As I watch the BBS I have looked at the Rocket's Moves and the discussion of them I heard folx state we need to work with the Heat Model Two stars and role players The issue I run into is RISK. Battier is a good player. . I'm beyond the GAY deal I don't know GAY that well to worry about it too much but Battier is a solid player and solid citizen a JVG - type player Fine. . . no biggie However I see people waffle over Mike James. . and then say he MUST come of the bench . . he can't co exist with Yao and Tracy . . he wants to be the man . .etc. etc The issue I think that seperates the Rockets from the Heat is RISK TAKING Look at the players that were significant on their team this year Antoine Walker - everyone around here put a big NO WAY IN H*LL when the idea of acquiring him came up. .. He this. .he that Jason 'white chocolate' williams - he too fancy . .he too wild. . . unwise shots. . .etc. . . NO WAY he could co-exist with Tracy and Yao Gary Payton - too old . . .too slow. . . . brings nothing but a bad attitude Haslem - limited offense. . . Alonzo - one kidney [though this one I'm sure any rocket fan would love to have this man is HEART PERSONIFIED] Come on guys The Rockets are in WIN NOW mode. We will have to gamble some talented yet questionable players. we have to go for the gusto MJames is the one to check out. Maybe a few more players. They may have to spend a little more than they want. . . Gay trade IMO says we will morgage the future for short term gain why not go all out? Rocket River
Agreed. The Rockets should draft an unproven player with great potential. It's a risk, but I'm sure the Rockets won't mind gambling. Sorry, you brought up GAY and risk taking and that's the first thing I could think of. Anyways, I really do agree about the risk taking. The last risk we took was trading for T-Mac. It turned out not to be such a risk though.
JVG have 1 year to win, & didnt want to lose his job. THey trade was dumb long-term but for now JVG is thinking about saving his azz. He would have been sipping Pina Coladas at home right beside Stan at the house.
I agree that we "think" we're following the Heat model, but I also think by not getting Gay we're not following the Heat model. The Heat's best player is a young, athletic, quick player. Wade got to the foul line more than any player that I can remember in the playoffs. With the rule changes, the quick and athletic teams seem to have a major advantage. I'm still disappointed we made the trade where we got rid of two young athletic and quick players for an older not as athletic player.
I dont think the rockets have very good luck when they take risks.The risk when trading for Eddie Griffin sure didn't pan out. Nor did the risk for signing a huge potential player, Stromile Swift (Gay sure does make the same comparisons to him: huge potential, high risk, lack intensity) pay off. I think the Rockets can't take anymore risks. Like they said, they only have a few years and if they really took a risk and it didn't work out, then this organization would be really set back again.
I get where you are coming from but it could also result in our targeting "unappreciated" players such as Battier. I think the risk being discussed here is the public perception of these matters moreso than the actuality of things.
Here's a look at some of the current Rox roster and thoughts many of us had before they were acquired: Rafer "Skip to My Lou" Alston - too fancy, too wild, unwise shots, etc.... NO WAY he could co-exist with Tracy and Yao Shane Battier - limited offense. . . Dikembe Mutombo - isn't he in his eighties? Stick a fork in him. and maybe the biggest risk of all: Yao Ming -- the next Shawn Bradley -- if he's even THAT good. Could be a complete bust, and this is the #1 pick in the entire draft. We should take the safe bet and get a high-IQ can't-miss guy like Mike Dunleavy, or maybe a proven leader like Dajuan Wagner. If we want to take a risk, let's go for a European guy instead, since Euro players are a proven commodity in the NBA, unlike Chinese players. Nikoloz Tskitishvili is athletic and can hit from anywhere on the court! The Rockets take more risks than people give them credit for.
i agree with yao.. but taking risks mean getting someone with a ton of upside/potential and equally a ton of downside.. gay, alston, and mutombo are not risks..
Well according to the stats, I am sure Mike James is no risk. Since we are going for Mike James again, I think there obviously wasn't much of a problem with him. The only problem I think is that he was our PG when he played and he had the ball in his hands, but if we do sign him, I think the play that Rafer runs will dictate who should get the ball because he will be the point and James will be the 2 for long stretches. I truly believe that this makes this move all the better even though James is undersized again but if Speedy Claxton and Chris Paul can do it then why can't two quick 6'2" guys do it. I think Rafer is going to play a huge role and make sure everyone gets their touches. I just hope when James does get the ball he takes what the defense gives them. The risk is actually lower this time around than last time because James will not dominate the ball as much. BTW, we still need a 6'6" SG. I wish we could get a tall PG type that can guard 2's. I am sure there are none on the market. I think that is why we coveted Roy so much.
I have to disagree. I hate this approach very much. Think about it. You are just putting up numbers in the air. I cant think of any specific players or scenarios on the top of my head, but say that one player does not perform to his stats. He averages 38% from the 3 point line but misses all 6 three pointers he takes in one game. Tell me, where will this approach lead us? If anything, we should use playoff stats. Thats the only thing that counts, right? Solely relying on numbers is flat out DUMB. I want someone who can play basketball, more importantly team basketball. Thats all! Mike James can only help us at this point.
The Rox took a lot of risks-- trading for T-mac, trading For Griffin, bringing Sir Charles and Pippen here... Taking risks is overrated: look at the Knicks. Teams that win consistently like the Spurs have taken very few risks, or have made enough good decisions to cancel out their mistakes (Pistons taking Darko). The Heat caught lightening in a bottle, but I dont think that is a good way of building a sustainable team-- and I would be extremely surprised if they make it to the Eastern Conference finals this coming year.
