By: Rahat Huq
- I have next to no doubts that Dwight will come back spry and active after this extended leave. The concern isn't so much this year but rather the future. Upon his return, if he looks as good as is to be expected, there will be those--the majority--who will proclaim that worries over his long-term health were unwarranted. Given the nature of the condition, that would and will be a very foolish reaction.
- How will Kevin McHale handle the rotation? Having four above average to excellent big men will be an embarrassment of riches and will come as a boon in the regular season when rest rules the day in the new order of NBA thinking. But in the playoffs? Does anyone really think the Rockets will include all four of these men in their rotation? Would that serve any benefit? For instance, in the regular season, it helps to have two great bench bigs, because they're usually playing against two other bench bigs or, one bench big and a starter who may not be at full rest. In the postseason, when the opponent will have one starting big on the floor at all times, with players better rested, won't Kevin McHale prefer to just keep the guys he likes most in the game longer?
- I had the late realization last week that we are the fan-base that embraced Josh Smith. That definitely typifies the ethos of the "that moment when" meme, especially in light of the national media/blogosphere's perception of this team and its fans.
- On Smith, per the league's rules, the Rockets will be limited in what they can offer the free-agent-to-be this summer. While still collecting checks from the Pistons, will it matter? This might be the first situation in Smith's life where he's been fully embraced and accepted for all of his warts. Really, he still does a few boneheaded things every game, but how often do you ever hear anyone complain? That has to stand for something, right?
- Of course, it would come as little to no surprise if Daryl Morey opted to allow both Josh Smith and Corey Brewer to walk this summer. Every year, there have been fan favorites whom that contingency deemed indispensable who turned out to be very...well, dispensable. Daryl Morey believes he can cobble together a bench at a moment's notice, and with his track record, who's to doubt him?
- This leads to another point: not only does it not matter what the fans think, but collective wisdom has proven to be a very fickle thing. Recall the number of fans this summer, on talk radio, and on message boards, screaming breathlessly that they would not spend another dollar in support of this team because Morey had opted to not resign Chandler Parsons. Wondering why its so quiet now? Because nobody cares. The Rockets are winning and Trevor Ariza has played well. Winning cures all ills.
