Reeko, I don't believe that Yao would ask for a max contract if he were not able to stay healthy this season. He just does not seem like the type. Also, all this talk of rebuilding if Yao walks. We'll have some cap space to get a man in free agency and plenty of assets to grab someone at the trade DL if need be. I think rebuilding is a bit of a strong word considering what we have.
Flame on! And I hope I'm wrong in all accounts! Tony Parker and AB? Two totally different players.. Tony has the height and the vision that AB doesn't have. Will AB grow any taller? or develop court vision like Tony? We don't have a go to guy in Tim Duncan? Yao? We don't have that 1 slasher that strikes fear in Manu G. (Remember this is the earlier Manu G were talking about when they won rings).. I think we will be a good team (Strong emphasis on Good) but not a great team like those championship Spurs. Will it change? I hope so and if DM trades for the right pieces now or in the future all we can do is wait.
If you are of the ilk that believes that the players are what they are and will not improve. 1. If Yao is healthy he is a great player 2. AB may become a great player 3. Kevin Martin is close to being a great player 4. Chase might become a great player 5. Jordan Hill Might become a great player Most great players are developed from within......and Yes, you know I am worried about Yao's health as much as the next guy, but he is signed for this year, let's ride him until he drops.....and if he doesn't...then we are golden. DD
Tony Parker and AB are very similar in style of game, AB is a better outside shooter, Tony a better finisher at the rim. Manu Ginobli is a great player, I love the guy, can Chase Budinger/Kevin Martin match his production? I think so. Tim Duncan - Yeah, Yao is not him, but he is close when healthy and our bench is WAY better than theirs was...... So overall, this team is really stacked, if Yao is healthy... BTW - I respect those that want a superstar player, who doesn't? But most of those are developed from within, and only 2 were on the market this year in Wade and Lebron.....but Melo is there next year, when Yao is expiring..... DD
This may have been posted but didnt that Spurs team also have a hall of famer named David Robinson who, on THAT team was more of a role player? We really dont have that type of supporting cast...at least not yet
That's why players have agents, so they don't do stupid things. He will get MAX offers just like Amar'e and JJ got them. It will be rebuilding. AB Martin Ariza Scola ? That's a bunch of great role players with no legit double team commanding player. we ended up in the lotto this year remember? I'm fine with it though. Use the knicks picks (1 swap) and build from within just like the Spurs did.
We're contenders in a sense that you'll maybe contend for homecourt. We're not contenders to win it all unless we catch a big break. I understand where you're coming from but Morey feels we need to get that top 10 player and I agree with him. Let's just say meet Kobe and the Lakers next year at the WCF... When the game is on the line Kobe will have the ball in his hands for the Lakers. When the game is on the line for Houston... Who will have the ball in their hands?.... None of us can answer that and that's the problem. If Morey and Les decide to wait one more year based on Yao, I'm fine with that. But if Yao can't perform at a high level next year, I would hope that both of those guys will make the right decision and move on.
Yao is nowhere near the vicinity of a Tim Duncan, DD. Without Timmy, no one is worried about who you'd be comparing Tony Parker to. All those mights are great...and I'll be rooting for them. But I'd far rather have a legit MVP candidate than any of those maybes. The guys who are alpha dogs on championship teams aren't as far away from being alpha dogs on draft day as the guys you listed are today. You have a lesser definition of the word "great" than I do if you're throwing out Hill and Buddinger's name attached to it.
Been waiting for another Chip in H-Town for 15 years since the last time, I can wait another year. Rockets should be patient and reap the rewards in the end. I can't wait to see what the team will look like on October 5th.
In 2002 nobody in hell would have told you that spurs supporting cast could win a title. Give this squads new guys (Martin,Bud,P Pat,Hill) a chance to see what they can do with Yao. If it doesn't work out, Yao's contract expires. This team took the Lakers to 7 games just a year ago.
Max, I actually agree with everything you said. I too, would love to have a legit MVP candidate, and Yao a couple of years ago was one. Can he be again? If healthy, sure....and that is a big "IF"... RE: Chase and Hill etc, I don't know what their ceilings are, but most players develop a lot between years 1 and 2, and especially in year 3. So, what choice do we have? The Rockets won with Dream and a bunch of nobodies.......this team's support players are way better, maybe we don't need a DREAM but a good cast of support players and a lesser star player like Yao? That is my hope for this team. DD
Trying something different? They are trying something the same that got them a lottery ticket last season. They have had copious role players for 3 years, surrounding a big giant hole in the middle because there is no star player for them to support due to injury or microfracture or whatever. It's a donut team. It was last year. It is now. And the result was lottery. That's why the Rockets went all-in for Bosh.
That's the problem right there. Too many people are counting on Houston having the assets to get someone at the trading deadline for this upcoming season and next. We saw the struggles this team had when we acquired K-Mart. Morey has stated several times that it's important for this team and especially out in the West to start off strong and finish strong. IMO deals must be made before the season starts. We can make small adjustments which is fine but to bring in an elite player at the deadline is the wrong move to make. It takes time to build chemistry.
Even if we had gotten Bosh, this franchise goes nowhere without Yao, he was a compliment, no Yao, no contender. Kobe's don't come easy, You make do with what you have.
I'd take the Dream and lesser role players formula every day of the week and 2x on Sundays. (though I don't think those role players were necessarily "lesser" than this group -- let's see someone step up like Horry in the playoffs before we coronate Chase with a "great" tag.) with a few exceptions, the history of the NBA has been about its superstars...it's top 5 players at any given point. those guys win titles. less than a handful of exceptions to that rule.
if you are assuming Yao will play 1/2 a season (which remains to be seen..he could play more and could play less), then u have a valid point hopefully yao is healthy
Agree completely on Yao AB is already a good to almost great player in my opinion. He will decline rapidly I believe, because he relies a lot on quickness, but has a small build, so I give him till about 31-34 of being effective. Kevin Martin is a great scorer, if he could defend and stay healthy, then he's not far from a great player either. Chase is athletic and seems to have all the tools, not to mention the chip on his shoulder to prove the doubters wrong. I like this guy, in fact I own a mustard and ketchup jersey of his that I had custom made so DO NOT TRADE :grin: . Jordan Hill, extremely promising. I really expect great things out of this guy. Hopefull Rox don't do him like Stros did Kenny Lofton and get rid of him before he reaches his potential, but I'm talking two completely different organizations. Don't forget Scola. Scola, is a great and vastly underrated talent! I wish more people here and around the league understood what he brings to the game, EVERY NIGHT! (good thing they don't or he would be a lot more expensive. DD, I'm sure you've posted before, but what are your thoughts on Patterson, or is it to early for your evaluation? I've heard mostly all good things and am rather excited we drafted the guy.
