191 replies to this topic

[thejohnnygold]

I like Bayless.

 

T-Jones and D-Mo can get their own shots off--in the post.  Bev, to a lesser degree can create for himself.

[rocketrick]

I think Johnson, Covington, and Capela are probably RGV guys.

All will also likely be on the Rockets 15-man roster. To me, Covington is the only question mark. I know others on this board like him. I look forward to the pre-season to see how he fits in with this roster and I will be able to make a better judgement then. For sure Johnson and Capela are locks for the Rockets 15-man roster in my opinion.

[kdo]

I really hope our rookies step up.

If not, you know how reactive McHale is. He'll pull them, more minutes are stacked on our regulars = more chances for injuries.

Basically our rookies are our lynchpin for lasting through the season and/or for even having a CHANCE to beat deeper teams.

[rockets best fan]

@kdo

well we have so many young players he's going to be forced to rely on some of them

[rocketrick]

I was thinking the same thing last night...........I mean just exactly how many "Veteran" players do the Rockets have on their roster right now?

I fully expect Morey will continue adding backup C's and PF's to this roster. No way that Dorsey and Adrien are guaranteed a roster slot at this moment..........they must earn it as it should be going forward.

[thejohnnygold]

Looks like Jerryd Bayless is going to Milwaukee.  Did anyone else see the rumors that Baron Davis is in shape, motivated, and wants to get back in the league?  He's only 34-35.  Man, I'd want to see him play a little first....when he's motivated he's unstoppable....only thing that ever held him back was himself.  I always liked watching him play.  Plus, that would give us two of the best beards in the league.....new team name: The Bad News Beards.

[slick shoes]

Looks like Jerryd Bayless is going to Milwaukee.  Did anyone else see the rumors that Baron Davis is in shape, motivated, and wants to get back in the league?  He's only 34-35.  Man, I'd want to see him play a little first....when he's motivated he's unstoppable....only thing that ever held him back was himself.  I always liked watching him play.  Plus, that would give us two of the best beards in the league.....new team name: The Bad News Beards.

 

Two words: Back. Problems.

[Alituro]

I don't think we will be rolling into next season with the majority of the 3rd tier players we've recently acquired. We all know Morey. He's building up assets for a trade, young talent as JG pointed out (also devoid of true PGs). Before we signed these guys, we had nothing to offer for the likes of Love or Rondo (I see Rondo in the future).. Now with a protected lotto pick and young talent, we have exactly what the dregs of teams in this league love to trade for (sorry Boston).. If he strikes out, we're gonna see a lot of cuttin goin on..

 

I see Covington emerging this year as a fixture on the bench coming in behind Ariza..

[rockets best fan]

@JG

NOOOOOO.......Baron Davis? you know your bad when the owner is hackling you from the side line  while I don't respect D-Sterling even he knew he had been had

[thejohnnygold]

Ha, ok ok....I guess my memory of him always goes back to Golden State back when they upset the Mavs as an 8 seed.  Forgot about the back problems....

 

As far as all these signings go....I'm all for keeping them and not making a trade.  I like the guys we've got.  I'd just as soon play this season with all this youth, see who's got the goods, and then see if Rondo wants to move to some warmer weather.

 

Just for consideration, Monta Ellis will be unrestricted next year as will Dragic.  Is Dragic worth a max contract?  Would you want Ellis playing next to Harden?  It would certainly put a strain on opposing teams' perimeter defenders either way.

 

Dragic posted 20, 3 rebs, and 6 asts (with 3 tov's) in 35 mpg and a usg rate of 24.5% while shooting 51% from the field and 41% 3.  I don't think he takes less than $12M and more than likely is closer to $18-$20M considering the contracts that went out this year.

[Steven]

The cap will be $85M by 2016.

[RudyT1995]

Are we sure that Bev is really a starting PG?  Isn't he best suited to a backup role, playing 15-20 mpg, bringing energy off the bench?

