Rockets

[Ebby Calvin]

Apparently the Rockets signed some new point guard.  Anybody heard of him?  Is he any good?

[jbm]

I heard he is a lot more expensive now then he was a year ago.  Would have been cool if they had got him when he was cheap.

[Limey]

[Tosh]  The trouble with signing one Chinese player is that a few years later you want to sign another one.  [/Tosh]

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

He will be better than Matt Maloney. I've lost all hope for the Rockets.

[Limey]

He will be better than Matt Maloney. I've lost all hope for the Rockets.

Aren't they still paying Maloney?

[Fredia]

wow i thought he was a figment of my imagination.
go matt bullard

[chuck]

The Rockets would improve considerably if they hired Ed Wade to run the organization.

[MusicMan]

The Rockets would improve considerably if they hired Ed Wade to run the organization.

Please.

[chuck]

Please.

Since you were a prominent Ed Wade defender it stands to reason that you'd back someone else with a completely disastrous tenure.

Morey's like a trader with a year-old MBA who's lost 80% of what he started with but is still totally convinced that his system works.

[hostros7]

Since you were a prominent Ed Wade defender it stands to reason that you'd back someone else with a completely disastrous tenure.

Morey's like a trader with a year-old MBA who's lost 80% of what he started with but is still totally convinced that his system works.

A good trader never needs an MBA.  Getting an MBA is what happens when one who trades comes to terms with his or her own failure

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

When Morey got hired, everyone touted him as basketball's Billy Beane.  Turns out that they were more right than they knew.

[jbm]

I get the feeling that he can identify value at the margins, but really lacks a coherent big picture view.  In other words, his advanced statistics might help him realize the value of someone like Lowry, but beyond realizing player A has more value than player B based on some advanced metrics, he seems lost. 

[Bench]

It's a Dwightmare!

[chuck]

I get the feeling that he can identify value at the margins

Right, like how he adeptly spotted Lin's value last year.

[jbm]

Right, like how he adeptly spotted Lin's value last year.

Point taken. 

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I get the feeling that he can identify value at the margins, but really lacks a coherent big picture view.  In other words, his advanced statistics might help him realize the value of someone like Lowry, but beyond realizing player A has more value than player B based on some advanced metrics, he seems lost. 

Because those super-stars are falling from the sky, right? 

I'm no Morey fan, but finding players who can contribute who are lesser known talents (Lowry, Goran Dragic, Chandler Parsons, etc...) isn't easy.  As much as I dislike his "I'm the smartest man in the room" b.s., he has a strategy to get a star player.  Unfortunately, it involved blowing up his roster for past and future draft picks.   

One of the aspects of the NBA I've grown to loath is the gravity of star players.  Some of these so-called star's are 2nd tier players but due to the lack of talent in the league they look like all-time greats (yes, I'm referring to Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony).  Howard is, a defensive improvement on Kevin Willis, at best.  That's not a huge knock, but he's not the next coming of Olajuwon, Robinson, or Ewing.  Setting that aside, it's proven that if you can lure a star player to your team, or force them via trade, it will help you land other players.  The byproduct of this development is the loss of league parity the owners supposedly desire while also giving these prima donna "stars" far more leverage than they have earned (i.e. Carmelo Anthony). 

[Bench]

Right, like how he adeptly spotted Lin's value last year.

Well, he's one of the only three GM's who actually signed the guy so he did a lot better than the other 27 GM's in spotting his value.  Also, Lin would have been on the Rockets last year but for Stern's veto of the Chris Paul trade.

[jbm]

Because those super-stars are falling from the sky, right? 

I'm no Morey fan, but finding players who can contribute who are lesser known talents (Lowry, Goran Dragic, Chandler Parsons, etc...) isn't easy.  As much as I dislike his "I'm the smartest man in the room" b.s., he has a strategy to get a star player.  Unfortunately, it involved blowing up his roster for past and future draft picks.   

One of the aspects of the NBA I've grown to loath is the gravity of star players.  Some of these so-called star's are 2nd tier players but due to the lack of talent in the league they look like all-time greats (yes, I'm referring to Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony).  Howard is, a defensive improvement on Kevin Willis, at best.  That's not a huge knock, but he's not the next coming of Olajuwon, Robinson, or Ewing.  Setting that aside, it's proven that if you can lure a star player to your team, or force them via trade, it will help you land other players.  The byproduct of this development is the loss of league parity the owners supposedly desire while also giving these prima donna "stars" far more leverage than they have earned (i.e. Carmelo Anthony). 

