Because the window is small. Time is short considering KD’s age. KD is still playing at a high level. When will his play level off? When will he decline? If the Rockets didn’t think they could win now or if that’s not their goal then they would not have made the acquisition. All of their statements, history, and actions suggest they are trying to win now. They repeatedly have said that the first 2-3 years were development years and that these later phases are about winning. They didn’t give up little. They gave up on a young player with great potential and a great wing player. They sacrificed ball handling, speed off the dribble, and defense for a future hall of famer past his prime. Im not here to say that was the right or wrong decision. Im saying that move doesn’t necessarily get this team to the championship especially with an inexperienced player and another who can’t shoot beyond 8 ft. If they’re not trying to win now and instead trying to develop players then what are they doing? Those are conflicting priorities.
I also don't really like when the award is given to "high draft pick doing exactly what he was supposed to" personally. I would rather voters focus on surprising success stories from journeyman players. This year so far that's Deni Avdija, for me. We'll see how the rest of the season goes though.
I don’t understand what draft position has to do with anything. All players should be held to the same standard no matter how they got to the league. Being drafted in the second round doesn’t mean you’re not expected to perform. And being drafted in the lottery or first round doesn’t guarantee playing time or a starting role. The measure for them is how well they perform. If a lottery player drastically improves his second year over his peers then why not give him the award?
Too bad we won't be able to take him to Las Vegas this year. Or is there still a chance if we beat the Warriors?
Well if the team is in win now mode. Maybe we should trade the guys who didn’t play like it last night. And not a guy who is younger and actually played good.
I guess I just don't think it's as fun or interesting in terms of the narrative. It's not really that important of an accolade, IIRC it has no real implications in terms of what salary the player is eligible for or whatever. I just personally enjoy it more when it's more of an underdog story as opposed to a guy who got picked near the top of the lottery doing exactly what people envisioned when he was drafted, on exactly the timeline you'd imagine. Like I said though, it doesn't matter too much in the end, and of course I'll be happy for Reed or Amen if they win it.
They have articulated that we’re no longer in Phase 1. I do agree with hearing that from the FO. But phase 2 (which I think we’re squarely in now) doesn’t mean making all in moves (phase 3). If they were in that phase I think we’d see them cash in players and all the draft picks to maximize our chances in the next 2-3 years (and mortgaging years 4-8). I haven’t heard anything from the FO that would indicate that’s their thinking. having said that, I think it’s fair position to take that they should cash in now. I just don’t agree and see little reason to feel the urgency to do so. I also don’t agree they gave up all that much. I suppose if your value of JG and DB is really that high then I can see why you’d think we’re in all-in win now mode (phase 3). I just think a lot of fans or the FO don’t see it that way.
They are in phase 3. Win now mode. If its win now you go big if you have the opportunity which may mean dealing beloved players like amen tari or reed. “Through four tumultuous seasons of rebuilding, while Stone and Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta generally discussed the planned stages of the rebuild — Phase One involved tanking for three years while they developed a young core, Phase Two was shoring up the roster while starting to win and Phase Three is becoming a championship contender — Stone tried to avoid placing expectations on exactly when or how the Rockets would rise from the ashes.” https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sp...udoka-stone-rebuild-nba-playoffs-20267385.php https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/41193324/why-nba-pay-attention-houston-rockets-plan
It's laughable to think trading Jalen was an "all-in" move. He HAD to go regardless if KD was coming.
KD definitely came here to win now, but the organization can pivot without him if he falls off after a year or two. Ime really makes the team much more attractive to free agents.
Agreed. KD coming here was a win-now move, throwing in Jalen as fluff was easy because the Rockets wanted him outta here regardless. The team gave up on his "promising" future.
After that playoff series, where JG showed in 6 out of 7 games that he can't figure out a defense meant to slow him down, and his atrociously inefficient scoring over the past two years, the front office was looking for a way to move on from him. High-volume shooters that aren't good shooters are not an asset to a team, and unfortunately that's what JG was for us.
