Funny how they say Les is about winning, guess what, you need to have one good losing season and you can get back on track! The guy is dumb as nails. Are we really this bad of a team though that if we don't make outside shots we lose thus making it that easy on defense for the other team?? Whatever happened to attack the basket and adjusting when you don't make outside shots.
I think its dismissive to call him dumb as nails. He's a smart enough guy to know that tanking is the most probable way to rebuild your team. He's trying to do it the "honorable way." Listen to some of the recent radio spots with JVG and he gives a very good insight on his views of tanking, and the Rockets. Frankly, I couldnt agree more with him. Its ridiculous that teams like Portland are openly tanking. Its a slap in the face to the game, and appauling. However, its the reality of what the league has insituted as the only way to rebuild your team. Its a league problem, and Les is the only owner who is trying to "fight the power." Maybe its a "pride comes before a fall" situation here more than anything. The Rockets are stuck between a rock and hard place because of pride, and pride alone.
Center was our biggest position of need, Dalembert was the best free agent we had a shot at acquiring, his contract was/is reasonable for the market and doesn't handcuff the team long term. What's even remotely questionable about signing him?
He doesn't make us a contender. The why-did-you-sign-him crew is generally the same as the why-did-you-trade-for-Camby crew. It's not that Dalembert isn't better than nothing or that Camby isn't worth more than Flynn and Thabeet but neither move make us contenders so why do it? The only thing it really accomplishes is to make us a little better so we keep picking in the mid-teens which keeps us floating for another year.
I also agree with what Clutch said in the interview. I just wish they'd asked about the impact of Lowry returning on team chemistry. Also, Camby getting injured at the worst possible time. First with the wrist, and now with the back. He's clearly been an impact player for us, and is several times the player Dally is, even injured, even as old as he is. I also wish they'd asked about Patterson and McHale's substitutions late. Patterson entering the game in the 4th seems to coincide with the run the teams have had against us these last 5 games, yet McHale keeps trotting him out there and playing small ball. If we would have had Chuck to play in the 4th beside Scola, instead of Patterson, I think we have a different record, but Stern killed that, as well. Too many questions, which is part of the problem with the Rockets. Where do we go from here? Beats the hell out of me.
Said it before and I will say it again. Tankers have got to be more patient with the plan Les and Morey are trying to execute. It is true that through no fault of their own they have failed at swinging the big deal, but just because you aren't able to do it in your first 1 or 2 seasons of trying doesn't mean you abandon the plan. A tank job and rebuild takes several years. Say we tank and after 1 season are lucky enough to grab a top pick but we end up with an Oden or Thabeet. Do we immediately abandon the tank method and say it failed, just because it didn't work out as fast as we hoped? Don't think so. Patience people, patience.
Are you still on the Whiteside train? Jeez. Let it go. He's a bust. But so is Thabeet and you were advocating starting him all summer. LOL.
I was advocating playing Thabeet, and it would have been 100% the right thing to do.... The team would be in a much better position today and going forward if they would have started and stuck with Thabeet all year long. He either develops into an NBA center (sink or swim) or the team loses a lot because of him. Guess what, both are better options than where we are today. Dang - sometimes it sucks being so right. DD
I think Clutch is off on one point, we ARE getting closer as a franchise towards contention. The more people refuse to show up to games and put up with this crap, the closer Les will get to allowing Morey to blow it up. I never thought about him this way because he was never as cheap as our other dirtbag owner, but with each passing year Les is looking more and more like Drayton. Could it be that, instead of McHale taking the hit, we fans are finally moving all the way up the chain and placing our bag of hot turd at the doorstep of the guy who really deserves it? If so then that IS a step in the right direction.
