Let's look at this all from an existing star's point of view. What about the Rockets makes it an appealing organization to sign/request trade to other than money? We have no solid players or team structure in place. It seems like anyone can be moved at any moment so there is no guarantee that the players a star may want to play with or think they'll likely play with will be there. People want to have a good idea of the situation they're putting themselves in, especially if they're trying to win a championship. The Rockets have no identity, nothing in place, and cannot offer a likely scenario a star can expect to play in. The organization treats its players like assets, not family. With a history of trading and treating our players (stars included) like assets I'm sure word around the league is that it's strictly business in Houston. We've shown no loyalty to our players so why pick the Rockets as a place to settle down? We've managed to treat our greatest players and ambassadors in a way that they don't even seem to care about the organization anymore. That tells you a lot about the relationship the team has with it's players. The staff is unproven. We have a coach with little coaching success in the league. If you cannot count on having a great cast of teammates around you, you should at least be able to count on having a good coach with a good system if you're looking to win. We don't have that. At the end of the day, what is it about the Rockets that appeals to players to want to come play here? I'm not trying to be a pessimist, but just trying to look at the situation from a player's point of view, especially a star player's perspective. What edge do we have over other teams that would make someone intentionally pick us as a place to play?
Cap Space No state taxes Above average team Chance to play in the playoffs Big city Chance to be the best player on the team
None.....honestly if i wasn't born and raised in Houston, I would never come back here. Its hot, urban sprawled, no culture, and just a hick town. My goal in life is honestly to get to California.
For an established star???... Most are aging quickly, see what Miami did, and only want to go somewhere where they can join forces with two or more superstars. For an up and coming future star player- Opportunity to be a franchise cornerstone. If you want stars that are in their prime now, you can't just get one. You need to have the flexibility to go after multiple stars. I believe the Rockets can do this, but they have to get the first domino to fall. It can be done, but its very hard to do in their era of the NBA. Its not something I would count on, but be open to the possiblity if the opportunity ever came about. There is alot of appeal for playing in Houston. Its a great city to play for with great benefits for a star athlete. Its not the city, the organization, or the coach thats the problem, its the roster that was left over from the Yao/McGrady years that isn't guaranteed to be a contender with just one star carrying the burden all alone. The Rockets most likely Journey to getting that first star is to draft another Steve Francis that they can turn into Tracy McGrady in a trade years later. Right now the Rockets have plenty of young talented players, and opportunities to develop a star among the same level as a Stevie Franchise type of player or two, and then lets see what they can do with some young talented players first.
Lived in Houston for 25 years of my life, went to California to visit my brother for 2 weeks and fell in love. Sorry but you know its true.....if you had a choice, would you honestly stay in Houston over San Diego or LA?
I maintain my position. Does San Diego or LA have The Original Ninfas on Navigation? When they do, let me know. Until that time, Houston is home. Yes, food is important to me.
How can you say we're an "above average team", when the team we put on the floor last season got us in the bottom half of the standings? Not to mention we just lost Lowry, Dragic, and Lee, who were arguably our 3 best players last season.
