This has me feeling better about the ultimate outcome, whatever it may be. I remain unconvinced that Howard doesn't remain a Lake, Paul a Clip. I don't believe cap space will be sucked away just to spend it; rather, the next step would be to buy someone's 'star' ala Harden, perhaps just by freeing a large chunk'o cap $s. For the right guy, that is. At least that is what I (want to) believe.
It's more of a matter of the team being in better circumstances right now than they were in 2010. Now, they have Harden and cap room. Back in 2010, they had Yao Ming having missed a whole season and no real cap room (needing S&T). It's easier to sell Dwight Howard on joining Harden than to ask Chris Bosh to take a chance that Yao would recover from his foot problems. About the only thing that the two situations have in common is that the Rockets has done a good job of building a cast of supporting players. But a supporting cast couldn't compete with Lebron and Wade. The best PR campaign in the history of man kind couldn't have competed with Lebron and Wade.
Ultimately, whatever happens we are in a good place. Money to spend, star to build around, youth with potential The only way i see our downfall is by signing a B-level star like Millsap (as good as he is, it's not maximising our assets) Saying that, he would add to a foundation package to further entice 2014 free agents, as long as we don't spend A-level money on B-level talent
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_9BGLtqqkVI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> This song just popped into my head when I read this... hell yeah
I don't want to get all conspiracy theory on this article, but the timing of this is too fishy to me, with the Clippers dominating the headlines by being involved in rumors today of doing this exact thing (flipping young assets for win-now veterans). I have to wonder if the Rockets put this information out there specifically to help get the word out to Dwight that they too will add top talent around him. The reason I think that way is because we already knew (or certainly strongly suspected) that the Rockets would switch course from "build to contend" to "contend now" if they landed Dwight, but the "willingness to spend well into luxury tax territory" looks like an advertisement. Just strikes me as a "Whoa now Dwight... I know the Clips are trying to go all CP3 and KG, but we'll do something similar too."
Honestly I'd prefer having "Howard+Harden+Great Role players" then "Howard+Harden+Paul". Chris paul never struck me as a player who can carry a team to a championship, heck has he ever even reached the Western Conference Finals? His team was very stacked this year but they still got bounced out of the playoffs. I know this league is all about stars blah blah but I'd rather have two superstars and a bunch of great players than three great players and zero depth. But at this point i'm hoping we manage to nab howard and then everything else our FO does will be gravy At this point last season I was not looking forward to the upcoming season because we weren't a destination at all. I'm happy as a rockets fan today!
true rockets fans that love lex's evil laughter are well aware that he has been open about going over the luxury tax. No big secret here. I just want dwight right now! enough talk.
OK, and the problem with your take is exactly what? I haven't seen the Rox get nominated for any NBA equivalent Clios, I'm ready. I am happy, thrilled for my Rockets to control the narrative. Oh, and just sayin' - - if the Clips go to the '14 play-offs with KG as their 35mpg 5 then CP3 had better be Magic/Stockton/Isiah rolled into one!
Chris Paul's team this year included him, Blake griffin, an awful coach and filler. He is one of the three best point guards of the last 20 years (Kidd, Stockton) and worth every penny he's about to get. Harden, Howard, and filler maybe wins more regular season games. Harden, Howard, Paul and lesser filler is a threat to win the trophy. Titles are won these days with teams that have three guys that carry the water and depth that knows its role, be it defense or threes or rebounding. Look no further then all-around teams lacking legit star power like Denver and Brooklyn to find squads good in the regular season and helpless in the postseason. Paul, harden, and Howard plus 9 guys from the rec center is likely >> then harden, Howard, and 9 guys that constitute average-depth.
Never thought of this, It does make sense. Why take a chance at losing out on their top prize? If it is indeed true that this message was put out to let Dwight know the Rockets will be players in free agency/trades, I don't blame them at all. The Rockets don't want to be left at the alter this time. The time is now.
Paul's a flopper.... I've got no respect for any player that jerks his head back and falls to the ground without being touched just to get a call. In my book that is flat out cheating. If you get tapped and play it up so the ref notices, that's one thing... Paul I got no respect for. imo.... PS I'll take Nash in his prime over Paul anyday of the week.
