Try to swing a trade into the top 10 of the draft to get Acie Law. Maybe Head + 1st round pick for #10 pick overall. Atlanta at #11 could take Law...
I hate to side against Jeff and Nike on this because they have been two of my favorite posters for years but I feel the same way.
No reason to "take sides" it's a long offseason, things are bound to get repeated. Everyone should just lighten up, Francis.
crash - That started the whole series of dominoes in my original post. You can't trade a draft pick for Battier...none or too little salary even if signed. So it's 1 outgoing for 2 incoming. That adds depth. By moving TMac back to SF with the draft day move, you send a signal to Wells that there's a SG spot open. That single move...assuming you can get a Acie Law caliber PG or a PF with a significant upside over either JHo or Hayes...is a great start IMHO.
Well, as GM, first of all I have to take a realistic look at the team's potential to win a ring, assuming the starting point of right now, with this roster, and the new coach. (Btw, the prelude to this is the previously necessary move of replacing JVG. I personally like JVG, I think he is good at coaching what he is good at coaching, but I do not believe that, unless he makes personal philosophical changes to his core beliefs and priorities as a head coach, he will ever lead a team to a championship. His core coaching strengths, which are effort, basic sound fundamental vanilla basketball, and an assumption that defense is more important than offense, while none of those are bad things in and of themselves, innovative coaching thinkers (such as Nellie) will always be able to beat him, because his strengths are too easy to defeat, as long as JVG remains rigid and predictable.) So, I ask myself, can this team win? I will assume a couple of things: 1) This team will carry over at least SOME of the JVG-instilled defensive work ethic. I will assume that, with this core of players, 'effort' will not be a problem. 2) Simply repeating previous behaviors and actions will not work, as they have already been proven not to. This means there MUST be a clear departure from the 'Everything goes through Yao in the low post 100% of the time' approach, and the 'Let TMac drive the offense every time'. While these were our most effective strategies at various points throughout the last season, they proved too easy to defeat, as evidenced by the Utah series. 3) I *must* find out what I have on my roster, and the new coach and I *must* be on the same page from the get-go. I absolutely must find out if Novak, V-Span, and Snyder are capable of being contributors. If they are, then we are further along the development cycle than we would be with similar, but even younger, players. If I determine that they are not going to be os much use here, I feature them in summer league play, and get other teams interested in them. I send JL3 back to summer league again, let him absolutely tear it up there again, and let other teams know he can eb had, and get whatever I can for him. 4) I determine the relative value of this year's and next year's #1 picks versus a realistic prediction of the success in the upcoming season. Even as deep as this draft is, if I determine that I will have more immediate success both this season and in the foreseeable future by adding a premium talent in THIS draft, then I mortgage the future to move up in the draft this year, even biting the bullet and paying the lux tax if I have to for a couple of years. Picking in the mid/high 20's every year without upgrading the talent enough to actually contend seriously for a title is a dead-end street. 5) I realize that a premier point is harder to find than a solid big/4, so I set my sights on something reasonable, trying not to give up too much, while still upgrading. This is the hard part, of course, because you never know how these things will turn out, especially with young players. This was JVG's big hangup. He was unwilling to commit to floor time for young players because he believed it would have raised the risk of more losses. I, as the new computer-whiz stats genius GM, MUST ferret out one of these 'rough gems', either in trade, free agency, or in the draft. Ideally, I determine that there is one in the draft at the position where we will be picking, whom I believe can be turned into a top-shelf point. At the same time, I understand that the chances of that happening are slim-to-none, so I have to have contingencies in place. I must be willing to part with real value to move up in this draft, to grab an Acie Law, for example. I must be willing to scour the foreign leagues to find a Parker or Barbosa. I must be ready to pull the trigger on a trade which would bring a legit pg here from another team. Who? Unknown at this time, but it's my job to find him. 6) I must try to find a player with Hayes' heart and drive, but about 6 inches taller and who can shoot. Who? Again, unknown, but it's my job. I will believe, until proven otherwise, that this team needs to be 'adjusted', 'tweaked', 'refined', rather than completely blown up and overhauled. After all, after 82 games and 7 playoff games, it was only about 5 minutes of failed effort keeping us from competing against SA in the WCF right now, and with our success against them this year, there's not telling what might have happened from this point on. So we're close, but at the same time, it's clear that changes are necessary.
