I really can't understand people here. A month ago they said Rockets the 2nd best team in NBA. But now since yao's injure, Rockets is in rebuilding mode? Scola and Battier are super role players. They are leaders and winners and really smart and worked very hard and never giveup. They are really unique. I don't think rockets will give them up unless they can get back some young all stars. Next two years Tmac and Yao's contracts will be expired. Rockets can lure new franchise players with the money. They don't need to break the team now. They can wait. DM said Scola and Battier will be the leaders this year. Did you guys read? I think Rockets still can win 50%+ games. They still have chance for playoff. Never underestimate the heart of Champion. Scola and Battier are true champions.
I think that is exactly what they intend on doing, I may not completely agree, but if you listen to Morey talking about his optimisim about Yao's future, I think they are still tethered to him getting healthy and making a run. And, if that is the course they have chosen, then they are not really in REBUILDING mode, but rather a HOLDING pattern until Yao comes back. DD
...true champions have won championships. I agree both Battier and Scola are good role players and have leadership, but they aren't champions yet. Let's hope they will with the Rockets in the near future.
For the most part, you can't trade for talent without giving up talent. Battier and Scola may not be moved or actively shopped. But you can be assured that if it made the team better, Morey wouldn't hesitate to include them in the right deal. They are not untouchable.
Probably should change the thread title to: Rockets don't need to trade Scola or Battier now.....because honestly this is an excellent discussion about the course the team is taking. DD
Scola is a free agent next season. If Morey is serious about going after Bosh (and I think he is) then that means Scola is gone. If that's the case, why not trade him at the deadline for a matching contract (that expires at the same time) and a first round draft pick? Of course, the risk is that you trade Scola and aren't able to get a prized free agent, but we'd still have an additional first round pick, which would be extremely valuable in Morey's possession. Oh yes, extremely valuable.
In 2 years Battier will be 32. I love the Bat, but if we can score a younger stud in return (like Memphis did with Gay from us) then I'd pull the trigger. Scola, I do agree, will probably not be going anywhere.
You hit it on the spot. Rockets are not rebuilding, the plans still revolve around Yao until 2011. The man is injury prone, but people need to realize the Rockets management has committed to Yao, they may even still be committed to T-mac. I am not surprised if they still hope T-mac and Yao can deliver 1 championship season, they know they won't get a dynasty. If T-mac stays with the team and plays the 2nd half and averages 19, 5, 5, I fully expect Rockets to re-sign him at a reasonable contract, if T-mac wants to stay. Especially if T-mac comes back and the Rockets make the playoffs and even more, if they get past the 1st round. If they wanted T-mac gone, he would of been gone by now if they truly felt T-mac had nothing left. I mean hell Utah had enough balls to tell Boozer they have no plans for him. just my 2 cents.
And in my view, that is not a wise approach. Probably is coming from Les not Morey or Adelman. Les simply can't get past his "cash cow" fixation with Yao. It is past time to move on. Big mistake, and the fans will pay for it with more untimely disappointments. The TMac/Yao era is over and if artificially extended will not produce the results Les keeps dreaming of.
I read somewhere that landry is definitely on the trading block, battier won't be traded unless they can get back something good for him, and scola and yao are untouchable......i'll see if I can find the link
If they're planning around this. If they're passing up other opportunities to keep this "hope" alive....then they're absolutely delusional and idiotic. Fool me once...fool me twice...you know the rest.
Wouldn't that be the same issue as with Gortat? Magic can't move him till Dec 15th wouldn't we basically have the same issue with Luis?
I am on the same page with Morey. I think this is the best way for the present as well as for the near future. You cann't find better role player than Scola and Battier in NBA. And Scola can be more than a role player when we need him, just like what he had show us in the playoff. He can play one and one on the low post, he can make jump shots, he can rebound. More important, he is a warrior. He fought every minute on the court. If we can find a decent C who can start before Yao comes back, we will be fine. Of course, we also need AB and Joe Dorsey improve quickly, which I believe they will. Overall, I am pretty optimistic with the present situation right now.
I agree with the OP. In all of the interviews I have read on Morey, he has consistently spoken about Shane and Ariza being a great defensive tandem. He said, Scola and Battier will be our leaders next year. I honestly believe they will be with the team all year. That doesnt rule out that every player is tradable, and if the right offer comes, you have to take it. But, for people to say Battier for Gortat or Foster, that is just dumb. The value and intagibles, that Battier and Scola bring do not show up on the stat sheets. They are the kind of players coaches want to surround their superstars around. They are on a higher tier. I dont mind this, because in reality, everyone of us, is waiting for Mcgrady to come off the books, so we can use our giftcards.
