Awesome post. At some point, assets do need to be consolidated for something of similar value, even if it isn't "elite". Even though our entire roster now has value (pretty amazing feat), unless we have a 15 man rotation, we can't develop/showcase everyone. There is the human element of this. It might be in the team's interest to stack the roster with undervalued assets, waiting patiently. But an undervalued asset naturally expects to be paid what he is worth, and his career is short, he might not be able to be patient. Not that I have any better ideas, it's just damn hard to get elite talent without tanking and getting lucky in the draft.
Good realistic post. The team was already put in a position to win a championship with the Yao/Tmac era and for that, I am grateful. It is unfortunate for Yao's foot injuries and Tmac's heart problems that have us where we are today. We just need to get that superstar again. We already have good role players.
Just to add, the most likely way to get elite talent seems to be drafting it or completely gutting your roster to acquire it. Which is why the Knicks picks are so valuable. It allows you to get in the lottery without tanking. We should trade our assets for first round picks of teams we think might be in the lottery (notice how OkC acquired the Clippers future 1st round pick). That will allow us to draft elite talent rather than having to sell the farm.
The Clippers pick that OKC got is heavily protected, I've read. Also, no team is going to give the Rockets an unprotected pick unless something major is coming back. Even then, you'd be hard pressed to get to better than top-10 protection.
Just when I thought I posted some brilliant insight, you go and throw cold water on it. Can't argue with you though.
Sure, you can! :grin: Seriously, though, it's not a bad idea. We just need to hope that Isiah Thomas gets another GM gig soon.
Now that it appears the Rockets are out of race for Bosh... I hope the Rockets try to go all out for Granger as the other All Star level player and also for Tiago Splitter. I think Splitter is worth sending either Patterson/Hill + one of the NY picks. We know Splitter can play next to Scola. There's no mystery there. He'll be the closest thing to signing a starting C coming into/in his prime but for only the MLE or less. Lowry (S&T) + Hill/Patterson + Ariza + Taylor + NY pick + future Rockets 1st pick + filler for Granger + Ford/Dunleavy (whoever Pacers want to dump) Brooks, Ford/Dunleavy Martin Granger, Budinger Scola, Andersen Splitter, Yao
I'd really like to be in playoff contention this year, but I'm fine with going to battle with the team we have right now if it means we don't have to mortgage the future. Yao will be back (albeit probably not at an all star level), Martin will be here for the full year, Hill will be able to go through camp with the team, and now we have Patterson. I would still like to see Morey go after Joe Johnson as a plan be to Bosh (who should no longer be plan a at this point.)
I'm very glad that Rileydog is putting things in perspective. Great post once again. If we can't get a star,we must rebuild. The cap space created by 3 expiring contracts will be useful along with the picks for sure. I don't think signing Lowry will eat into it much,and Luis could be traded to a team which can absorb a medium sized contract for a pick or two,if Patterson and Hill pan out.
Rebuild? No, no, no. Just keep adding pieces, upgrading anything we can, any time we can. Sooner is better, but we're doing fine.
Adding pieces can be a part of the rebuilding process in my opinion. I'm not advocating giving up our young players and picks. Veterans are critical for success,but giving long term extensions to Battier and Scola will not get us to a championship unless we can get a star to replace Yao.
