This hinges on the notion that Alpi and Amen are big enough star talents to create a window in the first place, and we have absolutely zero evidence of that. Giannis actually does open a window.
Rockets have the depth to compete with this OKC team but not the top end talent. Hope Ferntits is watching this series because if we run it back with FVV/Green the season will be over before it starts.
I know Tilman & Patrick were probably head over heels getting #2 in the west but I wonder how they feel watching two #3 picks coming off the bench & what they thought was a steal with Cam is all just sitting on the bench. I know Tilman & Patrick want to see a home grown team. I wonder if development will be push by the uppers this off season
Indiana is in the East, but yeah on principle agree with the post. Only issue is who is the next Haliburton and will Sacramento draft him because no other teams would be that dumb to trade a super talented young player for a Sabonis. Rockets should remain patient and not make a desperate trade for an aging star. Indiana was fortunate to deal with Sacramento. I expect the Rockets will have to pay a much higher price for the next Haliburton if he ever becomes available.
You couldn't play Halliburton and Fox together because they're the same player. Its the same as Ellis and Curry
I would prefer the team to make light moves, add a shooter here or there but honestly our FA signings next year are Cam and Reed, they have to have a big role next year on the team. I think if they can at least be close to their potential, the team will dramatically improve.
Memphis didn't stay stagnant. Their drop off is because they traded us Adams and brooks signed with us in free agency.
Traded us Adams who missed the entire season last year and half the season before that? Dillon Brooks final season in Memphis he shot 39.6% from the field and 32.6% from deep with 49% TS taking 14 shots a game, and then shot 31.2% from the field and 23.8% from deep in the postseason with 39% TS Memphis did not get better, made no significant improvements, and has regressed riding it out with their “core”
You saw the impact Adams made for us. You don't think him missing time was a big reason? They miss Dillon's toughness. They thought they could replace it with smart and it backfired. They just made bad moves. I agree they didn't get better they got worse because they let key players leave. Tyus Jones was a key part of that team too and they let him walk and didn't replace any of these guys with real players and that's why they are worse. They have a nice core of ja Bane and JJJ.
Steven Adams was benched in 5 of their 12 playoff games during that 2022 run and played less than 6 minutes in 3 other games because he was getting smoked…he was injured for the 2023 playoffs…his impact in Memphis wasn’t what it was here Dillon Brooks was atrocious his final season there those are ancillary role players…at the end of the day, Memphis made no significant moves to get better and their core is now headed nowhere, and I don’t think Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks are the difference between what they are now and having a bright and promising future which they no longer have
Alpi is a 22 yr old All star and Amen is a 21 yr first all nba defender. Jabari and Tari played great during the playoffs. Sure we have zero evidence there will be a window when these guys are 25+ but nobody also knew Bucks would have a window when Giannis and Middleton were 21. Giannis wasnt even an all star at age 21.
Liked most of what you said, but Fred is not a playmaker at all. He is maybe the worst starting PG at playmaking in the league. He controls the offense at Ime’s bequest, but that is not playmaking, it is initiating and he does that at a very slow pace. FVV needs to be a 20m a game backup PG and mentor (not at playmaking) to our guys. If Ime won’t put him in that role then he should be sent packing by Stone.
You are making an unfair argument, the reason Memphis went "nowhere" is because of injuries. They were starting 3rd bench guys at one point this season. If everybody was healthy then Memphis would be a top team, and even with all their injuries they only won 4 less games than 2nd seed Rockets. Is that floundering? lol I guess you can say Memphis made a mistake riding it out with their core because JJJ and Ja are both extremely injury prone, and Ja is looking like he is starting to regress due to his injuries. But Amen and Alpi dont look like they have a health problem to me.
Yes. Indiana just picked the wrong one to jettison. Kind of like people wanting to jettison Jalen and keep FVV.
Because going 4 on 5 in big games without a SG on the court isn't going to get many wins. Also, now we've gone past the purpose of FVV being brought here (erasing any KPJ effect on the young guys) he also needs to be upgraded.
[ You're both right The Grizzlies made no improvements AND torched their depth Brooks, DeAnthony Melton, Adams,, Tyus Jones Brandon Clarke (pre injury) were all much better that the guys they got now.
Both should be jettisoned. OKC was put over the top by jettisoning their shitty 2021 draft pick for a role player thats really good at being a role player. And signing Hartenstein.
