Take the best player and starting point guard away and see what happens to *any* team in the NBA. It's absurd for you to suggest otherwise. Getting McGrady depeleted the roster. With two max players, they have had to be creative to build up the depth without having cap space. They get key parts in Battier, Scola and Landry over the last few years. You can't just snap your fingers and overcome injuries. Tell me which players the Rockets passed on that would have overcame the Jazz in this series? Who was available Mr. GM?
We need one thing. Health. If we can get an offensive player with a great jumpshot that can create his own shots both perimeter and interior in a package for Battier, I say go for it. Ron Artest is number one on my list.
I don't blame Tmac or Yao, they are tremendous players and really play their hearts out. I don't blame Jeff Van Gundy, it is not his fault that he had to play Ryan or Chuck as starting pf. I don't blame our role players, they are what they are and they did what they can do. I am pround of this team, of these players, but not of this organization, of their poor decision making and lack of efforts to go after real quality players. Come on, if by any chance you are reading, it is on you!
I think the Rockets need to make a strong push for a Josh Howard trade this offseason, if the Mavs are listening. Any of our role players, including Shane, should be made available.
average 37+minutes/game and the same body type as Yao? don't say ALL, just give me one close enough comparation.
This is the first year under Morey and I think he has done a pretty good job so far. Grantee, more work to do but lets get it done soon before either McGrady or Yao are past their prime. Dawson made some very bad personnel decisions which are still haunting the Rox, such as Eddie Griffin.
you seriously would put up battier for howard.........??? I know you are dissapointed right now......but use your brain.
That's really not a bad trade at all for us. Howard as a 3rd option would add a tremendous amount of offensive dynamism. He also has the tools to be a good defender. Granted, he's a bit of a knucklehead, but I think that's a chance you have to take.
It's not like the rockets have punted on these concerns. 1. Shooters: Drafted Novak Drafted Brooks (Novak and brooks being consecutive NCAA 3 point shootout champions) Drafted Head Traded for Battier Traded for Jackson (who, hypothetically can spread the floor) Drafted Brad Newley 2. Backup for Mac We haven't done great here. We've tried, but things haven't really panned out. John Barry was fun Bonzi was good but couldnt spread the court Kirk snyder is mildly r****ded Same for gerald green. 3. Junkyard dog PF We got this in spades. Defense ace--Hayes, Explosive force-landry Jack of all trades/proven winner- scola Don't blame the organisation. Blame the basketball gods for visiting injuries upon us. Do they punish us for trading dream? for signing matt maloney to a long term deal? Drafting bryce drew? the angry dildo uniforms? Vengeful San-diegoans? I don't know why injuries have rocked us, but they have. This sucks. there isn't a damn thing we can do about it but hope it doesn't happen again.
We need some role players to make clutch plays in the playoffs. That is what we need. With exception to Landry making that huge block in Game 3, we really haven't had a clutch role player help win a playoff game since Eddie Johnson in that fateful Jazz Series that started this whole stretch. I'm not sure how u find them, or what u look for in a player that you know they will be clutch come playoff time, but championship contenders have those players. I know some people will flame me for this, and it is true. On championship contenders even decent NBA fans know most of the players in those teams rotations, including the key 3-pt shooter, the back-up point & center, etc. They are noticed because they make clutch plays. For what ever reason, we don't have those players that make those plays to win games. And don't just say, that is why we have Tracy. Your star player cannot make every clutch play. It's just not possible. I don't even know if they are on our team, but have just not shown it yet or what, but until we find some of those players, it won't matter who are star players are.
Trading either TMac or Yao is intriguing because each is such a large component of the team and the team is flawed when either on them is out. Despite how well the team played without Yao this year, not having an inside game really hurt. At the same time, when Tracy was out this year the Rox only played .500 basketball. Trading either would be a bold move that could end up not benefiting the team at all. But I share your frustration that these two goods can not stay healthy. Trading either for younger athletic players could be a good move, but who should you trade? A fragile Yao or an aging McGrady. I would like the Rox to give the McGrady/Yao combo one more year, bit to added additional offensive weapons. If it does not work then, blow up the team, after next year the salary cap situation is better.
I think Howard for Battier would be something to consider. Howard's value is at an all-time low, but he is really talented.
Consider? CONSIDER??! I wouldn't even blink on that one. That would be a steal. Cuban can get better deals though.
You are absolutely correct about this. Until the Rox and others realize this we will continue to be disappointed year after year. I've been saying the same thing for years. You have to be able to create your own shot in the playoffs. Look at the teams that are still alive. All of them have more than one perimeter player who can get his own shot when necessary. Come on Artest and Calderon. At the minimum Mike Miller.
Let's see ... you get a versatile scorer and solid rebounder and defender at the SG/SF position. And he's a couple years younger. I think he's exactly what we need, and if we have to give up Battier plus some other lesser role players for him so be it.
This is the worst thread I've ever read on this website. Go F yourself. Your team just played its heart out against a really great opponent completely short handed, and you have the nerve to come here with this crap. Our management has done nothing but try to build the type of team you want. Find an iron rod, and shove it up your arse 20 or 30 times as punishment.
