Daryl Lessey <img src="http://www.gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=1571472" border="0"/></a><br /> I see what you did there..
MadMax, I understand what you're saying about GMs in professional sports. It IS a business. But I think Morey has built up enough credibility with Les Alexander--who is no idiot himself--that his job will be safe even if he can't land a star this year or even next year. Les knows that Morey's at least TRYING to execute a logical and rational gameplan to improve the franchise. But, yeah, there WILL be a point where, if the Rockets continue to lose and (more importantly) somehow become devoid of a viable gameplan for improvement (think the current Detroit Pistons), THEN I think Les may give Morey his pink slip. But we're nowhere near that point yet.
What MadMax also usually conveniently leaves out in his "bottom line business" posts, is the fact that it's solely on the owner/owners to determine what the bottom line is. For Max it might be winning/championships. For Donald Sterling, it's something else (certainly not winning). What is it for Les Alexander, I'm not completely sure. In other words, if Les tells Morey to sign Yao or forbids trading Yao to further his business interests even if it's detrimental to winning, Morey does not have much choice.
Yeah, Max is a jerk that way. But anyway...most owners in the league allow some time...and if the ship doesn't turn they fire the GM. Even in places where the bottom line really isn't about winning, they like to keep up the illusion they're trying.
Les will give his GM some slack, given the awful luck the Rockets have had with injuries to key players. Some say Les has been as reluctant to trade away McGrady/Yao as anyone in the organization. Its asking too much to expect any team to turn themselves into a contender while holding on to stars who have been as injury prone as ours.
I'm not suggesting something is imminent. I've repeated with respect to Morey, particuarly, that he needs more time.
This. Hugest payday for the Rockets. Most realistic Superstar scenario. We can take a Scola hit with Patrick Patterson here. We can take a Martin hit in the lineup with Lee, Budinger, and Lowry here. The guy we get back might fill one of their positions. Scola and Martin could probably net you a superstar. We already have depth. I am really thinking Patrick Patterson is the future at PF anyways. Maybe Scola and Martin for Hibbert and Granger?
Man, no love for Kevin Martin! Danny Granger is a very small upgrade to Martin, if he's an upgrade at all. Don't be so quick to trade away very good players that it took years to acquire. You'll probably soon be wishing you had them back.
Defense alone makes Granger an upgrade to Martin. The ability to play two large wings, ala Tracy/Shane, Artest/Shane, Ariza/Shane, with our lack of a C, is also a good thing.
I think Granger's defense has been largely overrated by fantasy basketball numbers. Sure, he gets a fair amount of steals and blocks, but I don't think he is widely considered a "great" defender within NBA circles. Of course, he's GOT to be a better defender than Martin. :grin: But no way he comes close to Martin's offensive efficiency. Hence, the balance. Not saying that Granger isn't better. Just that it's not so one-sided.
Our team is so terrible, I wish we were a promising franchise with a great GM like the Clippers, Grizzlies, Pistons, 76ers, Raptors, Kings, Warriors, Bobcats... ect ect ect. It's so terrible being a Houston fan where people say we will be lucky to win 30 games and we finish over 500. Fire Morey and Unableman right now we are sooo terrible.
That's exactly what I believe. Amare, Bosh, and Melo are all variations on a Dog and Pony Show theme. It's the Dog and Pony Show that keeps people hopeful and more inclined to buy tickets. And you're going to counter my opinion with what...Bosh really wanted to come to Houston over MIA and the Rox had all the pieces TOR desired for the SnT? And you've got how much bet on the Rockets landing Anthony? And if the Rockets were the ones that pulled the plug on Amare because of health-related risks...what part of those risks manifested after they spoke with him? Talk is cheap. Sorry...I don't share your opinion that media news (hype) equates to risk taking.
He was brought in to integrate quantitative analysis into the decision making and talent evaluation processes, in a complimentary role. I don't know why, but you are still under the impression that the quantitative analysis would replace the visual evaluation of talent which is definitely not the case. Film study and live-game scouting are big parts of what the Rockets do.
