A Reminder: Daryl Morey Turned A Used Gum Wrapper Into A Starting Lineup

by Tom Martin on Jan 14, 2012 11:37 AM CST in Random Commentary

I'd like to take full advantage of Chandler Parsons' recent baptism as an NBA starter. Just a second round pick, Parsons has continued Daryl Morey's recent trend of scoring what Colonel Hans Landa would flamboyantly refer to as, "That's a BINGO!"

So, in case you aren't up to date on Morey's genius or the phenomenal timeline (during his tenure) that paved the way for the current starting lineup (which is quite good, don't you forget), have a seat, grab that Capri Sun and refresh yourself:

PG: Kyle Lowry -- Acquired from Memphis for Rafer Alston. Also received Brian Cook, for the occasional laugh.

SG: Kevin Martin -- Acquired from Sacramento for Carl Landry. Selected Landry in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft.

SF: Chandler Parsons -- Selected Parsons in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft.

PF: Luis Scola -- Acquired from San Antonio for Vassilis Spanoulis and a second round pick. Also received Jackie Butler, whom we can all thank for brilliantly serving his role as a salary dumpee.

C: Samuel Dalembert -- Signed Dalembert to a two-year deal with a team option after the first year. The Golden State Warriors signed Kwame Brown to a contract that pays a similar yearly amount.

To recap this little rags-to-riches story, Houston's starting lineup consists of the following:

Three second round picks, Rafer Alston, Vassilis Spanoulis and a free agent at a great price. You all may now collect your jaws from the floor.

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Comments

Nah

He didn’t sign LeBron, so he gets no credit.

Was too far to huck a beer at a Stro’s player as per bone’s request. Jess (girlfriend) said I was too far, I said challenge accepted, a security guard said guess again.-BD34
That is the reason I don't go to Battle Red Blog. I would be too rational and guys would flag my posts as spam.-batman713

by ak2themax on Jan 14, 2012 11:39 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Morey....

I think over the past few years it has been evident that Morey is a great evaluator of underestimated talent (for the most part). That being said, if you take that out, how well does he perform as GM? We haven’t been relevant in years and while other teams are capable of swinging for the fences the Rockets always come up short. I think it’s time for fresh blood. While in theory it was a great plan to pick out draft gems and turn them into assets, the second half of that transaction has eluded us since when? We haven’t landed a big name since Tracy, and that wasn’t even done during this era of “asset allocation” that Morey is imploring. So, that being said, it’s been almost a decade since we’ve successfully landed reputable player (Metta doesn’t count). I guess the cynic inside of me is just growing ever so tired of the “Praise Morey” articles whenever he scores a minor return on a low pick. I think it’s honestly just the fact that he hasnt utterly messed up that keeps some fans cleaning to the hope that he one day might buckle down and make the Rockets relevant again.

by Photomoney on Jan 14, 2012 12:03 PM CST reply actions

And just remember...

A 100% return on a penny stock still only leaves you with 2 pennies.

by Photomoney on Jan 14, 2012 12:09 PM CST up reply actions

because its his fault he.doesn't have.a superstar??

He can only work with what is given to him..

Karate? The Dane Cook of martial arts?

by Rocket94 on Jan 14, 2012 12:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

What is given to him is what he gets as a GM, your argument is circular and contrary to your point.

by BD34 on Jan 14, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

He can only use what's given to him?

Okay, sure. That sounds like a weak argument to me. “Don’t blame Morey for anything, it’s never his fault”. That’s all I hear.

by Photomoney on Jan 14, 2012 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

He came into a rough situation, he's done his best.

I just think people need to understand Morey has polished this turd as bright as it can be without Les giving him more latitude.

by BD34 on Jan 14, 2012 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

i think morey is great come draft time and when trading for role players

he hasn’t been able to get a big deal done. this may just be the quality of our assets but it also may be his notoriety within the GMs.

by sohum on Jan 14, 2012 12:43 PM CST reply actions

It's the quality of our pieces.

We have a team of role players and role players don’t net stars (unless they are top tier role players).

I hate david stern!

by batman713 on Jan 14, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

Rafer Alston...

