Do the Rockets need a trade to be successful in the future?

Aside from the disturbing continuation of Steve Francis' migraines, Francis and Mobley can hardly be improved upon. Injuries have kept us from having a dominant offensive small forward. It would be nice to have one with both an offensive and defensive game. We have three starter power forwards, all with their own games. Please roll them all into one body and mindset. Cato is doing very well at center, and Collier shows some promise as his backup. However, I'd like to get a dominating center. Will the scientists at Baylor get busy and learn how to clone the Dream?
However, we already have a contending team as long as Steve can play without double vision.

 

Migg, I agree, for the most part.

enbe, gotta say I disagree with your statement that Francis and Mobley can hardly be improved upon. I think there is a lot of room for improvement. Fortunately, I see it as improvement that is normal within the maturation process of a player so I can see these two players improving within themselves to be among the best at their positions. So for those two, I think it is just a matter of time, not trade.

Although these damn migraines are really worrying me.

 

The only trades that would benefit us would be trades where we trade a couple guys and get a star. And yes, I'm all for those trades, and of course I hope that we pull one off. If the Spurs want to trade us Tim Duncan for Glen Rice and Mo Taylor, I say lets do it.

But seriously folks, patience DOES go a long way. Our current team won't win a championship, no matter how optimistic you are, but they can make the playoffs. Right now that's the goal. You can't have it all at once.

We're just falling off the cusp of the draft making an impact. This SHOULD be our last chance at getting a quality drafting position. From here on out, you'd like to think this team is a perenniel playoff team. We can hope, anyway.

So eventually, we'll have to make a trade, sign a major free agent, or something.

But right now we have enough talent, and the right kind of promising mix to win, and we should stick with that.

 

I would like to see how many teams "stand pat" each season. I would think it's a pretty darn low number. Along the same lines, I'd like to see how many of those teams are more successful the following year than the year before.

I *think* just about every team is constantly tweaking their lineup each year, looking for the right combination of personalities and talent to move forward. You have to expect the Rockets to do the same and in fact, I hope they do.

Right now, Griffin and Francis are the only untradeables to me. As much as I like many of the other guys, you have to look ahead and not get too attached to players. Othewise, you find yourself moping around two decades AFTER the likes of Rodney McCray get traded away from the Rocks.

--Drof

 

Doh. I realize I just opened that whole argument where somebody gets offendend that I just insinuated that we should trade away their favorite player etc.

I'm not saying we SHOULD trade any one in particular. I'm just saying we have to consider just about everyone as tradeable. The most obvious player for that kind of debate is Mobley. Love him or hate him, he is a very talented player.

Would I trade him? Sure, for the right guy(s). Do I think we "need" to trade him. No. The only time you need to trade someone is if they are a bigger drain on your team than off of your team.

Okay, now I know I'm rehasing about 50 million posts this year. So, I'll stop rambling.

--Drof

 

A lot depends on Eddie. Right now, being 19 and a rookie, he's not that good. However, if he turns into a star, which most think he will, our team becomes a contender. If not, we got problems.

 

I am convinced we need significant personnel changes. I continue to be amazed that members of the board still post "when Rice gets back" comments. That will make NO DIFFERENCE! M. Tayor's return will, and I am curious to see how he blends in. I like T. Brown and O. Torres light years ahead of M. Norris and Morris, but apparently Rudy doesn't agree. Collier and Langi apparently have no future with the Rockets. Believe it or not, I have never been a big Francis fan. Extremely talented BUT unlikely to take a team to the Promiseland. Too many quirks and rough edges. Maturity desperately needed, but progressing at a snail's pace. Mobley is a better all around player, but still a work in progress. As to progress, K. Thomas is moving up rapidly, very solid player with star potential. Griffin has declined. Great talent has been poorly managed. Trade and Draft is the road to playoffs, otherwise, SOS.

 

P.S. Cato will never be on a NBA championship team. Mark it down.

 

P.S. 2, As to what to trade or draft for; a major inside presence could transform this team into a terror. Imagine a young Hakeem on this team. Not likely to be found, but a dominant forward or center would make a huge difference.

 

Inconsistency. How many NBA champions without a dominant inside game? How many with one?

 

Incidently, I don't hate anyone, just a longtime observer of basketball talent. I have learned to not discount the "head" factor. In my view, much more important than the body.

 

I don't see the option I have.

How about, "a few minor changes would put this team over the top." I don't think trades will help "a lot..." just a little.

 

If Cato consistently produces the kind of numbers you report, then you are right. I don't think that will happen. The main problems with the current Rocket players are psychological in nature. Too many head cases to win consistently; they have the physical talent to be a playoff team right now. They need mature leadership. It is possible to draft a "mature" young player (like a Battier), but maturity is more likely to come through a trade. Right now the Rockets are the brat pack!

 

What the Rockets need is a better painkiller.

 

Bulls and Pistons were not DOMINANT inside
they *HAD* an inside presense but were far from DOMINANT

Rocket River

 

We need Lamar Odom very bad, He is the Missing piece. Rashard Lewis is nothing but a pipe dream, nothing but a story of a guy coming home to play. Odom is what we need, No More Moochie and the 3 guard Lineup, We put Steve/Cat/Odom, when Steve needs a breather, Odom/Cat/Griffin, or when Cat sits , Steve/Torres/Odom. Jalen Rose would also have been a good fit for the role, I dont know if we want to take a chance drafting Rod Grizzard or some other Point Forward and developing them, which means 2-3 more years of 30 win seasons. we need to build now.

 

River, last I checked, the pistons had a guy named Mark Aguirre in the post and the bulls had some guy named Jordan who scored most of his points from about 12-15ft. Most models of championship teams are pretty much the same. Sometimes there is a quirk that gives teams a beleif they are contenders. Since 1980, the Bulls and the Pistons are the only teams that didn't have that 4 or 5 man that dominated the game, but like I said they had Aguirre who used to kill in the post and Jordan which is enough said. The Lakers had Kareem,Worthy and Magic, the Celts had Bird,Mchale and Parish, the Rockets had Hakeem, the Spurs have Duncan, and the Lakers have Shaq, and Philly had Moses. Thats 14 championships out of 22 in which a post presence was there. If I were a betting man, I would look at the team with the most dominate big players and put my money on them as possible champions not a team led but players under 6'6.