Depends entirely on what Daryl moreys plan is for next season. Not on the team you think we will have but on the team and direction Morey has in mind.
Predictions: I feel next year we'll finally have a clear direction. Either rebuild completely, or contend unconsciously. And that is all us fans want, a CLEAR DIRECTION. I feel Scola will be traded by the end of the season. Lowry Martin Williams Patterson Yao If we are gunning for the playoffs, then next season will be another repeat of the last season. If Morey cannot deliver on a star, then the Rockets rebuilding process will be in full action.
Waaaaaaayyyyyy too early for this but... * The rumblings about moving up in the draft will fade to reality as the Rockets draft the BPA @ #14. * The BPA in the draft won't be the much needed starting C. * The #14 pick will a PG or wing with minimum 2 years of college ball. * The Rockets will hire Dwayne Casey with the wink-wink that he's to mentor the "real" coach. * There will be a lockout. Albeit brief, as Stern needs to flex his muscle (read authority) over the NBA. * To the chagrin of many and the understanding of a few, Yao Ming will hang up the sneakers. After all of this, a shorter version of the last season. #8 seed or #14 pick.
I think this year's draft is underrated. We will move up the draft using Scola as bait for young teams that require veteran presence. With the new pick we can hopefully draft a star.
First, I'm to believe you over the NBA media types and occassional player comments (like John Barry's) that this is one of the weakest drafts in the past 25 years? With Sullinger, Barnes and Perry Jones, it would have decent. If you want cred over the media...give examples to support your opinion. Secondly, the new CBA is not likely to drastically alter incoming vs outgoing salaries in a trade. Scola will make a bit over $8.6M for 2011-12 (whenever that season starts). Here's the rub. You've got to find players on a team that both wants and needs Scola. AND is willing to pay Scola until the end of the 2014-2015 season. But MOST importantly...that team will send contracts for players that Daryl Morey will pay for. Very tall hurdles for all of those.
We will hire Dwayne Casey or Kevin McHale. Win 51 games and creep be the 7th team in the Western Conference Playoff but lose in the second round vs Dallas Thabeet wont be a Thabust and average 5 points 9 rebounds and 2 blocks We will trade up in the draft by trading Scola, Miller and future picks to obtain a top 8 pick. We will somehow end up with Enes Kanter and an unknown 2nd round and make a really dangerous run in 2012-2013 (if the Earth is still intact)
Yes. Trust the media and their experts because we all know that: A) they are correct all the time (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/matchup/_/teams/mavericks-lakers). Oh wait, maybe most of the time? (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/matchup/_/teams/grizzlies-spurs). Hm... How about acknowledging that their views are just that; OPINIONS! B) The NBA media never has ulterior motives or an agenda. IMHO, superficially this draft is termed "weak" because it does not have any surefire superstars like a Duncan, LeBron, Griffin, etc. However, it is my OPINION that even though it is not a top heavy draft class, it is underrated in that we may find value later in the draft. For example, Kawhi Leonard has been projected anywhere from top 5 to top 20. What does this imply? It means that after the top 3 picks, it is a lot harder to gauge whether the next tier of players will be able to translate their success in to the pro-game. Furthermore, you wanted me to elaborate on the logistics of a "Scola-move up the draft trade". I left out details because I was just trying to introduce a general concept. But since you must know, I will provide an example of a possible trade option. Scola $8,591,793 for #9 pick + DeSagana Diop $6,478,600 + Sean Marks $1,262,035 Whether this scenario is beneficial to both parties depends on if Houston thinks that they can do something significantly better than Scola with that pick (e.g. find a top 5 value ala patpat or combine it with our 14th to move even higher up) and if MJ doesn't see anyone he likes and decides to go with a veteran presence and shed salary. Again, the point of my first post was to suggest an idea not construct an elaborate thesis. If you don't agree with that example, it is a preference thing and that is fine. I am certain that there are many more permutations out there (another e.g. MIL and Drew Gooden), some being formulated by Morey and co. Some of us on clutchfans are smarter than the average bear and do not just put up random ideas without thought.
I can't make any predictions, as Morey tends to pull some unexpected moves (good and bad) so I'm just going to put a "wish list." 1.We resign Yao, he stays healthy for 15 mins a game and puts up solid numbers. 2.Lowry has a breakout season and becomes our "star player" with Martin providing offensive support. 3.We trade Scola for a servicable center (whether via the draft or otherwise) and 2Pat becomes a solid starter. 4.Our coach doesn't turn out to be a bust, thus softening the loss of RA.
1. Casey becomes our next coach .....with ET as one of his assistants. 2. Les not only resigns Yao for way too much, but perhaps even to a multi year deal. ....and sadly but predictably Yao goes down retiring after this next year. 3. Kyle Lowry becomes an all star. 4. Scola gets dealt. 5. Kevin Martin quite possibly gets traded in a blockbuster where we fleece the bejeebers out of someone. 6. We use #14 and #23 to move into the top 10. 7. CD and Dream work with Thabeet. He remains a Rocket past the deadline and begins his path towards becoming a defensive force for years. 8. Forget about the playoffs this year as we are looking down the road. 9. Early on, Morey's vilification reaches new heights on our board... "the apocalypse of 2012 is upon us" but as the season wears on, it becomes apparent to all that he IS the savior ....We ALL bow down.
Rockets will have a middling season, might slip into playoffs as 6, 7, 8 seed. We need a couple of good drafts or a drastic increase in talent for there to be any rebuild towards being a "contender". that said, if somehow Yao comes back fierce, I would not be surprised at a 4/5 ranking. I think the only thing this roster is missing is a dominant center (obviously it was built around Yao), and once that crucial piece kicks in---I mean, we've been doing alright floating around without an anchor, but once that anchor gets back, the Rockets could be a very surprising team.
