Fox finger injury was misdiagnosed and it was actually a hangnail and he didn't need surgery afterall. Those cheatin' lyin' b@stards are going to (4) get Flagg. It's so obvious. They aren't even trying to hide it. This is my second and last post on this issue. I will take it to my Counselor for help. Sorry to ramble, @Brothers.
The Blue Print of OKC and Rockets are not impossible. The Spurs are somehow coddled by the league Detroit exactly catching on this year after years of mismanagement Other teams are copying that Great defensive Coach and mind (OKC home grown) Defensive dawg veterans/capable shooters At least 3 Top 3-4 Picks......(Draft) Cap Space Follow-up Trades and Consolidations
As I approach my 23rd year of CF membership and 43 total posts in all of those years, I had to comment on this garbage thread. There are a lot of ignorant opinions reqgarding this team and the job that the Stone team has done. If you can't appreciate the collection of youth, specifically selected vets, environment-changing coach, and actual progress that this team has made, you are not a fan. Grow up, Shut up, and enjoy the next 5 years of successful Rockets Basketball. That is all...
