Given the paths available, it is probably much easier to repair our locker-room and keep trying with the current Big 3 than it is to blow it up and get back to this point with a new roster. I think the wise course is to stick by our guys and try to make it work until the 2010 offseason. But, I do have to say the most fun I've had in the last decade was watching our rebuilding teams. If we blow it up, it won't be so bad.
i just think there are teams always in rebuilding mode and then others who can quickly turn it around...usually its because of an amazingly lucky trade or because they drafted an elite player who became an impact right away. if anyone thinks they can build through FA is just silly. The last time a real franchise player left a team through free agency I can think of was Shaq. All-star players have switched teams through FAs but real franchise players. And gone are those days because of the new CBA that are in place i think that year the lakers were actually able to offer almost the same amount as the Magic were able to for Shaq. the rockets do not have a history of being "lucky" whether or not its the league who helps them out (maybe stern had a hand in that shaq signing, getting gasol to the lakers, celtics back on top etc) or on their own. Trying to land a 2010 guy i dont see happening I would rather have them try to get a guy in this offseason or 2011.
lol funny how it was so long ago and the pain that he has caused the rockets sometimes with his shooting but who did we trade to get him?
mike james was traded for him. After Bobby Sura had that surgery for his back/knee CD had to trade for a more "traditional" pg since he knew that James could not be a distributing PG. funny thing was I think Rafer was injured for like the first 15 games of the season too.
At least with Steve Patterson it was slowly building the team Kenny Then Maxwell then Herrera then Horry then Cassell and Elie slowly add and build a team with some chemistry Les Alexander, you better give Steve P his ring. that was his team that won you a title!
I blame Matt Maloney and Les Alexander. 1) If you have your best game ever, you don't go out and get a haircut. 2) When you win the title, you don't change the uniforms. EOS
I think one of the most important questions management needs to ask themselves is this. If we blow it up and build around yao, can we be competitive until the lotto pick or picks come around? They also needs to ask, how long can Yao be a good player before he's a big z clone? If they can't give a honest evaluation and answer those questions, they need to dump him also and get players and picks.
I think there is enough talent on this roster to make positive changes without rebuilding. Outside of McGrady the team consistently works hard. Just look at the games where McGrady is out for proof. The biggest problem for this team is the lack of a true leader on the court and the lack of an offensive threat from the perimeter (although Wafer is decent). Landing a good PG can solve both of those issues. I trust Morey can find a way to move a combination of players including McGrady and/or Ron with maybe Shane or even Landry in order to land a first or second tier PG. This team has plenty of talent it just needs a leader and an identity. Right now the leader is McGrady (that comes with the talent and the paycheck) and the identity of the team is one of being confused and frustrated. That can all change if Morey has one more trick up his sleeve.
Any owner will take Yao and not because of his skills.... Because of marketing and money.... That's the main reason Les will never let him go. Yao can suck from here on and Les want let him go...
#1 I tend to agree. To those not familiar with how Red Auerbach got Bill Russell Winning over money. The Yao effect still gets Luis Scola a shoe contract with Anta, but its not like it used to be. #2, compared to the rest of the league the Rockets dont really have a revolving door of coaches. I remember Van Gundy at the current time he was let go was tied for 3rd in the league behind Jerry Sloan & Gregg Popovich in coaching tenure with 1 team (only 4 years, thats wild. Pat Riley & Phil Jackson didnt count cuz they left and came back). I agree, have some continuity and dont have change for the sake of change. Be honest and retool if it doesnt work. For this team I'm not for straight up rebuilding. Its NOT that bad yet.
Yao has marketing value because he's good. You can't be a marketing dream if you suck ... just ask Yi and Wang Zhizhi. Les won't never let him go? What makes you think he is the only one with a choice? Les may need to trade Yao so not to lose him for nothing.
