Rockets Sign Cousin, Blakely: A Brief Explanation
by Tom Martin on Apr 12, 2011 2:34 PM CDT
in Player Analysis
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PrintI don't think the Houston Rockets see Marcus Cousin or Marqus Blakely as key pieces to their rebuilding project. Instead, they likely saw two players who showed flashes of potential, leading GM Daryl Morey to say to himself, "Why not?"
Cousin and Blakely are currently on the roster for less-than-inspiring reasons. Hasheem Thabeet in no way deserves NBA playing time at this point, and Mike Harris, realizing how little chance he had at receiving playing time, apparently chose not to re-sign with the Rockets. So, to fill the gaps, the Rockets took on the polished, yet slightly unathletic Cousin and the explosive and high-flying yet positionally challenged Blakely.
Barring a stellar offseason, Cousin will play for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers next year, as too will Blakely, assuming the Rockets choose to assign him to their own affiliate, seeing as they called Blakely up from the Iowa Energy. Each contract is non-guaranteed over three years, meaning that the Rockets can cut their losses when they choose or instead decide to pay up and hope that something good comes of it.
From an outsider's perspective, it appears that while the Rockets are still active as ever in their pursuit of top-tier talent, they're not about to abandon the developmental strategy. This, undoubtedly, is a wise move. Once again, if the money is there, why not?
*(For scouting reports on Cousin and Blakely, please go to Ridiculous Upside, because I am lazy).
** (No word yet as to whether or not Rick Adelman has any clue that these moves have been made. Or if he is aware of Marcus or Marqus' existence. Or if he is aware that Terrence Williams is indeed alive.)
*** (Does anyone still care about Jordan Hill?)
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I'm a whisky drinker.
Never been one to take to Tequila. I think I just enjoy not having the worst head-aches ever.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Ya'll are drinking some cheap tequila then.
As with other things ingested, you should go top shelf whenever possible – there is a distinct difference in quality. Not just with regard to smoothness, taste, or character but how it affects your body too.
by Nobody is Better Than Jordan on Apr 12, 2011 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Nah, I've been all over the Tequila shelves.
It just hits like a truck to me. Before I got sick off it a while ago gin was my first option and that usually hits people like a sack of bricks.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Ive been drinking alot more tequila lately
it messes me up in a way vodka never could.
And it doesnt take much to really make a hit…
See, Tequila is devil water.
Give me good downhome European liquors and I’m happy.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Question(s)
Can any team call up any player they want and assign them to their designated D-League team? Doesn’t this give the Rockets an unfair advantage in stacking the Vipers? Are the only players not up for grabs the ones that were drafted and have retained rights by that team?
All right, later dudes. S you in your A’s, don’t wear a C, and J all over your B’s.
by hornedfrogrocket on Apr 12, 2011 3:03 PM CDT reply actions
These aren't call-ups
they were given 3 year contracts, although non-guarenteed. These players didn’t have to agree to the terms of the contracts. But with Houston’s ever changing roster and assuming it will be changing more this offseason, these players’ agents see Houston as an opportunity to stick. Although it’s speculation but more than likely true, Houston will tie up it’s money this offseason in re-signing Chuck, Yao, and/or a FA. That means that D-League caliber players with minumum NBA contracts (see Miami Heat last summer and their roster moves) have a great opportunity to as I said earlier “stick” to the franchise, not their D-League affiliate. There are traveling insurance salesmen and women who travel better than D-League teams, and just as much as these players want an opportunity, the prestige of being with/traveling with an NBA team is considered a major upgrade.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Thanks for clearing some of that up, but...
So basically, you’re allowed to sign players to non-guaranteed contracts and put them on your own D-League affiliated teams? I mean.. why is no one else taking as much advantage of this as we are? These players obviously have huge (possibly) potential, so why is no one else signing these guys? These questions probably cannot be answered but I feel compelled to ask why.
All right, later dudes. S you in your A’s, don’t wear a C, and J all over your B’s.
by hornedfrogrocket on Apr 12, 2011 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Here's the thing... No teams own these players rights
Cousin and Blakely weren’t drafted, so consider them free agent minor league rookies. It’s like if me or you wanted to go to a tryout for the Austin Toros this year, and management liked what they saw and paid you a miniscule contract and stay with the team. What teams usually do, is call up players for 10 day contracts and this happens mostly because of injury or poor teams wanting to see any potential. And like I said before, these players do not have to sign the contracts. But here’s the thing, once they do, they have rookie status in the NBA. This means that if they were to stick around in the league, their next contract would have to be either a third/fourth/veteran minumum, even if the Rockets choose to release the player. Why don’t other teams sign these guys to minumum contracts? They can, but you’re only given so many roster spots. I would say you never want players with NBA contracts playing for your D-League affiliate. But in this case, take for example DeMarre Carroll. The Rockets feel that Blakely could be just as much if not more valuable than, DC, so they can sign an un-drafted rookie for a hel of a lot cheaper than DeMarre’s contract. The Miami Heat kind of did the same thing last year “shedding payroll” to make room for free agents. Then to fill out the roster, they signed guys like Juwan Howard, Jamal Magloire, and Erik Dampier for the league minumum around 850k, as well as Dexter Pittman with a rookie contract for about 500k. So there’s like 4 roster spots for 2.1 million. Now the NBA actually frowns upon this, and there’s exceptions like the mid-level exception out there for veterans who are good enough but teams don’t want to over-spend. Remember when Josh Childress now with the Suns went to play over-seas?
