To be honest, while he said he thinks Morris will be one of the team's best players, Morey sounded the most excited about Monte. (as excited as Morey can get anyway) He defended him and used his strongest language when talking about him, calling it absurd to suggest he doesn't love basketball. I think Morey is really high on this guy. Based on his track record, I give Morey the benefit of the doubt and am excited to see this guy play. I've given up on getting upset about Morey's moves based on my own beliefs and player evaluations.
About "forcing" Morris to the 3: I think I really interpreted it as "He's not a 3. He's a 4, he can play some 3." Seems like other disagree and that's fine. Maybe I should listen to the podcast again. I think if he wanted him to be our 3 then he'd say, "We really feel like he's a 3 who had to play a 4 in college. He's got blah blah blah which makes him a 3 for us." Why not say that? Maybe we're trading for a starting 3 and don't want that player to feel that Morris will take some of his minutes.
I don't think anyone can say with certainty what he meant since he wasn't very clear and the hosts didn't follow up on it. You could very well be right. It was odd. It sounded like he had more to add and then he just didn't...
We know this already, as this has been the mantra for the past few years since the depature of McGrady and the breakdown of Yao. Basically, we're just now collecting assets, keep being a middle of the pack team, and continue to swing for that superstar whenever/if that player becomes available. I rather suck next year and get a top 3-4 pick b/c next year's draft appears to be much stronger (including a stud in Anthony Davis). Oh well.
Yeah I know a lot of fans believe in tanking and rebuilding, but it sounds like Les simply won't let Morey do it.
All that really matters is where Morris excels in the league, regardless of where the GM pegs him. If he can defend threes and hit the outside shot, he can be a three. Otherwise, he'll be a 4.
Thanks guys for the recaps. Sounds like he is more than non-committal on Yao. Sounds to me like he doesn't want him back.
It was interesting. I know Yao said he won't play anywhere but the Rox, but DM said basically that Yao is a free agent and not a member of the Rockets. When FA period time comes if Yao is healthy they'll talk to him and see if anything makes sense. Sounds like he's not interested in bringing him back for more than a token contract.
I know they don't because the rebuilding process can be "dreadful." But he has to understand the hardcore fans aren't going to be deterred by a few horrible years if there is a plan in place, and the same goal in mind--truly contending for a championship. I don't think we drafted anyone at the star level, or is close to trading for anyone at the star level. If all of Morey's picks pan out, at the very best we'll be a very good team (people are looking at the Pistons' mold apparently, but that team basically had 5 all-stars). We need a true star, as every contender right now has a true star, some even 2 or 3. Dallas, Lakers, Thunder, Miami, Chicago. And you have some current superstars wanting to team up with other stars (DH, Paul, Dwill). In order to push ourselves into that crop of teams, we have to get a superstar. I think Morey still believes that he's good enough to get one later on, while keeping the team relatively competitive as a playoff contender. We'll see. We know he tries his best to get that player. Hopefully in a few years, if it still doesn't pan out, we tank and then truly rebuild. Just sucks b/c word is next year's draft is much stronger than this one. I think they know Yao is done finally, and are hoping he chooses retirement. Like I said, I heard on the radio last night that the most likely decision is retirement. I think the Yao era officially ends this year.
I think it's unfair to make it seem like Morey believes this. It's hard to say what he thinks but what is clear is that Les isn't willing to suck in order to get better.
Cal meant for his Kentucky recruiting... I'm sure. Lord knows we UK fans gave him a heck of a time after that comment last season. Thanks for the recaps guys... very helpful
How old do you think Les is? How many years doe he have left on this Earth? Do you really think he wants to spend 3 or 4 of those years watching his team suck badly?
It seems Morey knows a ton about Monte with years of scouting info. Not sure if that's a good thing given that A) The Rockets didn't feel like he was worthy of the 14th pick B) Wanted to move up for Jonas Seems to me like Donatas was the backup plan, which kind of tempers my enthusiasm with him. IMO, Morey is taking a flyer on him rather than feeling solid about his prospects. Whereas he seems much more certain of Morris' future.
Who is Monta? Few things: - He meant Tristan at the 4th? The Rockets too? - At other interview he said (if I'm not mistaken, -it could be-) that they had 10 guys considered as lottery talent and Morris was the best one when they picked. Seems like the Morris brothers ar 2 of them. Irving, DWill, Kanter, Jonas and Biyombo and we have 7. Tristan Thompson 8. I guess Brandon Knight is another one. So that leaves just one player from among Leonard, Fredette, Vesely, Klay Thompson, Walker and Motiejunas, that they thought it was true lottery talent. ¿? Am I right? - Didn't sound like they expected a lot of contribution from Morris for next season. But I still think that McHale will want him to be a 3, and in the end that's the most important thing regarding his position and possible inmediate contribution.
McHale talked about Marcus using his ballhandling in pick and rolls. He says he is a 3... He is a 3...
i don't like Morey hedging his bets on Morris being a 3. "he's a 3-4", "we are NOT moving him to the 3", "we like our rotation"? Um ...I'll agree that Bud improved after the All-Star break, but we need serious help at the 3 position, and if we can't plug our Top 10 talent into the lineup at the 3, we didn't make a very good pick.
To be fair, McHale said he wanted to TEST Marcus' ballhandling skills in some drills. They're obviously going to give him a shot at the 3, but I don't think anyone from the Rockets has come out and said, "Oh yeah, he's totally a 3."
"Most promising is Sergio Llul. Consensus over seas is that he is better than Rubio. I'm a fan of both and don't want to say who is better. After next season or season after that he will come over." Llul didn't even come into my mind when we acquired flynn. It'll be a tough road for any point guard on our team. Dragic might be traded before his contract runs out...
