103 replies to this topic

[Lyfestyle]

I also think this is kind of hilarious (from ESPN): 'Magic center Dwight Howard has called team owner Rich DeVos to tell him that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, WKMG in Orlando reported.'

If, by the grace of God, we were to acquire Howard, I wonder how long it'd be before this type of nonsense cropped up.

[Rahat Huq]

I also think this is kind of hilarious (from ESPN): 'Magic center Dwight Howard has called team owner Rich DeVos to tell him that he won't play for coach Stan Van Gundy anymore, WKMG in Orlando reported.'

If, by the grace of God, we were to acquire Howard, I wonder how long it'd be before this type of nonsense cropped up.

Yeah, exactly....I'd glady take him, considering where we are, but damn, if there isn't a more unlikable personality in the league right now.

I guess that's why there's only one Tim Duncan.

[cjuice28]

Unless, Howard is really forthcoming and definitive about not playing in Orlando next year, which based on his previous behavior is very unlikely. Otis Smith is going to piss around and drag his feet, and as a result not trade Howard before/during the draft, which is the most logical time to trade Howard, because Orlando can get draft picks, rather than players. So, I expect "D12 trade deadline drama round 2".

As far as "targets": think the Raptors would be interested Lowry for J. Valanciunas? Or maybe get Iggy from Philly for K. Martin, since him and Turner don't mix well, and that team has crashed? Also, you figure at some point Utah will trade one of their PFs, although it will pry be Al Jefferson for a 2nd round pick.

[aesco]

I think in the pg spot the rox dont need an upgrad and lowry and gogi is already great. With the sg you have lee and you want another young player which the rockets can get in the draft there are lots of options like doron lamb, rivers or even jeremy lamb. In the 3 spot no more upgrades needed for sure chandler and chase is doing well. For the 4 spot it's going to be none because you have scola and two young guys in patterson and morris. The problem is at the center, i think the rox should draft meyers leonard or tyler zeller which are quality bigmen in the draft or just signing donatas. A good sufgestion is trading for deandre jordan a dude who wants to play for the team.

Pg lowry,dragic
Sg lee, good draft pick, or even llull
Sf parsons, budinger
Pf patterson, morris,
C draft pick, donatas

[Slotter]

I think that at this point Howard is not going anywhere, especially if somehow the Magic can muster a way to bring in Deron Williams/Gerald Wallace or just another solid player. Especially if he is going to get to hand pick the next coach down there.

Interesting names I heard were Granger and Smith

Re Granger: While Granger might be more expendible because of the emergence of Paul George I do not think the Pacers trust him yet to make the leap to part with Granger. Also what do the Rockets have that the Pacers really need? Maybe you have to give up Lee, Parsons and a pick, but is that really enough for them to part with Granger? I think if I were the Pacers I would want more. The only reason they might take this is that he is going to be a UFA in the summer of 2013. And could the rockets really get enough around him to make him want to stay? Maybe they could trade Granger for Lee, Parsons and a pick and then you trade for Josh Smith

Re Smith: This seems more of a viable trade option in the sense the Rockets have players that fill Hawks needs. If the trade for Granger was made you could then swing Scola, Lowry, Morris and maybe a 2014 pick for Smith? Or if you don't trade for Granger you give them this years pick? I think this is a solid option and on paper would make this team pretty solid however very thing and would have the be creative in free angency:

Dragic/backup
Martin/Buddinger
Granger/Buddinger
Smith/Monti
Camby/Dalembert

If none of these trade scenarios play out, maybe you make a run at Hibbert or Eric Gordon in restricted free agency, or work a sign and trade for one of them and then try to acquire another piece? The good thing is that the Rockets have a lot of options, but I'm not sure how the parts would work out.

[cdhthegreat]

I skimmed through the previous posts so if I reiterate anyone's earlier posts I'm sorry. I started a similar discussion over on the dream shake but one name I'd look heavily into would be Tyreke Evans. I think Martin is gone, either in the offseason or at the trade deadline and someone with Evans' ceiling could definitely star on a team like Houston. It'd be similar to trading for TWill cept we know that Evans can be good and could probably be acquired relatively cheaply (they have TWill and Thornton and don't want to pay Reke).

