Exactly! I have a hard time believing that OKC would hold onto Russ because of top 5 vs top 4 protection…At least we’re not the Timberwolves…why the hell would they make their pick be top 3 protected?!
I think they would have been fine with top 10 protected even. its not like we were talking far into the distance. It's obviously well reported now who wanted the deal, who didn't, etc... but it also seems very likely to me that at that point DM kind of was fed up with Tilman and likely didn't give it the full 200% negotiating effort he otherwise might have. but that's just my opinion speculation...
Morey sabotaged this franchise when he had one foot out the door, if people still can’t see that they are blind
Which, if true, upon figuring it out (later, I would presume) is why the Rockets would in no-way, shape or form, move Harden to the 76ers. So, in the end, DM sabotaged himself. Never good to burn a bridge; particularly a billionaire's bridge. #notsmart
I don’t believe that there was no way the Rockets would trade Harden to Morey, let’s say he put Embiid on the table. But if the deals were equal, then of course you don’t do business with the person that just screwed you over. As it turns out, the deals weren’t even remotely equal with Morey’s deal centered around Simmons, trying to swindle the Rockets one last time. But ended up playing himself instead. But yes, that’s the reason Tilman hates Morey.
He is one of the best defenders of all time. He took Shaq out with ease. He was the heart and soul of the NBA champion Detroit Pistons. He can't be compared to our Hakeem Olajuwon who is truly an all time great.