Exactly. Yet another way for the Rockets to try and put a positive spin on what has been, truthfully, an obscure offseason full of unproven talent acquisitions.
Can Shane create his own shots?? Shooter <> Scorer. If either Mac or Yao went down again for long period, i think the rockets are doomed again.
why do you consider this spin? "The Rockets are betting that McGrady and Yao will be healthy and that the additions of Shane Battier, Kirk Snyder and Steve Novak will get them to the playoffs. Throw in the fact that Luther Head and Chuck Hayes will be in their second year and this is a better team." all this says is that A: we're a playoff team and, B: we're a better team then the 34 win team a year ago. neither of those are what i'd call reaches.
Man, I really hope this guy isnt right, because we would be counting on a lot from Shane Battier, Kirk Snyder, and Steve Novak. The one part I hate about his analysis was when he said,"The Rockets are betting that McGrady and Yao will be healthy and that the additions of Shane Battier, Kirk Snyder and Steve Novak will get them to the playoffs. Throw in the fact that Luther Head and Chuck Hayes will be in their second year and this is a better team." Of course this will be a better team with Yao Ming and Tracy Mcgrady healthy. But the goal isnt to just win over fifty games and improve upon last year, the goal is to win a championship. Trading our draft pick for Shane Battier seemed to be a move with that goal in mind. Missing out on James sucked, but that shouldnt mean we trade for Snyder and call it an off season. The Rockets need one more dependable veteran. Not a fantastic scorer or potential all star, but a guy who can score a few here and there and just show up every damn night. The anti- Stromile Swift/Derek Anderson... Someone that doesnt make you cringe when he enters the game. I really hope the guy is wrong.
So, a fan asks for the reason his team isn't seeking out more aquisitions to help the team... And the response is, "Because, we're already better than a 34 win team"?
I doubt that CD and Morey are actually standing pat, so this is just one guy's opinion anyway. But it's true; so what if we're better? We're in the WC. Yes, the EC gave the NBA its champion this year; but after its top 4 teams, the drop in quality out East is precipitous. In the West, it's deep, and it's tough. First round playoff exits? Hell with that. Need to make some noise. I like our additions. We need a little more.
Is that enough? I mean, really - is that enough? BTW - in the West, strong top to bottom, how can a team expect to be still standing at the end of April? Who is out, really out for certain, at this point?
In the mailbag's defense, I think any other significant acquisition is going to come from a trade, not free agency. Guys like George and Van Horn would only be marginally helpful. Harrington and Wells were longshots (and now completely impossible without a S&T). We should be directing our attention to power forwards who make about $4.2 million and are already on someone's roster, and not worry about who the scrubs in free agency are signing with.
Much of it is just to make us Rockets fans feel better about this past offseason and upcoming next season.
Does any of us really expect the "rocket.com beat writer" to disclose any information if there are any deals they are pursuing? All this guy is gonna do is repeat the boring company line.
yeah agree. I don't even go to rockets.com anymore. the real goss is all here on clutchfans - by the time they get it on rockets.com its often been hear for hours, if not days!
what do you want the guy to say when someone asks why aren't we signing bonzi wells or al harrington? like these guys are jumping at our 4.2m TE and we're turning them down. he said we've improved our team, which we have. our options of further improving this team are limited.
there was no question asked, "do you think the rockets will win the nba championship?" edit: nevermind, you're questioning whether a healthy yao and t-mac, plus everyone else can make the playoffs? i sure hope so, if those two are completely healthy you'd actually argue against them being one of the top 8 teams in the west? i think they compete for 50+ wins.
I agree that the team will be better than last year's simply by getting a healthy Yao and T-Mac back, but as far as the "Win Now" approach goes, the Rox are still a few steps behind the other contnders in the NBA. We still lack quality depth, a decent big man who can grab boards (other than Yao), great shooters, and a toughness about them to get Ws. I think Battier could solve most of problems but we also need to be deeper and more tougher. The top teams all have this, like Dal, Mia, SAS, Det, and Phx.
True, the only reason anyone might go to rockets.com is for stats. but even then, clutch provides them here. And trust that this rockets.com "beat writer" does not have ANYTHING on feigen, who, while not the best of writers, is a noble reporter and works hard to break stories.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/15204465.htm Ely is also a possibility for a sign-and-trade deal that would acquire a draft pick or young player. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/melvin_ely/?nav=page Ely is a very attainable possibility. The guy is a young active defensive power forward capable of playing center. He's shown yearly improvement and unlike a draft pick the guy can contribute now. i don't believe that a low draft pick would land us a better pf.
