I wonder why people are suggesting this NOW, when Yao is actually back and playing. Sure, it's for 24 minutes, but the plan is to bump it up.
No, no, I am agreeing with the thought that the team has not chosen a clear direction yet. I think you have a couple of choices, one to continue with Yao, and if that is the case, then they should have done the Philly deal and taken on Brand's contract, and hoped that Evan Turner is the Superstar you are looking for...or the other one would be to jettison him and try to get a Superstar here that can bring in other people that want to play with them. I personally would try to build through the draft....and work like hades to get fairly high picks etc... What would you do? DD
Please make up your mind. You've said several times that management should wait until after this season to make a decision on Yao, that there's no need to make drastic changes (like trading for a superstar) because we have a good team now. Stay the course, according to you. Don't trade Brooks, don't trade Bud, don't trade Scola! Now you're claiming management isn't making decisions quick enough. You're all over the place. What, exactly, are you endorsing? What decisions should they have made about Yao at this point, while the season is six games old? You're a complainer who presents no alternatives.
If that is what you are reading, I am not writing it clearly enough. What I am attempting to do is ask the board if they believe that there is a strategy in place to trade for a superstar and do you think it is a realistic scenario. I personally would not trade too many folks, and would try to go through the draft, try to get as many high picks as possible by absorbing other people's bad contracts. That being said it is not my money. DD
I haven't read the entirety of this thread, but it seems as though things either boil down to 1) trading for a superstar or 2) get high picks, and go into a semi-rebuild mode. The thing with trying to get high picks is, and I'm sure it has been said before, the pick might be a bust, plain and simple. John Wall and Blake Griffin are very solid rookies right now, but Greg Oden can't stay on the court, while Evan Turner isn't necessarily a bust, but isn't producing like he should. Granted, DD is probably saying high picks, between the 1-8 range, but even then, you have to wait for them to develop. Getting a superstar means you know what you're getting. You know what Carmelo brings. You know what Chris Paul brings. You know what Dwight Howard brings, etc. Both strategies are sound. If you're waiting for the player chosen with your high pick, that's great! He may turn out to be the MVP for years to come - or, he could in the D-league / out of the NBA in a few years. Plus, this might discourage fans from buying tickets UNTIL the player develops, and turns into a beast. Getting a superstar puts fans in the seats, and confidence in the current roster. However, if the team CONTINUES to lose, or does not do well in the playoffs, the superstar you have acquired may leave, putting the team in a state of mediocrity (one perhaps worse than if the high pick rookie in the above scenario doesn't pan out.) Either way, Morey's job really sucks - he is definitely at a crossroads right now. Do we stay the course? Or do we roll the dice?
I think that if the Rockets can demonstrate they are good without Yao (a nice-to-have role-player), stars may be willing to come to lead what's left of the Brooks-Martin-Scola-etc team. If our fortunes live and die with Yao, no one should want to come. Last season they acquitted themselves alright, but could have turned more heads by making the playoffs. The 0-5 start doesn't bode well for building the rep, but if they can turn it around quick, then maybe.
I love high draft picks too, but you know just as well as anyone that Morey's repeatedly tried to move up in the draft to no avail. Remember why trading for a superstar is difficult? It takes two to tango. The same applies for acquiring top picks. It's not even about the money. Lots of teams wanted Philly or Sacramento's picks. Lots of teams want to pry Rubio from Minny. They're just not selling.
I always felt that we wouldn't be able to attract a big name free agent because our best player is now "Mr. 24"...no star wants to play next to that if given the choice. The draft is probably our best route...hopefully we can pick up a guy w/ potential and groom him properly
I believe the Rox can grab their guy in the draft but they will need to take on an Elton Brand type contract to get it done. I wonder if Morey regrets not making a move with the Sixers for that #2 pick? Yao, Scola, Cousins and Brand on the front line would look mighty good right about now.
Agreed... and why would they? Why take on expiring contracts, a multitude of lower draft pics or talent that has signed their second contract when you could pay a guy that could be Kevin Durant 2.0 less than $5 Million a year for the next 4 seasons? Unfortunately for the Rockets, this isn't the NFL, where cash strapped franchises are forced to guarantee $50 million to the #1 pick and are therefore shopping the pick like their life depended on it. NBA players, especially top-of-the-draft talents, are an absolute bargain the way the system is set up. You want a high pick? Then either suck or tank... our only other way to the top of the draft is to trade for someone's future pick, ala Portland getting the Greg Oden pick, or Utah getting the Knicks #8 in this past year's draft. That requires a TON of luck though, because you're relying on your trade partner to be terrible (as well as a lottery). Usually, you don't trade a future, unprotected first round pick in exchange for established talent unless you're already a good team... a team that can "win now" and forgo their first rounder next year or two years from now... because it'll be a low pick anyway. This presurposes that Isiah Thomas is not the GM of your team, of course.
lakers picked up a pretty good player. celtics picked up two. none of the three were particularly renowned before being combined. we are just looking for a good combination. Yao and martin still may be that combo.
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. Im with you on that one...Although I question whether Utah trades him to the Rockets...plus I dont think Brooks is Sloan's type of PG....Bring Deron back to Texas where he belongs......Get er done MONEY I mean Morey
I honestly think that our best strategy would be to continue to stockpile assets. I would've never predicted Carmelo being unhappy with Denver before this past season. They spend a ton of money and are always contenders. Same with Chris Paul... he was practically the mayor of New Orleans like 14 months ago... TMac in Orlando? Randy Johnson or Ken Griffey in Seattle? Randy Moss during his first stint in Minnesota? It happens all the time in sports. Someone wants to get paid and we swoop in with a trade and pay them. Someone doesn't think their team is committed to winning and we swoop in with a 50-win team that's just missing that superstar. I believe it will happen...
If it were that easy DD , I think everyone would have success....How often does the T-Wolves or Warriors consume high draft picks??? and how did that sit and wait approach work out for them???? No amount of scouting will enable you to successfully continue to pick superstars in the draft...Nowadays its hit or miss with these youngstas especially European players...People fall in love with finding the next Nowitzski, that they are drafting future Darko's at an alarming rate recently....So using the draft to build your team takes time and for some too much damn time....ask Washington?....watch how long it takes them to become contenders?? Wall is great but it aint happening no time soon........And thats assuming he doesnt bolt in 3 yrs for big money and bright lights in LA (thats right you heard it here 1st)...
While many make the point that super stars are not attracted to Houston at this time, their are players that are in difficult situations either with their team, their coach, their owner, or just cant stand the town they are in. The point is, Houston may not be at the top in regards to teams ready to go all the way. But Houston certainly has more up side than many teams. This said, prying away somebody isnt so far fetched or unlikely as some would have us think. Although Morey has shown himself to be very good at drafts, I think better bargains may be out there sitting on another team.
DD: Morey's plan to acquire dragons is totally unrealistc, we should go after some unicorns instead!!!
I understand this thinking, but in those situations there are 30 other teams competing for that same player. In a draft, you have your slot, and you can minimize the risks by choosing a player you have scouted etc. Maybe it will work, maybe this "Trade for a superstar" strategy is the right way to go about it. It just seems a bit odd that a guy as smart as Morey would take the riskiest path possible. DD
It is difficult but using draft is still the best way to build a team. Other strategies are not even close.
the difference is that starting 5 had defense at every position except SG. they were primarily a defensive ball club....we can't just accquire iggy, keep scola, martin, and brooks as poor defenders and think we can take on a similar identity to those Pistons. i think our best (most realistic) path is to go with great offense and solid defense, rather than great defense and solid offense.
