Hello everyone. I decided last October not to post during the regular season. Too much drama for my taste, plus I figured 99% of my replies would have been two simple words, Calm Down. Anyway, I figured I'd start posting again by listing ten things that made this season of transition a bit easier to tolerate. The Rockets might not have made the playoffs, but they gave us plenty of reasons to be excited about next year, and here are a few of them. 1. Brooks = NBA M.I.P. 2. Luis Scola solidified his reputation as the gold standard of blue collar players. In many ways, he took on the role of Yao Ming this year, allowing his game to speak for itself. 3. Daryl Morey. Here's a thought. If players can improve, so can general managers. We knew Morey was our most valuable team asset, but he took his "game" to another level with the way he handled the McGrady trade. He didn't rush the trade. He didn't try to force it. He waited for the best deal to come to him, and pulled in a haul that would make a pirate envious. 4. Chase Budinger. Isn't it fun when the rookie you're rooting for does well? This kid needs some seasoning, but he's a huge part of the puzzle. I can see him making critical shots in a game 7. He's disruptive, explosive. and very capable of leading the team to some 4th quarter comebacks. 5. Jordan Hill. A last minute throw in, a guy Morey greedily squeezed out of the Knicks, comes in and immediately shows why he was drafted so high. Like Chase, he needs seasoning, but the ceiling is high, extremely high. Thanks Mike! 6. Tracy is no longer our problem. No need to elaborate, no need to stir the pot. All that matters is that we finally have closure on that distraction. Nothing to do but move forward. To move forward with Kevin Martin, extra draft picks, and Jordan Hill. Ha ha ha ha. 7. Kevin Martin. Hey, he's pretty good. Who knew? Apparently the rest of the NBA, because the Rockets acquired him for peanuts. Yao is going to absolutely love this guy. 8. Daryl Morey has a lottery pick. Please insert diabolical laugh. 9. Yao Ming will be back next season. He might not be 100% or even 75%. He might not play heavy minutes, but his presence will have a huge influence on the team. His work ethic and attitude will set a great example for the rookies and new players. He's the best kind of leader. He leads by example, and he'll be back next season. Maybe not completely back, but he'll be back. 10. The season of frustration is over. It's behind us. We've turned the corner. There might be some bumps in the road, but I think this team is one healthy star from being a contender. Get it done Morey!
Agree with everything except number 7. He did cost us Mandry. But it's a great trade for both sides - we needed a pure 2 guard scoring machine and they needed a beast. I think Carl will develop nicely along with Tyreke in Sactown - could very well turn into a DWill/Boozeresque combo for them if Landry picks up his rebounding, which he very well could. I'm also very excited about next season, this team has so much potential right now and is only going to get (possibly significantly) better.
Yup those are all good. But check out this video, it has all the best things of the season in one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFIqQbxdoWg
Didn't make the playoffs, but overall many many positives. From me after Tracy was traded, I became more at peace with the team and direction. They finally dumped all the baggage and headed into a brighter future.
11. The 2010-2011 season is coming up. I've had this signature now for 2+ years in anticipation of the offseason but more importantly the season following, when we'll have a chance to give our shiny new toys (and oh boy will we have a couple) a test drive.
I would add Trevor Ariza to that list. In the beginning of the year, he was not only playing out of position, but being asked to be a primary scorer, something he's not equipped to do. When Yao returns, if Ariza settles into a complementary role like he had with the Lakers, Year 2 as a Rocket will be much smoother than Year 1.
I will reserve judgment in terms of any dwill/booz comparisons but I can't see Tyreke passing that much
We got to see more of the katsup and mustard jerseys. Maybe by next year, we will see them for all away games. :grin:
we actually have draft pick this season that we dont have to buy or trade for! (and two more possibly in the next two years!)
Which is vastly superior to getting stomped in the first round. At least it is to me. Wouldn't surprise me to see the pick traded, though.
and I really did lol about the reason saying Morey with a lottery pick!! Can you imagine? Even if it is 14th!
Great post Rave. Thank you. I very much look forward to next year, anxiously waiting to see if Yao can succesfully make a comeback, and to see what kind of trades/drafts Morey makes. It will be exciting, that's for sure.
