I think that the idea that this current team can contend is an absolute fantasy. I have no interest in watching the same players for years when I know they can't win. If this deadline passes with no moves, we'll just be playing out the string.
There are 3 things you can count on in this world. Death, Taxes, and DaDakota advising the Rockets to "stand pat" no matter who/when/what.
IF DD ran the team, we would currently have a starting 5 of Aaron Brooks Luther Head Trevor Ariza Terrence Jones Kelvin Cato
I was about to comment from this angle. I feel this team needs as much proven talent as possible to overcome the coaching deficiency. As many feel on here, McHale doesn't strike as the caliber of coach who can raise the level of the current team as is and legitimately contend. Even with a healthy Dwight. This team needs a "coach on the floor" type player, a strong ball handler who can direct the team and take pressure off of Harden. Insurance at the 5 position is a must right now too.
LOL - when he actually is forced to PLAY them. I don't think coaches develop as much as skilled players get better by playing with other like skilled players. DD
Letting Dragic go was obviously a mistake in hindsight if he was actually willing to sign for the long run. However, at the time, it made sense considering we ONLY had Harden and we were trying to pair him up with another star. As it turned out, we didn't actually have to do that. Either way, let it go already. I have ZERO problem with letting go of AB. There is NOTHING to develop there. He is what he is, a one trick pony who is a complete liability when his shot is not falling. Lowry huh? I guess you like players causing trouble on the team don't like having Harden? We got Harden due to the high value pick we got from the Raptors when we traded Lowry. You can't have one without the other. Whiteside... to my knowledge and memory, we never had Whiteside. He was drafted by the Kings, sent to the D-League, waived by the Kings, and then dropped off the radar until the light turned on for him on the Heat. What's your point with him? Patterson? Really don't know why you are bringing him up here. What is there to develop? One can argue that both D-Mo and T-Jones are significantly better than hime. We HAD to move him to clear space for our 2nd star in order to build a core for Harden. Honestly, it just sounds like you dislike Morey flipping people you personally like, regardless of whether or not it is better for the team ultimately. It is NEVER, EVER about the players and ALWAYS about the good for the team's future. You completely missed the mark on my comment about Morey being smarter than all of us. Yes, he is not infallible as a talent evaluator, but he is still infinitely better and smarter than it compared to any of us. I trust Morey along with his makes 100% and again, infinitely more than anyone else in this community. That's why he makes the big bucks handling a team and we spend our free time wondering about what he and other teams might be doing to improve the roster. Our future is Harden and even though he is 25, that is not a lot of time. Injuries can happen (Yao an T-Mac) amongst other things. We HOPE we have a long time, but the truth is that no one knows. That's why it is so important to flip until you have a team where the GM feels is able to compete, not armchair GM's on the internet that ultimately know nothing about the inner workings of the NBA.
I'm all in favor of developing players....if they actually develop. D-Mo obviously has, and that's clearly because he actually pays attention to the HOFers around him and puts in a lot of work. James has, and that's probably mostly his doing and also from being motivated by all the criticism of his defense. Dwight still hasn't improved in his offensive role, though. In fact, he's regressed since last season. I understand he's injured, but he's still not acclimating well to fitting into the offense. Beverly has regressed, and that's why all the talk now is about point guards. Can't they get him a personal coach to teach him how to play point and facilitate? Do you have to be a natural talent to play point guard. How can he be our starting point guard and not know how to play point guard? Trading around might get you better players, but then you have to integrate them into the team, which is challenging. Developing players should be a viable option, and I just can't figure how we suck so much at helping our young, athletic guys get consistently better at their position. It doesn't seem like we have answer for either player development or new player integration. We basically just let them go out on the floor and see what develops. And that's why Harden handles everything. They should just make him a player-coach if it's going to be that way, and let him craft the team around himself.
I share your concerns about chemistry and player development but the trade deadline is a HUGE resource towards improving your team and Morey is a master craftsman when it comes to trades. I disagree that Morey has had an inordinate amount of lateral or unnecessary trades. Just because the trade does not satisfy immediately that does not mean the trade was not successful. The trade for Harden does not happen without all those "lateral" trades or decisions that dealt away good to very good players (Landry, Lowry, Martin, Dragic, picks, etc.). I get attached to our players too, guys we acquire then root for every day and can literally see their growth as players (D-mo, TJones, Canaan, etc.) but the ultimate goal is a championship. And if we can replace players with potential/very good players/future picks and replace with players with all star talent/skills like Harden, Dwight, JSmoove, Ariza, Brewer, etc. Then you do it. Because it takes you a step closer to your ultimate goal.
Tomorrow - you know what your team is for the rest of the year. The last experiments should be over. The Old guys . . .you know what they are The Rockets will be looking to lock in their 8~10 man rotation [mostly 8] Harden/Smoove/DMo/Dwight/Ariza/Bev/ <--- solid locks to be in the playoff rotation Rocket River
I tend to agree with a few exceptions. First off, I think we are all aware of Dragic's abilities and clearly he would be a great addition to the team. If it only cost us Jones/Shved/picks then I think you do it in a heartbeat. Secondly, I personally believe Canaan is more than ready to play bigtime minutes in the NBA. If we are unable to do anything at the deadline, I'm praying that McHale pulls his head out and lets Canaan start and use Beverley as a energetic boost off the bench. This team needs another play maker who can break down the defense and shoot...and that's exactly what Canaan brings.