So like I said before, the Blakely move makes sense if you release Carroll. As for the Cousin move, it would be my dream come true if they cut ties and release Hasheem, but they would have to pay him to leave but his payroll would be off the books. But moving forward to this summer and signing a possible C, wouldn’t you rather have a guy with upside making around 500k(Cousin) than 5 Million (Thabeet)??
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
If you're a rebuilding team and you have a guy who was good enough to get drafted that high
I say you take a shot with the guy who has extraordinary length by NBA standards and that you’re already working with. He has an oddly efficient offensive game and has defensive propensity and a flare for it that most players don’t. I’d rather take a guy that had the chutzpah to get drafted rather than pin my hopes on a random undrafted player. Random undrafted players tend to be one dimensional role players as it is (Chuck, for all his improvement is a spot minute defensive specialist, Ben Wallace, defensive specialist).
TDS's resident dickhead.
I just think it's bad timing more than anything with HT and this organization.
Also, the more I think about it and I know this isn’t the proper post, but Adelman used Brad Miller and his 3 yr deal like hey I’m pregnant, you have to keep me around. Nevertheless, it’s going to be very interesting to see what happens.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
I think that's the best explanation of the Miller deal in the history of forever.
Granted before Yao went down, it was a smart signing, afterwards though, horrible.
My thing with Thabeet, rather than plucking things from the D-League and praying you can field a viable team shopping at Salvation Army and the Bargain Bin, you need to spend and gamble. Thabeet is a big gamble and my opinion is that it will pay off. He’s responding extraordinarily well to coaching.
TDS's resident dickhead.
The 3rd year on that is a team option though
So we probably will only see him with us next season whenever that is going to start.
by Rockets4LIFE on Apr 13, 2011 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
The guy has no offensive talent
Thabeet is clueless. He has natural talents but never had to work hard to shine. Now in the big leagues he is outclassed. He is a work in progress.
One never pins hopes on an undrafted player. That is why it is called the Development League. You grab talent and see if it will work. Since the Vipers also run Adelman’s offense, it is a good deal.
by mjdinhouston on Apr 16, 2011 8:22 AM CDT up reply actions
it's just frustrating
There is a long history in the NBA of centers and point guards taking longer to “develop” than shooting guards and swingmen. Since there are no Shaquille O’Neals, Hakeems or Dwight Howards to be plucked from obscurity, we need to develop the young players we have or can easily acquire.
For all we know… Jordan Hill is the next Jermaine O’Neal.
Hasheem Thabeet could be the next Mutombo (also an offensively challenged tall guy who had positioning issues leaving college).
Patrick Patterson could be the next David West.
Terrence Williams could be the next Ron Artest.
……. all of these comparisons have validity since it took those other guys time to develop, too – but they only got the chance from seeing real, meaningful NBA minutes in real, actual games.
…….. but Adelman is so stubborn in his rotations – even when there are NO PLAYOFFS to chase that my head explodes from the lack of logic. I bet Morey feels the same way from time to time – he brings in players and Rick just ignores him.
by grungedave on Apr 12, 2011 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Amen Brotha
Hater's Better Kiss My A** & Call It Sweet!
by TheBookOfOlu on Apr 12, 2011 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
All of those comparisons are spot on.
Can I just call this one of the best posts I’ve read on here in quite some time?
I would like to add on Thabeet, he’s showing a surprising efficiency on offense. I’m seeing 100% shooting nights out of the kid and I’m floored since no one ever really expected/saw it in him.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I rarely agree with Grunge....
But here I have to admit he’s right about Adelman appearing deliberately douchy with the rotations.
…Yeah, I know he wasn’t supposed to coach a developing team, whatever. He just seems to be doing this now out of spite.
by Nobody is Better Than Jordan on Apr 12, 2011 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Everyone complains when players appear to be selfish
But ignore when the coaches do the same thing.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
maybe true,
but then we’d be the 3-seed in the Western conference and griping about Patterson’s development would be the last thing on anyone’s mind.
Not Saying No Name
But A Certian someone Be Hating On Jorden Hill & Other Rockers Players….And They Say There Rockets Fan? Really Coulda Fooled Me!
Hater's Better Kiss My A** & Call It Sweet!
You know personally.
