Chris Mannix: In trade pursuits, Ime Udoka ‘a real asset’ for Rockets

Of course.... but you can't just skip the steps because you are so irrational fan. You need to have a consistent winning team before becoming a contender... You are just setting unrealistic expectations so you can tear down the coaching staff for not managing the team as YOU would.

And Ime got outcoached by one of the best coaches? With one of the best coaching staff? GSW was favored to win, so I'm not sure how clear cut it was they were weaker.

 

Making excuses for the Rockets at full strength becoming just the 7th 2 seed to lose to a 7 seed in NBA history.... who was missing one of their best players for 2 games is wild.

The tradition of a certain type of Rockets fans making excuses every offseason continues.

 

I wasn't a fan of Ime's rotations and have said it many times that we need to bring in an offensive assistant but player wise Reed was really the only guy who didn’t play who could have helped. Not having an offensive sets whatsoever cost us. It would have been nice to have a shorter leash on Jalen but there wasn't really another option. Cam isn't it. He belonged glued to the bench

 

As far as making excuses, I could also add that getting the #2 seed with three games left didn't help, as our players went cold during the 3-game "losing streak."

But Ime's blind allegiance to his backcourt, divided into one player's giant **** on the court (Jalen Green) for 6 of 7 games and the other being a veteran (because only veterans can be counted on to bring it), coupled with the team's inability to hit a f***ing free throw................yeah, no excuse is good enough.

GODD*MN why make me think of it again.

 

I think Cam could have been a benefit if he was handled differently all season... but a stubborn, arbitrary coach like Ime is the worst thing possible for an immature player like Cam who is prone to temper tantrums.

The talent is there, but it's not something that a coach like Ime could ever use.

 

It’s amusing how the usual posters are continuing to make excuses for Cam and Reed’s poor play. It’s literally the dumbest thing in the world to suggest Ime arbitrarily holds players back.

 

I mean… given the roster, what do you do?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it was great it was a mid tier, 16th ranked offense prone to long scoring droughts. With Sengun who kinda earned his shot at being the go-to, but can’t hit a layup, free throw, middy or a three with any kind of regularity who also isn’t a world class playmaker but pretty much gets the rock every play down the court.

And your other big time option is Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde himself? Who doesn’t seem to mesh well with the other option, despite being a perfect match on paper.

And to guide them, steady the wheel is a guy who can’t drive and his shot fell off the planet.

And the role players are guys with tunnel vision, or 0% handle, or who has even less touch on layups than Sengun. And you know. Steven Adams.

The whole offense was definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Topping out at a mid tier offense isn’t awesome but considering then ingredients Ime still put up some chicken salad. I’m not calling it a masterstroke or anything but it really may have been a good coaching job to pull even a middling rabbit from the hat.

 

I don't see it in Cam. He reminds me of KPJ a lot. A selfish, me first guy who is lazy and pouts when they don't get their way. The only difference is KPJ would occasionally try on defense while Cam just quits. The NBA is littered with guys like Cam. Gifted but don't put it together. I agree Ime is stubborn and really with we had an option that could have taken minutes from Green as he killed us but I didn't want to see Cam. Would have welcomed a way to incorporate Reed but that ship sailed when Ime glued him to the bench during the season.

It is but unless he's traded to a bad team I doubt we ever see him being productive. If I'm wrong I'll happily admit it

 

You do know that the point was that they get a chance to PLAY through their poor play and learn, right?

They need playing time to work through the adjustment period, the problem is that IMe is inconsistent, he lets Jalen play like **** and continue to start, Jabari, same, FVV same, Brooks same......and with young guys they get 1 mistake and are yanked.

Both of them played great when given extended minutes.

Reed shot 49% from 3pt after January...Cam over 40......they should have been playing.

It is fair to say, they struggled, because they did, but the sooner they get playing time the sooner we can jettison old heads like FVV and Brooks that will not be part of a contending team....

DD

PS. Ime is known for holding back guys who are offensively oriented like Pritchard in Boston.....

 

In addition to the no income tax.

 

Which is a joke because on average Texans pay more in Taxes than Californians do.

https://www.chron.com/news/houston-...pay-more-taxes-than-californians-17400644.php

Hell I pay well into 5 figures a year just to LIVE in my own house......I get taxed on unrealized gains on my property every year it goes up, I don't realize anything but my taxes go up.

We pay $.42 for every gallon of gas we use, Texas is full of liars as politicians they are robbing us blind.

Our state is owned by the billionaire class, and we all suffer for it.

DD

 

Exactly. I am fine with giving Ime the benefit of the doubt considering what he had to deal with. Stone has a hard task ahead of him. Making the right moves to balance out this roster while not damaging the integrity of the defense too much. People calling for Ime's job already are being way to reactionary to last season's offensive woes as it is not all of Ime's fault.

 

Maybe an offensive coach. with some sucess added would do the trick. Gotta gives IME his dues.He has exceeded the first two years of most peoples expectations.

 

The Rockets didn't lose to the Warriors because Reed and Cam didn't play. I can't believe people actually think this.

Ime is a fantastic coach.

The Rockets need more firepower.

Both can be true.

