I think it is important to note that we are currently sitting at 16-11 (4th in west) after starting 3-7 with a tough schedule, new coaching staff and some new players. We are doing this with a majority of guys under age 25 with huge cap flexibility going into the off season. We are beating most of the teams we are supposed to beat, with the exception of the Bucks and a couple of other let downs. I argue that these guys are growing together and are working well within the system - guys are interchangeable with bench players mixing in with starters. Most importantly, I see guys like Lowry, Lee, etc. bringing that competitive spirit to the team and getting guys fired up because of it. I don't think we should touch this team as is - I think we should resign Dragic in the offseason and make a play for a big star, but keep this main group intact. We have shooters, defenders, play makers - all playing like a TEAM. I'd rather have this team than have two superstars like the Knicks that can't play like a team.
I agree, however if we keep playing like this, which is meltdowns and blowing leads and guys taking nights off but keep winning there's no reason not to look for upgrades. That way we can make some noise in the playoffs because this team is not going to win any series. Martin and Scola are expendable, but if that means Gasol I say no. I don't care about any other player, as long as it is not Gasol.
I honestly think we are playing this well because guys ARE expendable - meaning McHale doesn't have to adhere to superstar egos - he can bench Martin or Bud when they take nights off and other guys step up. They don't have the clout to whine that they need minutes.
A significant issue is how much Dragic and Lee want to get paid. If they are asking for the moon, it's better to trade them for value then to lose them for nothing. Especially the unrestricted Dragic.
Hmm at one point i was screaming tank, then I was hoping for large scale trade, but honestly I agree. We are hooping hard, keep it up Rocks
GOD NO Get a legit championship caliber player to build around. Trade whatever you need to, clear as much cap space that is needed.
I'm not really sold on either extreme yet. Don't buy that everyone sucks and we should have started tanking a month ago. Don't buy that we're ready to roll to a 3-seed and make a playoff run. What is true? We're a team that is 5 games over .500, playing an exactly .500 strength of schedule, and we will be much better when we learn to play the second half as well as the first. So what I really believe is that regardless of what has already happened, what happens between now and the All-Star break determines the season's direction, and thus, determines what happens at the trade deadline.
I love the sentiment of this thread, but i don't think we are as good as our record. I just don't. You are talking about a really really small sample-size, and then assuming that because we are winning games, our personel must be adequate. But we still have gaping holes in our front court, our bench is out-performing our starters, and we still have problems defensively. I can agree that the super-star model doesn't always work (Knicks are a good example), but we ought not keep our team as is. We need a center. We need a PF that can score & defend. As much as i like Parsons, he probably wouldn't be starting on most teams. Our back-court is the only part of our team that i have real confidence in (and depending on free agency, we may very well lose Dragic). We DO need to improve our roster. I'm not saying we should clean house, but more and more, it's clear that our two original core players (Scola and Martin) are expendable, and we need to add some elite players to become serious championship contenders.
In case it matters: http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/type/expanded Vs above .500: 7 & 10 Vs below .500: 9 & 1 I believe the Rockets are just above the middling teams. They still though have their share of problems vs the upper teams, and likely won't be able to turn this into more than having HC and winning 1 round in the playoffs.
27 games is about 40% of the season... pretty good sample size in my humble opinion. I agree we need these things, which is why we have cap flexibility... but getting rid of our guys and starting again will back us up another 5 years.
I we can make a GOOD move... 09ers for Kamen, value for end of year UFAs, youth with upside (Batum) - great! Overhaul to chase a 31 year old Gasol - pass!
I think we should look at why we have been losing games, and address those issues instead of going after a superstar. From what I see, offense is not a problem, this roster is filled with it. When we lost Chuck, we lost our lone defender in the post, and one of the best in the NBA. Chucks help defense would have saved countless possessions where are guards and wings are beat off the dribble. We also lost a great passer in the starting lineup, and perhaps this is why Martin & Scola(especially Scola) are having a hard time this year. For all we know, Chuck was probably a great stabilizer and locker room presence for the team as well. Personally, I hope Morey finds a way to bring him back next season, but til then we should be looking to plug the hole at center. This roster was built around Yao's ability to play in the post, and pass, so why don't we replace him with Bogut? Maybe a package of: Martin Hill for Bogut Milwaukee gets some needed offensive punch, while getting a serviceable big man in Hill to take the place of Bogut.
Im a big proponet of getting Bogut - I think he's worn out his welcome in Milwaukee, battling with Skiles. But I believe he's injured until after the trade deadline - so he'd be an offseason move...
I feel like they've built this team backwards. Instead of getting a great star player and building around him like they did during the Yao era, the Rockets are now putting together a supporting cast so that they can bring in a superstar later. I want to see how it works out once we bring in a player that's capable of lighting it up on a nightly basis, especially with as well as our supporting cast is playing without a superstar. Maybe this is the way of the future in the NBA.
A significant issue is how much Dragic and Lee WILL get paid. So, beating the ones we are supposed to beat is OK? How about some team with quality having to bring their A-Game to a game with the Rox? I am pleased with the group we have, but I want to be a legit contender. This team is not.
Wouldn't mind dealing Martin and/or Scola for quality reserves and picks. I think Lee and 2Pat are upgrades and we can use the money to offer Eric Gordon a deal NO won't match and then go for Osik.
I like our center by committee approach. We have a good core. Just one or two players away from contention imo. I would try to pry Granger away from Indiana. Or if golden state is selling Monta or Lee, I would trade Martin the 09 crew. Keep the core and upgrade a couple spots and we are legit.
