Cheering for is one thing, refusing to let go when you have a chance to upgrade significantly is another. No one is saying it is wrong to cheer for Chuck Hayes or Aaron Brooks or Lin, but if you can turn anyone of them into a star, you do it. No questions asked, ever.
We've had 14 straight years of cheering for average players. I'm ready to start cheering for champions.
I want to win a title, but honestly I'm not big on the championship or bust mantra. I want my team to entertain me and to be fun to root for. I want them to play hard and I want them to have a shot to go all the way. A season isn't a failure to me if they don't win a championship.
ITA, except for last sentence. It's clear McHale is here for another year, but I think it's up for grabs whether he stays beyond that. Re OP's point, is it all about winning? Yes, it is. But going after big fish players is not always the way to maximize winning. I agree with the decisions to trade Asik and Lin, and even Parsons if needed. But once key pieces are in place, stability is important. As a way to build continuity, but also to motivate players to play harder. In this regard, the only trade rumor that has really depressed me are the rumors sometimes discussed re Harden. If the Rockets traded Harden, I would be really upset --even if they got Melo in return.
I agree with this. Except that while I think McHale will be here to stay for this year. I think he is going to work to get a new contract at the end of the year. Also, re OPs question, the trades of Asik and Lin, and even Parsons if needed, don't bother me. They seemed inevitable. The only rumors that have bothered me are those concerning Harden. I really hope those aren't true.
I agree, but these times will pale to real good times when we're hoisting an NBA championship. Sometimes the guys you like just aren't enough to bring that.
I do feel sad seeing some of my favorite Rockets players leave the team. I know for me the Rockets championships wouldn't have been as special if Olajuwan hadn't been on the team. I can't imagine that the fans of the Heat have the same appreciation and affection for their championships as Rockets fans do for theirs. Also as someone who watched the implosion of the Rockets team that had Olajuwan, Barkley, and Pippen, adding superstars doesn't always translate to success.
Perhaps I'm a romantic. Shouldn't Asik have stayed in Chicago who found him, developed him, and at the time looked like they were going to contend for championships with him? Shouldn't Jeremy Lin have taken less money to stay with the Knicks where he became a national phenomenon, the love of the city, and with the best fans in the world instead of empty lower court seats? Why did those two players leave? They were in such great situations, yet for some reason they chose at the time a desolate Rockets team with a bunch of nobodies and a bunch of picks. The next time a player takes a discount to stay with the Rockets, is when I would have trouble letting said player go.
asik left because he wanted to be a starter, and play for more than 10 minutes a game. jeremy lin left because he read between the lines when they got jason kidd and raymond felton. not exactly something i would call great situation for both of them.
Like I said before, it is impossible for humans not to become emotionally invested in something they devote a lot of time to. As we watch our beloved Rockets, we will start to have players we like and prefer over others. For me, it's Howard, Beverley, and Parsons. The season before that is Beverley, Parsons, and Asik. That said, I would not bat an eyebrow if we lost Beverley or Parsons tomorrow as long as it meant we will draw closer to winning a championship. Would I miss having them on the Rockets? Absolutely! Would I regret it? Only if it doesn't work out. It really all comes down to paying a price for the team to get better. Sometimes it sucks, but it has to happen.
I've never gotten attached to any given player... only teams... Like the 92-95 teams... The 2003-04 team... and finally, the 2008-09 team... This current team is not something I'm at all attached to...
So you're saying they chose to help themselves and their own career above the needs of their own team? Isn't that what the Rockets are doing? Trying to help themselves over their own players? I am shocked that human beings act in self interest. /sarcasm
Why we can't be just like the Spurs! Rocket MGMT does't need to change rosters every two years. Aside from being romantic, things could go deep south this coming season
