160 replies to this topic

[08huangj]

Hey guys, I just forgot to remind you guys how silly Bleacher Report was. I think I previously mentioned it on this forum.

But it seems like the Rockets will almost definitely trade Terrence Jones away though. Although he is inconsistent, you've got to remember there was a stretch of about 10 games before he broke his ribs that he constantly put up 18&10s. He is also a ok rim protector. His block averages prove it. I still like D-Mo's game more though.

[thejohnnygold]

Hey guys, I just forgot to remind you guys how silly Bleacher Report was. I think I previously mentioned it on this forum.

But it seems like the Rockets will almost definitely trade Terrence Jones away though. Although he is inconsistent, you've got to remember there was a stretch of about 10 games before he broke his ribs that he constantly put up 18&10s. He is also a ok rim protector. His block averages prove it. I still like D-Mo's game more though.

 

I have been a huge fan of his and I like a lot of Jones' game; however, I have to finally concede that Rahat is right.  He's been saying for quite some time that Jones disappears against quality competition and I have to agree.  At this point, waiting for him to figure that out seems risky and, possibly, foolish.  I'd tolerate it if he maintained some defensive/rebounding presence in those games, but that's the worst part usually.

 

Ultimately, finding a hybrid 3/4 that can drive, dish, defend, rebound, drill the 3, etc. (Morey's quest when drafting Parsons, Morris, Jones, White, Papanikolaou, etc.) has proven to be a failure; however, his vision was spot on as evidenced by Draymond Green.  I have no doubt he will continue looking...but probably not this year.

 

As for the Mavs, they are tied to a lot of players.  If rumors were true they would be signing, Aldridge, D. Jordan, D. Green, J. Lin plus others.  I think the Mavs look unstable right now and it may hurt them over the next season or 2 in recruiting FA's.  Green would be a solid role player for just about any team.  I'm not certain that's what Morey's looking for.

 

I am also dubious we go after LMA/Love.  Love isn't leaving Cleveland to come to Houston--he might leave (big might), but if he does I will be shocked if it's to come here.  LMA might come here, but the S&T involved would be costly and with D-Mo/Smith how much upgrade are we really getting?  I'd say less than we ship out to get him (meanwhile we still have the PG issue).

 

I still maintain that if Llull comes over Morey will draft the "best player available" and it will likely be a PF tweener.  If not, we need to get one of the 2nd tier PG's in this draft.

 

Two things you can't coach out of a player or find for a dime a dozen: skilled bigs and quality pg's.  Just about everything else can be found without much trouble.  Morey will draft one of those today (or trade for one  ).

[majik19]

File this into the category of snowball's chance in hell but... 

 

Demarcus Cousins rumors are flying like crazy. WHAT IF the Rockets could obtain him? (I mean, the Lakers' proposal is Julius Randle + #2...?) I made a crazy trade work in the trade machine for the Rockets, but I'm not sure he would even fit next to Howard. Not to mention he has attitude problems... but we would definitely have a 3rd star that can bring it on both ends. 

 

Houston sends: Ariza, Jones, Papa, Capela, Dorsey, Prigioni, and our 1st

Sacramento sends: Cousins and one of McLemore/Stauskas (whichever they're less enamored with these days)

 

I actually think LA is a better fit for us, but Cousins is the better talent.

 

On another note, Anthony Bennett is available for peanuts, I think. Should we take a shot on him? I know he hasn't shown anything, but he was thought of enough to be a #1 pick (and even if he shouldn't have been, he still would have been top 5). I don't mean trading our 1st rounder, but what about a 2nd or something like that (plus prig or someone to make the salary work). 

[thenit]

I would include Dwight in that trade if that what it takes. 

 

I can't see Sac taking that deal, anyone of value would be Ariza. Dorsey, Prigs and Papa are fillers, while JOnes and Capela might be decent nba players in the future and for a rebuilding team they dont need Ariza, Cap, TJ to keep them out of the lottery by being decent.

[Freebird]

Utah is chirping about Trey Burke being moved - any thoughts on him?  I liked his game in college (aside from that KU loss), and has OK numbers for a limited time player.  Enough to be our 2nd point?  Costs aside, I mean - just as a player.

[Losthief]

No, i'd keep bev over burke

[Freebird]

Not really a comparison - I think we keep Bev, regardless.  Just as a backup point, I think he's young enough and brings some value, without the payroll hit a Hill or a Lawson includes.

[Cooper]

He can't shoot or guard anyone. Not a good fit

[08huangj]

Rockets to chase Aldridge and Love...

Every year they chase a star player!

[clydesmoustache]

He can't shoot or guard anyone. Not a good fit

.
talking about guys that can't shoot or defend rockets talking about rubio! Please NO! He is broken goods.

[Davealicious]

[quote name="thejohnnygold" post="48470" timestamp="1435242628"] 
I still maintain that if Llull comes over Morey will draft the "best player available" and it will likely be a PF tweener.  If not, we need to get one of the 2nd tier PG's in this draft.
 
