Maybe they have something up their sleeves. I'm sure they didn't just thought up Gay+Stro for Battier out of the air. They had a long time to prepare for this draft and most likely looked at all scenarios. Maybe they know something about Gay that wouldn't work on this team. And I am sure they knew there would be a fan outrage.
I'm sure they knew there would be some sort of negative reaction. What is a little surprising is how quiet and tight-lipped they are about this deal, while Jerry West seems drunk, giddy and willing to spill all beans. There's definitely more coming. I don't think they can go in to the season with Howard/Hayes as their only power forwards (I don't think you count Novak there yet).
The rox don't analyze and draft based on fan reaction. They just want to put the best product on the floor to win now while Yao and TMAC are in the supposed "window of opportunity"
I'm kinda excited that the Rockets get to look for another power forward replacement. Maybe this year they will find a PF that has some power this time.
Clutch: Here's what I don't understand. The 03-04 team was much worse at the four (Padgett, Weatherspoon, Bowen down the stretch) than a Howard, Hayes, with Bowen, Novak, and Battier (in smaller lineups). We did just fine all things considered. If we can uprade that position using the MLE, then I would be thrilled, but a healthy group of those guys don't seem much worse than what we had the year before last--as a matter of fact, it's a whole lot better if you factor in Battier's minutes there.
Get serious! If anyone thinks you're going to see anything but thirty minutes of the sunglass theif at the four, they are dillusional.
If there is really more to come, why don't they hide this news until other moves are finalized? If they did this, at least we wouldn't be pissed as we are now. Maybe they don't have any more to show...
If this trade was for Mike Miller instead of Batier, I would have been much happier. Can't believe CD did exactly what West wanted him to do.
As a big Hayes fan and someone who believes he can be very productive with 20+ minutes, I kind of hope we don't go after another PF. We're pretty much stuck with Juwan Howard in the starting lineup, it seems, and Chuck Hayes would be the odd man out. Our more pressing need is getting more depth at PG and SG. A part of me really wishes we just drafted Ronnie Brewer. Things would be so much less complicated. I hope we take a good look at Mike Gansey, who went undrafted.
After Swift last summer, then the f**king episod last night, you still think CD is not r****d enough??
How can you even think this will make a better team now? First of all this team is very thin, and we just exchange 1 role player for a player that was not great but was not completely horrible either. The main issues I see with this trade are as follow: - The Rockets depend on Tracy or Yao's health. If either one gets injured, this team is toasted again. Even if the get out for 5 to 10 games, this team won't be able to win any game with either out. - The window of opportunity is closing, but we are not a role player away from getting to a championship. We are too far from that point to consider an above average player to make a difference. This team needed to take a risk and bet on the talent that Gay might have brought. If that failed, probably this team would have not been much different that what we are going to get now from Battier. Probably 10 more wins but not even close to get pass the first round. If the bet panned out, then we would have had a chance to move to the next level. - Another issue with this trade is that we lost a backup center. Let's be real, DM can not play more than 15 min anymore. So, if Yao is in foul trouble or injured, who is going to play backup center? Stro, even if not great provided us that flexibility. - One more thing that people is completely wrong is thinking that Battier is a great defender. I think he is a hard worker and plays hard, but by no means exceds at anything. For people that did not watch Dallas dismantle Memphis, they are for a surprise. Also, I don't remember when Memphis played the Rockets, he being able to stop or slow TMac. So, don't even dream that we got a player that can defend the other team's best players. Overall, I like Battier character and work ethic, but that does not translate in anything when you have to play against talented, young, quick, tall players. Sorry everybody but I just think Dawson and JVG just destroyed this franchise. It will take many years to recover for all the mess they are doing to this team. Probably, the only solution to this team next season to go into rebuild mode and trade TMac and Yao with young talent and bring a coach that can work with talent and adjust to the new way the league is leading.
If you told me the Rockets would come out of this draft getting a SOLID 35-40 minute per game STARTER I would be extremely satisfied. And that is EXACTLY what they got. And on top of it the dumped the stupid contract of Stromile in the process. So what is everyone crying about? What has Rudy Gay proven? Not a damn thing. And of course there are more moves coming. Maybe not in this trade, but you think the Rockets think Battier was "the missing piece"? Come on guys! We'll pick up at least 2 more solid players in FA and maybe have another trade up our sleeve. You can't do everything all at once. Be patient!!!
Rudy has not played yet in NBA, how is he gonna prove anything? If that is your logic, Rockets should just trade the pick every year for so called solid-proven veteran.
Get Mike James with our trade exceptions(sign and trade with toronto). Sign Vladimir Radmonovich or Lorenzen Wright. And i think we are a top 5 team (barring ANY injuries). Health, chemistry, and continuity are the most important things for a team. Look at the pistons... THE LUCKY ****S DIDNT GET ONE INJURY TO THEIR STARTING LINE-UP. San Antonio and that core being there for so long. Healthy Rockets equals a damn good team. Line-up Rafe Alston/Mike James Tracy/Head Battier/Novak Vladimir(if we get him over Lorenzen Wright)/Howard/Hayes Yao/Lorenzen(if we choose him over Radmonovich)/Mutumbo I dont know if we are re signing bogans and wesley(i dont want wesley) and what happened with Lampe kid. But this is a very good line-up.Remember yao is the best center in the league. and Tracy is the 2nd best shooting gaurd outside of Kobe when Healthy.
That is an excellent idea and I probably would. Unless you're talking about a Yao Ming or Tim Duncan no brainer prospect!
1. By your opinion: 10/5 player = Solid Starter You're telling me Gay can't be a "solid starter" as well? We had Luther Head averaging 9/3 this past year. 2. They dumped Stromile's contract for Battier's contract. So this is a moot point. 3. Gay hasn't proven anything yet but Battier hasn't proven much for a 28 year old NBA vet either. 4. Where are we getting the cap space to sign these "solid starters"? It's Mike James and nothing else. Or are you suggesting we split the MLE like how we ingeniously did last year? That sure did pan out. Sorry, try again.
I agree that they will pick two more players but the problem is that they can not afford any quality with the money available. At best this team will have another player like Battier (above average) and another that can come from the bench. As I said before, that will probably will help us make the playoffs but that will be it. This team has not chance to compete with Dallas, Phoenix, SA and even the Clippers. This team is going to become what Memphis used to be in the last couple of years. Players with good work ethic, that play hard, etc, etc, but are kicked fast in the first round. The Rockets needed a player with talent, speed, height to try to move that the next level. Now, for the next few years, this team will be happy contending for the 7th or 8th position on the West and then exit quickly on the playoffs.
