Daryl Morey on 610

Gersson Rosas just on:


H: A lot of questions up in the air, anything more on Yao?

GR: Nothing new at this point. Doing some thorough exams. Nothing at this stage.

H: Did this surprise everyone involve, or is that just me, from the standpoint, we were just talking about expanding his minutes, playing back-to-backs, etc.

GR: Yeah, I'd agree. This is the nature of the recovery process. Have your good days and bad days. Yesterday a bad day for us. The situation happened in the game, that is what we expect while he recovers. We'll take a look and something we wanna be cautious with.

H: We all know Yao is a competitor. Before he went down, he tried to convince the powers that be to expand minutes, play back to backs, etc.

GR: As a group, we're competitive. No one is happy being 1-6. But Yao inparticular, he values winning at a high level. He wants to make this a special season. He's a guy that takes losing hard and takes responbility.

H: You know there was a report that Rockets came to agreement with Dampier. That now isnt gonna happen. What went on there or why no deal?

GR: Typical FA signings, a lot goes on with it. They arent final until final. As we worked through it, great interest on both sides, but as we both worked through it, concerns on both sides. Things came into light there and where both sides wanted to go. We thought Hill was playing well and wanted to give him a shot. Erick thought another situation might be better for him. Dampier was a strong option but we're cautious, until things are final, anything can happen and this is just another example.

H: So nothing physical with him?

GR: Combo of a lot of things. Overall, we had a decision to make, and so did Erick, but overall, Dampier can still play in this league. A lot of factors go into it, not just one.

H: Enjoy the conversation with you. Real quick on John Wall. Real deal, no?

GR: #1 pick, who has superstar talent at the PG spot. He's special. Size, speed, is good. He has that charisma. Has that special talent. SKy is the limit.

H: He is the #1 pick as you mentioned. Ish undrafted. Ish didnt back down.

GR: Ish greatest strength is he doesnt know any better. He has fought his way on. Ish also got that special speed. Both are rookies, both figuring out how to play in this league. PG a position of strength for us but we're excited for Ish.

H: Any concerns with Lee?

GR: Not any cause for concerns but typical transition. This is his 3rd team in 3 years. HIs talent and ability matches up of how we want to play but it takes time. Not just him either. Some guys still adjusting. Just a matter of getting it together.

H: Patterson down to D-league. What are you looking from him?

GR: We're big on development through playing. Coaches like what they see from him but we look at the schedule, only 1 practice with a lot of travel. With our depth, he would be inactive most game nights. We want his development to continue and he'll be able to at the RGV. He'll get to be a primary player there like he was in college.

H: Appreciate the time. Expecting any info on Yao by end of the day?

GR: Nothing at this stage so we'll leave it at that.

H: Thanks again.

GR: You got it.

 

He didnt sound worried to me. Probably being cautious. Then again, you'd think they would perhaps release something by now. I guess we'll have to wait and see though.

 

Hows it going?

Morning

Had the L last night to OKC. Snap shot of what the Rockets are going through? Injuries part of it, need those guys back.

We gotta find a way to win even with injuries. Teams go through injury stretches. We need a lift from rest of team. Those players will help obviously but...every team goes through injuries and teams battle through it better than we are doing. Issues are on D. Our O isnt clicking either. Our D is setup to force bad shot and get rebound. Not getting the rebounds and fouling too much. We're really struggling on D. On O, we're ok but missing key folks. Luis has been carrying them. Kevin has been ok.

You mentioned the bench, it was mentioned as a strength before.

Yeah, we thought it was a strength but right now, not getting good enough play to call it a strength.

What is Ish Smith doing for you right now? Seems like he gets into the lane even if its not for scoring.

Yeah, he can beat pretty much anyone off the dribble. He's learning how to set everyone else up when he does that. The book may be out on him. Yesterday, he made the shots. Took what the D gave him. He does like to pass first.

Courtney Lee, some good, some bad. Inconsistent. Thoughts there?

Similar to most of the team. He struggled primarily on O. Just fitting in. His P&R game hasnt been strong. His spot shooting hasnt as strong as it's been in the past. Bottom line - got a whole roster of guys struggling. Positives is Luis and Kevin on O. Some flashes of D but nothing consistent.

Clearly Rick will try to figure something out that will work. From GM perspective, what do you do?

At this point, it's really in the coaches hand. Right now, trades arent likely in the league. Teams are in evaluation mode. Some players still cant be traded until December. This is mostly in the coaches hand and we think he'll figure it out. Though right now, it hasnt worked out to where we want to be.

You did have a winning streak going since we last talked, MIller a big part. Talk about him.

On O, he has helped a lot. Again, primarily issues are on D. He can help create for others. His play off the elbow helps. He's been someone who has given quality minutes. Though it hasnt added up as a team.

Something different about Shane? Situation there?

On D, he has been solid. Deng was pretty much shut down. I think on D, he's still smart and still a position defender. On O, like everyone, he's struggling on what he has done well in the past.

[caller]: Have you considered coaching as well as being a GM?

Outside of a guy like Popovich, that's generally a disaster. I think I'll stick to what I do best.

On a sidenote, tempted by that?

No, doesn't intrigue me.

Spurs came up, you played them, played them tough. They're averaging over 108 points/game. Thoughts on them?

Made the adjustments we need to make. THey're rolling and healthy. Testament to Popovich and their core. Quality franchise year in and year out. We feel like we got the ability to get wins, even through tough times, and we gotta get back to that.

[Caller]: Tell me something about Hill's practice, work ethic, etc.

Opportunity is there for Jordan. We need athleticism, rebound, shot blocking. His O is alright. What happened the game before OKC, where he ended up only with 5 minutes or something like that, they ended up playing small in the 2nd half, and he missed a couple of assignments. His progression is slower than the coaches would like. He still misses assignments on both ends but we continue to work with him. The opportunity is right there.

[Caller]: Relationships - they have ups and downs. Kind of relationship do you have with Adelman? How do you collaborate on selecting a player, etc. Do you get frustrated when you see these guys not get playing time?

We talk all the time. When things arent going well, even more important to talk. On decision maing on players, we do it as a group. Adelman a HOF coach when its said and done and his feedback is important but in the end, I make the final call so everyone will blame me. We may make decisions against Adelman but hes ok with that.

Terms on Yao?

Progressing well. Get major checkup - he'll see Dr. Clanton. He'll give him an update. He's up on the foot though and pain is minimized. He's on the stationary bike. He's optimistic. The pain he was feeling has gone away. Cautious but Dr. Clanton will take a look at him.

We hear the news on Greg Oden, and think of Yao Ming. Shows how careful you have to be.

Yeah, bigs are like good pitchers in baseball. Unbelievable when you got them. Pitchers its with the arms and bigs, when you got a good big, nothing like it. Though their big body makes it tough to stay on the floor.

Appreciate the time. Good luck against Toronto.

I think we can turn this around. Think we can get a couple W's and turn this around quickly.