Gang, I know that Morey has done a good job of rebuilding the roster, check that a GREAT job. However, I see a lot of people out there pining for us to make a move for a Superstar player, and that Morey needs to be doing that now...etc..etc..etc... I just don't believe that is a good strategy. Superstar players decide where they get to play themselves, and right now we are not even on the menu. So, my question to the board is, why are we thinking that DM can pull it off? And is it the right strategy? Most Superstars are drafted, or traded for during the draft and are developed by their teams. Shouldn't we be trying to get a Superstar in the draft, or get higher draft picks rather than simply going along hoping that one will break free, and more importantly WANT to come to Houston? Are we spoiled in thinking that is actually a possibility? I personally do not believe that there is a Superstar to be had, and any that might be had...CP3, maybe Melo, do not want to come to Houston anyway. So where does that leave the overall strategy? And why is DM talking about it in the press? Doesn't that tell everyone else in the league that you are trying to trade for one, and more importantly doesn't it tell your players you don't believe in them? I am flumoxed about this, I just don't think it can possibly be the organizations strategy, can it? Morey is too smart to really have that as a strategy in that it's chance of success is really low. So, where does the organization go at this point? Trade AB - ok, for whom? Trade Yao - same ... Trade anyone - same... I think we are whom we are, and all that might happen in a trade is that you pick up a good player like Kevin Martin, but you have to give up a good player like Landry to get one. And while that might make you slightly better, it is not going to get you that "Superstar" that everyone really wants... Sorry for the ramble, but I just have a hard time believing that is the actual strategy, because I don't think it is a successful one to try.....it is way too risky and more than likely going to fail. So, if that is not the strategy, what really is???? DD
I think it is pretty clear Morey is going to trade for the first superstar he can get his hands on. While he may have reservations about overpaying, I think the longer it takes for one to become available, the more willing to overpay he might become.
Keep tanking for 3 years, keep drafting and drafting..... That's the only way that Rockets can see a light.
Kind of a rhetorical question -- it isn't so much a strategy as just common sense employed by every single other franchise in the NBA. Almost every team is looking to acquire a superstar -- it isn't "stupid" or a "bad strategy" just because the likelihood of acquiring one is slim. I can't tell if you're arguing it's a bad strategy or that it's just not a realistic possibility this week (because in the NBA, things can change rather quickly).
History shows that you generally need elite talent to win championships. The Rockets have a collection of some really good players, but they don't have that elite talent. What the Rockets are doing is keeping their bases covered. They can be competitive with the team they have right now, and maybe even win a playoff series. But they are also being vigilant in looking for that talent upgrade. If you add a true superstar to the team, then that significantly increases your chances of moving into the upper-echelon for a few reasons. In close 4th quarters, you have a reliable option you can go to. It gives your team more structure in key offensive moments. Also, its easier to attract free agents to your team at bargain prices if you have a big name (see Miami, LA, SAS).
The problem for me larsv8, is that there are 31 other teams that will be trying to trade for player X...if he becomes available, and that is not even considering that player X is going to have a big voice in where he gets traded to.... I just don't think that the team really has that as a strategy, it is one of ultimate failure, because there are so few superstars, and so few of them come available to trade for and when they do, everyone is in the mix to get them..... It is like picking one number in Roulette, the chances of being successful are razor thin. Shouldn't we be trying to get one in the draft? Taking a shot at a higher pick, rather than acquiring assets in hopes that we can fight the league off in a trade for player X. I don't know, if you look at it as an overall strategy, it just doesn't hold up. There are no Superstar organization changing players out there, to be had.....that WANT to come here. I just think the strategy itself is seriously flawed, if that is indeed the actual strategy. DD
I think it sincerely is Morey's strategy. If this is not a good strategy, then you're wrong about Morey doing a good job with this roster -- he would, in fact, have done a terrible job. He's built a team good enough to never get a star in the draft but not good enough to win a championship. If he can't trade for a star, he's hamstrung the franchise for years. His last organization, the Celtics, followed this same strategy and it worked well for them. Franchise players do pop loose. That's how we got McGrady. I think it can work. With a clean slate, I probably would have tanked to get my franchise player in the draft first. But, Morey didn't start with a clean slate -- he started with Yao. So, this approach is probably the next best thing. (Though he passed on a unique opportunity to tank last year.)