Other targets I know have been mentioned are Gasol, Smith, Iggy, and of course Howard. You'd also have to look at NO. They are handcuffed by the Ariza and Okafor contracts (similar situation in detroit) and were rumored to be willing to part with a lotto pick (probably Minny's) if a team would take Okafor. I'd HAPPILY take the Okafor contract and a number one off their hands for cap relief.

Ideally (ignoring the possibilty of trading for Howard and the distinct possibility that Hibbert is resigned) I'd trade Morris and a future draft pick for Tyreke and take on the Okafor deal for one of NO's lotto picks(this was mentioned heavily during the trade deadline, don't know if it'd be on the table w/ new ownership. if it is available it'd probably the lower one projected to be 10th, even if we have to swap them our NY pick in the process (right now it's 17th if i'm not mistaken)). Assuming we resign Dragic and Lee, you have to look at trading Lowry, so I'd begrudgingly package Lowry and whatever picks I end up with (say it's the 10th and the 13th) and really any other rotational player necessary (outside of Parsons) to either acquire a star or move up significantly in the draft. Ideally you end up with something like this.

Dragic/Llull
Evans/Lee (or vice versa)
Parsons/Bud
Motie/Scola/Patterson
Drummond/Okafor/Camby (or Kaman)

I'd consider amnestying Scola and trading Martin for anything if the above stated moves went down. I think Motie has star written all over him. If everything came together, that'd be one heck of a lineup. If the Evans trade doesn't work out, you could target OJ Mayo, with much the same effect.

I think with the CBA changes on the horizon our opportunities to upgrade significantly without tanking increase each year as long as we maintain cap flexibility.

[rockets best fan]

I skimmed through the previous posts so if I reiterate anyone's earlier posts I'm sorry. I started a similar discussion over on the dream shake but one name I'd look heavily into would be Tyreke Evans. I think Martin is gone, either in the offseason or at the trade deadline and someone with Evans' ceiling could definitely star on a team like Houston. It'd be similar to trading for TWill cept we know that Evans can be good and could probably be acquired relatively cheaply (they have TWill and Thornton and don't want to pay Reke).

Other targets I know have been mentioned are Gasol, Smith, Iggy, and of course Howard. You'd also have to look at NO. They are handcuffed by the Ariza and Okafor contracts (similar situation in detroit) and were rumored to be willing to part with a lotto pick (probably Minny's) if a team would take Okafor. I'd HAPPILY take the Okafor contract and a number one off their hands for cap relief.

Ideally (ignoring the possibilty of trading for Howard and the distinct possibility that Hibbert is resigned) I'd trade Morris and a future draft pick for Tyreke and take on the Okafor deal for one of NO's lotto picks(this was mentioned heavily during the trade deadline, don't know if it'd be on the table w/ new ownership. if it is available it'd probably the lower one projected to be 10th, even if we have to swap them our NY pick in the process (right now it's 17th if i'm not mistaken)). Assuming we resign Dragic and Lee, you have to look at trading Lowry, so I'd begrudgingly package Lowry and whatever picks I end up with (say it's the 10th and the 13th) and really any other rotational player necessary (outside of Parsons) to either acquire a star or move up significantly in the draft. Ideally you end up with something like this.

Dragic/Llull
Evans/Lee (or vice versa)
Parsons/Bud
Motie/Scola/Patterson
Drummond/Okafor/Camby (or Kaman)

I'd consider amnestying Scola and trading Martin for anything if the above stated moves went down. I think Motie has star written all over him. If everything came together, that'd be one heck of a lineup. If the Evans trade doesn't work out, you could target OJ Mayo, with much the same effect.

I think with the CBA changes on the horizon our opportunities to upgrade significantly without tanking increase each year as long as we maintain cap flexibility.

