Udoka and Stone are clued in. Especially Udoka - who supposedly has expressed concerns over the lack of a real offensive centrifuge. The playoffs are an opportunity for the Rockets decision makers to confirm what moves do and do not need to be made. There is a reason the Rockets did not push hard for Butler or any other moves at the deadline.
It’s still a very human business and I think it’s the right thing to do to give these guys at least one chance to prove themselves. I’m critical of Stone but I don’t blame him at all for letting this post season play out. Jalen especially is frustrating and FVV fell off a cliff this season but both guys have given enough to the team and city to deserve one shot. Now Stone has gotta make a move or it’ll now be on him if he doesn’t get aggressive to bring in a shot maker who can bring some more consistency to the offense when teams defend well. We saw what we needed to see now though. Thank you Fred and Jalen but yes it is time to make a move or demote either or both.
Given how the playoffs have gone - It is safe to assume there is a major push to pick up a primary option? With that said, what is your take on what direction the Rockets will go? Are they willing to bide their time and be patient until a star becomes available that fits the timeline, or is there pressure to 'compete' starting next year? Trying to determine the likelihood of the Rockets trading for KD, which I am really against - seems shortsighted and does not guarantee anything.
I don't have as many connections with the Rockets now - as under the prior group. However, what I have been told is that Stone will be careful and not be rash, when it comes to making a trade that will involvement losing assets. This is consistent with what I have heard a few in the media say as well, and it is also consistent with how Stone has operated the last couple of seasons. He took more risks when the Rockets started their rebuild. At this point he is more cautious, and I think that is likely the proper approach. So - I think if there is a player that the Rockets feel fits their short term and medium-term needs, they will likely attempt to make it happen - but I don't think that Stone is going to panic. I am not a big fan of a 37 year old KD either because he isn't the answer for long, he makes a lot of money, he isn't a primary ball handler and there is a high injury risk - however, because of his age and because of his short contract, it is very possible that Stone pivots towards him in the short term while waiting for a more long term solution. The cost of KD will likely not be crippling to the Rockets, and would allow them to compete. Other possibilities are ....... flawed guys for the most part. Zion Williamson? LaMelo Ball? ........ Gianis may be available, but I know the Rockets think he would push to end up in NY. So, he may not want to go to the Rockets... Who else does that leave? Maybe AD in a year? Ja Morant? Booker? Trae Young? Not a lot out there right now that doesn't have serious flaws - and then you have to make sure you know who the pick and who to pass on. The Rockets were not really in on Fox because they did not want to be locked into him and not someone else. Was that the right call? Probably, but maybe not. It isn't anyone's fault - but the Rockets lack the most important thing in the NBA, a true franchise player - they have everything else for the most part or can get it fairly easily.
@glimmertwins I largely agree with your OP so I gave you a like. I do have some minor quibbles about your points about Sengun and Amen though. I don't think we truly know how either of those guys would fare as "the guy" on a team with actual shooting around them, and just as importantly, not having to play next to each other. I don't think there's an inherent flaw with Sengun operating in the post, even though it's not in fashion in today's league. Even with his poor FT shooting, he's still good enough at the line that it's around a 1.4 point possession, which is great efficiency, comparable to shooting 47% from three point land. It's stoppable when teams pack the paint, which is why he needs shooters around him. With Amen, we just haven't really even seen him get the opportunity to be "the guy" for more than very brief stretches, plus he's only in his second year and is still learning. For me, his offensive ceiling is a big question mark, especially when you consider the in-my-view decent chance that he becomes a jump shooter. I think this front office has some interesting decisions to make because of these two players specifically. I think we can cross Jalen off the list as "best player on a championship team" at this point. For the other two, you're really going to have to think hard about which one you want to build around because I think it's pretty hard for either of them to be the main offensive option while the other one is on the court, and Amen thrives in an uptempo pace-and-space offense, while Sengun likes a slower, grinding halfcourt offense. (They both need shooting around them, so maybe start there.)
I am glad sengun and green and amen and Jabari and Tari are getting this experience. This kind of pressure is exactly what can forge a great player. For example , if det gets eliminated how many people are going to say "cade is going to come back even better" I'm glad sengun in particular got to take so many shots last night. He had a rough night from the floor , but man his defense and perseverance were awesome. He got boards too and helped our offense flow a little bit . Competing with GS in their arena with FVV and Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams on the floor..... I mean I like those guys , but we aren't world beaters. While I don't think we are going to win this series (and I didn't going in ) there's always a chance GS legs give out and we just are the physically superior team . With their 3 wins our margin of error is obviously 0 . All the games are every other day now . But if Draymond green gets 5 fouls again it's lights out.
I disagree there was no reason to break it all up this year. We are still young and in excellent shape to improve significantly in the offseason. It was with taking a look at what this team could do in the playoffs.
