LOL..... I seriously wonder how some of y'all actually function in the real world..... The level of just cope by just falling apart and declaring the Rockets to be the Hitler/Trump of the NBA is almost hilarious.
As an eternal optimist, I can envision most of these teams ending up behind the Rockets in three years for one reason or another individually. OKC is the main one where I can't envision it, at least not unless/until SGA's aging curve takes him down a tier. For San Antonio it would obviously just entail Wemby going the way of Ralph Sampson, and if that doesn't happen they have our number. Collectively... yeah, I think it's pretty unlikely we end up in the top 3 or 4 teams on this list, unless we have a major draft hit or one of the young guys far exceeds expectations.
Or we make another big trade with our assets. The NBA is pretty volatile. I get being disappointing by this season but people are seriously acting so stupidly depressed.
I don't trust Stone to make those decisions, full stop. I know you're higher on him. I think he's been OK at the draft when you consider the circumstances (nothing incredible) but he's been pretty bad at trades and free agency. He has been good at getting our young guys on reasonable extensions, probably the one area where he is better than the average GM. On balance, he is a middle of the pack GM at best.
That's why I am in favour of swinging for fences and bring in Kyrie/Mitchell/Giannis. We don't have a core that can compete. Waiting for that magical growth spurt is a waste of time.
We wasted this year. There was no significant development from any of our young players except Reed, who was getting his first opportunity to play meaningful minutes. If you're not moving forward then you're losing ground to someone else.
That's my only worry. Starting to fast track the rebuild instead growing slowly allowing the talent to carry the weight......when they are ready. Rockets need to keep drafting. BKN27, PHX27, PHX29, DAL29
Utah isn't going to pass us "quickly" fool.* That's one of the dumbest things I ever read. Go to bed. *because they're already ahead.
The OKC Thunder are the Trumps.......you got to have at least some game in this...... The Rockets are Karoline Leavitt and Marco Rubio.....
Yes, but they also need to be smart with their coaching, contracts, and roster construction. While this bias for muscling your way to victories might pile up wins during the regular season, it's not an effective way to win playoff games when everyone is going 100%. IMO they made a mistake doubling down on Ime and his philosophy. Will they follow suit by giving Amen and Tari massive paydays despite their limitations on offense? Look at what Silver has done - with the aprons and the new lottery odds, you can't buy a championship nor can you tank your way to contending. The system is now set up to reward the smartest people who not only get the big decisions right but who also win on the margins too. Do you think we have those kind of people already in place? I think you can kiss at least some of those picks goodbye. Does a team that trades for a 37-year old star strike you as patient? Do you think Stone would keep his job if we lose in the 1st round again? I think the Rockets are going to hit the gas, but I don't if they can actually drive.
I don't think we over estimated our talent at all... Over estimated our talent by signing them to 21% of the cap extensions? Franz, Banchero, and Suggs will be 25%, 25%, and 20% respectively for 5 year extensions. Evan Mobley is at 30% for 5 years. Jalen Williams 25% and Chet Holgren 25% for 5 years. If anything Stoney created a brief 2 year window that offers many ways to pivot out of and we've already gotten out of year 1.
Yeah man keeping KD is extremely important in stopping a team like Utah. When their players are 24-26 years old and KD is 43 it will be tantamount to keeping up with those guys.