I think everyone is thinking of HT wrong.
I have a feeling he has a little more Yao in him than Mutumbo.
The boy can put the ball into the hoop pretty efficiently.
Has some pretty slick footwork and a semi decent shot close to the rim.
I see him becoming an adequate defender who plugs the lane a bit, and scores at a moderate yet efficient rate.
A 12/10 kinda guy who is a serviceable option.
But he was in the D-League and that means he sucks, right?
He is a bust and will never be good because you come into the league what you will always be. We all know players don’t develop.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
Thanks that comment really provided something
Actually no. Not really. It really didnt.
Im in the HT is likely to be a bust. Its hard to really argue that he looks like anything else at this point.
I know how big men take time to develop and memphis sucked at PD.
He was stuck behind 2 really good big men.
I dont even care about him being the number 2 pick.
At best im giving what I think you could project him as at this point.
I would love to eat crow.
When you realize you've made a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat crow while it's still warm.
The content of the text above is provided for information purposes only. No claim is made as to the accuracy or authenticity of the content. The troll does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) which is provided in the text above.
haha I agree with all that has been said...IDK what's gonna happen...
so much talent and young prospects…Now I am starting to believe we need a new, younger coach…unless we score big in the draft or FA
ROCKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick is still good choice
I think you have to look at the whole coaching staff as a team. By using the D-League and other guys working on skills and development of the young prospects this does not all fall on Rick. As they get to a certain level Then they get the limited minutes such as Patrick did. If they are proving themselves they get playing time. If not they get more work. This is the way to rebuild and be competitive at the same time. I still believe that players need to EARN playing time and by mixing them with veterans is the best way to develop players. If you just play a bunch of young players because they have potential the player may develop quicker but the team develops slower. Basketball is about the TEAM 1st.
And better players makes a better team.
Rick is not a good choice for a rebuilding team as I have discussed ad nauseum here. The issue at hand is since Rick will not play the young players when there is no reason not to (No playoffs, no standing changes, drafting at 14 regardless) how can you feel confident about him as a rebuilding coach? Another point that has been consistently raised is if the only way he plays young players is when it’s practically compulsory, what makes you think he would play the youth out on his own to develop them?
The classic example, Rudy Gay. Had he stayed in Houston he wouldn’t be half of what he is now because in Houston he would have been tethered to the bench for quite some time. Memphis threw him in the fire and he hardened and became the scorer he is today. For all we know we could have a great squad sitting on the bench if they saw consistent minutes to develop.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Sorry for the break in posts here but competitive for what?
The last place seed in the West with a worst draft position and a prolonged waste of a post season? I’m sorry but there is no game changer walking through the door to bail us out. I was talking to a friend yesterday who doesn’t even watch basketball and he kept asking me the same questions that I ask of people who want to compete. The only bright way to do it is to draft, build, and indoctrinate these kids to play Rockets ball since free agents don’t want to come to Houston. When you say compete, I want to compete for a title, not for the bottom two playoff seeds to get knocked out.
There’s a fundamental problem when your team relies heavily on trades and free agency. First, you need to recognize that landing a big name player is extremely difficult. Second, you have to acknowledge that Houston is the primo destination for free agents. If you draft a player and build him and give him an opportunity, he’ll reflect that loyalty (See: Ming, Yao and Hayes, Chuck). You can’t build a team off of mercenaries and hope they stick around (FA and trade players).
TDS's resident dickhead.
The NO CHANCE at play-offs just happed a couple of games ago
The SLIM to NONE has been there for a while. I still think you do everything to make it till its over. That said I do not support ALL of Rick’s method. I too would like to see more of the young players here at the end, especiallly more Hill, Patrick, Dragic, Thabeet and (if he is really not injured )T-Will. We ARE seeing more Dragic and Patrick has started a couple. We all know Scola and Lowry would be playing if we were in the hunt.
I really hate seeing Miller playing but I do understand it IF the reason is to help teach the younger players. I stiil wish he did it from the bench.
I agree with most of your post because you give real insight and look at things in a realistic way. I just think you do not give Rick enough credit for the development he has done. Patrick is a prime example. They sent him to the D-League. I assume he showed some improvement in practice. Then he got some very limited playing time. He looked good in that time. Then he got more playing time. This way does not work for ALL players. Just because it does not work for ALL players does not mean it does not work.
I do give Rick credit, I think people give Rick too much credit.
When it comes to development not a single young player on this roster was one he willingly played. When we talk about guys like Patterson it took an entire offseason, injuries to three players, and then he got to see limited minutes. That’s being asked to scale Everest just for him to give you the time of day. I never dispute that this players got some time but the problem I have is the way in which they got it.
Dragic and Patterson are starting but logging blowout games with 40 minutes under their belt must have finally gotten to Lowry and Scola. To me, there were a lot of opportunities to integrate young players with vets and get exposure all around and Rick went pretty hard in to purely playing Vets. He is reluctant to play any youth until it’s almost compulsory.
