I don't care about making the playoffs at all this year, since even if they Rockets do get in as a low seed, they probably would just get shut down 0-4 by the Lakers, lowering their draft pick. I think it would be much more fun to watch a team like the Grizzlies somehow make it as the eighth and just watch care free basketball and have no disappointment in the losses.
The players care about making it to the playoffs, so why is this even a debate? I will not cheer for a team who's content with losing.
Thats why I say you tank for franchise players, not for role players. Franchise players come in and do a lot for your team right away. Increase interest and help your team win more games. So no reason to tank now, yes a Greg Monroe could help this team but I'm not for tanking to get him.[/QUOTE] I don't get it. There are definitely players in this draft that could help us, either on the court or in a trade. You seem to agree with this. If that's the case, why not give the young guys like Jordan Hill, Chase, and JT extra PT? Sure, we won't win as many games, but next year, when we do have the firepower to be a legit contender, they have the extra experience under their belt, plus a stud draft pick (or S&T star) to play alongside. As to this idea that if we don't make the playoffs we can't attract free agents, a couple things. We're over the cap next year. The best we can offer is the MLE, so it's a moot point to begin with. Also, there are plenty of franchises that adopt a '**** the future, let's win another 3 games this season' mentality. The Pistons want to win so bad that they overpaid out the ass for Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, and their financial situation is terrible. Are free agents lining up to sign with them? The Knicks did the same thing with their starting 5 the last few years. I didn't see them hanging any banners. Yes, great players want to go to winning teams. And overwhelmingly, the winning teams are the ones that are already stocked with talent. I want to see the Rockets win as much as anyone, but it's silly to ignore the future.
No, the point is the Lakers entire team other than Bynum was acquired in ways other than picking in the lottery, which shows you don't need to pick in the lottery to build a champion, especially in the end of the lottery like we're talking about here.
i think if there's a year to not make the playoffs, this might be it. i don't like the idea of tanking, but we need more talent, and as morey stated, he would like to replace landry through the draft. the earlier the pick, the better the talent. i'd rather get cousins or favors rather than the rest of the post players in the draft.
i would almost rather them not make the playoffs this year. i can't believe i'm saying that but with yao being out i don't think we have much of a chance winning a title. not to mention making the playoffs would mean more time on the court which, knowing our luck, could lead to even more injuries. i say let's get this season over with, get everyone healthy, and then make a run for the playoffs in 2011.
A group of guys winning together is the best learning experience they can possibly get. If you have a chance for playoff and can't make it, how do you know you can make it when you have a chance for championship?!
I remember there was a Daryl Morey interview where he said something to the effect of: "the best way to increase the value of your players is by winning". If this team goes off and wins, say, 70% of the remaining games and slips into the playoffs, that increases the value of all of our players. Which makes it easier for us to make some nice trades this summer (and is also how we were able to trade Carl Landry for Kevin Martin). It also makes our team much more attractive to free agents. Consider if we had a season like the Nets this year. Who would want any of our players regardless of their stats? And who would want to come play on our team this summer?
and just like that we're in the 9 spot. consistency is a biatch tho. im curious as to how far we can push LA in the playoffs.
As one poster brought up, "You play to win." As a competitor, I could care less if the chances of me getting eliminated in the first round are great. There is still a chance for me to advance. Any playoff experience will help this team, especially the rookies. It would completely go against this team's philosophy over the last couple of seasons of making something out of what most outsiders consider nothing.
i'm always looking at the standings to see how close we are to getting in the playoffs. i would never want them to miss the playoffs.
I suspect most top tier free agents to sign with their own teams or be involved in a sign and trade. I can recall only one top tier free agent leaving his team in the last decade.....Shaq...every other one has signed where he was or been traded. So, no, ...is the answer to your question. But one might be lured here in a sign and trade deal. DD
this is exactly loser's mentality. making to the playoffs means improving as a team this year. Then come Yao next year, we'll be ready for bigger games. if we don't make it we only one good draft but as a whole it means we still SUCK, just like 50 percent of the people who voted No here.
I do. 14th and 15th in draft position are not that big of a difference. I want to see us kicking some Laker asses.
SMH, if we make the playoffs we won't be in the 15th pick!, we would be around 20-23rd pick given the difference record wise between the east & the west.... --RB
