How do you know when you're thinking TOO much about the game: complaining that the GM is a moron because he didn't pick up Kareem Rush. I'll say it again......KAREEM freakin' RUSH!
We(as JVG seemingly) have given up on boki without even giving him a chance to play. We say he sucks, but how are we really gona know unless we give him a solid 10 min a game. I think before anyone comes to the conclusion that Boki was a mistake, we should see him play about 10 min a game for atleast a couple of months.
What's moronic is finding something to complain about after an agonizing 5 years out of the playoffs.
All i gotta say is, Just look at Darko Milicic... He was so highly regarded in the drafting days, but now he's the "human victory cigar." His stats are even worse than Boki's first year. But he's still a fan fav in Detroit. He's a promising 2nd overall pick 18 yrs old.. Fans know they just need some patience. Now, Boki is a 15th pick who plays a much less significant role. we ought to have the same optimism as do the Detroit fans. I see Darko play, I'll smile about his future. I see Boki play, I'll just imagine what he'll become. I think Boki is going to be fine, and why don't we give him the human-victory-cigar-type cheers? or why doesnt JVG?
The NBA success of Kareem Rush was pre-ordained by his success against UT? Guess we missed the boat by not drafting Hollis Price, too.
Jeff, I agree, dumping on only CD is not fair. It has always been a Coach, GM, Owner decision as a team. They should be judged as a unit. However, quick question. I assume it is CD's job to HUNT deals down, deals that would make this team better. In other words, if McGrady was on the trading block, it would be CD who would be incharge to take the initiative to offer up possible trades right? I think it is important that our GM be proactive instead of always reactive. That is my only concern with CD. As for the Kareem Rush thing versus Nachbar. I think the better analogy would be Tayshaun Prince. From everything I read Prince WAS a guy the Rockets were seriously looking at, someone that they might have taken if Nachbar wasn't there when they picked. Imagine Prince in our JVG offense right now? He would be a perfect fit! I really think the lack of development of Nachbar, the loss of Griffin and the fact we didnt keep young talent in Thomas/Posey has really hurt us. Those are 3 recent draft picks that really would have bolstered this team. We have been set BACK because of it. Only the fact we hit the jackpot with a franchise player in Yao Ming has kept us afloat. The Rockets need a serious talent infusion if they want to get to the next level. I would argue that we have 4 starters and 1 bench guy on this team. That is it. If this team is unwilling to spend money to bring in talent because of their foolish spending on Cato/Taylor then we are doomed for mediocrity.
Uhm, maybe he doesnt get a lot of time in the games, cuase JVG and the staff watches him get tore up in practice and they realize he isn’t good enough to play anymore minutes. Not saying we should have taken Rush, but Boki was an absolute horrible pick, one of the many crap moves by Teflon Dawson.
So what you're saying is that he has all of this help and he still blows as a GM? Man, we are worse off than I thought...
What if this, what if that... bologna... Just be happy with what you got and stop whining... Players play different in different teams... they don't do as well playing around different people... why can't you understand that? Hakeem in Toronto? Please... that's Vince Carter's team... bring in a low-key non-championship center to compliment him... Maybe I am still bitter about that trade? Please don't call people 'moron' when you don't even know them... these are business decisions.
Deuce, There are 3 basic ways to build...draft, FA signings and trades. IMO, the draft is somewhat of a crap shoot. The Griffin thing hurt but did we do anything to surround the guy with mentors? When it comes out in the media (and the link is posted here) that during Rudy's last season Griffin is hanging with a bad crowd...it was never addressed. The Rockets had their spending spree when Olajuwon's $16m contract expired. We (rightly or wrongly) waited to deal with Dream before any other moves were made. Those late moves were Mo T, SnT of Shandon Anderson for Glen Rice and Moochie. That's what we got for our $16m cap space. $6.9m of which is still available for the price of some picks to Utah. Further, Taylor came to Houston with the reputation as a scorer and lived up to the rep in his "trial" season before the contract. No one could have predicted Taylor's injuries. As far as Posey or JJax, I have a feeling we will agree to disagree. If the TE nets Rashard and JJ moves to SG, then Posey was a moot point. The Rox benefitted from Jackson'S veteran leadership (at a cheap price) and I'm not sure Posey would have thrived under JVG. Like you, I whole-heartedly share Jeff's sentiments that it's a group management issue and no one person can be blamed or heralded. It's an on-going process. So to repeat myself somewhat, IMO the books are totally open until we see what happens with the trade exception.