TDS's resident dickhead.
be realistic
It took Kyle Lowry playing out of his goddamned mind for the Rockets to even sniff the playoffs. And even then, getting the 8 seed really isn’t something to be backslapping each other about.
I tend to be an all or nothing guy when it comes to sports… if you’re not first you’re last. No one remembers who the 8 seed was. With that in mind, Adelman should have been playing extended minutes for EVERY new player on the roster. If someone played himself out of the rotation that’s one thing, but you have to give the younger, talented players legitimate opportunities. You just have to.
I do not claim to know what is going on behind the scenes (and I don’t want to know) but there is no way Morey is happy about supplying Adelman all sorts of new weapons and then seeing them left on the sidelines untouched. That’s indirectly insulting.
Looking at how the season has turned out
would you rather lose with veterans or evaluate your talent and get a good idea as to what you’ve got? I’d rather play the young guys and if they can’t break out, then you don’t lose much. If anything if it backfires you get a better draft spot and can draft an impact player rather than 14th.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Every team and situation has it's own bibliographies and footnotes...
This is an extremely unique situation in Houston. You can talk about rebuilding through development and draft like most teams… But here’s something you have to look at. This franchise has been butt-****ed by injuries to high contract guys. Since 2004, this team hasn’t had a lot of flexibilty with their payroll. Teams who are paying someone 18 million to miss seasons don’t have the luxury to do that as much as teams like OKC has had.
Also, this offseason is going to be very unique. Teams are going to look to dump payroll in a big way. While a superstar isn’t going to fall in your lap more than likely through free agency, Al Jefferson, Okafor, David Lee are guys who could be moved because of the situation of their franchise.
And finally, here’s the thing about Adelman. Since coming into the league, he’s never really dealt with a rebuilding team. Arguably his time in Golden State, but not really. He came to Portand in ‘89, the next season they were in the Finals against Jordan. And here’s the underlying aspect of Adelman. Everything he does is calculated. He’s had a lot of sucess and I guess this season scrutiny. The TWill situation…. His thought process is if I play this guy and he committs several turnovers and we lose, I’m going to be the fall guy for it. Or I could just give all thsoe minutes to Buddinger and let him develop and I won’t catch shit for it because he’s responded well so far with playing time. I’m not going to say he’s a conservative, but he’s done this for over 20 years. And now you expect him to change his ways for a 7’3" who’s not NBA ready and for a guy who’s shown bad character? I know part of a coaches duty is development, but it’s like your wife telling you after 20 years oh by the way I want kids.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
You cite injuries like that's a reason to not rebuild or do anything intelligent.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but injuries or not this franchise easily could have gone ahead and went the rebuilding route. Morey proved you can shed salary on a highly paid guy who doesn’t get out on the floor when he shipped McGrady out. Injuries suck but they’re part of the game. Relying on those to explain why your team isn’t doing anything intelligent or taking a definite direction is just manufacturing excuses to embrace mediocrity. Roster moves happen to accommodate these things. OKC/Seattle did that. Houston has tacked on payroll and picked up bargain basement players and tells the fanbase “low risk high reward!” That’s not the case. It’s no risk, no reward, no result.
When you mention teams looking to dump payroll in a big way I guess my first question is how did you get a seat at the negotiating table for the CBA. That or when did you gain the powers of clairvoyance. Last I checked the terms were not hammered out yet and there is no definitive cap number nor is there even an understanding as to whether or not if a hard cap goes into place will players and clubs get to renegotiate contracts? So please, do tell where you got this inside track information that forms a major crux of your outlook. I would love to be privvy to this.
As far as your Adelman discussion, he’s had luck but your undoing comes in when you mention he’s never had a rebuilding team. People make a lot of his win percentage in Houston and such but no one admits that he came in with more talent at his disposal than any other coach in Houston’s history. If you hand me the keys to a bugatti veyron I can be one of the fastest drivers you’ve ever seen, no? Adelman is generally handed the keys to a fast car rather than building one up from the chassis.
Your argument, again, hinges on your psychic powers, which I wish I had. You claim to know exactly what Rick’s thought process is and why. I do not claim to have this power and I just see a situation with a team that isn’t going anywhere this season with guys who should get exposed to the NBA game in situations where the results don’t matter. Your standpoint also does a good job of ignoring the commonly accepted maxim that young players make mistakes. Turnovers will happen and sometimes you will get frustrated, but these are called growing pains. Apparently no one in the Rockets organization would be able to comprehend that. Please, let me know what Adelman thinks of this, buffalo wings, and the best place to shop for a suit in Houston.
TDS's resident dickhead.