I don't really buy into the "star or suck" philosophy.  Sounds like a convenient excuse for justifying mediocre accomplishments, if no years making the playoffs can even be considered a mediocre accomplishment. 

[Bench]

Sounds like a convenient excuse for justifying mediocre accomplishments, if no years making the playoffs can even be considered a mediocre accomplishment. 

I think consistently managing to finish over .500 without making the playoffs constitutes a mediocre accomplishment.

[BUWebguy]

Forgive my NBA ignorance... But how much of this is on Morey, and how much is on the owner? My friends in Houston tell me Morey recognized the need to rebuild, but Alexander wouldn't allow them to suck while doing so (sound familiar?), so this unusual route was all that was left. Any truth to that?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I don't really buy into the "star or suck" philosophy.  Sounds like a convenient excuse for justifying mediocre accomplishments, if no years making the playoffs can even be considered a mediocre accomplishment. 

As I said, I don't really think that highly of Morey.  But he is very effective at finding complimentary players.  What he cannot do, however, is find a diamond in the rough (at least he has yet to do so).  Also, keep in mind, several of those .500 seasons were de-railed by the never ending injuries to McGrady and Yao.  So not only did they not make the playoffs, or go far into the playoffs when they did make the post-season, it also lowered their chances of landing a top pick/future star.  That said, Morey managed to trade McGrady... so he isn't totally useless.  Not enough for me to say I'm a fan, though.  

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Forgive my NBA ignorance... But how much of this is on Morey, and how much is on the owner? My friends in Houston tell me Morey recognized the need to rebuild, but Alexander wouldn't allow them to suck while doing so (sound familiar?), so this unusual route was all that was left. Any truth to that?

Yes, but with one difference.  Alexander has no issues go over the salary cap and paying a luxury tax.  See my comments about the "star gravity" related to players and their willingness to sign as FA's with a team without another star player.  I sound like a Rockets apologist.  I'm not.  I think Morey keeps playing the same strategy and having it blow up in his face.  It won't stop him from trading a handful of players for another late 1st round pick, which no other team wants, in the 1-4 yrs.

Oh, the other thing I dislike about Morey is he has a knack for chasing off good coaches with his roster shenanigans (Adelman). 

[MusicMan]

Since you were a prominent Ed Wade defender it stands to reason that you'd back someone else with a completely disastrous tenure.

Morey's like a trader with a year-old MBA who's lost 80% of what he started with but is still totally convinced that his system works.

You oversimplify as grossly as ever.

Morey lost 2 superstars to injury.  When he had a deal to start the rebuilding, Stern pulled the plug.

Morey has made the best of a bad, bad hand.

[Andyzipp]

Oh, the other thing I dislike about Morey is he has a knack for chasing off good coaches with his roster shenanigans (Adelman). 

And Van Gundy.

[MusicMan]

And Van Gundy.

My understanding was that it was Alexander that Van Gundy clashed with.

[hostros7]

Howard is, a defensive improvement on Kevin Willis, at best.  That's not a huge knock, but he's not the next coming of Olajuwon, Robinson, or Ewing.  Setting that aside, it's proven that if you can lure a star player to your team, or force them via trade, it will help you land other players.  The byproduct of this development is the loss of league parity the owners supposedly desire while also giving these prima donna "stars" far more leverage than they have earned (i.e. Carmelo Anthony). 

You can like or dislike Howard all you want.  You can argue the declining importance of the traditional center role in the modern game.  He's certainly not Olajuwon.  He may never be as good as Robinson or Ewing (although I think Ewing was always overrated). That's all fine.  However, Howard is still the best center in the world currently playing.  Let's not go all Kevin Willis on him.

[Andyzipp]

You can like or dislike Howard all you want.  You can argue the declining importance of the traditional center role in the modern game.  He's certainly not Olajuwon.  He may never be as good as Robinson or Ewing (although I think Ewing was always overrated). That's all fine.  However, Howard is still the best center in the world currently playing.  Let's not go all Kevin Willis on him.

