Stone gives coach a long extension, but coach doesn’t have the same goals as Stone. Stone likes the idea of playing players in different positions so they have size advantage. (Amen & KPJ) Stone then will take away all others options to make his coaching staff play his players in different roles because there is no other choice. To the point of shelving Wall (paid to go away). Think about the manipulation being used. Then the tiny front office. Yes, there are advantages, but obviously they’re more disadvantages. My take —> at times it seems like we are watching someone’s hobby vs an organization. Very home spun —> It’s like a DIY project, great pieces that don’t fit together properly. I wish I was Patty.
Stone and Ime have both done some really good things since they've been here but it's frustrating that we've clearly fallen behind not only the Thunder but also the Spurs. The disturbing thing is that both teams are loaded with young talent and assets and are likely to continue to improve over the next few years. I'm not sure I can say the same thing the Rockets. Alpi and Amen have plateaued if not regressed in some aspects. Our best player by far this season is a 37-year old who has vastly exceeded expectations. We have been fairly mediocre over the last several months after a strong start. We are down to eight competent rotation players after the FVV and Steven Adams injuries. We decided to sit out the trade deadline when there were several useful players available at a reasonable cost. I don't understand Rafael Stone's logic in sitting this one out. We have fallen behind in the West this season. I don't see how next season will be much better especially if we can't afford to re-sign Tari Eason. We seem to lack direction and we're stuck with a stubborn coach who can't adapt to his roster.
Well put, that 37 yr old lotion guy still wants to stick it to Draymond, Curry and Presti in terms of Legacy. Why he has been hanging out with Rockets legends despite being a journey man.
I've been a consistent FVV defender on this board but this take is crazy. We could have easily added another competent point guard to the roster between December 15th and the trade deadline. Coby White, Ty Jerome or Cam Spencer all would have solved a lot of our offensive problems. Losing FVV has really ****ed us over this season but he wasn't so great last season that he couldn't be adequately replaced. Instead, Stone's response has been, "Well, what can you do...?". It's a mistake to think we'll be better next season. FVV post-ACL tear won't be as good as he was last season. Losing Tari Eason will hurt a lot.
The extension was stupid for sure but I give him credit for drafting well besides the Jalen fiasco. I do not hold Jabari against him since the other big names were taken ahead of him.
Patrick Fertitta has a sizeable role in the FO. That should tell you everything about this organization.
I know lol Im talking about new point guard not Fred. I know people will disagree with me but we shoulda got JA. Just like I said we needed someone like Lamelo instead of Durant this past offseason. People laughed at me then but they look foolish now. I know the narative aorund Ja but his problems are largely to do with Memphis. He will be very good again and he was availble on the cheap. Stone cant see that because he like some posters here cant see past naratives.
He hired the coach lol Also Ime needs a point guard and I wonder who is in charge of getting him one lol
Kinda sad we all are clamoring for Fred when any competent normal PG that could dribble and set an offense would work just fine. If Udoka had him, FVV would be playing 40+ min again and we'll be cursing his usage once more. A competent GM should've been able to target and filled such an obvious need, and a great coach should've been able to implement an effective offensive scheme around the players you have.
I disagree, buy stone miss an gold opportunity this deadline to get a cheap solid pg. Unless he has plans to get a superstar this offseason thats why he didnt want to waste his assets.
I'm not quite at the FireStone point just yet. Overall, I think he's done a fairly good job, some misses but that's to be expected. No moves at the deadline was disappointing but I don't no the particulars of any of the potential deals. I have a suspicion that the price to make a meaningful move was just too high (first round pick or greater) and if that's the case, I'm fine with the punt on the season. If it's simply that they refused to accept the fact that the DD-FS signing was a mistake and it wouldn't cost much (a 2nd or maybe 2) to move him in exchange for a guy like Ayo, I'd be on board with the FireStone team. I look towards next season and what they ultimately do with Tari, FVV, Adams and DFS ..... they need to get that right. FVV can't come back worse than he was in 24/25, he has to be better, or they have to trade him .... Tari, it's all about the contract, in RFA maybe they move him in a S&T, that's ok if it yields a rotation quality player, Adams probably need to be moved, question is offseason or deadline and finally DFS, if he isn't shooting 40% out of the gate, he needs to be part of a deal to bring in help. Lastly is Amen's extension - I'm not doing it this offseason, I want to see him improve the shooting, we'll talk about that at the end of next year. If he doesn't correct some of his mistakes by then, yeah, I'm on team FireStone.
If you call 2nd round picks too high of cost yes. Alvarado, Ayo and White went for trash and 2nd rounders. We could’ve beat all those offers. They acted like they wanted to continue to develop Amen and Sheppard, but immediately relegated Amen back to the dunker spot on most possessions and still yanking Sheppard even when he is carrying the offense. Alavardo just went off for 40. I used to support Stone, but after the stupid extensions to FVV and Ime, and then to say it’s not our year. That’s it. Ime is truly a terrible coach and Stone is a p*ssy. If they just run it back next year for the first time since 1987 I will only watch the nationally televised games. No more season ticket for me.
