Houston Rockets fans suffer from myopia - Part 2 | Red94 | essays and musings on the nba and houston rockets

On Myopia – Part 2

15 Feb 2010 03:39 PM
by rahat huq

myopia On Myopia   Part 2

The awesome spectacle of irrational hysteria was once more on full display after this weekend’s trade between the Dallas Mavericks and Washington Wizards.  Amidst the unintelligible rantings, there was even longing for the days of Carrol Dawson.  Seriously.

I wanted Caron Butler as much as anyone.  I made that clear in my last piece. He would have improved this team while allowing it to retain future financial flexibility.

But if reports are true, Washington was insistent upon the inclusion of one of Houston’s core players.  We aren’t privy to the exact nature of the demands, but it’s clear Daryl Morey did not find the cost to be worthwhile.

Does adding Butler while losing someone like Kyle Lowry position this team any better to win a championship?  No.

Yet some seem to favor change just merely for its sake.  If that fickle hunger isn’t fed, it must import some fault of management. Morey waited too long.  Morey can’t make the big deal.

It’s silly, really.

Russell describes the civilized man as “distinguished from the savage mainly by prudence” and “willing to endure present pains for the sake of future pleasures, even if the future pleasures are rather distant.”

Sports quench the escapist thirst.  For some, fanhood is the now – hits of fleeting pleasure.

I personally prefer an inferior team in the present if it means a greater chance at a title later on.

We would have all liked Caron Butler.  But if it’s true he would have cost the team a member from it’s core, then I’m glad they held off.

Morey still has many options.

I value those possibilities much more than the fleeting satisfaction of a Butler trade.

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  • Aaron
    According to the latest espn trade buzz, a lot or Morey's trade options require that the rockets acquire a first round pick from someone too. Chicago or NY might give up a pretty nice pick spot in 2011/2012.
  • Snoopy2006
    Gotta hand it to Alexander. He's doing what the Thunder have done - taking advantage of the financial climate to swipe valuable draft picks (and in this case, potential in Hill). Owners willing to eat big contracts can really hoard a lot of assets.

    Great post, as usual. The Rockets won't contend this year, so why the push for Butler? A 30-year old wing player (whose quickness has already begun to slip) is not part of the recipe for future success. Morey has the right idea, especially considering how well he drafts. Those picks could pay immediate dividends.
  • rahat_huq
    Great piece from Henry Abbott on Jared Jeffries: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/12132/watch-jared-jeffries

    I really think we are undervaluing him due to the contract.
  • thirdcoastborn
    Why do we need five small forwards. We didnt want Jefferies at first like they didnt want to give up Hill, so know that the Washinghton trade falls through we want him. We already have a defensive small forward in Battier, so how does Jefferies make us better. So we would have to give up a player to make the Washinghton trade, with all these forwards on the team someone will eventually be dealt, or not resigned. Landry and Scola are two of our best players, so now our thier minutes cut with the new forwards, and we still have a small forward at the two spot..
  • Verbs and Nouns
    jordan hill could blossom into a nice 4. the 2012 first rounder was probably what lit up DM's eyes the most. imagine if that turns out to be a lottery pick. all the players mentioned coming this way are serviceable and not impossible to move, i hope its Harrington over Hughes just because Harrington has more game IMO, and it could be Scola insurance if he gets an insane contract offer somewhere else. not a bad deal at all.
  • jason b.
    So only a mentally handicapped Morey is worthy of criticism? =) Good stuff nonetheless. I'm very interested to read your opinion on the eventual deal (especially if this Jordan Hill, et al, thing has any legs).
  • Stephen
    The deal as reported offers a couple of other benefits.
    If,as likely,it's two simultaneous trades w/Dorsey going for one of Knicks TPEs and McGrady for Harrington,Hill,Jeffries plus the swap and 2011 First then the Rockets go below the Lux Tax by over $1mil and gain a TPE of @ $3.9mil.
    Being under Tax makes it much easier to buy-out Cook and keep Temple/Conroy/whoever for season.
    Jeffries may have more value this season than expected as Ariza is sore,Battier is not 100% and Lowry appears to be out for a while longer.(Not to mention Bud seems to have slammed into Rookie Wall. The All-Star Break may benefit Bud the most.)
  • rahat_huq
    i actually think jeffries is very undervalued as a player. he gets grief because of the atrocious contract, but he already does the things we preach - taking charges etc.
  • rahat_huq
    jags - here is part 1: http://www.red94.net/?p=21

    jason - buying mcgrady out and then not using the flexibility in the summer

    dowjones - it looks like yahoo is reporting a deal that would send mcgrady to NY (along with dorsey and cook) for jordan hill, jeffries, either harrington/hughes, the right to swap picks next year, and the knicks pick the following year. potentially 3 lotto picks.
  • DowJones
    If Morey lands Jordan Hill, would you think that's a reasonable haul for T-Mac and helping the Knicks out infinitely by taking Jeffries off their hands (I do think Isiah Thomas was correct in thinking that Jeffries could be a difference maker, a combination of LB trying to get Thomas fired and bad luck with injuries made the signing into the albatross it is today really)?
  • jason b.
    Insightful stuff. But I wonder if we're bordering on "Moreyism" here. I mean, what sort of (in)action would move you from your position of benefit-of-the-doubt?
  • David A
    Good post, I agree 100%.
  • jags52982
    I really enjoy reading your blog. Just wondering where is On Myopia part 1
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