First of all....
this isn’t about abortion or spending. This also isn’t about head injuries and financed stadiums. There is going to be a deal done, there more than likely will not be game missed, and GMs and owners have an idea of what the new cap is going to be, if not they don’t deserve to have their respective jobs. Like major league baseball, the NBA is full of hypocrisy. As much as you can bitch about steroids and performance enhancing drugs, you can argue just as much that McGwire, Sosa, and Bonds saved baseball. As much as you can bitch about LeBron and the “decision” and superstars holding out to be free agents… ratings, money, popularity, NBA Brand has sky-rocketed this season. The discrepencies between the two sides are too small for any extended lockout.
Getting back to Rick, why should the guy become something he’s not for a franchise who has shown zero interest in retaining him. Put me in his shoes, I would be trying to win more than playing trade pieces.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
and as far as my powers of clairvoyance...
actually it’s simple economics. Franchises in bad shape, losing money, or in the process of selling the franchise dump salaries.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
The only franchises possibly selling are Detroit and New Orleans.
If you’re looking to sell you retain a reason to buy (Chris Paul, in Detroit’s case… I assume their mascot must be famous). Utah isn’t looking to sell nor losing money and Golden State sold for the most any franchise has in NBA history and they consistently sell out their home crowd, they’re not in bad shape. Okafor is the only guy fathomably available but with the Hornets making the playoffs this season it lessens the likelihood of his departure because again, no one will buy a hollowed piece of crap.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Not entire sure where you were going with mentioning abortions and spending as the government lockout is unrelated.
No one knows the terms of the CBA because there are two sides negotiating with different viewpoints. There are too many possible combinations of outcomes to figure anything out. You say there’s too small a discrepancy but what current reports are saying that this looks to be heading into worse territory than the NFL Lockout.
As far as Rick, what he’s doing clearly wasn’t working so where does he get personal blame for not experimenting with the toys he’s been given to work with? If I were losing games at an alarming clip I’d go ahead and use new methods since my usual ones aren’t working.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I will say it like this...
unlike the NFL, if there’s a stoppage in the NBA, there’s a very good chance that the association could dissipate because of it’s popularity and opportunities world-wide.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
I assume this is the winner of the obvious award for the day
that leagues have a vested interest in continuing because it keeps people interested and keeps the sport popular.
TDS's resident dickhead.
No
because there are hundreds of teams in several different leagues all over the world where an NBA player can make a living UNLIKE THE NFL. It’s like I’m talking to 2 yr old sometimes.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Don't get cheeky with the insults.
Most NFL players have other endeavors and are not single sport athletes. Think before you spew BS and expect people to accept it as fact.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Not sure what you're getting at.
There will be a professional basketball league in the US that will have most of the world’s best players. Just like there will be a football league in the same position. NBA players, as a whole, won’t go overseas to play.
It’s theoretically conceivable that players would try to start their own league in the US, but exceedingly unlikely, and the same would apply for football as well.
Basketball isn’t soccer. The players want to play here, and there isn’t enough money for all of them overseas.
Put down the pipe dude.. There's not going to be a replacement
league in the NBA. Although I would love to see if Keanu Reeves could play the point, and Gene Hackman looks the part or an NBA coach, he could probably play Adelman. It’s all about owners greed and the owners always win with the new agreement. If there is a stoppage, NBA players will bolt overseas, bottom line. Like I said, you can make a good living, and in a lot of cases may be the only thing they know how to do. It should be no surprise, but most professional sports players aren’t very fiscally responsible. And I’m assuming it would be more so the case in the NBA where hardly any player drafted doesn’t take full advantage of a free education. (If I was a projected first rounder I would bolt too, but that’s a whole other argument.) But it’s all a moot point, because there will be an agreement made.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Clairvoyance again, do you play the lottery?
Both sides are looking to “win” the CBA but there are more problems facing the league other than player salaries. There’s profit share, contraction, media exposure, retirement benefits, international expansion, and the likes. Players want to keep the salary structure where it is and retain free agency as it is. The owners want shorter contracts with less guaranteed money with limits on free agency (Such as a franchise tag). There’s the looming axe of contraction in the air too. If you think these are quick fixes you must have the inside track to some major information or you’re blowing smoke out your ass.
Meta said that the replacement league idea was unlikely, don’t act as though he said it was fully expected.
TDS's resident dickhead.
So let me get this straight.... You're saying there will be a lockout???
and if not, it’s more blah blah blabidy blah bullshit.. Pick a side, make a stance, stick to it, and stand for it. You go back and forth more than Obama.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Seriously guy...
You argue both sides of everything. Make a stance, what do you think will happen? Don’t give arguments on both sides so if/when something happens, you won’t look wrong. You sound just like one of those talking heads on TV who when they preview a game say, “the team with the most points is going to win.”
If you firmly believe there will be a stoppage, then great stick to it. But if you don’t think there will, you’ve wasted more bandwith trying to not look like a jackass.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Where have I waivered from the fact that I think there will be a lockout?