Kevin Willis was fairly awesome with Atlanta.  Definitely 2nd tier, but he's a darn good comparison to Howard.

[Andyzipp]

My understanding was that it was Alexander that Van Gundy clashed with.

Perhaps.  I've heard one of the sticking points was Morey's fiddling with the roster and that Alexander didn't think Van Gundy needed to be involved in talent discussions.

[Limey]

Really.  Who cares?  The NBA is rigged more than the "Elissa".

[S.P. Rodriguez]

You can like or dislike Howard all you want.  You can argue the declining importance of the traditional center role in the modern game.  He's certainly not Olajuwon.  He may never be as good as Robinson or Ewing (although I think Ewing was always overrated). That's all fine.  However, Howard is still the best center in the world currently playing.  Let's not go all Kevin Willis on him.

That's not my point.  My point is, 2nd tier players are not going to lead you to a championship even if you give them a max-contract and especially when they have crappy attitudes to go with their restricted skill set.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Really.  Who cares?  The NBA is rigged more than the "Elissa".

Another aspect to the "star player gravity" I take issue with.

[Limey]

Another aspect to the "star player gravity" I take issue with.

The one thing that gives me a warm and fuzzy about the NBA - more even that the two Rockets' titles - is that Karl Malone never got a ring.

[MusicMan]

The one thing that gives me a warm and fuzzy about the NBA - more even that the two Rockets' titles - is that Karl Malone never got a ring.

You misspelled john Stockton.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Really.  Who cares?  The NBA is rigged more than the "Elissa".

SNS: Come for the Astros, Stay for the Sailing Puns.

[Ebby Calvin]

SNS: Come for the Astros, Stay for the Sailing Puns.

Dude, that's a St. Arnold's pun and you know it.

[Limey]

Dude, that's a St. Arnold's pun and you know it.

A little from column A and a little from column B.

[JackAstro]

Kevin Willis was fairly awesome with Atlanta. Definitely 2nd tier, but he's a darn good comparison to Howard.

Except he has T-Rex arms and was never a shot blocker. Loved that guy, though.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Except he has T-Rex arms and was never a shot blocker. Loved that guy, though.

Wow... Exact same comment came out in a conversation I had with a colleague while discussing Willis as a comparison to Dwight Howard.  

He may have looked funny, but he could shoot that 8-10' jumper with dead-eye accuracy.  I give full credit to the short arms.  

eta: Kevin Willis reported wingspan of 6'7" in comparison to his height of 7'. 

[Andyzipp]

Wow... Exact same comment came out in a conversation I had with a colleague while discussing Willis as a comparison to Dwight Howard. 

He may have looked funny, but he could shoot that 8-10' jumper with dead-eye accuracy.  I give full credit to the short arms. 

eta: Kevin Willis reported wingspan of 6'7" in comparison to his height of 7'. 

He could score, and he could rebound.  He was one of my favorite parts of the post-championship era Rockets teams.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

He could score, and he could rebound.  He was one of my favorite parts of the post-championship era Rockets teams.

Hell yeah.  Although, I wouldn't call what he did on the defensive side as "defense" so much as "assault".  You were going to require a kidney exam after playing against Willis.  All knees and elbows.  But when he and Olajuwon were on the court together, the opponent was not getting any interior offense or rebounds.....

Friggin' Barkley... most over-rated player I've ever seen on the Rockets. 

[Bench]

So does this increase the value of the new Astros-Rockets TV network in a way that will increase the Astros' income?

[hostros7]

So does this increase the value of the new Astros-Rockets TV network in a way that will increase the Astros' income?

I heard/saw something from local sports source tha implied just that.  The tweet/comment was along the lines of "Astros have best day of the year so far because rockets sign Lin and Astros own 50% of network.". However, if I'm either owner, I wouldnt agree to a partnership structured that way.

[chuck]

I would think that the teams have a guaranteed amount of revenue from the deal regardless of viewership and that it's up to the network to attract viewers and sell the various ads that Ron Brand loves so much.

If the teams are not guaranteed a certain base revenue amount then Crane really is in serious trouble. He might have to sell his golf course.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Friggin' Barkley Pippen... most over-rated player I've ever seen on the Rockets. 

FIFY

[ybbodeus]

Well done, sir; well done.