Wow, is the GARM more chemically imbalanced than ever. I get it, what with it being about 12 years since we were truly relevant, almost 15 since we were true contenders, and already a couple years since we mustered up the surprise playoff run. Morey's struck out several times trying to connect on a home run ball, and his gold plated moves (Lowry, Scola, etc) are slowly becoming memories next to his apparent blunders (Ariza and Miller signings, Flynn-Williams-Thabeet acquisitions). But I say, be patient. This team is what it is. If you thought this squad was going to make noise in the league as constructed, it's your own fault. No bona fide all stars. No one that commands a double team. No true starting center and too many PFs. Morey knows it too. But this isn't XBox, there's no trade override available. It's not his fault that overnight, top FAs decided they only wanted to be in 4-5 markets (shunning not just Houston bu over 20 other markets as well). Folks were crying out to tank...but if this keeps up, we won't have to firesale our top players to net a mid-lottery pick (gold in this draft). In fact, we just might get a second one out of the Knicks. We aren't that dismal, either. The lockout promised a rough start across the league. If you were watching in '99, you'd remember that. And the insanely compact schedule is draining players who weren't in peak form to begin with. Guys are used to having 6+ weeks to round into shape, this year they had about 3...before being dumped right into back-to-back-to-backs followed by 4 games in 5 nights. Make your peace with it now - this is going to be an ugly season across the board. Focus on the big picture. There's the faintest possible hope that two good draft picks plus a Martin-centered package could win us Howard. Even if not, two lottery picks in this draft would bring in a better return than Cleveland's #1 and #4 did last year. And Morey's moves have set the stage for truckloads of cap space this summer. Landing a true franchise player requires a lot of luck. Morey's done everything to put the team in position to nab one when the opportunity comes. Breathe in, breathe out, and let things be.
Some will just never be happy. Those shouting for "tank mode" are losing their minds that we are losing; against quality opponents. The fact that we had a shortened training camp with a new coach means nothing to the knee-jerk crowd. There is disparity all over the league right now with the amount of back-to-backs each team is having to play. I'm sure Dallas and Memphis are not crazy about their records at this point in the season and both have much higher expectations than we do.
To the OP, I say - Amen bruthah! Most of what I've been sayin all along... give DM some time... Other thread "...someplace we've never been before" - yeh, a team with freakin capspace next offseason! THEN DM can work his magic!
Thank you! Someone in another thread said something along the lines of Morey being here for 5 years and blah, blah, blah. Point is, this is his 1st opportunity since he has been here to actually shape the team exactly the way he wants to. He has his hand picked coaching staff, tons of cap room opening up this summer, and a solid cast of role players. This summer will give him all the flexibility he needs.
I agree with everything BUT....anybody who can actually demand a double team doesn't want to come to Houston.. true or false?
Both. True because Houston doesn't have a star player to attract other stars. False because, contrary to popular belief, lots of players spend time here in the off season and like it here. You need a star to get a star, unless you're in a "preferred" market. Even then, the Clippers and the Knicks have been horrible for years.
