Who should be held accountable for this mess we have going on with the Rockets? My main suspect: 1)CD - He and Rudy's talent evaluation is starting to be a glaring weakness. Signing Cato for his contract, Matt Maloney, Mooche Norris (well I should have put Moochie last, since that was the worst signing), Mo Taylor, Trading your entire draft for a player (ala Mike Ditka) who may be good, but had some serious emotional baggage, EG, paying Steve the money he gets, trading the key aspects of the championship team after one injury plagued year for Barkley, Boki, Moochie, Cato. The only really good moves they have made was Cat, Elie, Cassell, KT and Horry, and they traded Cassell, Horry and Kenny Thomas. The championship teams were built by Peterson and Company. Yao, Steve and this group won't get it done. They need a major overhaul starting from the top. Maybe JVG can be that person.
Wow, OSchool, pulled out of lurk mode? 2 posts in one year? I wish I had that kind of discipline... I'm not ready to give up the ship on the current personnel, but I never really have had much faith in Carroll Dawson. Now, that is somewhat unfair because I only have experience with his public persona, which is uncomfortable to say the least. For all I know, he could be a brilliant backroom talent evaluator and a tireless worker. Publicly, however, he seems somewhat clueless and a lot of his personnel decisions recently have started to reflect that.
The length of the contract is to the questionable part. It creates payroll anchors in the far into the future if it doesn't work out. Moochie's contract doesn't end until after the 2006-2007 season. The same goes with Maurice. I don't blame him for offering Steve the max contract. That was expected since Steve was considered a top level player in the league. However, it doesn't mean management shouldn't evaluate the situation annually to see if things are working out. If not, they should figure out what to do. I don't sense that from this franchise. They used to be proactive.
I think the players themselves are accountable. The coaching staff is doing its job by installing a sound defensive system that has paid dividends and even won games for them. And knowing JVG's history, we know that he is up late studying tape and drawing up new plays to best suit this team. These players are grown men that have to realize that once it's game time, the consequences depend upon THEIR actions. I truly believe the coaching staff puts the team in the best position to win, but the players have done a terrible job of believing in the system and trusting one another.
one good one you seem to have forgotten..... Clyde Cato is showing that he is nearly worth his contract...he wasnt that overpaid for a decent backup C...now he covers two positions...worth the money in my book....Look at the average salaries around the league for proof of that. Maloney/Mooch...agree EG.....at the time, most of the real GMs and scout around the league felt we pulled a draft day miracle.....they couldnt have known he wouldnt work out. Sometimes the risk pays off, sometimes it doesnt. Mo has it in him to be worth his contract....his defense and rebounding is improved this year...his offense has never been a problem. Steve is worth the money. He may be struggling to learn what is expected of him and do it on the court, but that will not necessarily last all season....but noone will argue his athleticism... trading key aspects of the championship team for Boki, Barkley, Mooch and Cato??? where did you pull this out from? They traded Horry,Cassell, Bryant for Barkley, that is true..but Boki was a draft pick....Cato was in the Pippin trade...Mooch was a 10 day free agent signing... where do you get what you said?
You forgot CD most recent work - Rice + 1st rounder + Drew Obligation (1-1st or 2-2nds) + money for John "I will never get off the bench" Amaechi and Sac's 2nd. CD is too nice of guy and that makes him easy pickins in this line of work.
