My point and belief as well. Morey and the Rockets aren't throwing in the towel on this season like many seem to think. This team could surprise the entire NBA if by some chance come April we have a healthy Yao and Tmac to go along with our recent additions.
yeah maybe , it really all lies on the big "IF", can t-mac and yao stay healthy for atleast 1 whole season....... because really if somehow this were to be made possible I could see t-mac getting resigned , yao of course taking his player option and a very strong lineup, one which could not be achieved by trades or through free agency....the problem is time is ticking and I really cant see yao and t-mac play there best in the 3 next seasons, probably 2 max
Would you be shocked that Morey would do this? I sure wouldn't....it would be a smart business move. DD
Uhhh...TMac QUIT on the team. Toronto game. QUIT. like a giant baby. My intense dislike of him after that moment (plus the whole killing the potential deadline trade manuever) is only rivaled by that of Scottie Pippen I would rather fester in the lottery for 2 or 3 years than see that spineless prima donna EVER play in a Rockets uni again.
I think the TMac part of the equation is moot, though. He comes back early - or even when expected - is still on the roster, and plays like a semi-decent healthy TMac, great. He gets traded before hand, or at the deadline, the team would undoubtedly get something of real value in return, that works, too. The real issue is Yao. I think people don't understand how important he was to the team winning. The guy was 7th in the league, behind only King James, Chris Paul, Lamar Odom, Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd in on/off stat. The team was 11 points better per game than who they were playing when Yao was on the court. So can/will Yao come back? Who knows. I do NOT, however, think the Rocket's or anyone in their organization expects it in any way. If it happens, it will be lucky...and even then, in no way will it be until later in the season, and then it will take Yao some time to get back to shape. Frankly, one might question the intelligence of bringing Yao back even if he says he's ready to go. he will be picking up his option for the following season - that's a fact. if he does come back late in this year, the team, IF they've performed well enough to even make the playoffs, will almost certainly not have home court advantage for any round. Why risk Yao coming back too early??? I commend Morey for at a minimum guaranteeing the next season should at least still be enjoyable for the fan. You know the team they have currently will make mistakes, but they will work hard, they should run and score more, they can compete for one of the last playoff spots, and if not there will be a better draft pick again (this time, with DM fully running the show), plus the T-Mac drama should be interesting (when will he come back, will he get traded, etc.). BUT, winning a championship next year would be more unlikely, at this point, than the Arizona Cardinals making the Superbowl (so it could happen!). For championships, let's focus on 2010-2011. He's really putting together a squad that may have a shot that year. Trade T-Mac for a healthy, impactful player. Either re-sign Scola next year or maybe a S&T for a Bosh type. Have Yao come back ready to go, fully healthy. Have David Andersen ready for year 2, and able to seriously keep Yao's minutes relatively down. Add another draft pick or two. Add another free agent or two to bolster the bench. Brooks should be more consistent at that point. And Battier and Ariza can still be the long defenders, three point shooters, etc.
The NBA didn't just give the Rockets the disabled player exception because the Rockets said Yao would be out for the season. The NBA gave us the exception because an NBA-approved doctor inspected Yao's foot and agreed with the Rockets' prognosis. If, by some miracle, Yao can play next year (very unlikely), the NBA has to just shrug their shoulders and say "whoops, our own diagnosis was wrong." It's nothing about "pulling a fast one."
Without Yao or McGrady, I think our team is very dangerous in the same way Sacramento was back when Adelman coached them into the playoffs (Chris Weber, Mike Bibby era). We likely won't be as successful, but the potential is there. If Brooks and Scola have good games, we could beat anyone (as demonstrated in the playoffs).
Exactly, There's No Reason To Panic. I read alot of chatter on this board about scrapping the season for a lotto pick, removing players to free up money and trading our best players. Some would rather be a bottom feeder team, than a winning them. Basically throwing in the towel and quiting kind of like "a player" we all know. Whatever happens between now and next year, I want the Rockets to do their best and hold their heads high, play to win and never say "quit". I have no reason not to trust D.M, Les or Rick. I don't believe they are panicking, I believe they're looking at this as a opportunity. Adelman has brought in the type of players he wants to run his system and Morey bring in the the young diamonds in the rough. Les wants to win, because he knows winning brings in the $$$$. Be smart, do not panic, stay the course and hope everything falls into place. Rebuilding? No Upgrading and retooling while still trying to win? Yes
This is a good reason to believe we'll make the playoffs as well. You don't have a 7 game series with a team during the regular season so they're not as prepared for you as they would be in the playoffs. Come playoff time though we better have one of our stars back 100% healthy.
if the NBA found out, i'm guessing it wouldn't be a good business move. nor is turning your offseason (when you're trying to lock down season ticket holders) into a funeral a really good business move.
Actually, the OP included Yao coming back at the end of next year, like March. If we were to play through the Finals, that would have Yao playing healthy for three months, not three seasons.
This is probably marking the end of the tracy and yAo era of the Houston Rockets. I do not think Rockets are trying to pull a fast one, but i do believe we can make some noise. First, we will have a team consisting of all motivated players. all the oyung players want minutes and want to shine. Second, Mcgrady now has something to play for. If he wants another big contract, he will have to show teams he can play. He cannot be lazy or wait a long time to play. He needs as many games as he can get, so he will probably try his best to return to the rockets in the first half of the season. Third, we will catch some teams off guard, and if we can win the games we are supposed to win( unlike last season where we lost a billion games to under .500 teams). We can be a .500 team until Mcgradey comes back. And by then he will have to play the best basketball he has played in a while Fourth, Yao Ming wants to play.. You could see his disapointment in the playoff. And now his career could be over. Nobody has set a valid timeline for yao. Recent articles have almost 10 different treatment options, some that would get him ready by the start of the season, others midway, some he would miss the whole season, and with a possibility that it could end his career. In all, every player will be determined. This season may seem lost, but the rockets can salvage it
CONSPIRACY THEORY! I just always wanted to accuse someone anyways, Morey is just dealing with reality, in other words doing the best he can under the current hand he is dealt 1. TMac is in rehab, if Morey would have gotten good value he would have traded TMac, he didn't and he is still open to offers 2. Yao is probably out most of the season and it is a question mark when and if he returns, Yao will not be traded, period 3. Morey tried to move players to get a proven scorer who could be the go to player, not able to make a deal where the Rockets win on this 4. Morey has made some very good but minor moves (Ariza, purchase of draft picks etc) that fit his strategy and add some improvement to the team 5. Morey is not willing to make a stupid move to try and sell fans on this coming season. 6. Morey realizes that if TMac can come back or if Yao can come back and either one is effective then the team is going to take a big step forward. 7. Since no one even knows the odds of either one coming back Morey must continue to make moves with long term objectives and be ready and willing to make any deal that has immediate impact without sacrificing the big picture. In other words, we are rebuilding the right way as fast as we can, and if Yao comes back or if TMac brings a significant trade or can come back strong Morey knows we get a significant boost to the process.
