Could it be? Truth or not, fair or unfair, the image of the Rockets is that we have one guy dribbling for 15-20 seconds and then make a move, leaving other guys to watch, allowed by the coach. We also have a loud front office, a bit of a sore loser attitude, fans who don’t show up in the best numbers, a GM who is viewed as cold and just about numbers and a coaching situation that is not ideal (contract wise). Just based on the narrative and part truth, I can totally see why players would not take a pay cut to play here. Guys don’t necessarily get to show all their talent and might be relegated to spot up shooting. We are also probably not viewed as the best development organisation, partly because we don’t take the time as we are contending whenever possible. So anyone feeling this is true? I am really wondering. What is the view from the outside, maybe @Clutch @cyberx @Codman can shed some light on this?
I think agents are telling their clients that if you're looking to build up your value with playing time on a contender Houston isn't the first choice. MDA is sorry at player development and doesn't expand his rotation unless forced. Harden and Paul have Iso high usage numbers which limits what players can showcase. PS: Oh and our franchise is not stable. It's obvious from the owner to management.
For the most part, scrub players will go where the money is most Ring chasers will go where they think they have the best shot at a ring Star players will look for a combination of money, winning, lifestyle, "to be the guy"
Eh...A lot of guys are signing for the minimum this year because there isn't money to be had. Their number 1 priority is getting a job somewhere that lets them build value for next year. (except for old vets who are ring chasing of course)
If I was a young vet minimum player I would avoid the Rockets too. I would try to go to a team that I can get minutes and role. So the Rockets would be at the end of my list.
It's crazy though. Who do we have at the 4/5? A 6'6 PF and Capela (who may be our biggest piece of trade bait.) After that we have an unproven backup 5 who DAntoni didn't want to play last year. That's it. If you are Jordan Bell, Noah Vonleh, Jeff Green, Luke Kornet, Willie Caulie-Stein... You don't think you can get minutes here? That's kind of alarming.
Funny, I heard if you want to get paid or build your value, go play for Mike D'Antoni. Didn't Austin just say that? "Players love playing for Mike." "Mike lets you do whatever you want."
I wouldnt trust MDA to give me minutes if I was a young player. If I was a vet thats different. There are just too many better opportunities out there than taking the risk to end up being in MDAs doghouse
You act like Mike is coaching this team. We haven't played MDA basketball in 3 years. We're playing Harden ball
Stoudemire? Diaw? David Lee? Capela just got paid? Yeah, he don't like the post-up/PU bigs. (Sorry Dwight, sorry Pau) "Mike always says players love to play for him," Leslie Alexander said. "Not only because they get better, but they get paid. He'll be a lucrative source for us in free agency."
I think coaching and our Moreyball is a big part of this. As a big who cannot shoot, beware. We play small ball to a fault so that’s in general tough to convince a big man to come here. Morey is probably not even chasing a real big men as he doesn’t value size.
