Alot of the same stuff he has said in the last couple of weeks. - Excited about adding James. Thinks they needed a scoring punch and depth at that position and got it. - Juwon really helped when Yao was out and was good leader. Actively looking to find a 4 to replace him - Talked to McHale for a long time about the deal but they wanted to add more players to the deal but JVG didn't want to that big a shake up during the season playing well. - Looking to upgrade how ever they can mostly through free agancy and trade. Expect more moves to improve the team. - Not expecting the draft pick to contribute much this season. - Draft is generally deep this year. Good players into the 40-45 range. Usually, players in the 20-25 range on their board they can find in the 40's. - Good international players in the draft, but not as strong overall as other drafts. Players that would have been 22 and available in this draft, were all ready drafted in past drafts. - Looking to take their time to replace Lindsey. - Having two Chuck Hayes' wouldn't be bad thing but looking to add another 4 that differintiates from what Chuck does. That was it. Morey seemed very rushed and gave very quick answers.
Interesting. I would love to know which players were discussed. Seems odd that we've basically been chasing Mike James almost since the day we traded him. Why did we trade him again?
I think this part is the most telling. Reports have indicated that we were going after Anderson Varejao, but it looks like he is a last resort sort of PF. Not that I wouldn't want him, but we have a cheaper version of him in Chuck. Since they aren't really interested in this years draft, it does look like the best time to make a trade for a PF will be around this spot. We'll either package Luther/V-Span with our pick, or we will trade down.
Because after Sura went down, Gundy wanted a PG who would run his offense the way he wanted it. Gundy's pick was Rafer Alston. (highly recommended by Stan Van Gundy). Of course Rockets realized their mistake and kept trying to correct it. (Gundy will still defend the Rafer move though and kept playing him hoping that Rafer would prove him right). You know you are asking for trouble when you are depending on Rafer and JHo to make sigificant contributions in playoffs.
That's interesting the generation of international players born in 1985 is supposed to be very ordinary group, ie no players who stand out. The majority of the international players are from that age group and from that it seems like they're not interested in any international players this draft. ...but the two Euros, Koponen & Fesenko who the Rockets are rumored to be interested in aren't from that age group. Smoke and mirrors?
Morey worries the hell out of me. The #26 can't help much this year and in the next breath the draft is deep to the extent "players in the 20-25 range on their board they can find in the 40's". And two of Chuck Hayes? Hell no to that. Time to put away the $Ball and actually start watching some basketball.
he didnt say he wanted 2 chuck hayes...he said that its not necessarily a bad thing but you would prefer to have another PF that can differentiate himself from chuck. i've heard morey reference getting 2 picks in the 30s on another show and today he said there could still be value in the 40s'. I would be more than happy if they could get 2 picks in the 30s.
Did Morey ever take public speaking? I like his first trade, but he really has to get more comfortable in the media. DD
i REALLY hope i am wrong but morey comes across as an uber-dork statgeek who does not have a "feel" for basketball...short of what is in the box score or what can be categorically placed or statistically quantified.
I know he worked for ainge, but look at how the celtics are built. they have good contracts and players with value, but they are not a well built team. just a mish mosh of players. morey is lucky, he's starting out with a team in two players.
It certainly sounds as if the draft pick will be traded for immediate help. My fear: Morey is the smartest guy in the room, and can't interact with the human element. Dadgum, I hope I am wrong. BTW - 1st trade was preset. Let's see HIS 1st deal 'from scratch'.
Very well said. The other day I was having a phone conversation with another Rockets' fan. I mentioned that if I sat down to have a conversation with Morey the conversation would be rooted in numbers. He's a guy who knows a lot about numbers who got a job in basketball. Contrast that to having a conversaton with Jerry West, Larrry Bird, or one of the Colangelo's...people who have basically LIVED basketball all of their lives. The conversation would be about skillsets and visions of how players interact together on the court. Like you said, I'd like to be wrong...but I'm not yet optimistic. Especially since they came up so short in evaluating team talent with the "Win Now" mode.
I've been having the same thoughts about Morey from day 1. This "money ball"/ win now strategy concerns me, especially when you give up young talent for consistantly average players. As long as they dont trade the pic for Matt Bonner or some other scrub I think I'll be ok.
im not overly worried. I know he has his strong base in number crunching but i believe he's mentioned thats only a part of the decision making, not THE deciding factor. At some point common sense will will take hold...i hope. about his personality. I think he's actually pretty funny. He's very dry and calculated, but can be funny...not this morning though
the rookie GM is letting some insight slip. 1. don't expect the first rounder to contribute this year = traded. 2. good talent around the 40-45 = looking to add a second round pick. the lakers, wolves, blazers, hornets, magic, and clippers have those picks. anyone know if any of those teams have TE's that would allow them to take on a cheap player for thier pick? 3. looking to add a player that differenciates from what chuck does = chuck will be back, and his counterpart on the bench (or starting) will have offensive skills.