If worst comes to worst Morey will try to move up in the draft. I don't think Morey has anybody on his radar who is a 'superstar' Paul and Anthony are the only 2 out there and neither want to play in Houston. If a move is made i can see more cap room possibly and taking a shot at a FA like Oden possibly or even bring back Landry. Oden has been injured every year since high school. When it's all said and done i think we make a move or two for more cap room and make a move to move up in the draft.
Ok, assuming that is true, and I have doubts as you know, then how should the team go about acquiring that ELITE talent? Most teams get it through the draft, very few get it in trade. Again, I get all that, but as an overall strategy, does that work? Being competitive and hoping to make a trade, does that work as a strategy, how has it been historically? Don't most teams win with their superstars aquired in the draft? DD
What is the alternative strategy? Build up a roster that can compete with lots of really good players? It seems to me the Rockets have been pursuing that strategy as well. Like I said, they are keeping their bases covered.
There is no superstar strategy. All Morey has ever said was that he will try to improve the team, in any way possible. A novel concept for a GM. Now from that place, getting a superstar would certainly help.
trade em' all for draft picks. We are rebuilding anyways and we might get lucky and draft a Superstar. That's how you get them anyways.
This is true Juan, the Celtics did make that work. The point is, how often does it work? And we don't have a Paul Pierce (developed through the draft) and Rajon Rondo (draft) to attract a Ray Allen and Kevin Garnet. So to me, doesn't it mean that you need to get lucky in the draft, or take some big swings in the draft on players with large upside? It seems like the strategy is one of continued mediocrity and hope, more than an actual startegy. Draft picks and lots of them, move up in the draft, do what it takes to acquire that very high pick. This year, Morey said the price for Evan Turner was too high....but to me, that is what you have to do to get a Superstar player. I just don't believe that Superstar players fall into your lap very often, and that says, you are perpetually in a holding pattern. I am not sure it is better, but historically I guess it happens more often. I would trade for higher draft picks, absorb the Elton Brand's contract to take a big swing in the draft. At least that to me, has a greater chance of success than hoping, that a superstar shakes loose. DD
The strategy is ideal but the problem that has arisen is that none are left. Who can he get... Chris Paul - Probably going to with either Melo and/or Amar'e Melo - Going to NY, NJ or Chicago(maybe), move on people. Who's left? My darkhorse is Deron Williams, Utah is struggling a bit and just don't think they have the guns to get past the 1st rd. He has already complained about losing talent for financial reasons and if they don't contend soon, he might be ready to move on. I love the idea Clutch brought up last night about looking into Jeff Green and/or James Harden. I think the Thunder need a low post presence and might be willing to move certain pieces to get that done.
Yeah, Clutch was nails on that take, and those are the kind of guys that I think the team should be targeting. Young guys with lots of upside, that may be stuck in situatons where they are not getting enough opportunity, though I would not go for Green, but Harden is interesting. DD
And taking big swings in the draft IS an actual strategy, not predicated on continued mediocrity and hope? Every lottery team says, "Hi!". Why is this even a discussion anyways? We are a championship contender. NOW. Remember?
There is no doubt that both require a bit of luck, but in one you control the situation by making the pick in the other you are hoping to be able to get another team to accept your offer...check that, another team and the player too..... Seems to be a much more difficult proposition. And Yao Ming's situation is a massive anchor on any of that, and probably will be forever.... So, are we just going to have to wait for Yao to retire before we go back to taking a big swing at the dish? DD
If we don't get a star by the end of this season, I would explore overpaying a bit to move up in the draft and getting a stud, letting him develop with our young guys and basically build around him. Of course, all this is assuming we don't hit the jackpot with the Knick's swap.
