So your argument is basically that: you think Dragic will get overpaid, and Morey doesn't overpay, so he won't match, especially knowing that we have Lowry locked up cheap at the same position. And Dragic won't want to sign with us because he'll be worried that Lowry will regain his starting job. I'm not saying that's a bad argument, but i don't think that it means that Dragic is likely not resigning here. If things continue to play out the way they have, Dragic will be locked into our starting PG. Dragic also seems like he really likes McHale, his teammates, and the Rockets' organization. He has said he's "happy in Houston" (not that words mean anything) and he hopes to stay. He's been here for the last year and a half, and fans are showing him the love. If we make the playoffs, it will only cement his relationship with Houston, giving us an added advantage to keep him. Dragic will command a serious pay increase for sure, but what constitutes being "overpaid"? He's a young guy with star potential ...isn't that what the Rockets' are looking for? What makes you think they won't make a competitive offer? He can play off the ball just as well as he can play the point, so there should be plenty of minutes for Lowry and Dragic to co-exist (even if Lowry isn't traded). I guess i just don't get the pessimism. Every win further cements the Dragic-Houston relationship. It basically will boil down to how much of an opportunity he will get to play (and it's obvious he will play as much as he wants in a Rockets' uniform), how much he likes the coach-teammates-organization (no reason to think otherwise), and most importantly, the money (and there is no reason to think we will low-ball our best player right before he hits his best years). One last thing working in our favor ...Morey will take endless amounts of grief if he loses Dragic. Sure it's Goran's decision, but if it comes down to money, the fan-base will be furious. He's become a fan-favorite and the most exciting thing to happen to the Rockets since Yao. I think it's getting harder by the day to make the case for prudence with regard to resigning Dragic. I think Houston has the advange on the re-sign.
I don't think Dragic will be overpaid, in general. I meant that, to Morey, it'll be overpaying, since he can't guarantee Dragic is going to start. I can't see Morey gambling and paying goran ~10 mill to possibly back up. i think the jury is still out on how good Dragic can be at the 2. It's been discussed before and some believe he won't be as good at the 2 spot, including myself. He can play it, but i'm not sure he can produce the same numbers sharing the ball. If morey agrees, then he won't pay Goran his FA worth to play the 2. Dragic will go elsewere, for more money, and to play his preferred position. If Morey doesn't agree, then he may pay and keep Dragic. I'm thinking it's the former.
ugh...this is a sucky situation. hopefully the right deal comes around that opens up a spot for us at pg for dragic to start. i love lowry ALOT...but if we can grab another piece for lowry and keep dragic..instead of just losing dragic for nothing, im all for that. maybe even re-signing dragic and then trading him?
Any Rocket that leaves Houston goes on to be a much lesser version of what they once were here. Hayes, Landry, Ariza, McGrady, on and on etc...
Dragic is not backing up anyone. He's leading our team to the playoffs for the first time in 3 years with a new coach and a roster that most (myself included) thought was 500 at best. He's our best player! Why do you think he's not locked in as our starter? Dragic will never be a backup again whether it's in Houston or somewhere else. (and no, i don't mean never ever again ...when the dude is in the twilight of his career)
This team plays as a unit. Dragic doesn't carry this team at all. The team does it together. He's a great piece and fantasic as a starter but he is no franchise player. You could say the same about Scola, Lee and Parsons. Each have done their part. If Morey could find Lowry and Dragic what makes you think he can't find another?
Although i believe Dragic has improved his shooting permanently, i dont believe it'll stay this high. It's a crazy % he's been shooting. Once that settles down he'll have less of an edge over Lowry. They'll be too close in production/impact to say Lowry won't win his starting spot back. Also, don't forget how high Morey is on Lowry. You cant evaluate Dragic's situation as if Lowry wasnt here. If that were the case, Dragic would certainly stay, but it's not. You have to take into consideration there isn't a large difference in their production and Lowry is the one with the active contract after this season.
