I have finally given up on this years team competing for a playoff spot. Hakeem coming back will help, but will not be enough. So, I thought the lottery would be good. Then I took a look around at all the teams I think are contenders, and you know what I found? Almost all of those teams are based on a core of veteran 4-15 year players. Players who have learned how to excel in the NBA. I then looked at the Rockets roster and I noticed that we have really only 2 players who qualifiy, Carlos Rogers and Hakeem. I think that if we rely on the draft we are in for a LONG rebuilding process, say 3- 5 years. I think I would rather trade some of our young talent for some proven veterans. The only untouchable on the Rockets would be Steve Francis, the rest we can trade if it accelerates the rebuilding process. DaDakota PS. How did we lose to the Jazz in '97 when we had Clyde, Charles and Hakeem? Amazing.
2 years. After we get another star to compliment Francis in this year's draft we are set for the next decade. Francis, Drew Shandon, Mobley Morris, other pick Rogers, TMass Dream, Cato
Is there a stat somewhere showing the average age or average years of NBA experience for a NBA Finals team? The Orlando team of Penny and Shaq and the Rockets team of Ralph and Dream are what I am only guessing to be among the younger teams to reach the finals. Mango
dont hold your breath DaDakota. The Rox seem set with the core of players they have now. We've kind of traded ourselves out. No one wants Walt and his salary. We seem to be unwilling to trade Shandon, Mobley, Drew and Cato. We definently wont trade Francis anytime soon. Our best bet is thru the draft and then in two years a decent free agent when Dream retires. Two seasons after this one and we could be a legit contender. Next year I think we'll make the playoffs but who knows. Lots of good teams in the west.
I said at the beginning of the season that we would be lucky to make the playoffs this year. I don't feel any better because that assumption turned out to be right (I had no idea we'd lose both Hakeem and Barkley). I feel better because by keeping my expectations low, I avoided being shocked and crestfallen over missing the playoffs. I recommend the same to all of you: Hope and strive for everything, but assume nothing. With that in mind, I predict: '00-'01: We just barely make the playoffs. Out decisively in the first round. '01-02: We make the bottom half of the playoffs. Out in the first round in a closer fight. '02-'03: 4th or 5th seed. This time we make it through to the second round. 50/50 whether we go out in this round or squeak through and lose convincingly in the conference finals. '03-'04: We go to the WCF and fight evenly to the 6th or 7th game. 50/50 whether we break through to the finals. If we make the finals, 50/50 whether we pull it out. I'd bet against it because it'll be the first time any of these guys (other than the vet role players we'd presumably have traded for by then) will have played in the finals. '04-'05: The trophy is ours. That and $3.00 will buy you a latte at Starbucks.
I totally agree with your assesment Will. I have said it is a 3-5 year process, and it will be somewhat painful to watch. Unless you keep the proper perspective. Go Rockets... DaDakota
It is very seldom a team goes from championship, through a rebuild and championship again inside of 10 years. I could be satisfied with that scenario. Mango
Plus guys if you look, most of the contending teams were built through FA, not the draft. LA Lakers, Portland, Miami..etc...etc.. I think the Rockets need to look at trading some players... I would trade Mobley for a talented front court player in a heartbeat. DaDakota [This message has been edited by DaDakota (edited January 10, 2000).]
Will, I'm sorry, but that scenario is completely unacceptable. I can't wait that long to root for a winner. We'll get Morris in the lottery this year, win 67 games next year, and lose by 1 point in the Finals on a bad call. After that, minimum eight-peat. ------------------ A broken coffeepot in the dishwasher is worth five stitches in the wrist.
These threads are doing damage to the resell value of my season tickets. I must interject into this quantifying exercise of defining "contender" to protect the Rockets season ticket sales campaign and, further, my resell value. For full enjoyment of the game...all a ticket holder needs is to be a contender each game and have at least a 75% winning percentage at home. (There are about 13 teams who could do that this year). 31-10 h 21-20 a ----- 52-30 Time and time again, it is shown that 50 wins is achievable with one superstar and a team staunchly protecting home court. So, playing .500 on the road is the issue. At that point, we can win a playoff series and make it worthwhile to buy the playoff ticket package...but you must have season tickets already...buy now...to be ready for: ...Francis's 3rd year. Anyone who objects, is trying to drive down the resell value of my tickets and is doing me irrepairable harm....I will claim malice intent and bring it up with Judge Judy. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited January 10, 2000).]
We need to get some veteran players in here to accelerate the learning process. Do we have any chance of getting a Glen Rice? How about a good PF? We need some veteran leadership...perhaps I won't be saying that when Hakeem gets back, but he seems so brittle these last few years. How come Hakeem and Charles always break down while Malone and Stockton seem to never get hurt? DaDakota "Bring in the grey hairs."
Dakota Its people like you that do the Rice for Eddie/Campbell trades. You are too impatient. The lakers could of ruled for the next decade and not have to worry about the PF position but they were just too impatient. I want to win too, but I would rather have a young core to grow and mature together. I'm done with trading or obtaining old guys so we have a better shot at the Finals. This is what we call rebuilding, be patience its a virtue. ------------------ The Y2k1 virus is going around! Quick, press ctr + alt + del twice to protect your computers!!!
I'm a believer that you can turn a team around quickly as far as the playoffs. Maybe even in one year if you get the number one pick. However, to win a championship, you may be looking at 7-8 years to develop the chemistry and collect the right pieces. I'm pulling for those Rockets, but reality sinks in real fast.
a couple of ways to get back into contention sooner: Bring back Robert Barr (aka Popeye ) and have him convince Timmy 'the Dull Boy' Duncan that he needs a superstar pg to make his life easier. Also... that 2 million dollars is his going rate. Have his (Barr's) return force Dream to retire (Unless Duncan objects, in which case Barr's work is for a flat fee). Trade Matt Bullard and a 2nd round draft pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for Scottie Pippen so that we'll reclaim the mature, injured presence we'll lose w/o Dream and Charles being around. Play Drew and Francis in the starting lineup.
Way to go Will -- actually broke it down into years. Very nice touch ... I agree with the idea that 2001-2002 is when we'll start to make some noise -- how much noise I don't know but I expect playoffs that season. A few draft picks and a free agent will significantly strengthen the team -- though we'll have lost Hakeem and Shandon Anderson will be a free agent in 2001 also. Kagy -- I can't see us winning more than 66 next year
Clutch/BK -- I'm just following the Washington pundit system: (A) Make bold, specific predictions. (B) When you turn out to be right, crow about it ("I said at the beginning of the season that we would be lucky to make the playoffs this year"). (C) When you turn out to be wrong ("10 reasons why Scottie Pippen will be the greatest acquisition in Rockets history"), shut up and count on everyone else to forget you said it.
DaDakota, "Why does Hakeem and Barkley always get hurt when it seems Malone and Stockton never do." I hear Hakeem's little young bride is very demanding (wink, wink), whereas Malone gets to go fishing all the time to relax.
Rocketsfan34, I think the Lakers did the right thing by getting Rice for Jones and Campbell, it opened the lineup for Kobe...they have an OK record right now don't they? HeyPartner, Perhaps you are on to something, Dream's young wife is too demanding. I think Dream has the better end of this one. Seriously though, I want a decent front court scorer to ease the load on Francis. What can we get for Cuttino (Brick for sale) Mobley? Could we get McGrady for him? DaDakota
