Rockets Fans Team Assessment and Questions to Ask Yourself

I am just gonna answer question 1. And kind of redefine core. Yao + T-Mac when healthy, IMO is the best 1-2 punch in basketball. That alone is huge. It does make us contenders, especially when you consider our role players managed to get us 22 wins in a row. Also two of our best offensive players are rookies.

I can't hide it, Yao+Mac don't really look pretty together. They rarely both get theres in the same game in a fluid way, they both rarely have high shooting %'s on the same night. Aside from the pick and roll they don't have much of a 2-man game. But Adelman has plenty of time to work that out. They are young.

So yes, our core (which to me is Yao+Mac+Battier) when healthy are contenders. Win now should still be the MO. Add the small pieces. Time, chemistry, health, this is what we need.

 

One reason that both our star got injured a lot is the constantly changes.

Every season it took about the half season for the players to learn the system and to learn how to play with each other. While doing this, most times it purely relied on tmac and yao's individual talents to make us barely stay above 0.5. It's not just the minutes, but also the intensity.

This core can make to 4th/5th seed at least while both tmac and yao playing 35- minutes.

Let's imaging if we replace alston with a new above average pg, replace battier with a better offense player (worse defense), it will take another half season to gel, so both tmac and yao will have to play 38+ heavy minutes and carry all the load. There's a good chance they will get injuried just like the past 5 seasons.

 

You have to admire the effort this team puts forth. They are certainly greater than the sum of their parts, BUT, the stone cold reality is that the playoffs exposes their fundamental lack of talent as compared to the elites of the West. Winning 55 games is amazing for this group, and winning 22 in a row is phenomenal. Most teams in the past who have had those kind of winning streaks ultimately won it all. Alas, the poor Rockets are perpetually stuck in the first round. Is the owner and his organization committed to winning a championship, does he want that more than anything, so bad he can taste it? The fact that he continues to surround Yao and TMac with "low budget" role players screams NO. Morey was brought in to keep the "bloated" CD contracts from occurring again. Yao is a PR gold mind, TMac occasionally flashes brillance, the Rockets win big in the regular season. In public, Les wants it all; in reality, he appears content. Are the Rockets serious contenders? No, not until an infusion of first class talent occurs. It is just the way it is.

 

Let's be honest and face the fact. Health will forever be an issue with the Rockets.

OUr Owner and GM prior to this season along with some fans are all hoping that injury was an odd ball that comes once in a blue moon. Therefore we draft and trade along the line of thinking that if either Yao or Tmac was healthy, we will win it all.

This is not true as we saw in the playoffs. We now need to get a 3rd starter scorer if it means overpaying.

we can no longer build a team around two superstars the same logic why team can never win championship with one star. We are now in an era that in owner to win, we need 3 stars.

Lakers - have kobe, Gasol, and Odom/byrum
Celtic - have KG, PP, and RA
SPurs - have Duncan, parker, and MG

Go out and get that player Morey!!!

 

Look, Tmac and Yao are amongst the best in the league plain and simple. Sure, they don't always mesh well but that is on the coach. The problem is that no matter how much you like all of these hustling hard working role players they don't even come close to the role players of the really good teams.

I think if you swap Tmac and Yao out with the top 2 players on any of the 4 teams still playing they would easily win the championship this year and many more. I think its too easy for people to look at our stars and say what they did wrong. When you look at our role players have done in the past its almost comical that we even got to the playoffs.

 

Question 1: Are the Rockets core group of players (TMac, Yao, Battier, Rafer, Scola, Landry) able to seriously challenge for a title over the next 3 or 4 years?

Yes, if they were all healthy come playoff time. Not likely, but possible.

Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?

Health and the lack of a viable backup at SG.

Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

A trade at the deadline with a team going no-where in need of cap space. All we really have to offer is expiring contracts and draft picks. That will not get it done for a top knotch third scoring option before the season.

Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

All players should be on the table, all the time. It doesn't cost anything to listen. I don't believe, however, that the Rockets can get equal value for T-Mac who is a superstar and can lead us to a championship with the right supporting cast and his health. I would trade him in a second for the right package, though.

Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

Best Case: Jason Terry and Josh Howard (I'd do it) or Carmello straight up. I would have to seriously consider Melo because of his age and T-Mac's health, although I don't think he is as good a player. Worst case doesn't make sense because you wouldn't take it.

Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

I would listen to offers, but I don't think there is any way we could get enough for Yao to do the trade. People that think Orlando would trade Dwight Howard for Yao are dreaming.

Question 5.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for Yao Ming? Best case and worst case scenarios?

I think the best offer we might get would be from LA Clippers just so they could have some star power: Maybe Brand, re-signed Maggette, and un-protected draft pick(s). Toronto might consider Bosh and Calderon because of their huge Asian population. I wouldn't do the first, but would the 2nd.

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

Not now, not ever. I believe any GM that declares anyone untouchable and means it should be fired. It costs nothing to listen. Who knows there might be the basketball equivalent of the Hershall Walker trade out there.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

If everyone is healthy, Western Conference finals loss to LA. If Yao, Tracy, Alston, or Scola are hurt, one and done.

 

By the way. I think this is a great thread. It pretty much puts all the most popular and meaningful subjects into one nice template. thanks!

 

First of all Houstons core consists of Yao Ming & Tracy McGrady ONLY. This is the biggest problem facing the Rockets. They're a 2-man team surrounded by role players.

Overlooking the fact that the 2 stars can barely play 40 games together, or that the 4 teams left in the postseason feature atleast 3 primary scorers (hell, Detroit has like 5) or that no 2-man team has made it out the west since Shaq-Kobe duo (and no one is as dominant or game changing like shaq was during the title years).....Houstons role players aren't that good. Like most role players their flaws are covered up by great coaching and the star players.

Lets play a game called "Take Away the 3rd Scorer." We're gonna look at a couple of contending teams and imagine them without their 3rd scorer.

First up...the San Antonio Spurs. Now, if the Rockets role players are one-dimensional then what are the Spurs??? Outside of Brent Barry's outburst the other night...no one outside their big 3 has had any sort of impact offensively. THe series against the Hornets and now against the Lakers have shown they cant win unless those guys play great with one getting at least 30 and the other 2 around 22+. Game 7 against New Orleans being the only exception. No one else on that team actually makes plays offensively they just finish what the stars create for them.

Next, The Boston Celtics. Now this should hit close to home. Have you noticed the complete disreguard for the starting PG defensively? Just leaving to double other guys. Combine that with Ray Allen's struggles the Celts' have been downright unwatchable at times offensively. But imagine if Ray wasn't a celtic....Big 2 instead of Big 3. If Rajon Rondo was force over a 82 game season to consistly make plays and knock down shots....66 wins??? I CAN'T imagine that. As Rocket fans we know what it looks like when a team would rather have one of your starters shoot a WIDE OPEN jumper than one of your stars taking a contested shot.

The goal of this offseason should be to get a 3rd scorer by any means neccessay. 1) Micheal Redd 2) Ron Artest 3) Corey Maggette. Anyone of these guys would be alright.

 

Question 1: Are the Rockets core group of players (TMac, Yao, Battier, Rafer, Scola, Landry) able to seriously challenge for a title over the next 3 or 4 years?

Yes and no. This group could win it all under the right circumstances from the 3-6th seed. I just don't know if we could dominate and just march right in and take it. Then again, last summer I wouldn't have thought we would be dominant enough to win 22 in a row...


Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?

Biggest weaknesses are bench and lack of a collective mean streak/swagger. Improving either would be enough. Improve both and we scare me.

Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

Free agency and trade, I'd say. Package our pick(s) and dead weight for better dead weight. Sign best fit available for MLE.

Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

No way. Spend 3-4 more years rebuilding? Besides, McGrady is magical. If he's healthy, and with the right cast and gameplan, we could do special things for years to come.

Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

No one who will make us that much better.

Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Possibly. Could we get a big to give us 20/10 each night? (Elton?)Probably. Would he improve our defense by altering shots the way Yao does? No. Besides, I've come to love him as a rocket, and looking at his community presence and marketability, he's not going anywhere.

Question 5.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for Yao Ming? Best case and worst case scenarios?

Best: Brand+Livingston+Pick
Worst: Marion(S&T)+Pick

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

Depends on how much better that better may be. Yao stays put. Tracy stays put. Landry and Battier should stay unless it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

One of two things: Either (A) We stay healthy, tear through the league, win 55-60, take a playoff seed 2-4, and go deep or all the way...OR...(B) start slow, gel, show great promise, breakdown midway through or at end of season and leave the fans speculating on the message boards about "what if" and whom to trade.

