Also another worthy tidbit -> most of the core will be retained and we'll be operating above the cap. We suspected as much, but good to hear confirmation
Recap from what I remember: It's not easy being coach and gm at the same time. Morey travels to Europe a lot etc. both jobs are hard on its own and he could never be a coach. Harden and Dwight kind of questioned team roster early in season? I guess the depth. He said most pick ups this year is based on defense. Josh fits in his way of defense (analytics) Rockets didn't know if they wanted Spurs or clippers next round. Rockets play Spurs better and less athletic but super smart. Clippers top 5 very athletic but not deep. Both hard teams. U know 2 great players to succeed and we will be adding small pieces next year. This is the core he likes going forward. And he said early on he kept it upfront to players that it's a transition phase and they may be dealt going forward. This is when he was rebuilding after tmac phase. Loves what Sam Hinkie is doing. If he had to start in his position he would do the same. Thinks the draft is where u get the talent.
He also talked about the importance of being up front with players. He was questioned (paraphrasing) how team chemistry can develop when players know they are constantly under threat of being moved. His answer was he recognizes that players speak to each other throughout the league and it is critical to treat the players respectfully. When Yao and Tmac went down, the team was in a transition phase and the players were told this up front. He (Morey) tried to not shy away from difficult conversations when needed and that he hoped that the players would still be with the team when they became contenders again, but if they weren't they could look back on their time with the organization as a good experience.
My personal takeaway from this interview: Harden and Howard signed off on not matching Parsons. Morey didn't quite say it, but the M.O. he laid out makes it pretty clear that he must have asked them, for "buy-in." I'm sure he's the one who made the call, since he's the guy who thinks about the cap consequences of everything. But I'd be shocked if he consulted them on acquisitions and not on this. Also: Luck beats analytics. He indicated that H&H were just like the rest of us at the beginning of the season, wondering how we could compete against top teams with the roster we had. And Morey made the deal for Brewer but had no idea Smith would be available, and didn't even believe it when his players did. So Smith fell into our lap without an ounce of forethought on Morey's part, other than holding onto the biannual exception.
Lol. The whole incredulity about treating players like assets. That's what they are. It's a human capital business. Doesn't mean it should be complicated or overly emotional. It's called being an adult. I'm not sure why so many were put off by this? Morey basically said I treated them like the adults they were. No big deal.
Well signing off implies Morey needed their consent...It's been reported they both wanted Morey to match, so Morey basically would've told them, I can't do it, here's why, and we'll replace him with Ariza. I don't think they had much choice but to buy in and set the example, as leaders of the team.
It looks like Morey gets a lot of respect from these guys. It is great to see Morey getting some positive light and saying the things that attract players. I hope this makes player acquisitions / retention (Brewer and Smith) a lot easier.
Couldn't disagree more. And Morey does also. The whole "treating player is like assets" is what you took from this? Morey does the opposite. He is upfront with the players and does clean business. It's not about doing the transactions is how you treat them, in a human professional way with respect and dignity and not go behind their back and trade them after making false promises. The players are humans as well you know and when they become FA their next destination is also chosen by "human" factors all other things equal. Look what Doc does and how he treats his players pissing them off like he did with Crawford when out of the blue with no warning went behind his back to trade him- and failed. Reputation matters a lot in this business and Morey has a very good one.
I thought the same thing. Love how Morey basically disproved his 'treats everyone like assets/not humans' persona
Morey coming up in a minute on Grantland replay on ESPN 2. It's also replayed at 12:30 if you can't catch it live.
