They are hoping Yao can still be that guy, but if not they'll keep searching. The main thing about the Rockets strategy is they try to keep their options open and they try to be as opportunistic as possible without taking on undue risk. When it doesn't work out, there will always be people that say its the wrong strategy. I still think the approach makes sense.
i just don't know what else you can do, frankly. it's probably why i come off as so pessimistic here...because about the Rox, I really am. not trying to be...that's certainly not my default setting.
I think our best chances to acquire our superstar is either by trade or free agency signing. We have all the assets to make a big trade, unfortunately many of us have grown extremely fond of the players other teams will want in a trade(Budinger, Hill, etc.) But all signs indicate that Morey is looking to make a move this year. Hopefully if no trade happens this season, we will get a big name in free agency, assuming Yao will take a significant pay cut. I definitely agree with you, DD, when you say that most superstars are "homegrown," but unfortunately the Rockets don't seem to have the patience to develop a first round pick. AB has done great, but you can't really expect the 26th overall pick, while it is a first rounder, to develop into a true superstar. It seems like the last time we actually focused on developing a young talent was with Yao. I know alot of people here are bitter about trading Rudy Gay, who we chose to deal for Battier because we wanted to win immediately. If the Rockets keep this "win now" mentality, I think the only real way for us to get that last piece of the puzzle is to pick up some established talent via trade or free agency.
holy batcrap, batman!!!!! geez, it was just a month or so back and you and i were going round and round about this, with you telling me i was being too pessimistic for saying EXACTLY what you just said.
I think what I was saying is "What choice do we have" but to hope for the best. Sometimes you and I are arguing when we are actually lock step in agreement. In regards to this, I am questioning whether this is a realistic strategy for future success....or just one to keep fans coming to the game and hoping things work out. There is a vast difference in hope vs planning...I think....does that make sense at all? DD
Rubio and Kanter would be the two players i'd be after. That would be a solid duo imo to build around both not even 20 years old yet. I'd also look into FA and see if we can make a move for Jeff Green or Greg Oden. If not resign Brooks and bring back Landry.
make sense? brutha, you're preaching to the choir at this point. i've been saying this same kinda thing for a while. how many times have you heard me say, "fool's gold?" i just don't know what else you do, other than intentionally tank to get a high lottery pick...and i don't want to see ANY TEAM do that.
Something like this would be ideal IMHO, heck if Yao shows he can still be a productive center then you can resign him for an affordable contract and still have the funds to add more role players. It might seem like we would have been stuck in mud for the last two years but rather doing that then waiting for the savior to be acquired.
so does anyone have any opinions on the "superstars" Amare and Bosh we were trying to acquire? like i posted earlier in this thread it looks like it would have been pretty terrible for this organization if we got either of those guys. further, it shows how bad morey has been with free agent acquisitions. has morey had one good free agent signing? i can only remember bad ones.
I think you get more aggressive in the draft, and take on some big money bad contracts like Elton Brands... And you take the cap hit for a year or two in order to come out as a better franchise with a legitimate shot at being a contender. Wouldn't that be a strategy to employ? I guess one of my points, is....are the Rockets REALLY taking the right path, or are they just milking Yao for money while hoping, versus actually trying to do everything they can to win..... I am questioning the overall team's strat........it just seems to be sort of a fake one.....or not one that a really smart guy like Morey would chose to take, a numbers guy knows the chances of getting a superstar through trade are really really low..... And he has to also be aware of Yao's situation, so are we really dealing with a franchise that is trying everything it can to win, or are we dealing with one that is hoping to win, while the actual focus is on $$$. DD
Suggested reading: There are principles that apply here that are true in virtually every type of organization. You can get so comfortable in being good, that you never commit to being great. Or...you can be distracted by something other than the pursuit of being great. And, of course, Mr. Alexander may define "great" in an entirely different way than we as fans would define it. We, as fans, my define it differently amongst ourselves.
is acquiring Amare a bad decision if it means Chris Paul is to follow? i think what da da (and me) are both saying (good lord, i can't believe i just said that) is that you have to have a superstar or at least a player that other players regard as a superstar...to attract a superstar. that seems to be the state of things.
Yes, the heart of my point, I know Les wants to win, but is his focus more about making $$$$ than it is about winning a championship. When I look at the overall strategy Morey has laid out, it just rings hallow, just one that is not likely to succeed. And that doesn't make sense, unless the real strat is to go along and HOPE you get lucky and a superstar shakes loose (a very rare occurance, btw). BTW - I am really enjoying this conversation. Mr. Clutch, we have the right to swap picks next year, and the knicks pick the following year that is top of the draft protected. So technically we only have one of their picks. DD
Interesting. Here is the "best business books" list that Morey has on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Business-Books/lm/974NQU60O5A5/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_full
i'm touching my nose and pointing at you. this is why i feel like the Rox are soooo far away. i hate that.
