Let's face it: this team isn't that good even with a healthy Yao.

He dribbles a lot but so does Brooks. At least when Paul dribbles a lot, he creates something. Chris Paul is a player that you can build your team around. Chris Paul is one of the top PG in the NBA. If you have a chance to get him for Brooks, why not do it?

Brooks is a good PG but he's not even close to Paul. Paul is strong for a PG, he's physical, can play defense, developed a good shot, one of the best passer in the NBA, and we can rely on him during the clutch moments. Who would you rather have to ball hog? Paul or Brooks? You must be crazy not to trade Brooks for Paul.

Chris Paul would make everyone on this team better and he can get us over the hill. He is considered a superstar. If you can trade your starting PG that is barely an all star caliber player for a guy like Chris Paul, you do it.

 

What's wrong with Luis and Hayes? Chuck Hayes is short, but he plays great defense and he is the Rockets defensive captain. He plays great pick and roll defense and he is our best post defender. Scola on the other hand, is better than Amare. Why would you want Amare anyway? He gets his scoring from Nash. Without Nash, Amare wouldn't even be as good. Plus Amare is so much more expensive than Scola. Trust me, Scola is a better player than Amare. But people tend to overlook Scola because he doesn't play above the rim.

People overrate Amare because he's always on the highlight reels. I rather have players that hustle, plays hard, passionate, player like Scola than a guy that gets on the highlight reels. Amare is overrated. Watch his production drops big time when Nash isn't on his team anymore.

 

We took the Lakers to game 7 because we had a great team. Until the Rockets can get a player that is better than Yao, the Rockets will never be contenders if Yao is our best player. That is very simple.

Yao Ming alone cannot carry a team. He have to be the 2nd best player or 3rd best player. But after all these injuries, he wouldn't even be the same player as he used to be.

So, when Yao was healthy and he was playing the best basketball of his career, he still wasn't good enough to carry this team as the number 1 option. Now after all his injuries, his production would drop, his minutes will be limited and he's getting older, how can he make the Rockets contenders now if he can't do it when he's healthy?

Yao Ming is indeed a good center. But he doesn't have what it takes to carry a team. He is a good player, not great. He is similar to Pau Gasol with all the injuries. Yao is much more fragile than Gasol, his offensive game is better but Gasol has a better all around game. Gasol is a better passer and better defender. Gasol can grab more rebounds than Yao. But both players are about the same. When Gasol was with the Grizzlies, they never went anywhere because he was their best player. But until he got to the Lakers, he was the 2nd option behind Kobe. Which makes him more successful because he wasn't the main attraction like Kobe. Sames goes with Yao. If Yao was the best player, the Rockets won't go far. But until he's the 2nd option, the Rockets have a chance to contend. But his status is unknown until he start playing again.

Its too soon to predict whether Yao can contribute or not. We have to understand that we cannot rely on Yao Ming until he can prove to us that he can still play at a high level and stay healthy. The Rockets will limit his minutes big time once he comes back. Don't compare Yao to big Z because everyone is different and everyone recovers differently.

 

Did we already forget we nearly defeated the Lakers in 7 games in the WC semifinals last year? If Mutumbo's career doesn't end in the series against the Blazers, I think we win the WC last season. I'd like to see what we could do with a healthy Yao and now Kevin Martin and a more experienced AB and Lowry. I think you have to put us in the conversation with the elite. I do totally agree it would not hurt add more size on the front line. Everyone keeps saying Bosh or Amare. I think we need someone like Camby, or Pryzbilla. A legit TALL shot blocker/rebounder when Yao gets in foul trouble. Maybe Shaq would sign for the vet minimum

 

would you be willing to make a wager that the rockets get knocked off in the first or second round next year? :grin: if you dont want to bet, then it's proof positive that we aren't going to be contenders as is + healthy yao.

EVERY fan should ask themselves "are the rockets, realistically, going to make it past the first and second round? would i be willing to put something of value on the line because im that confident?"

the chances of a MAJOR offseason signing for a high impact player is very small. i wouldnt put money on it.

contenders are teams that you would actually be willing to bet money on to win (ie lakers). contenders arent some fanboy prediction or subjective rationalization of why a team should win but doesnt.

 

We need a player that is better than Yao, Kmart and AB. But we are very deep if we can acquire that, I like our chances should Yao be able to give us 25 good minutes for 100 or so games.

 

Do you live in Utah OP?

 

we have the best supporting cast in the NbA

 

but no go-to player. hooray, we have a group of role/gritty players; we can root for the underdog for eternity.

 

....which is why we will potentially be better when we get the 7 and a half foot Chinese man back, he's one of those go to players. Not to mention all the potential to do better during free agency

 

I can share in the doubts of being a true contender. But some of the facts stated that we "have to face" are odd.

Since '04, the Rockets have won at least 45 games where either Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady play 60+ games. In '03 they had 43 wins.

You can question IF Yao can play a healthy 60+ games. But when he does its led to a decent record. I dont see this team with Yao becoming like the Raptors of the West.

Rockets COULD use another impact player. Kevin Martin is solid but he's never been a true difference maker. But Brooks for CP3 aint happening.

 

he's not a go to player in the lbj/kobe/wade sense. he might be a go to player for the first 3 quarters but you dont give the ball to yao in crunch time because he'll turn it over or get denied the ball....

then when he turns it over or get fronted, he'll look at the ref with a grimace on his face and clap his hands in frustration.... we've all seen it over and over.

i still root for my rockets and have to deal with dallas fans daily (which is a pain in itself) but im no longer in denial about where to rockets are currently at and will probably be at for a few years.

 

brooks for cp3 lmao thats hilarious,

yao gives every team fits, just throw him the ball and watch him pwn whoever tries guarding him.

seriously, the nuggets are no threat to us with a healthy yao, i mean last year if i remember correctly we handled them throughly. the mavs might give us some problems but i would bet on the rockets straight up against any team save for the lakers. jazz are garbage same team that got swept by lakers last year not worried about them at all. ditto for phnx no defense, lacks depth, they will wear down. spurs dynasty seems about over, we have done well against them this year without yao. only team other than than laker that poses a threat to us would be the mavs, but even then id say we should be favored against them.

 

yeah get rid of brooks for some other PG (Possibly Arenas)

 

Can't tell if you're serious or not, but if you are, take your stupidity and GTFO.

 

Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.


BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM close this thread.

 

i stopped reading after the phrase "brooks for chris paul"

 

Ill save my judgement till I actually see a full season of them together.

 

Gasol has a vagina.