So we lost the PG wars. I think it was clear, we have a disgruntled PG who is also a "high value asset." Lowry could be traded not only for star level value, but also it was broadcast that packaging "low value assets" and dumping Scola or Martin's contracts were part of the plan. Part of this plan was chasing after Deron (kinda), Dragic, and Lin - all value players, but assuredly starter level players so that Lowry was clear to go. I can get it... you're a "relatively smaller market" team and you needed to create noise to let teams know you're ready to makes moves and at the same time pique the interest of high profile players. Morey was chasing after Dwight, a superstar who like the Lebrons, Wades, Durants, and Kobes of the world, would be a magnet and create an undefiable gravity to draw in other talent and have the Houston Rockets become the next Big N. But Morey's plans didn't follow through (something I don't blame him for and want to go into in another post). Now here's the problem. This is the point when two men sit down in a room or over a fat steak and settle their issues in the past. McHale and Morey own up to Lowry and say regardless of what has happened in the past, they want to move forward together and make something big happen in Houston. I don't know about you, but I still feel a motivated Lowry is by far the best PG out of our options and the PG I would most want to go to war with in the Playoffs. The question is, why would heck would Lowry want to make peace now and go to war with you? Management has made it so vocal they're ready to flip you like a burger and not just you, but pretty much everyone you've been building a relationship on the team over the years (including Bud and Dalembear). It's every day you look at a news feed or Twitter and hear your name and teammates' names as a potential trade to whatever location. Now you want to make peace with me and have me and my teammates put out for you next season? F* you. In a robotic world, I'm a professional who buys into the "business is business" bullcrap. The reality is, I'm a human with emotions, just as are my teammates. If I'm Lowry right now, it's really hard to have an appetite for that steak and give any effort next season. So here's my point: We know the reality of business. We just don't always need to hear about it. My guess is that you, McHale and Morey, are going to have a real tough time sitting down with Lowry and having a gentlemen's discussion about how to move forward together. At the same time, your vocal blaring in the media has sent your fanbase on a roller coaster ride and pissed off or confused a good majority of them. I think it would be a good time to take a page in the notebook of many other GMs, who quietly get deals done and announce them after, not before they are complete. While grotesque and incomprehensible to you Morey, my guess is some players and fans live by words like "loyalty, franchise players, and who the f* cares about max asset value." A lot of them would rather you went on your way and said "Thank you" until a finished deal is already on the table. We all know that you're doing your business in the backroom... it's just not always a good thing to hear about it.
I tend to agree. Its the loudness of the situations. I mean,I think every player knows its a business and that's so true,but every year its a boatload of rockets players tossed around in conversations about trades. If you're a player,why fight througha nagging injury? Why tough it out late in the season for this team? Dragic was almost traded,then the campaign to bring him back was on. Martin ddnt handle his sutuation well at all and at times scola didn't give the typical scola effort. Ray allen said he got tired of hearing his name come up all the time. There is a way to get the reults you want as a gm. For awhile,people thought parker was gone until that meeting with Tim Duncan. They patched it up,traded they back up and tony parker has been great.
Agreed. There is a part that players should treat their job professionally, and there is a part that GMs should treat their job professionally as well. I'm just surprised how many time the Rockets trade attempts were leaked so fast on the internet, and Morey's tweets... god, stop it plz. If you want trade someone, just get it done, and don't treat it like a Nintendo or card collection game.
scanning other teams forums, there are just as much of the same stuff regarding all the trade rumors, player/coach butting heads, not spending enough, etc. But for some reason many Rockets fans seem to think that only Rockets news ever get leaked out. That other team's players live a happily oblivious life where they don't get subjected to trade rumors or having to fight for rotation minutes. I think if some of you actually become a fan of a "popular" team, you just may die of stress from bombardment of negative news
I don't know which one is more stressful, a notorious team with crazy moves that may or may not work out, or a mediocre team with fail attempt after fail attempts. I think the problem with this off season is this is suppose be THE off season that bring some excitement back, but so far it is not the case.
I find watching Royce White, Patterson, D-mo, Lamb, Machado, Jones, Parsons, all getting more playing time real exciting. I find nothing exciting about watching Dragic, Scola, Martin, Budinger, Dalembert pull off another 500 year at those guys expenses. If Lowry and Asik can guide those younger guys to the playoffs or a 500 record? That is much more impressive and good news than if our veterans who we could have kept do it. I dont know what else is gonna go down for trades or moves. Anything else than the normal is almost an upgrade than last year. So Moreys next move I think can make me happy anyways now. Unless he reups Lee, start Lee, Martin, Scola, and Lowry all year. Now thats another mediocre disaster.