From sometime this week: Spoiler -Fairly well known the Rockets were involved at the deadline. People ask how? Houston wasn't on Dwight's list. Rockets don't have young superstars or potential stars to trade out. Lakers have Bynum, Clippers have Griffin. Seemed like a long shot but the Rockets hung in there. Never strayed away from renting him to get him in here. At the deadline, we knew there was interest. I talked to several people with the Rockets since then and they made it fairly clear that had he not opted in that morning, he would have been traded to the Rockets. That leads to the speculation that perhaps that played a role. It was so strange that he did not opt out and agreed to stay an extra year in Orlando. Makes you wonder if the chance he was going to a rental team played a role there. -Don't know the details of the trade. If we were to speculate, you'd have to be looking at Martin, Lowry, and several guys who have good potential, Parsons and Motiejunas, and of course they had NY's draft pick this year, which had potential for the lottery at the time but is now 16th overall. They had some decent assets and a lot of flexibility. -Most players consider LA the mecca. I have a hard time believing Dwight didn't want to go there. -Big difference between the summer and that particular trade deadline. That deadline came with 5-6 weeks left and Rockets were involved there. Now looking at the off-season where a couple of other teams can get involved. Got a full year of Howard, including TC, although Howard might be iffy coming off back surgery. Probably a few more teams involved. There is a difference between how close they came at the deadline and now. -That list goes on and on with deals that they thought were close. Gasol, Dwight, Bosh, Carmelo. You look at that Gasol trade, the Rockets were the ones giving everything to New Orleans and weren't getting Chris Paul. Only guy going to NO from LA was Odom. I have to think it's because Paul didn't want to come to Houston over a LA. They've struggled big time to get the star player to come here. Never been an issue in the past; only the last 3-4 years since Yao fell apart and T-Mac gone. No stars to lure other stars. -Difference between before and now is no one wants to be the first guy to come over here. Same thing in NY. People weren't really going to NY and then Stoudemire was the first. That's what the Rockets are hoping for and what the pursuit of a rental was about. If you get a Dwight, can you lure Williams or others to keep him here, keep him happy. That's what its about. Rockets for 20-30 years were never without a superstar. They've always had stars here. It's uncharted territory for them. -Brooklyn the top team that concerns me about Dwight. If they land a top 3 pick, that changes the game. Lakers too. Are they willing to trade Bynum? Those 2 of my biggest concerns. -Gotta be concerned with Brooklyn getting a top 3 pick. -LeBron is amazing. A lot of people talk about how he comes up short in the 4th, but he is so talented. A guy I would gladly build around every single time. So gifted and talented and not selfish. You take a chance with a talent like that every time. -Dwight being a pain in the butt goes away once/if he's extended and has a contract. If hes traded here and does not get extended, he's on the clock again. People will ask him every day where/what he's doing/going. Instead of Deron Williams, people will ask him about Paul. -Plan B(if no Dwight) could be trading up in the draft. Every year Morey tries to trade up in the draft. A handful of teams, Portland and Sacramento come to mind, if they land in the 4-7 range, can you trade up? They will probably consider trading Lowry this summer because they are hoping to bring back Dragic. Makes you wonder if they'll be able to trade up that high. http://www.1560thegame.com/audio/da...s-how-dwight-howard-was-almost-a-rocket-5168/
-[They'll] try to package the picks. They had 2 picks coming in and didn't think they would keep both. Don't see them adding 3 first round picks. Had to make this knowing they can move up or they can trade them for Dwight. -[They're] looking to move up & then use that pick to get Dwight. Talking with people with the Rockets, they thought they had him in March. He of course opted in. Mystery of why he did that. They were going to try again this offseason. Howard has a yr left. New GM in Orlando, who comes from OKC and SA, where you build through the draft. Orlando will want a top five-six pick as a centerpiece for rebuilding. Rockets would love to move up in general but first priority is trying to get Dwight. -People talk about Charlotte at 2 but don't think they can get that high. Sacramento at 5 is probably the highest. They can use a PG. Lowry could step in there and provide leadership. Sacramento probably the highest [they can move up to] but you