Stone is a fool to say that out loud. How many times have so many of us thought the same thing over the last several years? That doesn't mean that the players, or the fans, want to hear it from Stone when there still is a hell of a lot of games to play. Fertitta, assuming he can take the time from his casinos to care about the team, should ream him out. The more public the better.
Um, I actually like him and think he's done phenomenal. Most of you wanted him fired 2 years in. Oh have things changed
I mean firing is not always the right/appropriate move but I would have given the reigns to let's say Witus more and then foster a young apprentice for assistant GM. Like for a couple years.......in case.
Stone himself believes FVV - during the worst season of his veteran career - was the best player on his team 4-5 years into drafting 10-15 players (multiple high picks) and spending $80m per season on vets. You're happier with the team than he is. Which is fine, but just put it in perspective.
Awful…just awful how he gave up on the season because of an injury to FVV. He could have simply replaced him with Coby White for two seconds and change, but chose to do what he does each and every trade deadline which is absolutely nothing. One of only 3 teams in the entire league to sit on their behinds and do zilch. At least go down fighting….but clearly out of his element as a lawyer acting like a GM.
This isn't all coaching. This team is poorly constructed - the players do not fit well or play well off of each other. During the rebuild I pointed out that OKC and SA both had a clear culture and direction for the type of players they wanted and how they would fit together. They also both got very good coaching and player development from the moment they joined the organization. The Rockets did not have either of those - they drafted each player independent to any grander philosophy or vision, and until Udoka the coaching was horrendous. It is why I have said that the Rockets seem to have been built by someone with a very limited understanding of basketball, and why the Rockets needed more people that have coached at the highest levels in the last 15 years, not a couple of sports journalists and a lawyer.
If Stone is overrated around here, so is Morey. They both have clear strengths, but also critical blindspots in how they operate. Their teams just have not accomplished enough to consider either of them top tier.
I ask the GARM this: why do we have no 1st round picks in back to back drafts, 2026 seen as generational? Why? I dare anyone to argue that isn’t short-sighted and stupid. We still don’t know if we have a franchise player. but don’t worry I guess because Fred’s 32 yr old surgically repaired knee will save us? Because there’s no way KD will show any decline at 38? Because Adams will come back quickly from his 2nd major surgery in 3 yrs? We got this, we don’t need to be developing more young talent?
Morey continues to be underrated by some around here. I’d argue his teams accomplished enough to consider him top tier(65 wins!) but outside of that… This guy ushered in how the nba works today. From new contract structures, the analytical approach of 3s layups and free throws, innovating new ways to trade picks(weird protections), he popularize it. Which was a problem as his career went on…..Everyone copied what he was doing so what he was doing was no longer cutting edge, everyone caught up and that advantage started to disappear.