Nero -- Reasonable points all, except the last one. We were 5 minutes away from facing Golden State in the next round. It also does nothing to dispell my doubt that we can contend with Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Detroit NEXT YEAR. I think all of those teams will get better along with Utah, Portland, and Golden State (no given we would have beaten them). I believe all of those teams mentioned have a better chance of improving than we do. Simply tweaking, I believe, will move us closer to an 8th seed than to a 2 seed.
Sometimes the smallest insignificant tweaks can have the largest impact. Remember Mario Elie and Sam Cassell the first championship year? Mario was considered a minor trade and Cassell was taken late in the draft, both were tantamount to the Rockets championship run. DD
At least your nick includes the word blather, so we have fair warning. Trade Yao has to be one of the dumbest ideas ever... Do most of you realize that Yao's numbers this year are almost as good as Olajuwons best numbers? In fact, Yao averaged more PPG this year than Olajuwon until his 9th season in the league. Some of you advocate change just for change's sake. Take some ADD meds or something, please. We're getting the best center play since we had one of the top 3 centers of all time. I think we're set there... "We'll throw-in the trainer...!"
I agree, to me Yao is the only untouchable on the roster. And to add to your point, Yao is doing all this in an age in which zones are legal, which makes it much tougher. DD
All I'm saying is that no one on this roster is untouchable. If there is someone who would work better than Yao in Adelman's system, they should trade for him. I LIKE Yao. He's a GREAT center. I don't know how many times I can say this. Yao is really, really good. I've always been critical of Yao, but that doesn't mean I don't LIKE Yao. While I'd prefer to get something REALLY good in this draft and partially or completely rebuild, that doesn't mean that trading Yao is the answer. However, looking at what Portland needs, he's the only REALISTIC option to get their #1 pick. And, unfortunately, he's also the only REALISTIC option to get Seattle's #2 pick. Portland is loaded with young talent and only needs an experienced big. Seattle has Rashard Lewis (Alief Elsik) and Ray Allen. And it looks like they're going to nab Kevin Durant and have him play PF. Trading T-Mac would not get anything from them; it doesn't make any sense from their end. This means one thing: if you want the Rockets to have the #1 or #2 pick, you have to be willing to trade Yao. To Portland, we'd PROBABLY get the #1 pick and another player. Is it worth it? I don't know. It all depends on what direction Rick Adelman wants to go. But stop worshiping Yao Ming and face the facts. Despite putting up fantastic numbers, he has some real issues. Stamina will always haunt him. His toe is a constant problem. He just broke his leg. Yao is injury-prone, and that could one day haunt the Rockets. He's had 4 seasons where he's played less than 60 games. He's not particularly fast, and if Les insists on the team going run-and-gun, he quickly loses his place. And he's a turnover machine. He turned the ball over 3.5 times per game this season (that puts him at 7th). That's the only issue that Yao can fix. And I honestly believe he will. And, yeah, I know about his positives. YOFs have discussed that to death on here.
LOL you are comparing Yao to THE DREAM. I will leave that alone because your are REALLY REALLY STRETCHING. I would trade Yao for KG Pick up Magloir in free agency or bring in K9 Tmac Bonzi (if in shape) Bibby or SF3 in the draft look for a p.forward or point. Depending on previous picks , just pick BAP.
I'd shop everyone with the exception of Yao, V-Span and Snyder. Snyder is an exceptional talent that I think has huge amounts to grow. V-Span has the mentality of a winner - no matter how he performs here, he helped lead his national team to multiple championships and should be given full throttle to develop. Yao, well, actually I would consider trading him as well but with Adelman using him ala Brad Miller, it might turn out to be a perfect fit. The borderline case is Battier. He used to do a lot more in Memphis, and under JVG was stifled to a three point shooting flop machine. If Adelman can invigorate his stunted slashing, post and rebounding skills, maybe he's a keeper as well. Everyone other player on the squad is a liability and among the worst in the NBA at their position. Rafer is bottom 5 starting PG's. Similar goes for Juwan, and Hayes. The problem with T-Mac is that his injuries have stopped him from being the star he used to be; if you can get young talent like Rashard Lewis, you could only pull the trigger.
