Its another crazy off-season in the 13th year after the heroes removed the darkness from the city and shined the light upon it. what joyness news amongst the faithful this offseason?
To me the best thing that happened was NOT signing an overated, injury prone Seattle small forward for an obscene amount of money.
To be brutally honest, not much this offseason has excited me - they're pressing, but I don't know if the Rockets are going to be able to position themselves among the elite. I look and I see a very good team, but not a contender. There's still two more months they have to work with, and I'm not passing judgment until then. If anything I'm a little stung by the news that (a) Yao needs surgery on his shoulder (long rehab) and (b) he plans on getting it done next Sept/Oct - in other words, don't pay much for your 08-09 tix.... If we aren't contenders this year, and T-Mac has only a couple years left in him due to the back.....watch that window slam shut.... Evan
None of those moves are worth anything. For an offseason that was anticipated so greatly, the Rockets haven't done anything at all, except for... - dig themselves a huger hole at the PF spot - add decent guard depth, but nothing that will make a significant impact from last season to next. - seem to have lost complete sense of direction and focus as to what they want to do. While other teams are making moves, i.e. solidifying roster sports (Hill with Phoenix; Vaughn, Obrecio and Finley staying with SA; Utah getting a much-needed wing shooter; Dallas adding more inside depth), the Rockets aren't doing anything to counteract.
If only Morey was a little more like the Evil "Soron" in Lord of the Rings, perhaps we would have raped Jerry West and not the other way around (I LOVE having Shane) because we gave up WAY too much to get Shane. Or maybe, the coming season wouldn't feel so much a trek through Mordor. Re: Yao's shoulder, and the surgery, and the timing... Is that all for sure? If so, that's a bunch of crap and does NOT sound like the kind of Yao decision we've come to expect. Even so, if it's not a 12 week rehab, he could still do it in Sept and still be ready for camp. I'm still hoping with all of my Rocket-fever might that a PF like Darko (or maybe someone who's skill is nearly equal) will become suddenly manifest, but something tells me that Les may be about to get REALLY cheap on us. Attendance was down last year. No 2nd round. New Coach, more money spent, but not much off-season buzz to hang their Marketing hats on..... Either a bigger move is made or we go into October like Donald ("You go with the team you have, not the one you wish you had") Rumsfeld, and essentially wait until February to dump contracts for someone that might help us the last two months. I know it's only July 5th, and there's another 6 whole days till Free Agents start signing, but it's not like their all gonna wait for our call while other teams are inking deals that can be signed at 12:01 AM on the 11th.... I just hope we don't wait until teams start cutting their rosters to see if we can pick up a poor man's Juwan Howard.... (Oh wait, that's probably why we got Landry).
Best thing to happen was losing out on Rashard Lewis. Now we can get to guys we are seriously able to pursue instead of pipe dreams.
I think small things like Bonzi being back and finally sorta getting closure on VSpan not being in a rockets uni next year are bigger issues then they really seem. Eventually the PF spot will be addressed, its just all the constant b****'in by rickets 'r us, et al that makes it seem worse then it is to some. Morey realizes the draft is about the future not the present.There will be alot of opportunities to trade for someone between now and the start of the season, if waiting gets your panties in a bunch, too bad.
Vspan leaving We could stop with the Walt Frazier, Isiah Thomas, Rafer Alston, John Stockton, Allen Iverson, Magic Johnson, Bob Cousy, and Jason Kidd comparisons.
If I knew a 1st rnd exit was inevitable, then I wouldn't mind watching a free flowing offense that didn't win as many games last season. I don't know how Jeff could be so miserable this post season as the last time. At least we'd get a pick higher up on our wishlist, and most of all be spared from 45 minutes of Skip....
best thing to happen this offseason is that "a homosexual jumped on my car last night" thread that was in the hangout. rockets offseason is lacking thus (just wanted to say the word "thus" because it's sounds cool) far. adding mike isn't even the equivalent of the 04-05 team when he was on our team before. so far we're betting on chemistry more than anything else. chemistry works for any jerry sloan coached team, but other coaches have to make up in talent. still a couple a moves away. oh... your question... mike james signing w/o a doubt.
best, although not great: 1) Mike James 2) Bonzi signing back up worst: 1) draft: not only which players, but even more, that we didn't get any trades done that got us significant players, either trading our picks for a starter, or trading up for a long term quality player(s). 2) Artest: It's too bad the Maloofs killed the deal. It would have enabled us a lot more freedom in trades. 3) VSpan quitting, and us not getting anything for that investment. 4) didn't like the way the coaching switch was done, but perhaps a change was needed, although I don't think Adelman is any better. who cares: 1) never expected to get Lewis, or Billups, or Darko, or ... Next: 1) Hopefully, we sign Amir Johnson as a FA. That would give us depth for years at PF, although we still need a veteran. 2) Morey says "it's on him" to get us a starting veteran PF. I hope he does. 3) Sign Steve Francis, if he comes cheap. We need more talent, and even if Stevie is only half of what he was, it would help. (It would not surprise me if Adelman doesn't want him ... shaking head) 4) Trade Alston, Snyder, Head, Justin, JL3 and Sura's exception for better pieces. I'd love to see us trade Alston to NJ for Marcus Williams, and Head to NO for Cedric Simmons or Hilton Armstrong, although I assume one of those will go with Snyder and Sura's exception to get the veteran PF. 5) I'm sure we'll find someone who is a straggler at the end, and grab a deal. That's what we've been doing the last few years with Jackson, Wells, etc. 6) And, I do hope we sign Hayes and Deke ...