 

Question 1: Are the Rockets core group of players (TMac, Yao, Battier, Rafer, Scola, Landry) able to seriously challenge for a title over the next 3 or 4 years?

Yes and no. This group could win it all under the right circumstances from the 3-6th seed. I just don't know if we could dominate and just march right in and take it. Then again, last summer I wouldn't have thought we would be dominant enough to win 22 in a row...


Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?

Biggest weaknesses are bench and lack of a collective mean streak/swagger. Improving either would be enough. Improve both and we scare me.

Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

Free agency and trade, I'd say. Package our pick(s) and dead weight for better dead weight. Sign best fit available for MLE.

Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

No way. Spend 3-4 more years rebuilding? Besides, McGrady is magical. If he's healthy, and with the right cast and gameplan, we could do special things for years to come.

Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

No one who will make us that much better.

Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Possibly. Could we get a big to give us 20/10 each night? (Elton?)Probably. Would he improve our defense by altering shots the way Yao does? No. Besides, I've come to love him as a rocket, and looking at his community presence and marketability, he's not going anywhere.

Question 5.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for Yao Ming? Best case and worst case scenarios?

Best: Brand+Livingston+Pick
Worst: Marion(S&T)+Pick

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

Depends on how much better that better may be. Yao stays put. Tracy stays put. Landry and Battier should stay unless it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

One of two things: Either (A) We stay healthy, tear through the league, win 55-60, take a playoff seed 2-4, and go deep or all the way...OR...(B) start slow, gel, show great promise, breakdown midway through or at end of season and leave the fans speculating on the message boards about "what if" and whom to trade.

 

D@mn. Double post.

 

In a word
this line-up is good enough:
Yao ,T-mac,battier,scola,Rafel(only this point weak)
Just keep our F*** healthy
For the champion, we need the third steady points besides Yao and T-mac like Miller from Memphis
even more hope SF3 comes back next season with his once 'Privilege'

 

Question 1: Are the Rockets core group of players (TMac, Yao, Battier, Rafer, Scola, Landry) able to seriously challenge for a title over the next 3 or 4 years?

No

Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?

No balls

Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

I don't know how to get Artest. I hope Morey can make it happen. If not, take Tmac and Yao to surgery. They need artificial balls.

Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Yes

Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

Best case scenario: Lebron. He wants out. He's frustrated in Cleveland. Suffer from depression.
Worst case scenario: Juwan Howard and Maurice Taylor. They're the worst as I know.

Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Yes. But it's not going to happen.

Question 5.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for Yao Ming? Best case and worst case scenarios?

Best case scenario: Kobe or Lebron.
Worst case scenario: Kobe or Lebron.

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

Yao and Scola. Yao can bring some Chinese sponsorships to teamates which is quite a bargain power for role players. Scola is the only player who has a champion's heart in this team.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

Um.... It's time. It's time to finish this questionaire.

 

Question 1- Yes, a healthy Rockets team with another scorer can compete for a title. They play great team defense, have superior offensive and defensive rebounding, a dominant post scorer and one of the top 5 playmakers in the league in McGrady.

Question 2- Their biggest weakness outside of health is size at the two guard and front line. They need another player who can score.

Question 3- The Rockets have trade pieces with some expiring contracts and somebody like Landry. I believe Morey will continue to find value in the draft, but the trade option seems more likely. Nobody truly valuable will settle for the full MLE.

Question 4- I don't think you can get a dominant player for TMac at this point and you need dominant players to win. McGrady is so important from a play making point of view that I think moving him would be counter-productive.

-Best case scenario for McGrady- Luol Deng and Kirk Henrich and Tyrus Thomas; Worst case scenario- Baron Davis and his bum knee.

Question 5- Trading Yao Ming would fetch better value, but not enough to off-set his production on and off the court.

Best case- Lebron James next year; Worst case- Lebron James and he leaves for the Knicks.

Question 6- I would refuse to trade only Yao. Everybody else should be entertained. I would be reluctant to trade McGrady, Scola, or Battier, but they are not untouchable.

Question 7- A healthy Rockets with no additions can win 60 games and the NBA title.

 

I think they need one more scorer, whether off the bench or at pg, or sf.

Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?

lack of any depth behind mcgrady and battier. There is no backup 2/3 to take any wear/tear off their bodies and they wear down later in the year.

Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

I'd target James Posey, Matt Barnes, Mickael Pietrus, James Jones, Maurice Evans or Devin Brown with part or all of the MLE depending on the player. If I could get one of them to backup my sg/sf spots, i'd try to trade the 25th pick with brooks or alston for an upgrade at the point.

Another route is signing either Anthony Carter or Beno Udrih to be the backup to rafer, then using brooks or jackson's expiring contract as trade bait to get that scoring backup sg/sf. Or drafting a guy like CDR, Rush, Jefferson, Batum or Budinger at 25 and using your assets to upgrade the point.



Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

No. he means too much to the offense unless you got a quality faciliator back. He needs his minutes cut back is all.
Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

not really sure, but you never get equal value in a trade like that.



Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Yes, but it isn't going to happen.

Question 5.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for Yao Ming? Best case and worst case scenarios?

anything they wanted other than lebron or kobe.

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

no.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

with this roster, my expectations would be another 4-8 seed and an uphill road in the playoffs. the lakers, hornets, spurs, jazz will all still be really tough.

 

1. no
2. point guard
3. trade
4. probably a high lottery pick and expiring contracts
5. yes, he'll probably never be fully healthy again
5.1 probably a high lottery pick and expiring contracts
6. no current rocket is untouchable
7. first round exit or possibly worse

 

Question 1: Are the Rockets core group of players (TMac, Yao, Battier, Rafer, Scola, Landry) able to seriously challenge for a title over the next 3 or 4 years?

Most of them makes me more confident about it, but I would drop Rafer from the group, though. I would say yes and no, yes this group alone could get to 2nd Round or the Western Finals, but they are going to need 3rd scorer.


Question 2: What is the Rockets biggest weakness and why? Health, leadership, depth, scoring, defense, coaching, point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center, etc…?


1. Scoring (3rd will, might be needed ), 2. Health (this really should be number 1), and 3. Point Guard (Rafer is decent, but when you look at what is in the West, we need player who is slightly better).


Question 3: What is the best way to shore up the Rockets biggest weakness? Through the draft, trade or free agency?

Draft: Probably best scoring (athletic) SF/SG avaliable who can be a nice little defender and an all round above average player and to reduce T-Mac and Battier's minutes.

FA (realistic, not fantasy): They could go after Chris Duhon, he's fairly cheap and might be the one thing the Rockets are missing and he's fairly young.

JR Smith: If we don't draft what is above, I think he could be likely option, but he may not come cheap.

Ramon Sessions: I think we could make run for him, he's good passer, better than Rafer and probably could score just as well. He's actually avaliable and he is only 2nd or 3rd string guard at time. Mo Williams is probably too expensive and we would have to give good piece to get him, instead. Sessions could turn out to be a pretty good PG, he's only 22.

Mickael Pietrus

Devin Harris (25) or Marcus Williams (23) via trade, both might be better than any player we could get in draft in the late rounds, especially Harris.

Jamario Moon: Long shot, but possible .. he has limited salary protection

We really don't need much as especially when we have 2 players who can get around 21 to 35 on any given night, and 2 more who might be decent 13+ ppg scorers.



Question 4: Could the Rockets improve by trading TMac now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Ummm, no, not from the deals that I have been hearing, like Chicago, Detroit, and others of such. You're not going to get equal value for T-Mac unless it is another versatile all-star coming in with nice draft choice. Why would anyone want to trade T-Mac, he is arguably the 2nd best SG in league, he's more versatile than Arenas and A.I. and a bit more explosive than Wade (and healthier) and better player than both Redd and Manu. These posters flip their tops when talk about trading T-Mac straight up for lesser players and point guards. Chicago isn't going to let go of Deng or Gordon, so easily, and are going to try cheat out of deal, but they might give up the #1 pick for him. And we end up with Beasley or Rose. Very risky on the Rockets part.

Question 4.1: What could the Rockets realistically get for TMac? Best case scenarios, worst case scenarios?

I think any deal we make should be in order to increase our depth and ability for 3rd and 4th scorers to be pretty decent.


Best Case scenarios
T-Mac for Richard Jefferson (or Vince Carter), Devin Harris, and a player or pick to be named (Desangna Diop or 2nd Rnd draft choice).

