Stone is acting like this is the 05-06 season part 2, and we’re just waiting for T-Mac and Yao to get right for next season
Eli Witus shouldve been the Rockets GM. Rafael Stone is in charge of Trade Transactions on the phone. His speaking skills are terrible. Always repeating words, it gives off a lie. Pat Riley easily took advantage of Rafael Stone Incompetent Speaking Skill. Rafael is a scared negotiator. Christian Wood was luck, that he chose here because of Harden. Kevin Porter Jr was traded here because of JB Bickerstaff trusts John Lucas to Fix Kevin as a person. JaeSean Tate chose Houston because of Will Weaver, his own Coach in Australia. KJ Martin Jr. traded from Sacramento Kings Pick. Probably the only trade Stone made that is his. Sterling Brown Chose Harden. Not Stone
So, wait. What was the point of this random conference? I didn't watch. Just Stone trying to justify his actions / plotting a roadmap for the future?
In a weird way, the Astros went through this. Jim Crane had a huge backlash. Jeff Luhnow was on the hot seat by fans. The Rockets are in a dangerous situation because of lack of money saved. China is not supporting the Rockets a anymore. The Network TV Game money is not there.
Here is the cliff notes version of the clown show: Primary purpose: After the shellacking the entire clown car of an organization has taken, damage control was needed. This façade of a press conference was to make it look like everything is under control and Rockets intended and planned for this hot mess. Also they would gladly do it all over again if they had to. Secondary purpose: To shift all the blame away from Tilman and that Stone was the one who made all the calls. Nice jester by Stone. Would have been inverse if the moves were good. Tertiary purpose: To warn everyone that more of the same is coming and to not be judgmental towards them for next 9 years. Plenty of laughter for years to come. For those that are not into reading and prefer pics:
This is a perfect lesson in why you don't hire C people with no balls just looking to protect their paycheck after 15 years. Longevity is not a great reason for promotion. He was the attorney instead of the idea guy. Morey had fatal blind spots but he did have vision. This guy is a Ferntits sock puppet. Give me Hinkie even though I know he is too smart to waste his time on Ferntits. Evaluate me on the most consequential thing I have ever done after I have lost my job? Wouldn't we all love that freedom. Lose D'Antoni, Morey, Westbrook and know you have to trade Harden and with your entire organization and more than 80% of your entire roster investment gone you have NO FUTURE plans mapped out. You don't think for one second that you NEED to trade Tucker with Harden for value or that you need to start looking at suitors for EGo. You take back an Exum. You don't create minutes for your young players knowing your about to have a merry-go-round of players running through your organization. Forget the ineptitude of Silas, this is ALL on Stone. You don't listen to rookie head coaches b**** and moan about a roster, you do what's right for the organization.
Well we learned that maybe not hearing from Stone is a good thing. I don’t know what the goal was for the press conference was but it safe to say that was not successful.
Telling fans explicitly that they are not going to tank next season is not a good move in my opinion. He is putting himself in the hot seat next season.
Not really, if he outright said we were tanking or don't expect to be competitive, the NBA potentially could fine/punish the Rockets similar to how they did with the 76ers a few years ago.
Pretty funny he makes the comment that they determined oladipo wasn’t a good fit nonchalantly was this before or after oladipo made the determination? but I feel you on the injury plagued year Rafael - who could have possibly seen that coming with John wall and victor oladipo on the roster?
I still like Stone, I do, but there’s a reason why he doesn’t talk much. He’s not a good speaker. He’s riding a bit of a cold streak, but I still think he can be a good GM. I’m way more worried about Silas. Still, whatever, it is what it is...