The amount I hated him while he was here had no extent.

Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.

by .Bonzo on Jan 14, 2012 1:05 PM CST reply actions

Oh Bonzo

You are now on my bandwagon, since every TDS writer has to have a bandwagon, according to Patrick. Mine is the “I still hate Rafer Alston with the fury of a thousand suns even three years later” bandwagon.

Though technically part of the reason this site was created in the first place was for Dave and Lee to have an outlet for their Rafer hate, if I recall correctly.

by ak2themax on Jan 14, 2012 1:09 PM CST up reply actions

I feel like I'm apart of every bandwagon that's started on this site.

Free T-Will, Jordan Hill doesn’t suck, Free Thabeet, and apparently this Rafer Alston hate-fest.

Sonicsgate: A movie about how the Sonics were stolen from Seattle.

by .Bonzo on Jan 14, 2012 1:23 PM CST up reply actions

Just be part of the chuck was awesome bandwagon

by mtl1986 on Jan 14, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

When you mail out membership cards

Send one to me.

by seanbergmanrules on Jan 14, 2012 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

This write up is a red herring, in my opinion.

The problem doesn’t lie with Daryl Morey. He put together a trade for Pau Gasol, he flips talent pretty well, and he can’t force other GMs to deal out players they don’t want to. The problem with this organization is the owner’s inability to allow Daryl to put this team in a position to acquire anyone long term with enough talent to fill what this club needs. Daryl Morey is never the issue. Daryl is clearly a great GM. Unfortunately his work is done, at this point, in spite of his owner’s constraints.

by BD34 on Jan 14, 2012 1:54 PM CST reply actions

How much do we know about the owner's constraints.

I keep seeing it brought back but do we really know that les alexander is being a bad owner?

by mtl1986 on Jan 14, 2012 1:57 PM CST up reply actions

Alexander said he wants to "rebuild while staying competitive."

That’s a stasis point of mediocrity. Keep close enough to the playoffs/in low enough that you can’t snag a guy in the draft to change your franchise and hope that you can flip enough of your role players in that situation for a franchise guy, which is unlikely. We’re trying to deal a couple of Ford Focuses for a Corvette when other people are offering Ford Mustangs and BMW M3’s. Who are you going to deal with? The guy looking for a charity case because he can’t offer much or the guy who will offer you something comparable?

Leslie Alexander inherited Olajuwon and his GMs have pulled off deals when there were desirable pieces here other teams wanted. Since then, Alexander green lit gambling on Yao’s health (Had no choice but there’s no excuse not to select a center/try to acquire one however you can to hedge your bet) because it put asses in the seats and sold endorsement deals for the Rockets. McGrady came in on his watch but it took a guy like Steve Francis who was widely regarded as one of the best point guards around at the time. Who do we have comparable to that anymore? The NBA isn’t gamed to funnel talent into Houston outside of the draft, Alexander doesn’t want to do poor enough to get a quality player that way (B’awww, the draft is so uncertain! Well, suck it up, it’s our best chance and we’re not run by a bunch of screaming retards so admit the Rockets are in a better position and be done with it).

by BD34 on Jan 14, 2012 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

I agree that doesnt sound like a winning strategy

but really, how many owners can come out and say, lets suck, but still buy our tickets. To me it sounds more like the politically correct way to see let’s try to rebuild. I dont think anyone other than hard core fans would take well to hearing, lets win 12 games next season, in the hopes of drafting a player, that in maybe 5 years will help us become good again. I agree that building through the draft is a legitimate strategy, it just isnt one you can clearly say when you are a 9th or 10th seed team.

by mtl1986 on Jan 14, 2012 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Morey couldn’t flip Yao’s contract if ownership won’t let him, and the whole “Yao is coming back, really!!” nonsense from the last two years was clearly a Les Alexander operation.

If Les Alexander is still alive, that is.

by Don Mynack on Jan 15, 2012 9:00 AM CST up reply actions

sigh

this us a very depressing time to be a rockets fan. I’m so used to us be contenders every year in the past. this sucks until they get a top ten player.

Dirt dog pimp

by jahunter221 on Jan 14, 2012 1:57 PM CST via Android app reply actions