I mean, why can't Morey guarantee a starting job for Dragic? Morey ultimately holds the starting cards in his hand. If he wants Dragic to start, then he'll trade Lowry. It's that simple. It's a bit of a perfect storm for him. He's got a hot commodity & a lot of teams not looking for a draft pick that need a point guard. Also, I'm tired of hearing the Collison comparisons. That was a rookie. We are talking about a guy who has learned from one of the greatest point guards of all time and has shown glimpses of being great himself (24 points in the 4th quarter against Spurs?). In terms of starting, yes it's a small sample. But he's been playing, albeit less minutes than many backups, for nearly 3 or 4 years.
I'm not suggesting we don't play as a team. We absolutely do. But it's clear that the catalyist for our success has been Dragic. It's also clear that he has all-star type talent. And i have to disagree that you could say the same for Scola, Lee, or Parsons. None of those players has the potential of a Dragic, and they've all been far more inconsistant.
No it's not. He's played 18 games. You could say Lin has all-star talent. Every player could have All-star talent if you take a small sample size. Lowry is more proven than Dragic at this point and you can't say for sure that Dragic will continue this pace or even get better. Morey won't risk that either. He didn't even do that for Lowry last season. This team has more talent on it than last year's team. We actually have 2 centers. You can't say our playoff run is due all to Dragic.
Why would he sign Portland? Thats a destination definitely for all the reasons people say Houston is not a good destination is a worse place than Houston for all those same reasons. Including returning to a team he feels comfortable with and is winning in Houston.
I did NOT say our playoff run was ALL due to Dragic. Stop exaggerating to prove your point! I strongly disagree with your implication that Dragic is nothing special, and that he is not the main player-component behind our success these last two months. McHale should get a lot of credit, but you take out Dragic, and we're not where we are right now.
If you are arguing against keeping Dragic you were probably the same crowd that said we needed to keep Battier and Chuck Hayes to be a better team. Nobody should listen to you that means. Dragic is the main reason this team has not only stayed afloat but advanced a few playoff seeds when Lowry went down. The other Marcus Camby. Dragic is definitely the number 1 reason. You do not let other teams go get him for free. He is as valuable as Kyle lowry now. So you overpay and if someone wants Lowry or him? Morey has the option to upgrade the roster. Its completely stupid to let a guy like that walk for free just because you say have Lowry already. We have nothing else besides Lowry and Dragic that people want. Including this teams needs of both of them.
It's a delicate process. Probably can't re-up Goran now, unless it's for Lowry money, so as not to mess with Lowry's head. Even then, keeping him might start Lowry looking over his shoulder anyway. Even if Lowry is involved in a trade for a (high) draft pick (this draft is thin on good PGs), you'd have to bring in a replacement. Now, Llull could be that man, our Spanish Gogi to go with the original; but would Morey have the cap space to pay Llull (2nd rounder, no 1st-round money restrictions) what he wants/deserves (whatever that is), which would help Llull pay a buyout that is steeper the earlier he gets out of it? EDIT: And I don't advocate trading Lowry, just giving it a slight Moreyball view.
But you were the same crowd that said we needed Battier and Chuck Hayes. So not listening to you. We do need Dragic one way or the other to advance as a team to the next level. Either through his value in trade terms or to replace Lowry because of Lowrys value in trade terms. One way or the other the Rockets if they wnat to actually get a Superstar need both Lowry and Dragic. Arguably Courtney Lee to be resigned too.
GREAT Point RJ.... Everyone keeps commenting about the money, but it's more than that.. You can hear him talking about how he's ready to start and as long as Lowery is here.. that may not happen.. Unfortunately, one of them has to go.. T_Man
Again thats a so what? Argument. That means you get to trade for an upgrade using either Lowry or Dragic paired with Kevin Martin for that star you always wanted on the Rockets. Again its so what?
