In the spirit of the beginning of the Fall semester (Damn, it feels great to be out of school ), how would you rate the Rocks' off-season? What are some positives? (OK, this is a STUPID question, but...) Negatives? Positives- *Added 3 quality Fs to a team that had a G playing SF for most of the year *The official start of the "Francis Era" in Rocks history Negatives- *Dream. Nuff said. *Cato still a Rocket. Nuff said. *Questions about team chemistry, with the significant additions\subtractions made this summer. Still a great group of guys who should get along well, but how long will it take? My grade: B. This could (and should) be the deepest team the Rocks have ever had. Dream, I think you blew it baby! This is going to be one HELL of a year!!
Getting picks for an aging center who was leaving anyway and did not figure in our rebuilding plans and Stealing Eddie Griffin and Getting Steve's friend Terence and we aren't even done yet = A!
1. Traded three mid first round picks (they already have depth anyways) for a likely future star. 2. Traded a future first round pick for a guy who Steve already likes that could end up being our starting SF in 4 years. 3. Had to renounce rights to Los, Colson and Barkley (Not big losses at all) 4. Didn't expect Dream back anyways, and they got 2 draft picks, and a trade exception they later used in a trade, in compensation for him. 5. Resigned our starting PF to a 6 year $48 million contract. 6. Traded a out of position player who wanted a Cato-esque contract (and got the exact same contract as Cato in New York) and a trade exception we couldn't use for a sharpshooting small forward who will help our team in many aspects and a young guard who could be a solid backup. 7. Sadly lost the last link to the Rocket champion teams, but he isn't really needed on this deep-talented roster. He'll be back as a broadcaster The verdict is still out for the Rockets offseason grade though. If they can resign Mooch for a decent price and land Jahidi White for Walt, they definitely deserve an A.
I have no idea how to grade this off-season...I LOVE the draft-day manoevers...both of them...I'm disapointed but ok with Dream leaving....I hate adding the porous Glen Rice to an already weak defensive team...and I'm wary but hopeful about going into the year with Cato as our starting 5, and am glad we didn't make a panic move like Marc Jackson......So, all in all, how the hell do I come up with a grade for that?
Any draft that sees us turning 3 to mid late first round picks into the best player in the draft is huge. The only signifigant loss is an aging center that will not be around the next time we are championship contenders anyway. This off season gets an A. If we could have done something to shore up the 5 spot then it would have been an A+++ but how can you expect to address every single need in one off season. A
