Comments on: Discerning Morey’s Philosophy – Part 4

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:48:38 +0000

You answered the DLeagueDigest.com's grading system question 3 months in advance. Morey has his team, management, fans, and BLOGGERS ahead of all of the other teams!

Morey makes everyone better!

By: 7 Reasons LeBron James Could Join the Houston Rockets « Lawrence Person's Futuramen

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:45:57 +0000

[...] GM in the league. I’m going to leave it to real Rockets bloggers like The Dream Shake and Red 94 to go into all the details of just how much smarter Morey seems to be than every other GM in the [...]

By: More Vipers Coverage | Red94 | a Houston Rockets blog

More Vipers Coverage | Red94 | a Houston Rockets blog — Mon, 31 May 2010 13:37:30 +0000

[...] of the unique partnership the Rockets have entered with the Vipers, we are really looking forward to this coverage. Add a [...]

By: Jon L

Jon L — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:39:29 +0000

I also should add that the Utah Flash run Jazz sets even though they're not directly affiliated with the Jazz (the Celtics and Hawks have shared affiliation with the Flash in the past). I'd also assume that the Maine Red Claws run some Celtics sets since they're coached by Austin Ainge. I know the Erie BayHawks and Cleveland Cavaliers have a close relationship, but I don't know if that extends to their offensive plays (derisive comment about Mike Brown's offense). Bottom line, the unique-ness of the Rockets/Vipers arrangement is on the financial side, not the basketball side.

By: Jon L

Jon L — Fri, 28 May 2010 22:34:10 +0000

The idea that the Rockets' minor league affiliate runs their plays isn't actually the unique part of it – the Spurs already do that with the Austin Toros and the Oklahoma City Thunder with the Tulsa 66ers. The Los Angeles Lakers did it with their affiliate the LA D-Fenders, but they're suspending operations for a year. The difference is that all of those NBA teams own their affiliate; the uniqueness of the Rockets/Vipers arrangement is that the Vipers are in charge of the business side, although they take input from the Rockets, I'm sure. This arrangement was put forth by the D-League because NBA teams were concerned that they'd lose money if they were responsible for the finances of their D-League affiliate.

By: rahat_huq

rahat_huq — Fri, 28 May 2010 08:54:26 +0000

It's a great revolving door that allows the team to maximize every roster spot.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:53:00 +0000

Sorry about double-post,didn't realize I'd done it.

I meant on the every few yrs is that when a players rookie contract is up the team should have a potential replacement starting the process,making it easier to keep the supporting cast's salaries down.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:48:49 +0000

If the Rockets are successful going forward they will be drafting in the late 20's routinely. W/their control of the Vipers the team is able to draft players w/the tools and give them the chance to develop them in a manner the Rockets can control. Using the MLE to sign 2nd Rd players to longer contracts allows the team the time to let a player work on his game. We'll prob see going forward the team routinely keeping a rookie in RGV and developing him.

The team doesn't need for the player to develop into a star-altho that'd be nice. They just need a solid role player.
Just for kicks I looked up Adelman's Sac and Port teams leading scorers. In his 11 full seasons Rick had more than 2 players ave 18ppg only 3 times. One when Webber only played 23 games to injury,another when Webber was traded at the deadline and once in Portland,when none of the three ave'd 20ppg. Usually there were two high scorers and another half-dozen or so averaging @9-16ppg.(Wing/PF lead 7 times,Wing/PG lead 3 times,Wing/C once.) While the supporting cast could go off,they were relied upon to contribute,not carry the load.
The Vipers allow the Rockets to obtain inexpensive roster fill,coach 'em up to be useful rotation players and when needed repeat the process every few yrs.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 28 May 2010 06:48:40 +0000

By: rahat_huq

rahat_huq — Thu, 27 May 2010 02:58:40 +0000

bob – agreed. better to send guys down now than let them rot away on the bench in the big league.

3rdcoast – that would be a great idea; similar to baseball when pitchers work their way back in the minors to shake off rust after injuries.

By: thirdcoastborn

thirdcoastborn — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:36:41 +0000

The D- league was a great idea. Jermaine Taylor played well with them, he got gametime experience he would not of got if he was on the roster. I think players coming back from a major injury should be able to play the D- League, no matter how long they have been in the league. This would speed up the process of them getting back in game shape, create some buzz and sell more tickets for the d- league if he is a star player. Our roster is pretty set, not including a trade,so our draft pick will most likely play in the D league, or let them play overseas alittle longer.

By: RFWC

RFWC — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:31:30 +0000

Any thoughts on how Morey will use the Euro:dollar exchange to the Rockets' advantage?

Rubio's buyout just went down by 50%, will there be an influx of European talent this summer?

Rockets should load up on Euro for sure.

By: bob schmidt

bob schmidt — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:17:36 +0000

Among those subtle payoffs, every Viper team member knows that every aspect of their experience is analyzed by the Rockets because of the shared duties of Rocket's staff with the Vipers. On a daily basis, every Viper is auditioning for the big club and immersed in the culture of becoming a Rocket.

As the upcoming draft brings in new talent to the organization, it is probable that the Vipers will have a larger role in the development of the newcomers. That is, after all, the point and purpose of Houston's investment in the RGV Vipers.