 

No one will know for sure. Without getting more opportunities during the regular season to grow as a defender, Reed would have to be on a burner to make up for his defense, and I am a Reed believer. He was so bad defensively. With how bad Jalen played, anything is possible, but it is far from a certainty we would have won if Reed and Cam played.

Cam is a wildcard. Would not have hurt to give Cam a few minutes to see if he had it going or not, but there áre far bigger issues than not playing Cam and Reed.

 

bro, you say a lot of stupid things but this is by far the stupidest thing I’ve ever read on this forum that isn’t even remotely true…

I know because my business partner is based out of Cali and he moved here because how much less he made than me net because of taxes… I’m talking to at least 15 to 18% more overall… Literally, this is the Most ill-informed comment I’ve ever read …

That’s not even taking consideration the huge cost of living differences

with basic facts and information so readily available I’m dumbfounded that people still believe antiquated media outlets with blatant agendas

 

For example … just a very quick research on 75,000 blue-collar earners and up it’s not even close

from AI analyzation of the article you sent:

“Is the Claim True?

The claim that “Texans pay more in taxes than Californians” is not universally true and depends on income:

(75k or more almost 70% household incomes
In Cali for reference )

• For $75,000 earners: Texas has a lower tax burden , primarily due to no state income tax, despite higher property taxes. Claims of Texas having a higher burden may stem from older ITEP data focusing on slightly lower income ranges or regressive tax structures, but at $75,000, Texas is cheaper.

• For $1,000,000+ earners: Texas is unequivocally cheaper as California’s progressive income tax (up to 13.3%) heavily impacts high earners, while Texas’s lack of income tax benefits them significantly. This aligns with sources noting Texas’s advantage for the wealthy.

Caveats

• Assumptions: Property values, spending patterns, and filing status (single vs. joint) affect outcomes. Renters or those in high-cost areas (e.g., San Francisco vs. rural Texas) may see different results.

• Other Taxes: Gasoline taxes (53.9¢/gallon in CA vs. 20¢ in TX) and payroll taxes (higher in CA) add to California’s burden but are minor here.

• Data Limitations: ITEP’s 2018 study is slightly dated, but both states’ tax structures haven’t changed fundamentally. WalletHub’s 2023 study supports Texas’s higher burden for average earners in some contexts, but specific calculations favor Texas at $75,000 and above

• Local Variations: Sales and property taxes vary by city. For example, San Francisco’s gross receipts tax or Austin’s property tax rates could shift totals slightly.

Conclusion

For a $75,000 blue-collar worker, Texas offers a lower tax burden saving $4,117 annually. For a $1,000,000 earner, Texas is dramatically cheaper, saving ~$100,429. The claim that Texans pay more holds for some lower income ranges per ITEP, but not at $75,000 or for millionaires, where Texas’s lack of income tax prevails.


Cost-of-Living Index Comparison

• Numbeo reports San Francisco’s cost of living (excluding rent) is 30.8% higher than Austin’s, and including rent, it’s 33.2% higher. A $6,614.6 monthly lifestyle in Austin requires ~$9,900 in San Francisco.

• MoneyGeek estimates a $100,000 San Francisco earner needs $58,393 in Austin to maintain the same lifestyle, implying a 71% higher cost in San Francisco.

• These indices suggest a $75,000 earner in San Francisco faces a 30-71% higher cost of living, with our calculation (59%) falling within this range.

Key Observations

• Housing Dominates: San Francisco’s high rent ($33,936 vs. $17,352) accounts for 73% of the cost difference, making homeownership or renting far more affordable in Austin.

• Taxes: Texas’s lack of state income tax saves ~$3,098/year, a significant factor for middle earners.

• Other Costs: Groceries and miscellaneous expenses are notably higher in San Francisco (32.7% and 27.8%, respectively), while transportation and healthcare differences are smaller.

• Disposable Income: A $75,000 earner in Austin has ~$33,619 left after expenses, versus ~$9,175 in San Francisco, allowing greater savings or discretionary spending in Austin.

• Local Context: San Francisco’s high costs are driven by its tech-driven economy and limited housing supply, while Austin’s lower costs reflect a growing but less constrained market. However, Austin’s rapid growth is increasing housing prices, narrowing the gap.
Conclusion

For a single person earning $75,000 annually, San Francisco’s cost of living is ~$65,825 (87.8% of income), leaving ~$9,175 in disposable income. In Austin, the cost is ~$41,381 (55.2% of income), leaving ~$33,619. The ~$24,444 annual difference (59% higher in San Francisco) is driven primarily by housing ($17,784) and taxes ($3,266), with groceries and miscellaneous costs adding smaller gaps. To maintain the same lifestyle, a San Francisco resident needs ~$102,596, per cost-of-living calculators. Austin is significantly more affordable, especially for renters, though its rising costs warrant monitoring.

 

You know it's gonna be a long and boring offseason when a thread dedicated to Ime trade scenarios turns into a tax forum...

 

Haha yes … I just was completely blown away how bad and dumb of a comment it was. I went too far on it but man…

 

Then I totally misunderstood what it was supposed to be, I thought Ime's being the asset that is luring Free agents and Trade Targets.