I'm thinking that based on the draft, one of two thjngs is occurring:
1) Llull is headed this way.
2) (much less desirable) Minny is possibly looking to trade Rubio after picking up TJones in trade and the Rockets are suitors.

I much prefer option 1. Although Lawson was quoted as saying he's headed to Sac, so maybe we make a play for Collison?

[majik19]

[quote name="thejohnnygold" post="48470" timestamp="1435242628"] 
I still maintain that if Llull comes over Morey will draft the "best player available" and it will likely be a PF tweener.  If not, we need to get one of the 2nd tier PG's in this draft.
 
I'm thinking that based on the draft, one of two thjngs is occurring:
1) Llull is headed this way.
2) (much less desirable) Minny is possibly looking to trade Rubio after picking up TJones in trade and the Rockets are suitors.

I much prefer option 1. Although Lawson was quoted as saying he's headed to Sac, so maybe we make a play for Collison?

 

I think Morey must have either a good sense that Llull is coming, Lawson is available and get-able, or Rubio is available and get-able. Though, like the rest of you on the forum, I am not a big Rubio fan on this team - he's not a good enough shooter, period. 

[rockets best fan]

I think Morey must have either a good sense that Llull is coming, Lawson is available and get-able, or Rubio is available and get-able. Though, like the rest of you on the forum, I am not a big Rubio fan on this team - he's not a good enough shooter, period. 

agreed on all points. I don't think the outcome will be Llull though.......at least that's what I'm hoping. I'm not buying the hype on him.......think J. Lin  all hype no substance. problem is I'm really not that high on Lawson or Rubio especially at their likely asking price. I would be much happier with G. Hill or Colison. Stuckey is interesting, but not as a starter, just as a rotation player. Minny taking Tyrus Jones worries me on the Rubio front. of our likely options this is the least favorable IMO which probably means that the way the Rockets will go

[thejohnnygold]

The media is getting on my nerves again.  Seems they can't resist the urge to subtly, and sometimes not so subtly, try to disparage our team and front office.  They're linking us to nearly every free agent like we're desperate for the talent and objectivity/facts are out the window.

 

Apparently, we will be pursuing Draymond Green this offseason.  (according to Yahoo! Sports)

 

 

I can't imagine more than a cursory phone call to Green's agent saying, "Hey, what do you think the odds are that we offer Green the MLE and Golden State doesn't match?  Not good?  Oh, ok.  What about a sign and trade where we give them our scraps and they give us one of their best players...to a conference rival....to one of the few teams capable of toppling them in the next few years....Not good?  Oh, ok."

 

If that wasn't dripping with enough sarcasm then let me be clear--there is zero chance Morey spends more than 7 seconds thinking about Green this off season....except, perhaps, imagining D-Mo destroying him in the post the next time they try that small ball stuff.

 

What are you going to do about that, Kerr?  David Lee?  (He's gone and wouldn't help anyway).  Ezeli?  Switch Bogut off Howard?  No, your best bet is Mareese Speights and I'm ok with that.  (no disrespect to Speights--I'd take him on our team any day).

 

Getting back on topic...if anyone reads these rumors feel free to mock and curse the author (cough--Mark Spears--cough-cough) for being a worthless shill.  I bet he's one of those people who says, "I'd rather be lucky than good", and means it because it's actually true for him.  I wish I had majored in "Pandering" when I was in college--who knew it was so lucrative?

 

I think it's hilarious that Spears only mentioned Houston, Atlanta, and Detroit as interested suitors.  Really?  Isn't it far more likely a team like New York, Indiana, Toronto, or San Antonio makes an offer?  I can see Atlanta (possibly losing Millsap and having cap space) and Detroit (need wing help and losing Monroe plus having cap space), but Houston?

 

 

Meanwhile, Marc Stein (not to be outdone by Marc Spears) is stirring the pot regarding Eric Bledsoe.  His source?  Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times  (Yes, that's Racine, Wisconsin).  Good stuff, Marc.  Any mention of the Rockets here?  Nope, but there should be.  The Suns have inked Knight to a big time 5-yr $70M dollar deal.  Now, I don't think for a second Phoenix is shopping Bledsoe.  I think they like their roster and the direction they are heading.  Still, if Houston was going to stick their nose into someone's business it would be here.

 

As mentioned before, the price would be incredibly high (largely because they don't want to move him!!!).  Barring a trade for a bona fide star or a team mortgaging their entire future Bledsoe is not on the block.  Let's move on.

 

Amazingly, no talk on Brandon Jennings.  Ty Lawson may not like all the talk about his off court stuff, but at least people are talking about him.  Brandon Jennings is like yesterday's trash--gone and forgotten.  Somebody is going to happily trade for him and get a steal.  Corey Brewer wants a long term deal (which we likely can't give him) and the Pistons need a wing and a forward.  Let's make a deal! 