I’ve held that opinion since the beginning of this season. Now, I know your powers of future sight, your contacts with the higher ups with the Rockets organization, and your e-penis is going to make this tough to really wrap your head around but everything I said has said I agree with the sentiment that the NBA will lock out.
Also, leave politics out of a sports blog, if you want to stir shit up with that find a blog on politics. If you want to talk about bandwidth wasted to avoid looking like a jack ass, I don’t think that’s a problem on my end.
TDS's resident dickhead.
It seems he did just that
Once Battier and Brooks were gone we played rather well. It seems he fit more of the square pieces into their holes. We also have no idea if RA was told to go for the wins now rather than playing the youngsters. I would like to see him back again. If not I think we should give Turner the opportunity to take over.
by mjdinhouston on Apr 16, 2011 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Team at start not the same as team at end
At the beginning we had NBA’s most improved player at point with Lowry at backup.They thought Yao was back for limited minutes with Miller at backup. Kevin at shooting guard and Shane at small forward. Bud a young player that looked promising last year at backup. Scola at the 4 with Chuck at backup. Hill who got no playing time at New York the year before but did for us was suppose to be 3rd backup for 4 and 5. We started 0-5. Brooks was injured and has never been the same. Miller was injured and was already old. Lowry was injured for a while and our only point guard was an undrafted rookie. Hill stilled showed promise at the 4 but was failing at the 5 was up and down. Bud was not looking as good as last year. COMPLETE FAILURE.
Then Lowry came back and Smith moved to backup. Chuck went to center. Hill still inconsistant. Bud inconsistant. Team inconsistant but getting a few wins but still losing record at all-star break. Then seemed to do a little better but looked to be another losing season.
Then the trade. Lowry took over the team. He says because Rick trusted him. Chuck has also played amazing for his size, Kevin and Scola continue to be great on offense and showed at least some effort on D. Bud who had been playing better really upped his game. Lee showed he could play both the 2 and 3 at both ends. Hill still showing promise was still inconsistant. Patrick after some time in D-League made the most of his time and passed up Hil in rotation. This is NOT the same team that we had at the beginning. If we had had this team at the beginning we would be a 6 or 7 seed. You add a 7ft center to this team and we are a 5 or 6 seed. I understand its not a contender but its a good start to work FROM.
Please use reply, no need to keep breaking this apart and making it choppy.
You cite all of these changes but what I have to ask is, how do you know about your ultimate conclusion? I hate to burst your bubble but that’s all speculative. We can attach what ifs and theorize all we want but there’s no way to know. You’re giving a best case scenario rose colored analysis on this. You cite inconsistency but the remedy for that is consistent minutes. The team should have gone into a rebuild as soon as Yao went down because, let’s face it, without Yao we’re not a team anyone will take seriously. We have to remold ourselves into something better, something more. This might entail some head-aches in the meantime but who cares? If the payoff is relevancy and contender status, I’ll foot that emotional bill.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Sorry about the Replys
I am 50 years old and not as computer savy as some and am slow typer.
I think they should have started the year out not counting on Yao at all. But that is not what happened. Those decisions are not made by the coach.
No need to apologize, just figured some people miss the reply button, it helps flow to hit it.
I’m with you that they should have come into the year without assuming Yao was fine. It was ignoring the elephant in the room on part of the management.
TDS's resident dickhead.
One thing that championship teams have in common...
CONSISTENCY! Every year it’s a whole new lineup for the 1st and 2nd string. We don’t hold on to coaches longer than a single contract and wonder why we can’t bring a team together. RIck has done very well here, his players love him, he loves his players (except for t-will and thabeet), and he wants to take this group of guys (with a few exceptions) to the next level. But, if we lose him we have to start all over again. For once, can we just build on the good thing we have going for us. A couple trades to lose some fat (Budinger, Williams, Miller) + some good trades + the use of draft choices + having a consistent line up with a consistent defensive and offensive scheme that the Rox can perfect is what we need to rebirth the franchise. You lose Adelman you lose everything that got us past the T-Yao hump. If he can do what he did this season without any consistency in the lineup and very minimal talent, imagine what he can do next season with a set group of guys who know his schemes and some additional talent.
"San Antonio is the best falling down team in the league"- Bill Worrell
by TheLastDynasty on Apr 13, 2011 10:50 AM CDT reply actions
So, your solution is to take that "minimal talent" you mentioned and make it better with another year of coaching?