I couldn't disagree more. t. evans is not a star level talent and never will be. we need star power. if I were the rockets (and I know some of you won't like this but) I would not pursue d-will. we have good point guards. I might pursue mayo if the price was right. I think b4 we starting trading our small forwards lets see how they mature. power foward and center are a major major major (you get the point) problem on this team. yes montiejunas may help, but we still need a lot more. have you notice every time we play a team who has good big men we get killed in the rebounding/paint scoring stat. we don't need more wing players we need big men. considering how much flexibility the rockets have. I would resign dragic and lee, then try to move up in the draft. by not making the playoffs they get to keep their own pick so we have probably something like the 14th and 16th picks. combine those+martin and move as high as you can get. then draft a big man

[rockets best fan]

I think that at this point Howard is not going anywhere, especially if somehow the Magic can muster a way to bring in Deron Williams/Gerald Wallace or just another solid player. Especially if he is going to get to hand pick the next coach down there.

Interesting names I heard were Granger and Smith

Re Granger: While Granger might be more expendible because of the emergence of Paul George I do not think the Pacers trust him yet to make the leap to part with Granger. Also what do the Rockets have that the Pacers really need? Maybe you have to give up Lee, Parsons and a pick, but is that really enough for them to part with Granger? I think if I were the Pacers I would want more. The only reason they might take this is that he is going to be a UFA in the summer of 2013. And could the rockets really get enough around him to make him want to stay? Maybe they could trade Granger for Lee, Parsons and a pick and then you trade for Josh Smith

Re Smith: This seems more of a viable trade option in the sense the Rockets have players that fill Hawks needs. If the trade for Granger was made you could then swing Scola, Lowry, Morris and maybe a 2014 pick for Smith? Or if you don't trade for Granger you give them this years pick? I think this is a solid option and on paper would make this team pretty solid however very thing and would have the be creative in free angency:

Dragic/backup
Martin/Buddinger
Granger/Buddinger
Smith/Monti
Camby/Dalembert

If none of these trade scenarios play out, maybe you make a run at Hibbert or Eric Gordon in restricted free agency, or work a sign and trade for one of them and then try to acquire another piece? The good thing is that the Rockets have a lot of options, but I'm not sure how the parts would work out.

I wouldn't touch granger if they gave him to me free. he looks like a larger kevin martin and lord knows we don't need that. now hibbert thats another story. I would be mildly interested in him, but they don't really have any thing outside of him that can help us

[cdhthegreat]

okay rbf, Mayo or Gordon if not Evans (though I think Evans would be much better on a team with direction)....

[Rahat Huq]

I wouldn't touch Tyreke Evans with a 10 foot pole, personally. Eric Gordon though, I'm very intrigued by..

[rockets best fan]

okay rbf, Mayo or Gordon if not Evans (though I think Evans would be much better on a team with direction)....

how about this for a line up
point guard lowry/dragic
shooting guard lee/mayo
s forward parson/morris/bud
p forward montiejunas/patterson
center camby/draft pick

[rockets best fan]

I wouldn't touch Tyreke Evans with a 10 foot pole, personally. Eric Gordon though, I'm very intrigued by..

problem is gordon is going to be hard to get, but I agree he is a star level talent

[rockets best fan]

for all the people who believe we can survive without an upgrade at center, you should have watch this game tonite. the hornets did what ever they wanted as soon as camby left the game. I like camby, but he's to old. whatever happen to the classic big man battles we use to have in the nba. are there no worthy big men out there. oh well looks like that draft pick is on the way.

[cdhthegreat]

The Camby/Dally center rotation is horrible. I know people love Camby, but he's much better suited for a backup role. He can't defend the pick and roll to save his life (not his fault, simply too old). There are a ton of centers in the draft and Utah should at least consider moving Al Jefferson this offseason (a KMart for big Al swap almost makes too much sense). We simply cannot go forward without a legit 2 way post up move oriented center.

[Alituro]

Of course I agree that if we had a top tier post man like Howard or Pau, then wing scoring is not as big of a problem. What I'm going off of is we have about a 3.5% chance of actually landing Howard or Pau as every other team in the league will be offering everything including the kitchen sink for either one, and Houston is not considered a desirable NBA destination. Plan B, IMO, would be to bolster the wings with some consistent offense, and find a 7' youth to help and learn from Camby.

[pharmag]

Of course I agree that if we had a top tier post man like Howard or Pau, then wing scoring is not as big of a problem. What I'm going off of is we have about a 3.5% chance of actually landing Howard or Pau as every other team in the league will be offering everything including the kitchen sink for either one, and Houston is not considered a desirable NBA destination. Plan B, IMO, would be to bolster the wings with some consistent offense, and find a 7' youth to help and learn from Camby.

