DFS would have been a good signing IF he was healthy and could maintain what he was doing in the previous few seasons. In fact, with a 100% DFS, we didn't have to get Capela. Jabari and DFS could be part-time small ball center backing up Adams. I am not sure how much Stone knew about DFS's injury. Looking back, he either (1) underestimated the damage, or (2) didn't do his homework, or (3) he knew and that's why he signed Capela as Adams' backup. I don't want to believe in (1) and (2) because they look like professional incompetence. If it was (3) then he committed assets on center depth rather than guard depth. That means he underestimated the risk of 100% relying on FVV for a functional backcourt.
I saw FVV in person just a month ago and he was still limping pretty badly. I'll make this bet: If FVV comes back before the end of March, I'll break up with Sydney Sweeney.
Cowboys need to punt in FVV until next season. I’m pretty sure they intended to but they have to keep cooking for the clutch fans but that’s not an easy injury to come back from. I’d rather he be ready for next season at least 75% than come back early at less than 50
DFS was needed. FVV was needed. Capela was acquired with trade surplus that likely couldn't have been used on a better player. Right now, the Rockets aren't getting quality backup minutes from PG, SG, SF, and PF. I have higher hopes on Reed than DFS and Okogie for the rest of the season despite all the whining that PG depth was needed and losing the starter completely. I think they thought DFS would be playing well by now.
So you think they underestimated DFS's injury impact. It could well be. I just don't think a healthy DFS warrant center depth over guard depth. As for PG need, assumed by many people here as playmaking floor general, I for one don't think it is the biggest hole left by FVV. Fred is an okay PG in that role. We have enough playmakers and passers to run an offense if coaching can device creative offensive schemes. Our biggest need (the biggest hole left by FVV) is someone who can both shoot and play defense at the backcourt positions. It doesn't have to be a PG, It can be a shooting guard or combo guard. Amen may eventually be able to shoot. Reed may eventually be able to play adequate defense. But those two things aren't going to happen very quickly.
People saying I told you so on the Rockets needing PG depth are overlooking the fact that the Rockets, down a starting PG, are still getting more from their third-string PG (12.3 ppg) in scoring than every non-guard backup combined (11.9 ppg) for the season. The roster, according to you, has a PG that can't shoot, a PG that can't defend, and the Rockets need someone that can do those two things from the backcourt, and the Rockets don't need to prioritize playmaking. Sounds like a PG that can shoot, defend, provide some playmaking, but not needed to be an offensive engine at PG would work. Sure a SG or SF could be gotten to help out, but the job description you seem to be implying fits FVV. I agree there are others that would work, but the Rockets didn't have an avenue to get them without making a big trade. FVV is not a perfect player. The Rockets did not have the resources that they were willing to spend to make a perfect roster. The Rockets built a roster that likely needed FVV, Amen, and Durant to be healthy in the playoffs because they don't have an SGA, Wemby, or a Jokic.
We don't really know that. There have been trades or signings that were surprising. We don't know what was going on behind the scene. The perception is that the FO didn't appear to prioritize having a backup plan before FVV's injury or filling that hole after the injury. I know you have been defending FVV. I am not a FVV hater like so many here and I understand his value. He's not the best who can play that role. He's just a conveniently available guy that can and now he's not available for a whole season.
100% agree, and I've been thinking along the same lines. We have enough guys to run the offense between them, if the coaching is there to create schemes that work (it isn't, which is the other big problem). On a personnel level, our biggest need is definitely shooting, and the easiest way to add that is in the thin backcourt. I also think a stretch 5 would be very beneficial for this roster. As they say, hindsight is 20/20, but damn would it have been nice to have kept Jock around. If the front office just tries to run it back in the offseason with Adams and FVV I think that's the wrong approach. Those two guys don't fix what ails this roster. Absolutely imperative to add shooting and shake up the coaching staff.
The rockets should either trade somebody to pair with Durant - even if it means trading up in age for one of their *sainted core* - or trade Durant entirely and admit that you aren't serious and start recouping value. In many ways the Rockets big pieces are worth more than the sum of their parts (on the rockets) because their games don't complement each other. Sengun & Thompson don't fit that well together until one of them can shoot, and it' s not happening still. We have 2+ years of data on this one now.
I did like @carl_herrera 's idea of doing a sign-and-trade for Austin Reaves, maybe even if that means Sengun going out in the deal (perhaps in a three team trade). Reaves would address the shooting and replace Sengun's playmaking abilities reasonably well. I just still don't like the idea of trading for Giannis. I think he comes with the same problems we already have. He is better than Sengun or Amen, of course... for now. But it's going all in on an offensive setup that I still don't think works well enough to become a top contender. Maybe if it were Donovan Mitchell or somebody like that who actually addresses our biggest weaknesses I could see it
Tired: Trading Sengun & Picks for Giannis Wired: Trading Durant to MIlwaukee for Portis & their first rd pick this year Inspired: Getting KPJ included in any deal.
We have a sum total of talent assets, prospects, and picks that is top 3 in the NBA, but we have two core teambuilding problems: 1. Our best players don’t fit together well 2. Our talent is not concentrated in a best player that’s good enough We have the assets to buy solutions to these problems but limited market options. Reaves fixes problem #1 and not #2. Giannis fixes #2 but not #1. I don’t think Mitchell will be available and I’m also not excited about an age 31-35 supermax for a 6’1 scoring guard. I’d love us to have the chance to send whatever it takes for Anthony Edwards, or Luka, who solve both problems. Other than that we’re just kinda waiting and winning 50 games/yr as a non contender in the interim, and evaluating who out there might turn into one of those kind of guys.
There's a big difference between a key player being OUT FOR THE SEASON and the normal missing time due to injury. Because in the modern NBA.... both guards and wings can be playmakers.... also centers like Sengun can be too. Is it really that hard to understand that the FO was hoping/expecting/assuming that our young core would be able to take some of that playmaking load if/when FVV was injured for a month or few weeks? Seems absolutely reasonable and inline to where the Rockets are in their timeline.
Defending is a good word. I don't usually come in with the "FVV is the greatest". I usually come in when others start threads, talk down to FVV, or pretend he is easily replaceable. There are other players that can do what FVV does. They are not easy to acquire. It was not convenient that the Rockets had FVV's Bird rights.
The backup plan was the Young Core that we still need to figure out exactly what we have and pay. We know from actions that the FO preferred seeing what they have in the Young Core over signing long term deals to vet playmakers or giving up any assets for a playmaker.