No player development, just random bail out trades that other teams will be gracious enough to hand us marquee players? I am an advocate for consistency but we need to establish through a rebuilding process with a new coach. This coach currently doesn’t seem to have much of an interest in playing the guys Morey got him to play. That is a major problem.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I've always said that
it should be a 2 year plan in Houston rather than a 5 year plan. LA, SA, DAL have about a 1 or 2 more year window. I firmly believe that Houston and OKC can have some incredible Western Conference Finals for many years to come.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Scola, Lowry and Kevin are not MINIMAL talent
They are almost borderline all-stars. You add Patrick, Lee and maybe Dragic you have some young promise. Still not enough but a start to build from
TLD called them minimal talent
I just used his words. Lee, Patrick, and Dragic need to continue development, which as we saw with Budinger, isn’t always a lock. The Rockets are in a good place to rebuild where it won’t take long, but I feel as though people discounting Hill, Thabeet, and Williams but still convincing themselves we’re title contenders are ignoring that we have in house talent to do us some real good but we’re not going to be competing for a title until we work on developing that.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I completly agree
Where I think you and I differ is on the HOW. I believe the real development starts in off-season and D-League. Then in practice and then limited playing time. You only get real playing time after you Earn it. Some players can do this in one season some take longer.
Another thing that has changed in the last few years is the maturity of the players when they are drafted. Players use to play 4 years of college before being drafted. Now they are coming in straight out of high school or 1 year of colege. This makes D-League more important as well as part of your coaching staff to work most only only on development.
I think we're actually on the same page with how to bring players up.
My big discrepancy is in saying there are integration options for playing time and youth that don’t sacrifice quality. I’m also a proponent of “If you’ve got nothing to lose, why not roll what you have to gain?” By that I mean we weren’t competing for a title, the playoffs were a good distance off no matter what, so why not let the youngsters get some burn and develop? Worst case scenario is a few of them surprise you in a negative manner, best case scenario you find out you have a franchise guy tethered to your bench by a stubborn coach.
TDS's resident dickhead.
True but
If they had started the year that way I would have been Ok with it but they didn’t. If they then would have went that way after Yao went down still OK, but they didn’t. Even before the All-star break.
But I think we have developed a core of players that seem to be in tune with the coach. I would like see us this as a starting point to continue.
That's where I blame management and Adelman for a lapse.
Started the year hopeful, I can understand that. Yao went down, title hopes gone, intelligent money says rebuild. We don’t. Trade deadline hits, we cash in Battier and Brooks for Thabeet (A young 7’3" center responding well to coaching) and Dragic (A big PG back up with a high ceiling) and then Adelman decides to go nuts and push to win at all costs. The directive finally nudged us the way of rebuilding and rather than heed that call Adelman plows forward and spites the youth.
It’s perplexing not to take the hint, you know?
TDS's resident dickhead.
I think Rick was always trying to win at whatever it took
I just think because of injuries of some and inconsistant play of others it was not working out till the end after it was too late to make the play-offs
There's never any dispute that Rick always tried to win.
The unfortunate aspect is that there were avenues to ensure future success with immediate results and unless an injury forced him to think ahead, he wouldn’t.
TDS's resident dickhead.
It's easy to forget that RA himself
is a free agent. Why should he be the martyr coach of a team with a shitty record because the organization wanted to take a look at younger, raw guys. It’s like you got me this 7’3 guy who’s very raw and can’t pass for shit, what the hell do you want me to do with him? I mean HT on the floor would do nothing but stagnate the offense. You have to be able to distribute the ball at the elbow at his position in this offense. So forget about all the other players and the hundreds of hours of practice and preperation they put in to run a offense, and bring in a guy who doesn’t know what the f is going on? This all goes back to my signature. HT is a throw in, he wasn’t on Houston’s radar until about 30 hours before the trade deadline. It’s not like he was a guy who for one deserved minutes, or would make this team any better. The front office apparently has shown no interest in bringing back RA, so why in the hell should he play someone who was a throw in to make a trade work and set his team back?
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
Seriously, if TDS existed in 1995
after the Rockets traded for Clyde Drexler, you people would be bitching why Tracy Murray wasn’t getting any minutes.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
He's not like a young pitching prospect
you can bring in for a spot start just to see what happens. You integrate someone who doesn’t know what the hell is going on, players in the NBA will exploit that and embarrass the shit out of you, FAST!
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
No one would complain about that trade because the team was injured and stalling out in 95, Drexler fixed that.
Thabeet is a guy who was sent to the D-League to get attention to fix form and fundamentals, with the season over, what do we have to lose? That’s all I ask. You never seem to answer it so I guess we have a title to lose if we play Thabeet in meaningless games.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I see the point, what do we have to lose...
But I’m not going to blame a coach for not changing his ways after he’s done something for 20+ seasons.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
uh what?
I’m bitching because the 2011 Rockets ARE NOT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS AND NEVER WERE. In contrast, the 1994-95 Rockets were a top seed that fell apart at the end of the year due to injuries and settled for the 6 seed, but everyone knew they could be champs and they also had a guy named Hakeem.