I disagree. Someone should be held accountable for the absolutely dismal drafting and horrible talent evaluation for this organization. If you want to judge them as a unit, fine. The coach, Rudy T, is already gone. You can't fire the owner so the next bozo out of the door has to be CD. Instead, this "genius" gets rewarded with a 2 year contract extension. The Rockets are trying to pretend that nothing has happened - that it's all good. What they are doing with CD at the helm is standing still in a division where everyone else is making moves to better themselves. And just who in this organization is going to find that talent? CD? He couldn't find talent when he HAD first round picks. Now, because of bad deals HE made, they don't even have that to fall back on. They may well be doomed for mediocity unless changes are made. Les needs to hire someone who can locate and evaluate NBA level talent. From where I stand, that ain't CD.
When one considers the Blazers, Jazz, Suns, and Sonics are all play-off close (plus the Hornets) with assets to improve their lot for next season then thoughts of the Rox offseason have to be considered STARTING with the likely move of Stevie, the TE, and the MLE. Spoon, too, may be an offseason asset with his expiring contract. The big question mark is the opt out Cat has after next season and decisions on him by Rox (or others).
I agree. And this has ALWAYS been a concern of mine in regards to Griffin. We invested A LOT (3 #1 picks) in him yet we never nutured that investment. We kept letting things slide until it got out of control. I FIRMLY believe if we would have done a better job of surrounding Griffin with the right helpful people OFF the court things could have turned out differently. I think this can be said for any HS player coming into the league. I agree we couldn't have predicted his injuries. But I think the Rockets did a poor job of talent evaluation in signing those players and it is coming back to haunt us. Haunt us not just because they are bad contracts and the players aren't living up to the contracts, but ALSO because of the large contracts it PREVENTED us from signing players now that we could really use. Prevented in the sense that Les doesnt want to pay the money. So it is a doubly wammy! Nothing to disagree with per se. I DEFINITELY feel JJ was a huge addition to this team. I am not advocating having Posey instead of JJ, but more Posey WITH JJ. Basically continually ADDING talent to the team. I agree if we can net Rashard with the TE then that would be a huge plus. It would be adding TALENT to the team is what I am mostly asking for. Posey offensively probably wouldnt have thrived as much under JVG (versus Memphis) but I think he would have been a big plus with his "energy" in terms of defense and perhaps even adding to our VERY limited fast break. As I look in the offseason a lot of his traits are traits I would love to get as an off the bench energy guy for this team. I agree totally. I am just saying that the moves up till now have hindered our growth. We can still overcome those talent loses with some moves. But some moves HAVE to be made. Talent has to be added to the core base we have with minimal loses. This will be a big offseason for the Rockets.
I wanted Rush during the draft too, but he hasn't amounted to a hell of a lot since then. I'm happier on passing on him now than I was then.
Alright, I actually agree...I loved KR out of Mizzu and wish we would have taken him, but we got Boki instead...Not a bad choice, but we would be in a better position...
IF it was known that EG was hanging with the wrong dudes AND Seattle wanted him for Rashard THEN how come Rox didn't jump? (Also, I have assumed since Lewis did not come over the second time that Rudy had strong anti-'shard reasons. Anyone have a clue?) This will be a very big off-season for the Rox because of all the reasons we all know + the strengthening of the West even further with probably 13 teams legitimately contending for 8 playoff slots next year. Oh to be in the Least...
Exactly. Again, if the Rockets knew that Griffin was heading for trouble then they should have moved him when he had trade value. Rashard Lewis, SAR etc. They just kept holding onto him and hoping. If they were going to hold onto him and hope then they should have made more of an effort to try to surround him with more support. And if they didn't see his downfall coming, then their heads must have been in the sand. Either way? It stinks.
I am sorry for getting into this thread late, I passed out when I read someone was actually b1tching that we didn't draft the great Kareem Rush ! and if you want to complain, at LEAST use Carlos Boozer as the second example - not Tayshawn Prince ?!?!