never know with three first round picks. -We've seen it reported that Dwight would not re-up in Houston no matter what. That says if they make progress, there is some fear there. If you get him here and add some friends of his or talent around him, you try to create a situation where it would be crazy if he left. You have to look at is as, what will they be giving up. If he leaves, yeah it might be disastrous but [you're] not giving up a core, then you might start rebuilding afterwards. I tip my hat to the Rockets for making this effort. -We're looking at some prospects that could be available in the few years[Wiggins, Parker, etc] if they do or have to rebuild, it's a little early to forecast but looks like they are/can be impact players down the line. IF you can get Dwight, you never know who they can add around him. Josh Smith and him have been friends since preschool. Deron Williams you can try to entice and Courtney Lee is a longtime friend of Howard as well. Rockets would try to create a situation where they hope to win him over and [he] stays long term. (What if they get halfway done--they get the picks but can't or don't trade them, who might they like or have their eye on): Couldn't tell you definitively. I think when I look at it, Bradley Beal and Drummond, in my view, would be interesting trade up targets. Those are 2 guys that jump up. don't think Beal slides past 3. Those are two guys at the top that could impact the Rockets. -Top prospects--Davis the obvious one. 2-6: that's the next tier. Beal, Robinson included, I think Kidd-Gilchrist will be good but not a superstar. Someone you can plug in at SF for the next 10 years. Barnes has upside. Lillard could be a very good PG. Hard to tell. Right there, 2-6 are a level above. From 7 or 8 on until 22, it's flat. If Rockets stay put, they'll get 3 solid players. I'm sure they'll try to package those picks [for something] higher or for Dwight. -Sullinger's drop is for health issues. Back reportedly red flagged. He's physical, a talent. Not sure how bad that back is. It would surprise me if Rockets passed on him with 3 picks.
Clutch on 1560 today: http://www.yahoosportsradio1560.com...d-lins-games-dont-compliment-each-other-7657/
**(Game vs Warriors): Rockets have enjoyed an advantage thus far but this is a game that would surprise you if the Rockets won. Looking at the remaining games and forcasting into the playoffs, this would be one you probably chalk up as a loss. **(Odd man out in the playoffs?): Leaning towards Utah. Lakers have a good chance of missing but I do think it will be Utah. Most of this year, I felt the Rockets would fall short. It wasn't until they beat OKC until I became a believer. Looking at the schedule, I think it favors them. After tonight, you could see the Rockets fall to the Warriors and Lakers win and you'll see the media pressure but after Saturday, the Rockets have 9 of 10 at home. Still 4 matchups against the Suns. A favorable schedule that if they win the games they're supposed to win, they should be in. **(Reception to Morey extension): Good. Joe Flacco would think he had a good contract year timing. Perfect for him. Amazing year. Good chance, if the Rockets finish strong, to win exec. of the year. Reception has been positive. **(Do you buy Daryl's point of view that some deals that could've been made that he could have still gotten Harden?): That's being optimistic. That's my personal opinion. Daryl would know more about it than I would. They had this one package to make any of those deals happen. Kevin Martin was the salary piece to make a lot of that stuff happen. It would have been extremely difficult. They lucked out with that. Had they made that Gasol/Nene move, they would have been an improved team, but without additional moves, I don't see that being a championship contender. Even the Bynum/Howard moves, they would be in a much different boat right now, trying to keep those guys in town. Instead, with this Harden trade, they're an attractive franchise. He's locked in long-term. He might be a magnet to attract a Dwight Howard type player. It definitely worked out for the best the way it happened. **(If the Bynum deal was made, would Morey being getting a 4 year extension right now?): Fair question. I personally believe Daryl speaks Les' language. He makes the moves Les believes in. They would've been in a tough situation. I don't know if they would have had to include the lottery pick from Toronto but if they did, it would have been a very poor trade. **(Rockets possibly have the most attractive team to draw that big name, maybe in the entire league): I think so. They have the cap room. They have young, cheap assets. Chandler Parsons, I'm not saying they're trying to move him, would be very attractive. They have a lot of pieces now that will become attractive in a trade situation. Right now, they're