T-Mac for a sign and trade deal with Miami for Shawn Marion, Ricky Davis, #1st rnd Pick, and Chris Quinn. We would lose T-Mac, but gain alot of depth. I'm pretty sure if we gave them T-Mac, they couldn't really keep Marion or Davis. You would have T-Mac and Wade together. Wouldn't that be worth Shawn Marion, Davis, unproven college player, and Quinn.

Middle of the Road

T-mac for Tyrus Thomas or Kirk Hinrich and #1 Rnd Pick (Beasley or Rose)

T-Mac for Sheed and Billiups, this might work for both teams, but Sheed and Billiups are getting long in tooth...and we would have older team.. but our roster would look like this...
Yao - C
Sheed (33)/Scola - PF
Battier/Landry - SF
Player to be named - SG (we have to settle for someone like Ricky Davis, Smith, Childress, at best, essentially we have throw someone else in deal because Sheed and Billups account for 22 million while T-Mac is 19 million alone)
Billiups (31)/Alston - PG

A Yao/Sheed/Battier frontline is pretty d@mn good (maybe even better than the Lakers), since Yao is better than Bynum and Sheed certainly better Gasol, and if Yao goes down, you can kick up Landry or Scola...but you are losing T-Mac versatility. But another positive is we would have real PG.

The Pistons lose two solid players, but gain solid superstar to go with Prince, Hamilton, McDyess, Maxiell...Detroit would have alot of options of going big and letting T-Mac handle the ball or even bringing Rip off the bench and finding PG somewhere. They would still be a very good team and could easily 50 games in the East, but Detroit lose strong post presence.


Worst Case scenarios

T-Mac for Richard Jefferson (only Richard Jefferson)

T-Mac for Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon, and player to be named (no 1st round pick).

T-Mac for Jermaine O'Neal, I don't think O'Neal will hold up, though.

The Rockets making some stupid Memphis Grizzlies deal where we get bunch scrubs back in return and help other teams.

Question 5: Could the Rockets improve by trading Yao Ming now while he still has a great deal of trade value?

Look at Question 5 and trade Yao's name for T-Mac's. Again, I don't know if we will improve....and it would be very risky.

Best Case Scenario

Yao for one of the Atlanta Joshes (Smith or Childress), draft pick (over 2 or 3 years like Phoenix), and Acie Law... I doubt they give up Josh Smith, so I say might get Marvin Williams instead.

Scola/Hayes/Mutombo - C
Williams - PF
Battier - SF
T-Mac - SG
Law - PG

Houston would get younger and more athletic and could run with alot of western teams, but they would lose scoring and rebounding in low post. And we could possibly be given up the best center in the league (and best big man).

Atlanta would actually get better, they don't have to run like we do and their lineup would look something like this..

C - Yao
PF - Horford
SF - Smith
SG - Johnson
PG - Bibby

You pretty much have put together a team that could take out the Celtics and aging Pistons and possibly another great front line, where you could possibly have 3 bonafide All-Stars. You put Horford's rebounding (Elton Brand-like game) with Yao and his dominate scoring.....and put Yao's willingness to pass to the exuberant Atlanta players and sharpshooters like Bibby and Johnson...this team could do some great things....if Yao can stay healthy for a portion of the season...I believe Atlanta could challenge for Eastern Conference Championship and creep towards 60 wins. Also, Yao would have adecent backup, like Zaza who could start on occassion.

Question 6: Is there any player on the team that you would refuse to move in order to make the team better? If so then why?

I just spend the last 10 minutes talking about them, I think I would trade everyone else, before I trade Yao or T-Mac. Even though, they have an injury history, they are both easily top 10 players. And any move that would be shipping them out...would be to make the rosters deeper and more well-rounded.

Question 7: If the Rockets make no major additions either through the draft, free agency or a trade what are your expectations for the team next year?

56 - 26 (regardless of the injuries)...Adelman is good enough with good enough system with a team that can play with great chemistry to win alot of games...this team won 22 games in a row without a dominate roster.

 

Alas, you don't explain how the Rockets can obtain "first class talent" with two max contract players and a salary cap. Your psychoanalysis of Les Alexander is beyond stupid, too. Under his tenure the Rockets have brought in big names repeatedly. They have brought young players and veterans and tried to build through the draft. The fact that he fired Van Gundy last year certainly doesn't indicate that he was "content."

 

I believe to get Sheed, it is going to cost us probably Scola, a draft pick, and someone else to make up difference.

If it is for both Billups and Sheed, it's going to be T-Mac or Yao somewhere in deal.