Seriously. There's 2 years left (if even that) of a healthy McGrady, and you're counting on a 2nd round pick and a guy better suited for the NBDL?
i agree, BUT if for the last 3 years you have gotten socks for Christmas from your grandmother i wouldn't go in hoping she was gonna get me a leather jacket... be prepared for "the norm" and what has happened in the past...
I'm curious why it is so important to you to have "system players" that move without the ball etc. That philosophy is at the core of what has plagued this franchise since 1995. We fill our roster with spot up standstill stiffs to hit the open 3 with Hakeem and Charles kick it our or Steve and Cat penetrate or simply just specialize in whatever we're running that year. This team doesn't have "basketball players." Guys that just ball and force you to adapt. Scola is a step in the right direction. But it's still not enough.
There's not a single name in that list that would even startle, much less scare another NBA team. Not a single name...just like the past 4 seasons. The window is closing, and teams usually don't go from not having won a series in a decade to winning the championship. Now, I don't know about you, but I have serious doubts that we would break that mold. Two off-seasons from now, McGrady will be up and management will be staring at a very real possibility of having to retool anyway. Why not bring in an impact player now, despite the risk, and try an injection of proven TALENT for once? If it works you have Tracy, Yao, and Ron all pre-30. Even with average players around those 3, I think we'd have a much better shot to win the whole damn thing. Afterall, the point of this Yao/T-Mac expiriment isn't to just get out of the first freaking round.
But the difference was two wins - and the problem was the same. The core is fragile and the supporting cast not good enough.
3 wins, and without Yao this time. And, under a new coach learning a new system in the toughest Western Conference of all time. Big difference..... This year 60 wins. DD
We didn't have Yao for 30 games in 06/07 either. How quickly you forget. Let's just hope Brooks magically turns out to be awesome doesn't solve the core problems, even if it works.
Artest is exactly the kind of the player we need. He's a tough, gritty guy that doesn't succumb to physical play nor back down from a challenge.
"Outhustled" is putting it kindly. He got his ass handed to him on a platter. There were times I was downright embarrassed for Yao in that series. He tries his best, bless his heart. But anyone that thinks this team can be of any relevance without a major acquisition is fooling themselves. Morey knows it too but he's counting on a deadline deal for expirings - something I'm not so optimistic about. In terms of future outlook, that 22 game win streak might have been the worst thing for projecting this team. It was magnificent to experience as a fan, but a dose of reality might be in order if you think that same formula of outhustling the opponent will translate into the playoffs. You need talent - something we have none of - and it shows every year.
I'm a little lost on Artest and don't know much about him. Why is he a drama queen and why would he screw up the teams chemistry?
I have to go with the Cabbage man on this one ... DD, I agree with your concern about chemistry, which is why I'd prefer that we keep Battier if possible. Adelman already knows how to work with him, and has advised Morey accordingly with who he wished could be on this team. Morey has clearly mentioned that they went after Artest, and the Kings price was too high for everyone. So, it seems that Adelman, who knows him well, doesn't share your opinion. I think that price is KT and Brooks. If we were willing to take on KT's contract, and forget about being players in the 2010 FA market, and grab that key piece now, I think we could go far. Artest might be a headcase, but we need more passion on this team. DD, you talk about this all the time. He doesn't need to be the leader, which is why I'd prefer to keep Battier, and use him as a 6th man with Barry. But, above all, we NEED talented players, and he's very very good. Artest would make a huge difference for us on both defense and offense, not just a specialist, like so many other of our players. We'd have an even better shut down defender and a third option who can take it to the basket. With Barry, Battier and Artest, even if TMac got injured, he could coast more during the season, then save himself to turn it up in the playoffs. We have to be more and more realistic about what we can get from TMac. Another cost will be Brooks. That's who we wouldn't let go of last time, and who they obviously wanted. So, if they'd take it, I'm for us signing Landry to a full MLE, then trading Landry/BJ/Head/Woods for Artest. They'd get a lot of salary relief, and some young talent they covet. We'd get a starter who'd make our team better, and if he didn't, we could trade him and/or Battier for someone who DID fit. That way, it wouldn't have to be our last move. ... its nice that Morey has more to work with these days. But, Portland has some great pieces to trade with too ...
He was being asked to cover the high pick and roll, and he will never be able to cover that....I am glad the new coach realized this. DD
Here is what Feigen had to say about the Rockets and Artest at the trade deadline earlier this year: (It never got to a table or any serious talks. The Kings called early, about a few weeks ago. The Rockets considered the price was too high to consider. The Rockets checked back several times this week and again it never went anywhere. I don't know if the Rockets considered the demands too great to even consider because they included Brooks or if there were other reasons. But they never got anything going with Sacramento, never really debated the merits and risks of taking on Artest, even in-house, because talks did not get past the initial phone calls. -- Jonathan) http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2008/02/rockets_begin_life_without_bon.html He also said in a chat around that time that Adelman was not interested in coaching Artest again.
Why do you say that? Winning 55 games and being 2 games away from the number 1 seed in all the western conference is not enough? Give this team a healthy Yao Ming and they are in the WC finals this last year.....why do you think otherwise? Why do so many want to take massive risks with a team that plays well together and is just learning how to win...as a team? No doubt he has been in some winning playoff series, but if you think he has led a team anywhere, then you are very mistaken. And if you think that is the ONLY reason I don't want him then you have not been following the discussion, I don't want him because he is a cancerous knucklehead. I put more faith in Barry being a contributor than Brooks but I am hopeful. I guess Kobe and Jason Kidd thought more of this "cute little player" then you did. I mean they took him aside last year when he was on the USA select team and singled him out as someone that has a significant future. It is mind numbing how many people keep missing this HUGE point.
