Rafael Stone 2022-23 end of season post-season conference

So I just listened to all 30 something minutes of this, and now I am really annoyed. He didn't really seem genuine to me, and didn't give me the impression that he really has a plan. Platitude after platitude.

The most annoying thing is that nobody really ever asks a tough question. I keep noticing it, but the NBA is a very "protected" environment in most local markets. The few reporters are either practically employed by the team or they know they will lose access if they ask even a question that would make the interviewee slightly uncomfortable.

One thing I found interesting was that he didn't mention KPJ. It most likely means nothing, but I obviously HOPE it does mean something.

This offseason will be huge for the Rockets. Stone better do a good job. I like the drafts under his direction; hopefully he can pick the right coach and the right veterans.

One thing I didn't like was that he said the young players will play fewer minutes next year.

This only makes sense if you add a superstar. If he spends on an Oladipo type of player and then takes away minutes from the young guys, that would just be stupid.

 

Is Stone going to let his wife meet Udoka?

 

According to Udoka .... All Wives Matter

 

He was involved in deciding rotations, practices, film sessions… players would go over Silas’ head to Stone when they didn’t like what Silas did… he pushed for discipline to be handled by Lucas.

Stone neutered Silas - but Silas went along with it like an idiot.

There was zero accountability the last 3 years and the culture sucked.

 

Nope, Stone choose most of it and then several assistants bailed because the culture sucked.

My hope is Stone has learned his limitations. He isn’t a brilliant X’s and O’s guy and he isn’t a former coach like Riley that can walk in and dictate play calling changes. Stone is a transactional lawyer who has a good feel for which players will be good players. He needs to let his head coach coach and hire someone like JVG or a former long term coach to help in the front office.

 

Agree on the platitudes. Stone never has any real detail or refinement to what he does - just a loose outline… and that doesn’t impress me.

As for KPJ, I wasn’t really happy with what I was told, and hope it is wrong - but I guess it lets the next coach decide his fate.

 

Who are the guys he got from his years in Charlotte? I can only think of Rick Higgins and maybe Mike Batiste.

 

Yes, Silas and Higgins (both sons of coaches) worked together in Charlotte from 2013-2018. Batiste worked with them there 2017-2018. Hollins was coached by Paul Silas, Stephen Silas said he wanted to bring him along even years ago.

Silas and Higgins were the two doing the public scapegoating of Alpi in unison.

This is Higgins really struggling to say a positive word about Alpi when asked by Vanessa (that was after Alpi had a really good first half, with 12 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts):



and Silas:

 

It’s not Stephen, it’s me (us)

he’s a great person

our player development is the titts

we keep losing cause we are young and that’s the only reason

we are exactly where we want be

when I got this job some things were unfair but I’m grateful

yes, next season we are gonna start winning

we’ve got culture coming out of our ass. I dare someone to say we don’t have culture

People want to coach here

Tilman wants to win; off the record I’m on the hot seat.

 

He needs some public speaking training, this is hard to hear.

 

Sometimes eloquent speakers are just glorified BS Artists.

 

What were you told?

DD

 

Yeah, Hollins doesn't really count. The dude put together that Memphis Grit and Grind team and defense that I was hoping would also be what the Rockets turned into. He had established himself in the league and been around for years. His problem was always he didn't take crap from anybody including his own organization and that rubbed people the wrong way. He was also probably slow to adapt to the new ways of basketball. The biggest disappointment I had with the team was when the defense pretty much still sucked even with his addition. I'm curious if he'll be kept.

I thought Higgins was highly thought of when he was brought here, but I could be wrong. I also thought people were ticked when Batiste left Washington, but I could be wrong about that. I think he was in Charlotte for a season (?) from looking his history up.

No idea what they thought of your boy Alpe or if it was a concerted effort to get him. lol.

 

I liked that he chewed out KPJ when he was acting like an idiot, but overall, it seemed like he was kind of done with life or something. Maybe he just thought to himself...f it...

 

Meh, This dude's not even good at beating about the bush…not mention bringing in any substantive ideas.
I wouldn't laugh at his incompetent, instead, I feel much concerned about tlly's Top-Down approach could land more this kinda persons (no visions no creativities), however their fulfilment happens to be extremely crucial to our rebuilding.
Already behind the schedule now.

 

Couple of things and I agree with you fully, I heard mostly the same thing. Yada, yada, most cap space ever, yada.

He is who he is, a lawyer that turns the truth to his convenience.........covering up the important details.

He kept it very vague the whole time, got really defensive when journalists talked about media and John Wall attacking the culture.

"Oh, we have a real good culture but it ain't winning." "They are out of their minds!"

Mentioned Sengun once, KPJ probably got hinted at, nothing much about Jalen. No Head honcho stuff affecting everyone.

Talked about how Jabari and Tari are completely different player types.............

I got nothing much out of those 30 minutes.

 

I agree, I was hoping Nook would expound on this.

 

Wait, did he really say the young guys will play fewer minutes next year?

Is he already undermining our yet to be hired new coach?

 

Good old ClutchFans! Hive mentality thinking it can be a better GM, coach, and scout than anyone appointed to those roles!

When this team starts to win UNDER STONES WATCH a good portion of you will have some explainin' to do! (or not and just ride your collective egos into another wall! )