If I'm the GM of the Rockets, I'd listen to this board, specifically, focus my attention on the coach position. Since people from both JVG & Adelman camps believe that this team lacks talent, no coach can do much with them. It's the talent of the players win or lose the game, not the coaches. So first, I would get ride of the current coach, oops, already done; then I'm not going to pay millions to get any other coach, oops, already hired, so let's fire him; then 'll go get some individual talented players, then I just hire a babysitter, last I'll just roll the ball onto the court, let them play. As many of you have said, it's the players league, you are only as good as your players, so why bother paying millions to bring in any coach? Anyone can win with talent, right?
Not sure what your point is...5 minutes away from Rd 2, we can compete with the elite...but simple tweaks won't get it done? Let's dig deeper. Those were 5 minutes after being up 2-0 with HCA. And they had nearly identical regular season WC records as DEN, GS and LAL. It's personal deception to believe a team that feasted on the EC is ready to stand alongsige DAL, PHX or SA. Simple tweaks will not get the job done. Case in point. Shane Battier is the Rockets equivalent to Bruce Bowen. For the majority of the game, Bowen is the 4th or 5th best Spur on the floor. Battier is generally the Rockets' 3rd. Elite teams bring players like Stackhouse, Devin Harris, Dampier, Finley, Barbosa, McDyess, Jason Maxiel, or Francisco Elson off of their bench...not JHo, Deke or Luther Head. I doubt few here will be honest, but Chuck Hayes is not even a rotational player on the Mavs, Spurs, Suns or Pistons. The Rockets need to make BOLD moves.
All those deficiencies that you mention don't seem to show-up in the stats. If his stamina is so limiting how does he produce? Why would we even consider trading our best player since our best player ever for an unknown, unproven commodity? Look at the #1's from the last 20 years. How many outperform Yao? I count 5. You'd throw away a great player who's still developing for a 25% chance at someone a bit better? Go back to the track and bet your house. Pick 25% of the horses if you win, you'll be happy... * Denotes players arguably better than Yao (Iverson is marginal, maybe even DRob) year team player School 2006 Toronto Andrea Bargnani Italy 2005 Milwaukee Andrew Bogut Utah 2004 Orlando Dwight Howard SW Atlanta Christian Academy 2003 Cleveland LeBron James St Vincent-St Marys* 2002 Houston Yao Ming China 2001 Washington Kwame Brown Glynn Academy 2000 New Jersey Kenyon Martin Cincinnati 1999 Chicago Elton Brand Duke 1998 Clippers Micheal Olowokandi Pacific 1997 San Antonio Tim Duncan Wake Forrest* 1996 Philadelphia Allen Iverson Georgetown* 1995 Golden State Joe Smith Maryland 1994 Milwaukee Glenn Robinson Purdue 1993 Orlando Chris Webber Michigan 1992 Orlando Shaquille Oneal LSU* 1991 Charlotte Larry Johnson UNLV 1990 New Jersey Derrick Coleman Syracuse 1989 Sacramento Pervis Ellison Louisville 1988 Clippers Danny Manning Kansas 1987 San Antonio David Robinson Navy*
LOL. Im so glad that you're not the GM. V-Span and Snyder are untouchable but Mac and Battier are not. Are you saying that we should trade Mac for Rashard, if possible? riiiight The only untouchables are Yao, Mac, and Battier. I would shop all the others and try to re-sign Hayes for a good price.
Trade JHo+Sura+Lucas to Portland for LaFrentz+draft rights to Freeland (2006 1st round 30th pick)+four 2nd round picks. Bring over Joel Freeland 6-11 PF Draft Rodney Stuckey 6-4 PG with the 26th pick Draft with Portland's four 2nd rounders: Sean Williams 6-10 PF/C Herbert Hill 6-10 PF/C Glen Davis 6-8 PF/C Brad Newley 6-6 SG Offer all 2nd rounders 4 year contracts with last 3 years as team options. Alston - Spanoulis - Stuckey McGrady - Head - Newley Battier - Snyder - Novak LaFrentz - Freeland - Hill Yao - Williams - Davis If at least one of those PF's come up trumps it'll be worth it.
I like your methodical approach....however too many question marks.After Big Baby's pre-draft workouts he will prolly go first round.
