For the minority of "fans" who felt we were better off making the playoffs...

The 12th pick is not going to be the answer - better to play, but Morey needs to step up and manage the situation.

DD

 

What makes you think we aren't a FA destination?
1. Players chase money for the most part
2. There's a superstar in place with Harden
3. They'll be a new coach, which a ''big'' FA can have input on.
4. Constantly in the playoffs, and WCF last year(this year isn't over)
5. No state taxes.

 

I actually came away from this game disappointed for a different reason. I for one wanted the pick because I honestly feel this team is far from Championship caliber.

I am also concerned we're hitching our wagon to a flawed star. Don't get me wrong, I like Harden I really do. I think his offense and at times his hustle is incredible and infectious. But it also seems that when his cover is blown (the defense stops reaching, the ball is taken out of his hands with traps) he gets frustrated and sulks, and we have no one to pick up the slack. It could be just Golden State too.

There was a telling series early in the game, not sure if others saw it, when J Smooth was bringing the ball up with Harden near him and Smooth motioned for Harden to move ahead, and Harden ignored him. Smooth then pointed and Harden again ignored, then the trap came and Smooth was trying to get Harden the ball, and because of bad positioning there was a turnover. Smooth then started to fuss at Harden and Harden turned away. This was first quarter and I saw then we were f****d.

By a flawed star I mean this. Now, Harden is a grown man and can choose to do what he wants on his own dime, but there is a certain amount of behavior that doesn't allow you to be able to come down on anyone for not giving 100% all the time. Could be he's just not that type of leader. Only until Dream re-dedicated himself to Islam and started living and eating right did he become that beast that other teammates would run through walls with. Teammates played their butts off for Dream because they knew Dream was playing his butt off for them.

I know without Harden the Rockets would never have made the WCFs. But after this year it just looks like fools gold. If we hitch, when we hitch our fortunes to Harden for the next 10 years, I hope he realizes this soon. I remember Dreams first year and his maturation process. The almost Championship against the Celtics to the derailment of the team from Sampson's knees and the cocaine busts. 1984 to 1994 seemed longer than 10 years, but we finally got there. I still remember yelling and screaming up and down Richmond, not being able to talk for a day, running into Kenny (no we never called you "The Jet") Smith. Smiling from eat to ear for weeks....

We need to draft, or find a couple of shooters that can come around screens, and a couple who can create their own shot. All who can play individual or team defense. Then maybe, we can get back to the Promised Land.

I'm ready to scream again. Will it be down Polk or Richmond?

 

There is no guarantee of someone taking Brewer so that point is void. Regardless of seeding the West goes through them. Whether they were 234567 they were going to have to face either or, so that excuse is void.
Be glad we made the dance and have the chance.
So we lost game 1, not like this hasn't happened before, there's still a lot of basketball left. Nothing is a sure thing.

 

I'm against tanking a season... and doing the whole Hinkie route... but when you're down to the last few games and there are implications... you gotta do what's best for the longterm benefit of the team...

I'm not saying you necessarily try to lose... but you give younger guys the "experience" and don't run your assets going forward into the ground....

 

I'm kinda happy Morey lost the pick. Now he has nothing to build on and will fall flat in free agency leading to a full rebuild.

I'm looking forward to a new age of Rockets Basketball

 

The top tier FAs (which is who we want) want a team that isn't a disaster and with a superstar who won't quit when the going gets tough.

Now if you're fine with signing a few more one-dimensional guys and a few more washed up former superstars, then I agree - we won't have any trouble getting those guys. But the top tier guys aren't going to be interested - at all.

 

You don't need to get rid of Brewer - just bench his sorry ass.

DD

 

a thoughtful post.

 

I just don't think Denver deserved our pick, just on principle.

And I really don't see any benefit at all to having to watch the Rockets get their brains bashed out four straight times by GS.

And now, when the ping ping balls are rolled and the draft lottery order is determined, you just watch, the team currently sitting at 13 will win that lottery and end up #1.

I know it's highly unlikely. But what do you think has better odds - that, or the Rockets winning the Championship this year?

SMDH

This is going to get wayyyy worse before it gets any better.

 

Well there are some know-it-alls here who were pissed that the Rockets would dare try to trade their beloved DMo and felt the need to post 200 times a day about how the Rockets had no idea what they were doing and were giving up on the season by trying to ship off their golden boy. Well now we have no Detroit first round pick, no Rockets' first round pick, and a surefire bludgeoning courtesy of a 73-win team. DMo will probably be gone anyway. All of this was easily foreseeable by most people. It's hard to be mad at the OP given that backdrop.

 

4 out of 5 doesn't change if you miss the playoffs, but instead of a participation trophy we would've kept an asset(pick).

 

Sure it is the fans fault the org decided to make the playoffs.....

DD

 

Does not matter

Harden is no leader, JBB is not competent

We win 1 game or 2 against them and it makes us at least look ok in the eyes of FA agents

 

Spoiler

 

I am happy the Rockets made the playoffs. If they were worthy of making it I'm glad they did. Royce White part 2 won't help us but making the playoffs makes a better sale for FAs to come over. Plus everyone expects us to get destroyed, we are playing with house money.

 

Yep, and if Le$ is embarrassed by our team - maybe he decides to dump this crappy system and approach and we can get a basketball guy in here to build around Harden correctly.

DD

 

You should just check into a mental facility until past the moratorium in July, it will be better for your mental health J.R.

You are truly starting to lose it.

 

that's pretty damn funny. Nice work. You must have been saving those up for days and days. :grin: