So you think memphis can beat 4 times one of the top 3 teams in the western conference? they can win one or two games but I dont see them winning more.
It's defiantly not out of the realm of possibility. The grizzlies are 19-7 in there last 26 games. Obviously when you are that good for that span of games you are beginning to gel. Not to mention this team is very athletic and could create possible match up problems with any of the top 4 teams.
I think your expectations of what could be achieved by losing are out of whack. Even if the Rockets got a high pick, it's not necessarily a panacea. I just don't think it's the smart way to build a championship team, and is more likely to result in failure. As a means of assembling a championship-caliber team, a team like the Rockets, with a host of very good players but no stars, would be better off acquiring stars through trades or free agency than tanking and trying to acquire them through the draft. With the draft, there is no guarantee that even with a top pick, you'll get someone who will become dominant at his position and a cornerstone/star for the franchise. You may get a very good player, maybe a Greg Oden, but you're taking your chances. In fact, the chance that the player you get will turn out to be a Tim Duncan is relatively slim. Even in a talented draft pool and with a top pick, it's a roll of the dice. A pretty big one, considering the expectations you'll have with that high pick. Wrecking a season just to get that chance to roll the dice is dumb. Letting your players achieve everything they're capable of is good team-building. You're building a championship mentality, not a loser's mentality. You want to build a culture of high standards and winning. And you're giving the fans something real to cheer for -- a team that plays hard and smart and with pride and improves and, in turn, wins the support of the city. That, not taking shortcuts, is a recipe for success. That philosophy is smarter. It's better for the fans and the players, and ultimately it gives you a better shot at winning a championship. Thank goodness, I think Morey and Adelman understand this.
Every Fan base doesn't like to lose. I'm sure a large chunk of Cavalier fans were against tanking in 2003. But i'm sure if you asked any of them today they wouldn't regret it one bit. Tanking is very double sided. If it works out and you get a franchise foundation player then great for you. But if you waste an entire season on the hopes of one pick, and it ends up floundering then some jobs are gonna be lost.
Premise 1: The number 1 goal we all want is for the Rockets to win another championship. That is it. 22 win streaks are great. So are "teams that get to the playoffs without a star" and teams that "play the right way." But don't tell me, that any of you would not trade those things to for another championship season and see the Rockets have a playoff journey like they did in '94 and '95. Premise 2: Championship teams have superstar players. Look at the history of the NBA. Teams that win it all almost always have one (or more) of the best 20 to 30 players of all time on their team. Teams like the Bullets (late 70's) & Pistons (04) are stark exceptions to this rule. Yes, there are very few of these super star players in every generation, and as a result only a few teams ever win championships. It is that very fact that makes these players so valuable. Premise 3: Those superstar players are almost always acquired via the draft, that too particularly the top 5 draft picks. Look at the history of the NBA. Yes there are a few players picked after this that become superstars, but odds fall off very quickly after the top few picks. A far second method of acquisition is via trade, and if you were to look at most of these trades they often include high draft picks, lots of picks, prospects, and/or pure dumb luck. Free agency I think has only every worked for Shaq when he went to LA. Please tell me if you disagree with any of those premises... So what do those mean? The biggest thing this team needs a superstar, and we will likely only get one with a high draft pick to draft one or trade for one. Yes, it is risky. Yes, more often than not it does work out. But on the chance that it does work out, the franchise's prospects drastically change. Do we know it will work? Of course not. However, continuing to promote a plan thats best outcome is mediocrity instead of taking the risk at greatness is folly. It is only by taking that risk, that you actually give yourself a chance.
they didn't really tank, they just sucked. The Clippers tank every year and it doesn't mean they get the #1 pick. The Rockets when they got Yao certainly were not the worst team in the NBA and they didn't really tank either.
I know cd made some mistakes.but taking for yao was not one of them.everyone and there mom were taking for yao that year.
**** like this makes me sick. What's even more sick is that it's two stars. Meaning that despite many people slamming it with one star, there are still a few giving this bs five stars.
To summarize my stated opinions again - I do and HAVE agreed that the Rockets would collapse. - I just dont think itll be #7 pick type collapse. Rockets have started too good already. Dont think they'll get down to that range. Rockets have to be Timberwolves bad the rest of the way. - I dont think tanking is the most dreadful idea for a DECENT team. Its how do you turn it off and on and decide if you're playing for success or pie in the sky lotto dreams is my question? - Again a severe slump is a possibility, but I think thats more wishful than realistic for it to last an entire half season May not want to draft an #10-13 range player. Given a choice yeah I'd take top-third lottery instead of bottom-third lottery. Just saying get used to that notion cuz thats the likely outcome. As of the 1/26/10 standings , out of 30 teams- Rockets have the 16th worst record at 24-20. Indiana has the 7th worst at 16-29. Rockets are 8 games better than the Pacers with 37 games left. The 5th through 10th worst teams have between 15 and and 18 wins. Rockets have to outsuck all those teams. Basically I agree with everything, except the position Rockets will attain.
With the ranking we currently have in the mock draft we could easly draft Donatas Motiejunas a 19 yr old, legit 7'0(without shoes), and extremely agile(he can also put the ball on the floor, moves like a SF) with a jump shot that goes all the way to three.... but of course given that his 19 yrs old he is extremely raw and needs to add alot of muscle in order to play(specially defend) in the post in the NBA, with that said his ceiling is a mix of Dirk Nowitzki/Andrea Bargnani..... <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/E37MBYJ-w7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/E37MBYJ-w7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> --RB
stop the slide playing the trailblazers tomorrow night??? without roy,oden,or pryzbilla... not so sure
I see what the OP is implying ... I would much rather the Rockets get a significant lottery pick and address a need with a potential impact player instead of being swept in the first round of the playoffs and getting a 15-17 pick or something. It bodes better for our future, because reality suggests these Rockets won't win anything this year. This year is about development of the young players and previous role players, and seeing what exactly Ariza is capable of in a larger role. This team has played its heart out, for the most part, but it lacks size, power and a consistent defense (particularly interior) and that spells doom for the playoffs.
+1 IDK where all these people got these expectations of the Rockets being a solid playoff team without Yao Ming and with a $23 million former superstar/current drama magnet
I got my expectations from Morey, obviously he believes that were a solid playoff team as is, that's the only way it makes sense to send home the most talented guy on the roster right? ...unless of course he really wants to tank.
I don't think they're that worried about the playoffs this year, especially since a strong playoff run seems like kind of a long shot. They'll just shop T-Mac and try to be double strong after replacing him next year, with Yao coming back.
