Not trading Shane Battier + for a re-signed to a huge contract Rashard Lewis was my favorite off-season move thus far. Firing JVG is the worst, followed closely by the draft.
He wasn't fired.. he just wasn't resigned. This was a mutual decision by Les and me. We wish him the best in his future both as an announcer and as an annoying general.
I agree with this post but the team will miss the veteran presense and class of JHO and his clutch mid range shot (except in the playoffs) but MJ's game more than makes up for the basketball part, just not the professionalism and class that Juwon Howard brought to the table and in the lockerroom that had to be infectious. To say he's useless and washed up I can't agree with but I do agree with a lot of the above written very optimistic post. I'd also like to add MJ's ability to penetrate fearlessly down the lane and the ability to allow Novak to get more FGA's on a regular basis (presumably) from beyond the arc, the addition of a very fast PG to break down the defenses and push the rock upcourt to increase the tempo in Brooks, another scrappy 4 for bench depth in Landry, and although I loved what JVG did for the defensive mindset and instilling discipline to the team, I think Adelman is a better fit for the offense. I also like that Deke coming back and mgt expressing that they want him back is a big plus, and with MJ in the mix, Rafer may step up his game and improve on his shooting. I like that we haven't had to give up Rafer or Battier to cop a starting 4 and I think Battier's class, tireless work ethic, on court communication/lockerroom presense and leadership is a very valuable intangible especially with Howard gone. A lot of times it's the moves a team has the discipline NOT to make (slightly above average players who Morey refuses to pay more than the MLE for) that can keep a team financially sound and not shackled with contracts that restrict the team from future roster additions that go un noticed so we have to appreciate Morey's patience. Lastly, the possible starting PF and the full MLE has me excited as other team's payrolls eat up their MLE and we'll get someone that fits out very good and experienced coaches open and fluid offense. It's the intangibles that can set a team up to be competitive now and set for the future and this team will be very competive for the future.
Well, you suggesting that he didn't help us in the 04/05 season is a complete load of crap. Nothing short of that. We can have opposing views on player impacts, fits and what not and i'm completely cool with that, but please don't try to distort the truth here.
Sure he helped. But not enough to make a difference. And he didn't have a tremendous series or anything. I don't see why people turn him into a savior when he's not that. Is he an upgrade over Rafer? sure...but that's not saying much.
This is easy..... Gundy being let go after a four year term which saw 0 second round of playoffs. Now, I would have said that Mike James for that perennial loser Juan Howard was the best move, but as I had always said, if you get rid of Gundy, you can consider his pets gone too. (you hearing me Tigermission?) One of the first moves made after departure of Gundy was getting rid of Juan. NICE! Attack the problem at its root. That's what the rockets did when they decided to let Gundy go. Brilliant! The fact that we got Adelman as the replacement is just gravy. The fact that we got Mike James in the swap is the yum yum cherry on top. PS. 70% of the voters agree, even the order. Looks like the truth is finally out.