 

I'm not doubting his skills.  I think he has enough skills to start.  I just worry if he can stay healthy to play starter minutes for an entire season.  He barely played 30 mpg last season and still missed 26 games to injury.  If he wasn't a fast healer and tough as nails, he easily could have missed 35 games.  Cuz he plays so hard and physical all the time, I just don't think he has it in him to play 35+ mpg for an entire season.  

 

I hope I'm wrong about this.  

[Steven]

Canaan might end up being the starter.

[Alituro]

Are we sure that Bev is really a starting PG?  Isn't he best suited to a backup role, playing 15-20 mpg, bringing energy off the bench?

 

I'm not doubting his skills.  I think he has enough skills to start.  I just worry if he can stay healthy to play starter minutes for an entire season.  He barely played 30 mpg last season and still missed 26 games to injury.  If he wasn't a fast healer and tough as nails, he easily could have missed 35 games.  Cuz he plays so hard and physical all the time, I just don't think he has it in him to play 35+ mpg for an entire season.  

 

I hope I'm wrong about this.  

If we strike out on Rondo, then Beverley will start. What Bev brings to the court, he can put out for 40 mins per game for 82 games, he's the most athletic on our squad. And, more importantly, he protects the ball. Keep in mind, he's basically only had 1 full year in the league, and he gave us the best of what he has so far, putting extreme effort out in attempt to mask his rawness. I expect each aspect of his game to improve dramatically. Especially the range to his shot, because I guarantee that is what he's working on most this offseason.

 

Rondo may even come off the bench or played as a 6th man due to injury history and lack of range, so there's a good possibility of Bev starting even if we do get Rondo.

[slick shoes]

If we strike out on Rondo, then Beverley will start. What Bev brings to the court, he can put out for 40 mins per game for 82 games, he's the most athletic on our squad. And, more importantly, he protects the ball. Keep in mind, he's basically only had 1 full year in the league, and he gave us the best of what he has so far, putting extreme effort out in attempt to mask his rawness. I expect each aspect of his game to improve dramatically. Especially the range to his shot, because I guarantee that is what he's working on most this offseason.

 

Rondo may even come off the bench or played as a 6th man due to injury history and lack of range, so there's a good possibility of Bev starting even if we do get Rondo.

 

For the money that RR will demand, there is no way that Bev starts in front of him.

[timetodienow1234567]

Bev start over Rondo??? Wow. I think if we got love he would be our sixth man behind Jones. If we got Lebron he would be our sixth man behind Ariza.

I love your enthusiasm for Bev but if our players were as great as we claim we would have had Love or Rondo by now.

[YaoMan]

Least we forget that Bev also missed a lot of time due to injuries. And I'm not sure who would ever start Bev in place of Rondo (when both healthy) but I will guarantee the coach that does will be fired that night.  If Rockets acquire Rondo, he will start and finish. Period.

I agree with TTDN, there are some unrealistic views of some of these players, however fan favorite they might be, we should still be real about it. I don't believe Canaan or Smith to be any viable players that will impact this team either. I think a certain liking of these "darling" players are set up too high.  None of these players have had the impact some other role players for a playoff team say like Collison (in Sac now) for the Clips, or Barnes (although he's declined a bit)/Green for the Warriors or Adams/R Jackson for the Thunder.  Those are young impact bench players that I would take over any bench player the Rockets have on the roster right now.

Having said that, there is still a lot of time to go and the hope is that Morey will grab 2 (or more!) of these type of bench/role impact players. Speaking of which, anyone think that Mo Williams would be a good fit with Harden/Howard? Good catch and shoot player with 3 pt range and decent ball handling. Good kick out for Howard in the post or Harden on the drive.  Just a thought...

[thejohnnygold]

Least we forget that Bev also missed a lot of time due to injuries. And I'm not sure who would ever start Bev in place of Rondo (when both healthy) but I will guarantee the coach that does will be fired that night.  If Rockets acquire Rondo, he will start and finish. Period.

I agree with TTDN, there are some unrealistic views of some of these players, however fan favorite they might be, we should still be real about it. I don't believe Canaan or Smith to be any viable players that will impact this team either. I think a certain liking of these "darling" players are set up too high.  None of these players have had the impact some other role players for a playoff team say like Collison (in Sac now) for the Clips, or Barnes (although he's declined a bit)/Green for the Warriors or Adams/R Jackson for the Thunder.  Those are young impact bench players that I would take over any bench player the Rockets have on the roster right now.