an attractive franchise for a lot of players. **(I'm a big opponent to this one big guy and the midge lineup. I don't get it. You're weak on the boards. I don't understand this smaller lineup. Can you explain?): It's debateable. The small ball lineup, some say gimmicky, has been effective at times because of the 3 pt shooting. I will agree that it was a very interesting choice down the stretch. I liked seeing Robinson play big minutes. That was a positive sign, but Omer Asik, outside FT shooting, has been effective. I have to think FT shooting was the reason he did sit the majority of the 4th. I feel that lineup in certain situations has been effective because of the 3 pt shooting. Offensively, the most explosive lineup they can run out there. **(Don't understand the small lineup. D-Mo has range. Put Asik in and D-Mo at the 3 pt line): D-Mo does have range. In the 4 games he's started, he's shooting(I believe) 28% from 3 pt range. That's a real small sample size. He can knock it down but not super effective doing it which to me is amazing about that trade. They're chasing the playoffs and Patterson was playing well and then they move Marcus Morris. I was on board with those moves but shows the Rockets are keeping the future in mind. D-Mo is a work in progress as far as his shooting. **(Expectations for Brooks between now and end of season?): Primarily insurance. He probably won't see the floor right now the way Beverley is playing. Beverley is probably outplaying Jeremy Lin right now, which is amazing. When Lin is clicking offensively, he's obviously the better player but Beverley with what he brings defensively, and hasn't hurt you too much on the offensive end, has been playing so well. I don't expect Brooks to see much in the way of minutes right now but good insurance policy with Lin, who has had some ankle issues and if any one of those guys start to slip, he may get minutes. **(This is Cassell/Smith 2.0 or Jr. If Jeremy is not effective, you gotta a guy who comes off the bench, like Sam Cassell, gives you a boost and some prowess.): Brooks is still an effective shooter and still has good speed. He could become a player for them but right now, McHale will probably bring him along slowly. **(I was talking about Beverley): Oh sorry. **(Frankly, if I'm Brooks, watching Beverley get 4th Q minutes in crunch time, I'm feeling like wow, why did I come here?): His fans feel the same way. Believe me, I see it after every game. Beverley is shooting better from long range than Lin. You can see an distinct difference on defense. He's in the ball handler's face bringing it up. He blocked a Dirk shot the other day. His aggressive D, he's a good rebounder and hasn't hurt you with turnovers. He's played fewer minutes than Lin but he's turned the ball over less and more or less the same assists per 36 minutes. It's close. It's not like your losing a lot when you're pulling Jeremy Lin. Of course when he plays like he does against OKC, it's a different ball game but Lin has been inconsistent this year. http://www.ysr1560.com/john-sean/dave-hardesty-the-rockets-are-an-attractive-team-this-summer-9259/
Thanks for the summary. Let's trade Lin now. He's not effective and is outplaying by Beverley. Although Beverley is slightly worse than Lin offensively, he brings so much energy to the defensively end and he's so much cheaper. He's the perfect fit in McHale's system and complement Harden better because he's a better shooter. Plus you get to trade all the lin fans together with him.
If Harden doesn't get healthy soon, I see us as falling short of the playoffs. AGAIN. We need to find guys who can step up during this crucial stretch. Or get McHale to have an epiphany to coach better endgame strategies. Last year, we lost the playoffs during the last 6 games. I have a feeling this stretch is that for us. Dropping winnable games ughh
I don't know why folks are worried for Jeremy Lin. He is getting 30+ mpg, starting every game and improving over the course of the season. He has even played the majority of "crunch time" so far this season. Sitting a few minutes for a few games doesn't amount to a hill if beans in the greater scheme of things one way or another. Asik and Parsons have also sat a similar # of crunch time minutes, too. Don't mean the coaches don't like them or they don't have a place in the team's future.
About the DMo vs. Carlos thing: I don't think shooting is the sole determine factor. Defense is actually a part of it too. Delfino is small but he know where to be in the defensive scheme. DMo gets lost still. Coaches reasonably prefer a 6'6" guy who is almost always in the right spot to contest to a 7' guy who isn't there a good portion of the time. (This, btw, is how Juwan Howard still has a job in the NBA-- he may not be able to do much, but at least he is in the right spots pretty often).
