Dampier to report to Rockets! [UPDATE: JT's agent says Houston-Dampier not happening]

Totally disagree on Ariza, but the rest I totally agree.

However, apart from Ariza and Miller, they were almost negligible low-risk high-reward signings so I don't blame Morey for that. The fact they didn't pan out only means he's human. But by no means he is like Isaiah Thomas or something (who I gotta admit is one of the BEST drafters in the whole league but a terrible GM overall).

 

Ariza was not a miss, contrary to your many rants against him. He was essentially traded for Darren Collison, considered the best young PG to possible be on the market this past off-season. If Morey's "mistake" can be traded for talent like that the following year, I think we'll be in pretty good shape.

That said, there are other reasons to criticize Morey, including his asset strategy to acquire a star player. It sounds smart, but it's yielded 0 results thus far.

 

Yes it was a miss, they paid a guy full MLE money and got lucky to flip him for a guy making much less with similar production.

Otherwise we would have had a Jared Jeffrieds like situation where a guy makes the full MLE and is the 3rd best at that position on the roster.

Ironically, criticizing that is stupid as there are not any options for him to acquire a superstar, and while it is great to keep that option open, if you are BANKING on that option it is another STUPID decision as it rarely works.

DD

 

So he missed on Miller, when he has played 2 games? half injured, and also missed on a guy who still hasn't played a minute. Would not be better to wait a little longer?

You must have patience with veterans. E.g. Sheed made a crappy regular season last year and was very criticized, but playoffs arrived and he helped a lot with his experience, toughness, craftyness... That's what you expect from veterans, October/November games mean nothing. Ask Luther Head.

 

Ariza is better than Shane and Budinger.

Obviously you won't admit that but any unbiased observer will say the same thing.

 

Disagree.

Ariza would be 3rd on the depth chart, the Rockets kept the best two options.

Ariza is at best a 5th option, as is Battier....but CBud is better than both of them.

DD

 

Which option would VSpan be?

 

No, it really wasn't. If it was a bad decision, we would be paying for it right now (a la Jared Jeffries). The fact is that we aren't, and Ariza's "bad contract" was traded for one of the better PG talents on the trade market. Obviously, other GMs didn't think it was a bad deal either.

It's not a strategy. Every team in the NBA does it, they just don't trump it as the Rockets fan base has. Suddenly, people are disillusioned into thinking Budinger can fetch major talent (you). It's frustrating that we're stuck in the mediocrity state where you're not good enough to win it all and not bad enough to expect help through the draft. Collecting a bunch of 2nd rounders isn't the solution to us losing our star power.

Third on the depth chart after being FIRST on it for the entire year last year. Sometimes DD, I just throw my hands up with you -- you'll say anything to cling to an argument, no matter how ridiculous.

 

What PG talent did we get for Ariza's contract? Courtney Lee is a SG.

And just because you find a sucker to take Ariza does not mean it was not a mistake...the only way it could be considered NOT a mistake is if we massively upgraded our team by moving him.

Did that happen? No of course not.

The only star power we have is Yao Ming....and if he is healthy we are probably good enough to compete as a 2nd tier power...

Brooks might be a star, but it is looking more likely that he is a good scoring point, but is at his peak right now.

And we are what we are....unless we can somehow get lucky in the draft, and take some risks.....(not patterson Btw) we will be what we will be.

This year's draft still bugs me because we had no major needs.....so I don't know why Morey didn't go for a BIG swing in talent.......and not the safe pick.

Makes no sense to me...but whatever.

DD

 

During the 2009 off-season, I got slagged for saying that tanking in 2009/2010 was a legitimate option, not to deliberately lose, but to avoid overpaying veterans just to win a few extra games. What's weird is that Morey did exactly that, but then changed strategy one season later by throwing money at Brad Miller.

The Rockets are a broken team. The parts are not fitting, and one or more roster changes are necessary. Carmelo isn't coming and Paul isn't going anywhere. It's time to re-evaluate, and ask whether first round exits for the next five seasons is enough to keep the fan base buying tickets.

The Rockets are a whole lot closer to a complete rebuild than anyone wants to admit.

 

really? I don't think anyone counters that. thing is, with the youth and talent mix on the team, a rebuild would be kickstarted if the times comes. we are not in a hopeless situation; we are in position of alternatives. one alternative is most definitely a rebuild scenario.

 

Ariza is a role player.You have pointed that many times,so why are you thinking that we could have had a massive upgrade over him? You didn't mention any other player that could have been added to him either.

 

I don't think that, I think that signing him was a mistake....or a miss...and a case of the team overpaying.

DD

 

I see your point.

 

"Sorry Mr. Dampier, we have reconsidered our decision. Mr. Taylor is more important to us right now with injuries to Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin. You may sign elsewhere. "

 

hsf - thinking the same thing. i hope nothing goes down and we keep what we have. any chance of that?

 

When can he be considered to play? Are we looking for a trade or what? We should get him in ASAP. I seriously believe that he will give the Rockets the size and rebounding we need and I believe we'll finally win a game

 

You saying we need a star player?

Like I've been saying...having one horrible season this year will be much better than having a mediocre season.

I honestly don't see this team going any where how it's built now. They need a go-to guy, a guy they can depend on every time he touches the ball.

I don't have much hope until they lift the ban on Yao's minutes...and it may just be a little too late at the pace we're on.

 

Jay,

I would love to get a star player, but there are very few guarantees that you get one.

Look at recent history, Kwame, Oden, lots of guys have not panned out....as very high picks.

I don't have any answers, and I don't think morey does either.

DD

 

So when can Dampier start playing? What's the deal wit him