Having said that, there is still a lot of time to go and the hope is that Morey will grab 2 (or more!) of these type of bench/role impact players. Speaking of which, anyone think that Mo Williams would be a good fit with Harden/Howard? Good catch and shoot player with 3 pt range and decent ball handling. Good kick out for Howard in the post or Harden on the drive.  Just a thought...

 

I can't keep quiet.  First the shoutbox, and now this....

 

We're not claiming they are going to set the world on fire.  Relax.  We're just excited about our guys.  It's almost like we're being....fan-atical   

 

Those guys you mentioned....not sure how they are relevant here.  Collison has been a starter before and is about to be one again in Sacramento.  He was a stud PG in college who played ahead of Russell Westbrook,  He was a first-round pick who has studied under Chris Paul.  Yes, I think it is safe to say he is better than Canaan, Smith, or Johnson right now.  Collison just signed a 3 yr/$16M contract.  He wants to start.  Why do you think he left the Clippers?  It is very difficult to keep good PG's as reserves--look around the league....sometimes it's hard to get one good PG.

 

Harrison Barnes?  HARRISON BARNES?!?!?!?

 

 

He of the 9.5 pts and 4 rebs in 28 mpg with a sporty 9.8 PER?  That guy?  Seriously?  He may be the stretch 4 of people's dreams...and only in their dreams because he hasn't been doing it on the court.  The ghost of Andris Biedrens has possessed his body.  By the way, he was another first round pick--7th overall.

 

Draymond Green?  You think 90% of the GM's in the league haven't placed a call inquiring about his availability?  Of course they have.  To nobody's surprise (except yours, perhaps) Golden State plans on hanging on to him as he is still on his rookie deal and they very much would like to re-sign him.  But hey, we're the Rockets.  We get whatever we want, right?

 

Jackson and Adams?  Did you know that Adams was taken with the draft pick we used to get Harden?  Would you rather have Harden or Adams?  That's the real question.  Reggie Jackson (another first round pick) is entering his fourth year and is in the last year of his rookie deal.  The Thunder will have a tough time retaining him....because it is hard to keep good PG's on your bench...the only way to do it is to sign old guys (Andre Miller) or draft young ones and develop them.

 

Trust me when I say we all know that we are pinning our hopes on some re-treads, D-Leaguers, and rookies.  Who doesn't love rooting for the underdogs?  Why can't we be excited that they are doing well and developing?  I'm sorry they aren't Darren Collison or Reggie Jackson (wait...he didn't just come into the league as a good player?  He had to develop?  He posted 3 pts and 1.6 assists in 12 mpg as a rookie with a 9.2 PER while shooting 21% on 3's and 32% overall (39% on 2's).  Good thing OKC's GM has the patience to let his guys develop...)

 

Adrien and Dorsey have had to work their way into the league.  There is something to be said for that and it seems Morey sees value there as well.

 

I think this season will bear out that we actually have one of the better bench units in the league.  By February, other teams' fans will be in chat rooms moaning about how their players suck and they want ours.  

 

As for the Rondo thing--no one is saying he will sit...just that if we are actually losing games over and over due to his poor free throw shooting there are solutions.

[slick shoes]

As for the Rondo thing--no one is saying he will sit...just that if we are actually losing games over and over due to his poor free throw shooting there are solutions.

 

If we are in the position to lose repeated games due to Rondo free throws, there is a MUCH bigger problem to be addressed at that point.

[Mario Peña]

I still think Rondo is a bad idea besides in my opinion Boston has the leverage about what they want to do with their best asset. I don't think Morey will have the best package for that trade. Speaking of leverage Rich Paul and Eric Bledsoe may be gaining some and acquiring him might be the best way to go, perhaps a hefty 2 year contract front loaded with a team option on the second year. I've always liked Bledsoe and may I just remind everyone all the point guards being discussed here (Beverley and Rondo) have injury questions.