1. The rockets brass read this website and saw fan reaction at the draft. They know they're in the sh-thouse. 2. Bobby Sura is a fan favorite and reminds us of our last semi successful season. Conclusion? this is a freebee media op to improve fan morale in this offseason and outlook for the year. And if it happens to boost a few season ticket sales, yippee. No major announcement. Just a cameo and a positive statement about his health, with optimism for further improvement.
Yes this does seem strange. Could it be that he has requested media because he expects to announce his retirement ? I really hope not ...unless he just cant go. I always loved his game. One question though, if he retires does his salary come off the books right away ? How does that work ?
I love the optimism in this thread, but I just don't feel it. A "workout" for the team brass (doctors?) and a follow-up meeting with the press? Doesn't sound good to me. Not good at all.
How is the wording weird? We already know that a workout like this was supposed to take place a few weeks back and got cancelled due to Sura's health. This is the rescheduled workout. It's not stating that he's not working out currently, only that he is working out tomorrow infront of others intended to determine his progress.
To this point, no one knows what the heck will happen. I have not gotten my hopes up during the entire Sura rehab, so I am not now either. If the Rox file the claim or if Sura retires, I am not too disappointed because no one really expected a comeback at his age. If he were to make it back somehow, even to give us limited minutes off the bench during the regular season while we work Head and Spanoulis behind him, then take a more consistent spot in the rotation come playoff time, I would be thrilled.
Having Sura starting at the 2 with Snyder backing him up would be a world of improvement over last years rotation. Of course we're all hoping for the best but I just can't see him playing a full season even if he can play. How old is he now, approaching mid 30s?
then you don't think the wording is weird, you think the event is weird. semantics i know, but it's annoying. next, if you were van gundy and knew you had a move on the table that you could ok, but it either involved a guard going (aka head) or sura himself, would you want to know the state of his health before he pulled the trigger? (just a hypothetical) also, when going into the year with your point being manned by rafer, JL3 and vaselinas spankanoulis, you just might want to know well in advance of the season if Bobby is progressing well or if he's just treading water. Then you have time to look into making a move to shore up a potentially weak position.
Another Rocket mistake in the making. Sura has nothing to prove. He should tell them to go screw themselves. He has been nothing but fantastic for the Rockets when healthy. Injuries has shortened his career, but the injuries are a result of hard play. That's not something that many NBA players (Rockets especially) know anything about. The Rockets medical people are already counting Sura out. They are idiots. Van Gundy probably has the same opinion. This results of the workout are probably already decided. There is nothing Sura can do to change their minds. They will probably offer him a buy out after. Or ask him to quit. Just like J. Barry. Screw em. Bobby should ask to be traded or waived. Then put the hammer down on "Reefer" Alston, VSpan and Lucas 3 every single time he plays against them. The guy is a warrior.
Dudes and Dudettes - There's NO WAY this is a retirement announcement. Anyone who's studied P.R. 101 knows you don't throw bad news (Sura retirement) on top of good news (Kill Bill signs), especially when you've already ticked off half the city and most of your fans by pulling the draft-day massacre (I know, I know, it's "MY" opinion). But hear me out: There's absolutely NO POINT to having a workout preceed an announcement regarding a decision that's already been made! I am totally convinced that RILEYDOG has it exactly right (though I'm not as sure the ROX "Brass" reads CC.Net... ) that the ROX PR Department realizes that, in spite of the Snyder and Kill Bill moves, the ROX need MORE GOOD NEWS because the Season Tix numbers are WAY DOWN!! At worst, this is an update on the progress Bobby is making, with some type of estimate on how far he has to go and conservative time-line before he's NBA ready again. And, at best, this will be an announcement that Sura is indeed ahead of expectations, anticipates participating fully in training camp and being ready to start the season, and will be happy to come off the bench if that's where the coach needs him! At the press conference, I'm guessing Sura says; "I'm just glad to be feeling better and to get a chance to put this injury behind me and help the team again. My shot's coming along, and if I continue to progress as planned, I should get my wind and stamina back as I build up more strength in my legs and back... I believe I can still make a contribution and together, with the other moves the team made, I think 2006 is going to be a great season! Besides, after our trip to the playoffs, we've got unfinished business to take care of!!" I've done media for a few different organizations in Houston, and had a stint on the air at KTRH (more than two years ago), so I feel confident in saying it would be absolutely HORRIBLE PR for the ROX to "make" Sura retire when he's obviously working his ass off to come back. Unless there's a deadline coming up for the ROX to submit for an injury settlement, this is NOT a retirement. And for SOLID - Dude I am so with you on considering myself exactly the same type of player (when my knees would still allow me to play that is) as Bobby! Well, maybe more of combination of Scotty Brooks and Bobby Sura (I'm only 6ft). But I played all over Houston in the 90's (including some games at Fonde) in different leagues (exclusively amateur, not even remotely close to pro/am status, but some of my teammates did play Pro/Am ball). My shot was inconsistent, but when I was on, I was on... and I played every minute like it was the last minute of a tie game !!
And unless you know everything about Sura's condition AND can read the minds of the Rockets brass, YOU are the idiot. You mind-readers are just so far above the rest of us. I wish we all had your abilities.
Rockets.com Mailbag Q&A With Their Beat Writer http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Rocketscom_Mailbag-185151-822.html What is the status of Tracy McGrady's back and will Bob Sura be healthy for next season?-- Julius Cheeks, Houston McGrady is back. The Rockets’ scoring machine resumed shooting last month and hasn’t had any setbacks. He’ll even be hosting the T-Mac Celebrity Softball Tournament on Aug. 5. So you can always swing his tournament to check out his back for yourself. Sura, however, is wait and see. He recently returned to the practice court, but he hasn’t played in almost 15 months because of a career-threatening knee injury. Training camp will be the key for him.
Yes if he is retired it doesn't count as team salary. Of course we still have to pay his salary but if we have insurance on him than that would cover it. Also if he is injured we may qualify for an Injury Exception (detemined be League) which can be used just like a trade exception.
Well said, R-R-U. Old soldiers just fade away -- they don't charge into the fray unless they still have some fight left. I had written Bobby Sura off, but this announcement fills me with renewed hope.
Only way to play. Unfortunately, I recall fouling out of almost every game I ever played. Oh well, I was never accused of being a finesse player. (6'4", 220) I hope you are right on Bobby, I love the guy.
out of your 33 posts i've yet to read any inclination that you even like the rockets. freaking troll.
I having nothing against Sura- but I just hope he retires. He will get paid and the Rockets get their Exception to sign a player. Sorry - when it comes to Rockets- individual heroics of the past are secondary. To expect Bobby will be back full strength is just stupidity.
This might sound crazy but, the Rockets are in the business of making money. Right? They could be trying to ramp up season ticket sales by showing the fans that Sura is well enough to play again and how this could be better than signing a Mike James. Oh and Head is not expendable. Sura's a FA at the end of the year.