 

The good news is the LA Daily News has decided that DeMarcus Cousins is "even-higher-maintenance-than-Dwight-Howard"...maybe they can finally let go...

 

Ugh...the 1st can't get here soon enough.  It's starting to feel like Brewer and McDaniels are gone (Hello, Sam Dekker).  Not knowing our PG situation is starting to make me crazy and cranky 

[Cooper]

I think a lot of the buzz is driven by agents using the rockets and other teams like the lakers as the free agent bogey trying to convince gms there is a bigger market for their guys than there probably is to squeeze a few more bucks out of them. 

[Losthief]

"I'd rather be lucky than good"

 

Thats just low jg *looks at signature*, jk jk its from when i used to play a fps game way back...also i think it takes luck (health, loose balls, etc to win a ring). I agree with you on the media...dead time in sports, lets make caca-doo-doo up and report it as facts/speculation.

 

Anyways, i agree with you 100 percent, we are not getting a star RFA (like green)....we don't have the money to tie into that anyways. The only way we are 'trading' for a FA is if he is Unrestricted and really, really wants to come here (aka its the only option for the other team) cause we'd have to do a sign and trade most likely. Also if GSW got green at the MLE i'd call the SEC for fraud right then and there, first steph then green lol.

 

I'd take jennings and I'm warming to the collison idea. Looking at him I worry about his defense but he wasn't actually that bad (in DAL/LAC) before SAC and we know how bad defensively that SAC team is (and dysfunctional). And at 5 mil a year wouldn't take much/lose much getting him. (Jennings 8.3 mil isn't bad either).

[thejohnnygold]

Thats just low jg *looks at signature*, jk jk its from when i used to play a fps game way back...also i think it takes luck (health, loose balls, etc to win a ring). I agree with you on the media...dead time in sports, lets make caca-doo-doo up and report it as facts/speculation.

 

Anyways, i agree with you 100 percent, we are not getting a star RFA (like green)....we don't have the money to tie into that anyways. The only way we are 'trading' for a FA is if he is Unrestricted and really, really wants to come here (aka its the only option for the other team) cause we'd have to do a sign and trade most likely. Also if GSW got green at the MLE i'd call the SEC for fraud right then and there, first steph then green lol.

 

I'd take jennings and I'm warming to the collison idea. Looking at him I worry about his defense but he wasn't actually that bad (in DAL/LAC) before SAC and we know how bad defensively that SAC team is (and dysfunctional). And at 5 mil a year wouldn't take much/lose much getting him. (Jennings 8.3 mil isn't bad either).

 

Ha, that's funny about your signature.  No offense taken, I hope.  I've always preferred the cockier version that I use to talk trash to friends: "I wasn't born to be lucky--just good" 

 

If defense weren't an issue I'd be fine with Collison, but it is and I am not sold on his ability there at all.  Jennings doesn't offer much more on defense to be fair, but I think he is superior offensively as a creator for others and as a 2nd/3rd fiddle I think his scoring efficiency would increase.  Oh, and that 51.6 3fg% from the corners is nice (over 41 games last season).  Collison isn't bad either at 47%...and his career average hovers there...wow....that is really, really nice.  I could get used to that.  Still, the plan is to get a creator not a shooter and Jennings is one of the best who (maybe) is available and, more importantly, viable via trade.

[rockets best fan]

@JG

I agree we have been connected to almost all top line FAs and it's a long shot we obtain any, but at least the rest of the NBA is starting to take us as a serious threat. I think Houston is looked at favorably among FA's and the media is starting to pick up on that fact. we were once an afterthought....now they almost expect us to pull off the impossible. Morey may indeed have a trick or two left up his sleeve. when Morey first started down this road of building this team they were laughing.............their not laughing any more 

[Losthief]

No offense at all jg, just was funny when I noticed it...who reads signatures really anyways, haha. If stuff as simple as that could bother me I'd be one of those people scared to go on the internet at all.

 

Jennings is younger than collison too by 2 years so there's that. I'd be pretty happy with either guy starting and someone like cj watson as the third guy. His 40 percent 3pt shooting calls to me haha.

[thejohnnygold]

Glad to hear it, LosThief.

 

I'm starting to get concerned about an Aldridge deal.  With Batum out Portland needs a wing (especially if they lose Matthews/Afflalo too).  It just so happens Houston has a glut of players that fill Portland's needs.  Lopez is off the books.  They have Meyers Leonard, Noah Vonleh, and Mason Plumlee as their only bigs (they can bring Kaman back as well).

 

It depends on if we can work a sign and trade with Brewer (increasing his salary into the $8-$9M range).  Otherwise, Ariza might be the linchpin in a deal for Aldridge that would include a combo of D-Mo, Jones, Papanikolaou, and/or Nick Johnson.  If we can keep Ariza and D-Mo I'm all for it.  Otherwise, It's got the Barkley trade smell all over it.  I know that most people still believe that was a good deal, but I have never been one of them.