That is why I am actually a fan of moving Martin and landing Mayo. That gives you two pretty good scorers in Mayo and Bud (as long as he can gain some consistency. Parsons is a rookie without an offseason and he shoots ok (not great) but shooting is something he can improve. Then you have Dragic and Lowry who are both good scorers. If the Rockets decided this year to go after Mayo, try to move Martin and Scola or Patterson to make way for Motie and then drop Dalembert to make way for a draftee post player then I think I would be ok with that.

[rockets best fan]

That is why I am actually a fan of moving Martin and landing Mayo. That gives you two pretty good scorers in Mayo and Bud (as long as he can gain some consistency. Parsons is a rookie without an offseason and he shoots ok (not great) but shooting is something he can improve. Then you have Dragic and Lowry who are both good scorers. If the Rockets decided this year to go after Mayo, try to move Martin and Scola or Patterson to make way for Motie and then drop Dalembert to make way for a draftee post player then I think I would be ok with that.

this should be the rockets #1 plan although parsons I don't agree with. I like his heart and defensive ability, but his shooting and shot selection need major work. I think we should give some time to morris at that position.

[pharmag]

this should be the rockets #1 plan although parsons I don't agree with. I like his heart and defensive ability, but his shooting and shot selection need major work. I think we should give some time to morris at that position.

I agree his shooting and shot selection needs work, but that is something that can be fixed. Defensive ability and heart not so much. You either have it or you don't. I agree Morris needs more time, but it seems hard to find it on the wings. Maybe he will get some play now that the season is more or less over.

[rockets best fan]

I agree his shooting and shot selection needs work, but that is something that can be fixed. Defensive ability and heart not so much. You either have it or you don't. I agree Morris needs more time, but it seems hard to find it on the wings. Maybe he will get some play now that the season is more or less over.

I think the rockets clearly have some pieces that they have not taken a good good look at yet. I think morris is 1 of those pieces. I watched this kid at kansas, and based on what I saw he should be in the rotation (this is one of the reasons i'm upset with mc hale) I think bud should be moved to backup shooting guard if you can't get mayo. moving martin and scola should also be near the top of our to do list. on motie the jury is still out, but I don't think he could possibly be as bad as scola(that's kinda hard to do). what do you think about making a run at mc gee from denver? I know he was a head case in washington, but seems to have calm down in denver. he will be a restricted free agent this summer, is young and has a lot of promise.

[Alituro]

I think the rockets clearly have some pieces that they have not taken a good good look at yet. I think morris is 1 of those pieces. I watched this kid at kansas, and based on what I saw he should be in the rotation (this is one of the reasons i'm upset with mc hale) I think bud should be moved to backup shooting guard if you can't get mayo. moving martin and scola should also be near the top of our to do list. on motie the jury is still out, but I don't think he could possibly be as bad as scola(that's kinda hard to do). what do you think about making a run at mc gee from denver? I know he was a head case in washington, but seems to have calm down in denver. he will be a restricted free agent this summer, is young and has a lot of promise.

I wouldn't be so quick to ship off Scola, particularly if Motie is coming over. Scola has been the one pillar of consistency for us this season and seasons past. I know he's getting older and slower, I think he'd be a great mentor for Motie versus Patterson, who still has some learning to do himself. The transition from Euro to the NBA will be best taught by someone who has made that transition himself, and at the same position no less. I am leery of getting "too young", I think it will be imperative to have that cornerstone vet in order to improve, especially if we are doing it incrementally. If Motie is making the move though, I wouldn't mind packaging Patterson with Martin for some value.

Yes on more time for Morris. Rahat had said that we were a "top 10 offense" with our current wings, but that's entirely due to Dragic and Lowry being prolific scorers. I think we need to lessen them of that burden and find some consistent offensive production at the wings, especially if we can't land a high scoring post man.

I would pass on McGee, I've had enough experimenting with head cases, since we'll apparently have a ball or two in the lottery, I'd rather hold out and try to pick up a center there instead of taking those chances on McGee, personally.