Apple to nazi oranges, sir.
apparently you guys don't get
sarcasm, but that’s not a total surprise. My point has nothing to do with Houston’s championship team in ‘95, but the worthless “throw in” trade piece. Just because someone gets traded here, things get taken out of context. Did you embrace Jared Jeffries too? Or just realize he was a piece to a trade? Hasheem Thabeet is nothing, he wasn’t the key piece in the Battier trade. Morey settled for this deal. In fact, the key to the deal is a PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER, ie the draft pick acquired.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
So you're also a confidant of Morey's?
Your resume is fascinating. I mean, I read reports about us inquiring about Thabeet during his draft and based my information on that. You, however, are close family or something man.
To answer your Jeffries question, I did embrace him. A near 7 footer for defensive purposes, I feel like he could have been very useful for us up front from a defensive standpoint.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Remember the mid 80 Celtics
Back then the way teams played by riding the backs of the top players till they dropped. Playing 45 minutes a game was the norm. Bird and McHale had shorter carreers because of this. Now we are complaining because a player plays 35 minutes a game.
Welcome to the 2000's.
The competition is much more stiff, much more athletically based, and bodies wear down roughly at the same rate as the 80’s because the 80’s was a strength and punishment game, today it is athleticism which leads to more injury.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I did not think it was the right thing then
My point is times are changing but lets not give up everything just to change. Back then Rookies did not play except except in rare cases. Most Rookies were college grads. They proved themselves in practice and then got a chance on the court. I do not think that part was bad. I think playing your starters less minutes now is good. Now we want playing time given on POTENTIAL instead of EARNED. I think this is not the better way.
We need more development after players are drafted
Because Our players are younger and less experieced when they are drafted the NBA has to do for themselves part of what the colleges were doing before. This is why I think the D-League is important. We still need more coaching staff that works with each young player to get him ready before we put him on the floor in a NBA game
We made a push for Hasheem in the draft
and would you rather have Miller in there driving senselessly and wasting possessions? Passing the ball to the opposing team? That sort of thing? You grill Hasheem a lot but you seem to be stuck on his rookie year, which is not the case anymore. If we’re using dated information women should be afforded no rights because their brains are smaller.
Your signature is a gross over simplification of things, which seems to be a theme.
TDS's resident dickhead.
you may be on to something with the women
hell i would be satisfied if they had to pass a driving test every year, but that’s another topic in another discussion. But do you think it’s fair to the other players who have worked their ass off to go through growing pains with a raw guy who’s got potential? That doesn’t seem feasible at all. “Let’s forget about what we’ve been doing all season and everything I’ve integrated the last few years because we’re going to try out a new guy.” Sorry, shit doesn’t work like that.
As far as the draft, I will bet my girlfriend that we didn’t have him as a #2 overall on any of our boards.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
we inquired about what it would take to get him.
If it’s not worth asking players to integrate new players or learn new offense then we should never trade or sign a free agent ever…
I’m on my phone now and won’t be able to really respond until tomorrow night.
TDS's resident dickhead.
by BD34 on Apr 13, 2011 2:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Everybody has a role
Les- needs to let Morey and Rick know what he wants.
Morey-Needs to put together the best Team to meet Les’s goals that fit to Rick’s system.
Rick- Needs to do everything he can to accomplish want the owner wants with whatever he is given.
I just think to blame Rick for doing everything he can to win NOW is just unfair. This is assuming winning now was a priority for Les which seems to be the case. If that is not the case then Rick is not the best choice for coach. If doing your best to win Now is the priority keeping Rick makes the most scense to me
The mid-season trade seems to have told Rick "We're going young, take that hint."
And we didn’t.
TDS's resident dickhead.
What makes you assume it was Adelman
who decided to go for the win at all costs?
by mjdinhouston on Apr 16, 2011 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I like the phrase "almost borderline all-stars"
could mean almost anything!
ummmm
I’ll take a top 5 player over consistency any day.
The Rockets don’t have a single player among the top 30 NBA players. This is why we have no realistic shot at a championship for a while. And that’s sad.
The sum is greater than the parts
I’m not going to reference the ‘04 Pistons like a lot of people have. But after today, this team will have no bad contracts(except HT) and a good core. There’s a nice mix of youth and veterans and the team has great chemistry. It’s definitely not a major overhaul and starting over. It’s more like adding a couple pieces and hoping for the best. While they don’t have a top 30 player, they may have 3 players in that 31-45 range.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
reference them all you want
the 2004 Pistons had FOUR all-star worthy players. Plus, the only reason they won was because Shaq and Kobe were not speaking to each other and karma was firmly against the Lakers since they employed the Worst Human Alive™, Karl Malone.
K-Mart posted in the top ten in 4 categories
That is pretty near the top. We also lost two of our best players who were in the top 10 in the league with in two years. Everyone else is a role player. Really Adelman got a lot out of this team this year.
by mjdinhouston on Apr 16, 2011 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions
These seem like Alexander Johnson type of call ups
Morey seems to like to shore up training camp players early with these late call ups, just so that he get decent training camp players and build up rapport with these solid cusp players.
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