I like that this is a forward-looking thread. But I see no way in hell that Terrence Williams will ever have a meaningful career as a Rocket. He is just too dumb.
I'm sitting here howling at the screen in the middle of a coffee shop and getting dirty looks from people thanks to you.
haha... sorry about that. Seriously though, Aaron Gray was very good against the Lakers. We can use a guy like that.
Very well thought out post by the OP. The only thing I would truly disagree with would be doing everything you can to hang on to Kevin Martin. It's true that there are few scorers like him in the NBA, but I'm not convinced that the Rockets are simply one or two pieces away from being a contender. Martin will at least be pushing 30 by the time the Rockets are really getting things going in the right direction, and I'm also not going to bet that he stays as healthy as he did this past season. I'd look to sell high on him now.
Yeah let's move forward, but to where? To more of the same and another coach to blame and use a scapegoat for more failures? I wish we know where they are going, but to know that, we need to recognize their point of reference or a departure point. Sadly, their point of reference is four years of a revolving door of players and massive failure no matter how Morey's sweet talk will sugar coat it. It seems like the FO is looking for a coach who will emphasize "player development" and say yes to Morey and Les no matter how much he disagrees with them. Well, Morey and Les need to cover their behinds with the trade for the 2009 high lottery busts Thabeet, JHill and TWill. Good luck with making lemonade out of these other teams' discarded lemons. Onward the wagons! Forward HOOOO!
I like this thread, shows people have similar ideas to myself. I personally however would like to see very little drastic changes to the team for next season. I'd like all 4 guards to stay put, I can't see a better 2 guard for instant scoring than Martin and Lowry is going places. Dragic is a great backup as is Courtney Lee. Similarly, I can't see any reason to cut ties with Scola, sure it could bag us a better draft pick, but ultimately that leaves us another Rookie to develop in place of one of our more consistant players in the Paint (waayy underated.) In my opinion we should steer clear of the top-end players in teh 2011 free agency and work on developing what we've got in preparation for the 2012 free agency. My ideal team for next year would be: 1:Lowry, Dragic 2:Martin, Lee 3.Bud/Williams (primarily starting Bud, maybe switching if Williams can get his act together) 4:Scola, Pat 5alembert, Yao, Hayes, Thabeet (Possibly start Yao with reduced minutes, obviously at a pay-cut - I also feel uneasy with the thought of Yao in a different Jersey. Maybe keep Thabeet in the Vipers to give him some play-time. Use a fairly even minute distribution for the other three, no dominant centre role just use all 3 players strengths.) Then next year we can target some of the other Big Men in free agency. Obviously the dream would be to net Howard, but that's unlikely I think. However, If the Knicks persue Paul and step out of the Howard race the likelyhood of Howard going to LA increases, which might mean we had a shot at Bynum, which would be great. If Bynum couldn't be achieved, we can try and consolidate the 5 spot from our existing talent (and this year's draft picks) and maybe go for Gerald Wallace for decent D and slashing offence at the 3.
I like the OP, except that Turner won't be the coach. I'm happy with the names being bandied about for coach, so I feel that we'll end up with a pretty good one, even if he takes a year to get his act together.
It's good that you're forward looking, but your "untouchables" wishes will probably get shot down as hard as your Elston Turner wish. How is any player on the roster more valuable than Adelman?
I'm surprised at the Elston Turner news. Shocked actually. And considering the huge number of threads throughout the season from people pissed about Rick not playing and developing his young players I'm a little surprised at the overwhelming amount of venom for a GM that essentially decided it was time for a new coach for many of the same reasons. Whoever the coach turns out to be I am assuming that part of the criteria for a new coach is that he is willing to prioritize playing and developing the young talent as much as winning. I'm guessing I hope the Rockets go with a Bill Fitch type scenario like they did in the 80's when they brought him in for Ralph and Hakeem and to teach the team. The front office did not exactly have faith in Del Harris.
Two things. 1. If I have a 100 ideas about the direction I think the team should go I'm usually lucky if guess right once. particularly with Morey. 2. I acknowledged that there are no untouchables but Lowry, Martin and PPat were as close as it gets for me. A dominate Center is the hardest player to acquire and if I have a chance to get one by trading one of those three then I probably would.
Can't say I'm surprised. Turner's heard from Adelman details about loony Les. He don't want to work for a nutty owner. I'm not saying I think Les is nutty. Adelman thinks he's nutty.
One that will stabilize on a roster that wins 42 games a year??? I want a team that can content with for a title. Im sure Morey and Les love Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin just as much if not more than most fans in Houston. Morey never said anything about trading these mentioned players, he just stated that changes needed to be made, and they will look to make trades in the future to get where they need to be. How many times a day on this forum do fans make trade suggestions??? Seems to me like Morey is doing exactly what fans are wanting, trying to upgrade the team, and trying to compete for a title. Adelman is not willing to make big changes to his roster, and therefore this is not the team for him to coach.
