We have multiple high lottery '09 "busts" in our stable. Out of Hasheem, Flynn, Hill and Williams one is bound to pan out this year right? My bet is on Flynn. I don't think Hill will get much time, although teammates have been saying that Jordan has been ultra aggressive lately. He certainly has all the tools to be a solid PF in the league. Heck, all of the players above have the tools to succeed. Unless there's a trade (albeit Hill is one of the easiest pieces to let go) there's too much of a log jam at the PF spot and Hill is not built to play C. Williams just has "that" attitude, which I think influences his game. This is a pity as I think his ceiling is a poor-man's Iggy which would be perfect at the 3 spot. All he has to do is beat out Bud and possibly Morris to get playing time early. This shouldn't be too hard, and if he can't earn some then I'm satisfied that he was a failed project. Flynn has the attitude and talent to be at least a rotational player. Once again, the depth that the Rox have with Lowry and Dragic is problematic but he should give Dragic a good run for backup. Hasheem is sigh. Well, historically speaking big men "get it" or show at least signs of it by the 3rd year. If not, I have no qualms of letting his contract get off the books to free up cap space.
If we get AI and either Jefferson or Gortat we're guranteed at least a 6th seed. If we get AI and Nene or Howard or all three, we're immeadiate contenders.
I think Flynn plays a little bit, maybe takes over for an injured player or something. We either trade Dragic and move Flynn to play backup PG or we trade Flynn when his stock his high. Williams and Thabeet play minutes here or there, but both are out of the league when their ocntracts end this year. Hill either gets traded for a low draft pick, or plays backup PF if Scola gets traded and Chuck leaves.
Memphis has come out to say that resigning Gasol as priority #1. With the salary cap staying where it was, they should be able to resign him at a premium rate as he will be a restricted free agent. If another teams offers him a close to max level or all star contract, look for Rudy Gay to be heavily shopped around in a trade by the trade deadline. Even if the Rockets offer him a max level contract, Memphis has stated they will match any contract signed.
Josh Smith in Rox Uni? Here's a pretty good write-up on Josh Smith and the Rockets. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/918871-josh-smith-to-the-rockets-guide-to-the-potential-move
The Eel is targeting an African native? Sounds like a bad detective novel. And anyway, does this make Thabeet expendable???? I wouldn't mind replacing him with Dalembert (isn't he Haitian?).
This thread is probably more like "Your Christimas Wish-List", but I agree with those who brought up Nene and/or Iggy. Nene is the best center out there that is somewhat available and Igoudala would be the perfect compliment for this team at the 3. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but I really do think that both of these guys are on Morey's radar. If the Rockets somehow ended up with both Nene & Iggy I'd be as happy as I've been in a long time. From a Rockets fan perspective, anyway.
Go after Nene in FA. Impress the hell out of him and see if he accepts our offer. Resign Hayes and hope like hell he does the same. Then trade Scola+Hill+Budinger+Williams to Indy for Granger and Posey or Philly for Iggy and Kapono. This would be our lineup for 2011-2012. Lowry/Dragic Martin/Lee Iggy or Granger/Morris Hayes/Patterson Nene/Thabeet Still have some "assets" to pull of a deadline deal for a CP3 or Howard if they pull a Carmelo on their respective teams. Iggy or Granger/Morris
This thread is depressing... We're a couple of superstars away from being contenders and the best we can do is role-players this off-season. Doomed to mediocrity. I agree with the sentiment that the worst thing to be in the NBA is mediocre. You should either be contending or close to contending.. or really bad, picking up superstar-potential draft picks.
Realistically we'll probably end up signing Kyrylo Fesenko; a young, strong, athletic 7'1 center who plays physical in the paint. Plus both sides have shown interest in the past, and he would come at a really cheap price.
^ i agree with that...strong chances that DM will get shut out again in free agency..all we gotta do is pray and not keep our hopes up..
same reason that people were enamored with gortat while he was a 15min/game player with orlando. it's easy to jump on the wagon when the secret is out. i'm not saying that asik is worth the hype but he would be a serviceable C but only if there was a star PF next to him.
Just finished watching Moneyball. Kind of made me re-think how much value Morey places on efficiency. Martin is probably his favorite "piece". Efficiency wise there is not another guard with his kind of proficiency other than Nash. Hayes is probably another favorite of his due to his contribution toward wins vs what routine statistics show. I mention these two because I don't think Martin will be involved in any trades and I'm pretty certain Hayes will return in a Rox uniform. Basketball is a lot more difficult to emulate wins in terms of statistics because one individual carries so much more weight.