Let me say this,every gm call other gms and ask about players,but the rockets are always in the chatterbox when it comes to deals. Morey is like the guy trying to get in the game and make himself relevant. He make a lot of noise and look like he's working hard,but nothing comes of his deals. The spurs quietly moved george hill to move up in the draft to select leonard. When they traded scola,they went to cleveland 1st,deal fell through and they back doored and sent scola to houston. Some teams can make small trades seem even smaller and the rockets make small trades seem eart shattering.
You know whats funny( but also sad), Lowry's trade value has gone down, but not because Gogi ditched us. Its becase every team and their mothers know that Lowry is not happy in Houston, and the consenous around the league is Morey has been trying to trade him since draft day. The Raptors right now, no longer have to give Morey what he wants, they can play Moreys game and lowball him... I think we are looking at Ed Davis, Jerryd Bayless and maybe a fully protected lottery 1st rounder(if were lucky)
If we dont get Lin we wont worry about other teams offers. Lowry is here to stay until his contract runs out. They will get nothing because that how it works when you dont have his replacement.
Wtf? This threads is obviously criticizing the way Morey and co. are handling things. How is this a "damage control thread"? I disagree with the argument made by the OP, however, for the following reasons: 1. OP writes with a lot of rhetoric and emotion, but I have trouble understanding where a lot of his assumptions come from. - Please explain Morey's "vocal blaring in the media." What the media reports is one thing, what the FO actually declares is another. - When did Morey ever announce a deal that's not been done? He's always been careful about not saying names and keeping moves concealed. The Rockets' front office is actually very wary of leaked information. They try as hard as other team in the league to keep things under wrap before the ink is dry. - I think what you're referring to is Morey's honesty regarding the approach of this team, and the willingness that he has repeated expressed to "trade anybody on the team." To this point I answer: 2. The condition of our franchise IS that everybody is movable for the right pieces. We don't have a star player right now. We don't have a "franchise player." We're still searching for that star player. When we get our Duncan or Durant, you bet we're going to value their loyalty, etc. etc. We don't have that right now, and the truth is, anybody's available for the right price. Are you saying you don't agree with that? Morey is simply being honest - trade rumors are going to be passed around. They are going to get out. Do you want our GM to lie when asked "we heard that you're looking into making this and that move..."? Yes, we have been looking into moves. We're always looking into moves that improve our roster. At the end of the day, NBA players are professionals. When training camp starts, they will do their job. If OP's worried about chemistry, hey, we're supposed to be tanking anyway, aren't we?
I've been saying this for years. Morey's yaps to the media too much, especially about "assets". I think his high profile irritates other general managers, especially old school managers, which makes it harder to get deals done. And why would Dragic want to play here? So he could constantly worry about being traded? Think about it.
I haven't say a bad thing about White, Patterson, D-Mo, and Lamb But the fact is, we are not trading Scola, Martin, Lowry YET, and we have 19945858 PF on our roster, who all needs playing time, is really frustrating. But again the off season is over yet, I am not saying it won't get any better, however, it seems the Rockets is wondering in potential trade rumors all year and haven't be able to pull one off. Just remember this, last year this time, Dragic and Lee are our assets just like D-Mo and Lamb and White. And they did actually proved themselves with good plays, it should be the time we cash out on them, but we let them walk out of the door for nothing. Shame
I think Lowry, among others, shouldn't be so butt-hurt. Just another reason why 1 year in college isn't enough. Teach this kids economics and ****, so they realize they are in the business world and things aren't always going to go their way. Seriously, every year it's someone new. I am sorry your feelings are hurt, but how can you expect management to be idle when it comes to improving our roster? Sorry Kyle, you're not the best player in the league, and as long as their are better players available, we're probably going to make them offers.
Good point I am sure that Dragic is going back to Phoenix because he knows that they would never trade him. Oh wait...well...they probably won't trade him a second time....right?
I agree with most of what you said and I'm actually pro-Morey overall; I think he has the right strategy given conditions each year - somehow he's just not able to follow through with them (for whatever reason). The part I don't agree with though - Houston still comes off too loud. Houston was by far the most reported franchise thus far this offseason. Maybe it wasn't his fault and maybe he wasn't directly leaking rumors (though I doubt this with his past "smokescreens"). But I do think he can contribute to turning it down a notch. This includes controlling people in your organization and asking people you deal with (both NBA and media) to keep things on the down-low. It's clear the noise has affected the fan base. Players are also human and Martin has already commented about being treated like an asset... why add on to it by making your talks even more public (regardless if directly or indirectly)?
And I agree. That was Moreys whole plan to supposedly stockpile and get something for them but he just lets them walk constantly for nothing. After he hits on them and they produce. Lowballing offers got him nowhere. He should have just done the trades he could have if he is playing his assets GM thing.
Agreed, Morey is far too visible. When Chandler Parsons tweets "SMH" you just know he is going to be looking to go somewhere when his turn comes.
