Currently, the Rockets stand 3-9 against the other likely Western Playoff squads. Keep in mind one win was against Denver in Carmelo's first game can likely be discounted. This leaves two legitimate wins, one against the Lakers and another against the T-Wolves. Just to give you some reference, 3-9 is a winning percentage of 25%, the same as the Orlando Magic. We are the Orlando Magic of the playoff bound teams. With one game left against a good Western conference team before the tradeline, it would seem the Rockets are forced to make a move. As much as Steve says last game was a small improvement, because they didn't fall completely apart in the 4th Quarter, we all know that's bogus. As it is now we are squarely on track to barely make the playoffs and certainly lose in the first round. It doesn't matter whose fault it is, if you think Yao's softness, or Steve's subpar season is to blame, the fact is: how many Rockets fans can advocate doing nothing? Trades are being made, big trades, teams are making moves, and you know the Rockets must be getting some calls. Should we stand pat, as we did holding onto Eddie Griffin, waiting for him to come around, or should we take a chance now and make a big move? We all know the Rockets are a flawed team, the TNT crew last night pointed out everything we've rehashed here for months, two shootings guards actually hurt a team offensively, when niether one is a proficient passer. The announcers suggested moving Steve to SG and Mobley to the bench as a 6th man, unfornately they failed to suggest where exactly this much needed point guard will come from. Sacrifices have to be made: I know many of you love Steve, for his athletisicm, his potential, and for what he's done. But this is the time the team has to come first, unless we are to remain mediocre and enjoy having an all star guard. Were many fans disappointed when Hakeem left for Toronto, of course. He had been the face of our franchise for many years, and had won 2 championships, but in hindsight it was the right decision for the team. It's time to part ways with Steve, and while it will hurt, it will ultimately be good for the team. A point guard that can get Yao more involved in the offense, someone who can get Jackson better shots when he's hot, and can himself take outside shots and make them more than 40% of the time. This isn't about finding a better athlete or player than Steve, that is unlikely. It's about finding a player that will make the Rockets a better team.
if that can be discounted as a solid victory for us, then their win over us in denver on the 2nd of a back to back, with yao having breathing problems because of the altitude and cuttinos dumb foul is equally a wash.
I'd like to wait til next year honestly. Let them get in the playoffs and lose in the first round if thats whats going to happen. I honestly thought Mobley was a killer off the bench. Imagine the energy our bench could have with Taylor and Mobley coming off of it. I'd say let them try and make a run for the rest of the year and then make the task of picking up a pass first PG in the offseason the number one priority. If Steve is then not happy with the changes ship him out. I'd hate to see him go but if he can't work WITH his team then something has to be done.
Is it realistic to think trading SF would get us someone who would get us to the championship? I'd say probably not. Can we make it to the playoffs as is? I'd say probably. So, although I'm inclined to agree that we need to trade SF to improve the team, why not wait until the offseason? What is the benefit trading now? I'm not saying there's not one, I just don't see it.
Who or what force Rox to make amove??? Well,I've say that in my former posts. Now, I wanna say it again here! SF need more time to adjust to JVG's style. Give him more patience please(at least this season). It's unwise to trade him when his trade value is plummeting terribly,you know.
The same might be said for say, selling Enron/Worldcom stock as it was going down. Of course, now you would look brilliant for cutting your losses in Enron, or you could have stayed the course, and hoped the value would eventually return. We have much the same dillema with Steve, stay the course, and hope the value returns, or cut our losses now. I'm for cutting the losses, and making a move that we will have the last half of the season to evaluate, instead of postponing the inevitable.
Random, Why, if we are probably going to the playoffs this year with what we have, take a chance on messing up what little chemistry the team has? It would have to be a very sure fire trade to do it now. I'd want a star and a solid second player, perferably a PF and PG. Otherwise, what is the benifit in doing it now? Wouldn't Francis's trade value improve if we make the playoffs?
i think we need a trade, we suck in our divisoin and conference. And portland many now make the playoffs and take our spot.
Obviously I'm not advocating trading him for nothing, but there are many players who could make us better, and aren't all stars. (Jason Williams, Kirk Hinrich, Jamaal Tinsley, etc..) Your question though is valid, but it's a bit of a catch 22. Let's say we hold off trading him, two things then could happen: we fail to make playoffs yet again (portland's trade looks like it will help them, and they may well catch us.) or we do make playoffs. If we don't make them, after all these expectations, Steve's value will be lower than it is now. If we do make them, and we get pounded, as seems likely, it will only prove once again that we need to make a move, and teams will have had more time to observe Steve and determine he is not the player they need. (Not many teams want a me-first point guard who can't pass.) I'm leaving out of course the chance that we not only make the playoffs and actually win a series. This would take either blind luck, or several players on our team completely changing the way they play the game, and as Steve has already so eloquently put it, he's going to play his game. I don't know about you, but simply making the playoffs shouldn't be our goal, this isn't baseball or football where making the playoffs is particulary difficult, it's basketball, where making the playoffs should be mandatory.
Must the Rockets make a trade? Not really. All the Rockets need to do is somehow rally behind Van Grumpy and start playing better team basketball. Order on the court!
I'm kinda on the fence on this one. I see both sides. I like Steve, always have and I would be in favor of doing anything to keep him. But, when the Rox drafted Yao the organization clearly wanted to go a different direction. You dont draft a 7'6 player from China who needs ample time to improve number one in the draft if you don't want him to be the man. It's thats simple. They drafted him high because they not only thought he could, but they wanted him to be the guy who wins them championships. I know Steve has tried to fit this system but his unique talent and ego I think is getting in the way of real progress. It's like a quote from the movie "Miracle". "The name on the front is a hell of alot more important than the one on the back." I don't think Steve realizes this. Anyway, I wouldn't be against a move to bring in guys who will not only flourish in this system and help Yao become a more dominating player, but will gel together to form a championship team. But, I also wouldn't mind them standing pat with Steve till the end and maybe he and all of us will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I would be dissapointed if they dont make any moves to improve this team somehow and I have always loved the idea of Cat coming off the bench.
You're not kidding about Portland possibly making a move up. They got Theo Ratliff and Shareef. This means their frontcourt is now arguably stronger than any other frontcourt in the Western Conference at least on paper. They don't have to deal with Rasheed and his cut the check attitude too.
I suggest this trade a few days ago Wizards trade Gilbert Arenas to the Warriors trade Steve Blake to the Rockets Warriors trade Nick Van Exel to the Rockets trade Mike Dunleavy Jr. to the Rockets Rockets trade Steve Francis to the Wizards trade Boki to the Warriors There could possibly be draft picks moving around to balance the deal. Warriors get Arenas back who is a fan favorite in Golden State. Nick Van Exel would welcome an opportunity to play in Houston where I believe he has a home. He also wants to be in the playoffs. Mike Dunleavy would be a good shooter who is actually a small forward. Steve gets to play in his old stomping grounds.
Wow, we should be dancing in the streets to get Steve Blake and Dunleavy... Dunleavy is getting better, but Blake is a backup point guard. Horrible trade.
Steve Blake is 4th among rookies in assists/48 minutes. 1. T.J. Ford 2. Luke Walton 3. Kirk Hinrich 4. Steve Blake http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol5no07blake.html He would be a very cheap Hinrich.
