Mike James did not lead his team in scoring in the NCAA national championship game.... last time I checked, Dirk was held in check during the playoffs, it was the guards that were torching our back court - so I would say that our biggest need is some youth at the guad spot. I called that that we would pick up LH about 48 hours before the draft - I like the pick and most of the analysts like it or are neutral. sorry you are so unhappy, maybe you would rather be a Raptors fan right now
T-Mc and Ming alone can't get us to the promised land. They need support -- look at the last Dallas playoff game. We didn't get them any support with the draft, and we sure don't have enough money or resources to accomplish anything significant in the free agent market. I will be ecstatic if I am forced to eat crow regarding this position, but there it is. Other than T-Mc, Ming, James and a couple of others, we are much too old and much too slow to sustain a drive all the way to the championship. Regardless of how well we play, only eight teams are going to the playoffs, and we let all four behind us pass us at the first turn.
You might want to save the whole sky is falling routine for at least a couple of weeks into the season. That's one knee and you only have one left to jerk, better make it last.
If I didn't care very deeply about the fortunes of the Rockets, I would be a Spurs fan since I live in San Antonio.
That won't fly. There is no linear correlation there. There have been loads of great NCAA championship play-off team members who could never break into the league, and lots of players from losing squads who turned out to have distinguished NBA careers.
Utah finished 25 games worse than us. Golden State finished seventeen games back of us - and I thought they had a pretty mediocre to poor draft. Really, Denver got hot - but they didn't really add anyone who's going to have a big impact in the draft. They're best draft pick plays the same position as their best player. Memphis added Warrick - and lose Swift. Net loss. The four players you mentioned were all worse than Luther Head, which is why we took him. He's not a gamebreaker, but he was probably the best available talent.
Yes, TMac and Yao can't do it alone. But how many teams in the West have 2 stars that can dominate by themselves and dominate like crazy together? Teams like Utah and GSW did a great job in the draft, but they are still very far behind. They have to add FA's just like every other team. We don't have a lot of money like you said, but we have expiring contracts and chances to do S&T. Also, we have something other teams don't have, we are contendors and we give FAs the chance to play with one of the best duos in the league. I was a little dissappointed with the pick as well, but I think he'll be a suprise for us. Also, we have a long offseason ahead of us and I'm sure CD/Les/JVG will make the most of it.
The difference is huge. As long as he is unsigned, he can be part of a trade at any time and has no $ value. Now that he has signed a contract, he can not be included collectively in any trade for ~90 days and then the contract value must be included. Forgot my moniker, NIKE? thumbs - It's you and me against the world on this one!
We could've completely forfeited our 24th pick and still wouldn't come close to the lottery. Maybe down the line, there's a 10-20 percent chance that Taft pans out. But if you're expecting rookies at pick 20 or lower to be the difference in who makes the playoffs, you're out of touch with the development curve of players. If we had drafted Taft or Simien, they would be third on the depth chart behind Howard and whoever we acquire in free agency. They'd be lucky to play in more than 20 games. If Head doesn't pan out and Taft and Simien do, we'll pay for it... in the years to come. I don't think it's realistic to expect any players from the above four teams (except possibly Deron Williams) to have much impact as rookies.
Dude, Calm down. Taking Head over Taft, Simien of the world does not make us a lottery team. We still have the whole free agency for us to improve. Plus I think Head will surprise us next season.
Cat, as you know, I have great respect for your opinion. However, if you will recall, we had this same debate over a guy named Amare Stoudemire. I think Taft will be the steal of the draft for the Warriors just as Amare was the steal of the draft for the Suns. My whole basis for disgruntlement is not over Luther Head himself. It is because we chose someone who plays a position of little need and who has virtually no experience in one that we do.
So you think we're lottery bound too or do you just not like the pick of Luther Head? thumbs, you say you hope Luther proves you wrong but it doesn't even seem like you want to give him a chance.
There are varying degrees of steals, though. While Stoudemire was a risk, even his harshest critics (after the draft) knew that there was at least a chance he could be an impact player early based on him having the talent to be a top 10 draft pick. It's not as if Taft was a complete bust in college... he averaged 13 and 7 with a decent field goal percentage, if I remember correctly. If he had those numbers and NBA types felt he had elite talent, he would be a top 15 pick considering his size... no doubt about it. If Taft was drafted at 9, I'd still have my doubts about him contributing, but there would at least be the chance. But it's not the same situation as Amare because we're not dealing with players of comparable talent (at least not now). Maybe down the line Taft can develop his game to be a force... but I would be beyond stunned if he came in and averaged 13 and 8 as a rookie. More than likely he's the type (imo) to sit on the bench for a couple of years and learn the mental side to the game, which he needs more than anything from my experiences watching him. If Head doesn't pan out as a PG, I'll agree with you. I like Head (and who doesn't? ), but on the condition that we feel comfortable he can make the transition. While he can survive at the 2 for a couple of years (while we have a big PG in Sura), it's not something that can work long-term. I see exactly where you're coming from... I just think you're jumping the gun by saying it would impact us this season. Finding the right fits from guys like Head, Taft and Simien is crucial, but moreso in the next 2-4 years than it is right now.
Blatz, I am, like many others, indebted to your posts on where to find Rockets games on the radio. However, I do feel the distress of a Chicken Little with the sky falling all around. Why? This is another example of the Rockets dooming the season or, at best, making the team drag an anchor needlessly. Example: a 3-year contract for Charlie Ward. Yes, I am prone to hyperbole, but this is my vehicle to register extreme angst.
I know i have said that i will be happy if this guy was another Rodricj Rhodes (sp?), but i do think the scouts ion the Rox organizzation have more basketball knowledge than i do. as i recall i like majority of the other ROx fans were quite pissed when they picked Robert Horry over Harold Miner. Watching the careers of the two has tought me to be patient and trust the team scouts. then again, i still can not get over Rodney McCray over the Glide, or Mirsad Turcan over Rashard Lewis.
All i know that there will be plenty of material in the past couple of days to make the "Classic Moments" at the bottom.
thumbs, my son, can I offer you a chill-pill? seems like to me, that dooming this season and others because of the pickup of a 24 pick is pretty shortsighted and reactionary. on top of that....you are in the definite minority about it. has it occured to you that your analysis of the situation might be in error? at least wait until after the FA rush and the summer leagues are over and then see if you still feel the ROckets arent moving in the right direction. also..might I suggest summerizing your feelings in your sig instead of popping into EVERY thread and sounding like a broken record?
