The Jabari thing is weird because Jabari is actually smart. A lot of his problems come from overthinking. This is one reason why I'm wary of this whole story. Whoever used the R word on him (and I'm reserving judgment on that — there are also lots of reasons to be skeptical that it wasn't KD) either didn't really know him or just meant he's often clumsy. Maybe they just meant "spazz." Which tells you their level of understanding.
So far I haven’t heard anybody outside of Clutch in the media admit that his answer really didn’t help things even the question Katie was asked looked like the ask as well as the answer were rehearsed (understandably)
Yeah exactly this, clear as day to anybody who watched it without spinning it in their head as "proof." "No comment, next please."
They literally gave Fred a max contract! And also, in their eyes, he was the most valuable player last season on the No. 2 seed in the West. They certainly don't agree that he "didn't play well." If you don't agree with that, that's fine. To each their own. But I think we're sorta going in circles. They have a much higher view of Fred than many fans. Maybe they're wrong. I'm just passing along the logic. To your latter points, I agree, winning is why it didn't matter in 2017. That's what I was saying, it didn't single handedly dictate that season. Now, if the Rockets don't win, is this likely to become an even bigger deal? Of course. But what I'm saying is that it starts with the losing, and in theory, the same team that started 13-4 is still there. They've just gotta go out and do it. If not, then yes, this is likely to cause even more of a spiral. Finally, it feels like you're misinterpreting me a bit -- yes, of course the rest of the team matters. I was saying that the focus should be on Jabari/Alpi, not KD, because those are the three names we're all discussing this week. But sure, the same applies to anyone else who reacts that way. These are human beings. The larger point, I'm just not comfortable telling any of them how they should or will react. I'm just watching as a bystander, it's not about me. That's all I was trying to say.
Also, to address this angle specifically, yeah -- I'm absolutely biased and using rose colored glasses, to some extent. I own that. I want nothing more than to see this team win at a high level, so that's why I'm not gonna entirely jump to the doomsday scenario just yet. While acknowledging the possibility that this may end poorly, I'm also grasping at straws and trying to keep hope alive, because there are still 29 games left and then the playoffs. We've got all offseason to talk about the doomsday angles, if that's what ends up playing out.
Not surprising the Rockets aren't going to publicly address it during the season unless absolutely necessary. I think two things will either play out during the summer: 1) Rockets get to WCF or beyond and we end up laughing about it during the offseason. 2) Rockets under perform and get bounced by an inferior team in the 1st round and then it becomes "well did KD kill the chemistry?"
What you said is fine and everyone is entitled to their own opinion but it’s a bit of a copout to say “maybe they’re wrong and it’s not really on me take a stance” It’s completely illogical to place your faith in a 5’11” guard , below average shooter barely averaging double digit points that is coming off of a season ending surgery in the twilight of his career. And I like FVV, he has a high IQ and would make a good coach. This organization is scraping bottom of the barrel kings territory. There seems to be a reflexive response of fans being knee jerk online but most of the armchairing people on this site have been doing has been more money than this “front office”
dude your fandom is inspiring and I’m super happy you’ve made a successful career out of it as well as being a journalist. More to the point you are a classy guy. It’s okay to respectfully disagree sometimes. I think this has been a tough yr because there were high expectations and legit questions about player development and team building. I feel like there’s only more questions now. We’ve had some adversity. Lots of rightful frustration around the coaching. And let’s be honest, concerns about the backcourt have been legit for years now. So know one wants to hear excuses. Know one was expecting us to take a step back after acquiring KD. This backstabbing stuff just makes things worse. I think it’s fair to ask if we are getting enough development out of our guys or what is the realistic ceiling. Fair to ask if offensive creativity is a big blind spot in the coaching. Fair to question our GM not being able to build a team that fits or sitting out two of the best drafts in a row this decade. Lots of questions and concerns. Meanwhile it feels to many of us that we aren’t realistically gonna catch OKC or San Antonio with the current roster and team building approach.
It's not a copout. It's just me trying to explain what the thought process was, since I think the whole question of "why not have a backup plan" is fundamentally flawed, once you understand their starting point. If you want my personal opinion, I'd have explored using FVV and keeping Jalen during the KD negotiations last summer. I've reported before, their data from last season showed that their "one guard" lineups were fantastic (with either Fred or Jalen), but the combined pairing never got the desired results. My personal opinion, knowing that, I'd have sold high on the smaller 31-year-old and roll the dice on a 23-year-old who (while inconsistent) clearly has a ton of upside. Or you could've done Dillon/Jabari and filler, there was a financial path. But I'm an amateur, I'm certainly no expert. So when I have actual news (i.e. I can tell you, for a 100% fact, what the thought process was from the FO about a controversial decision), I don't want to blend it with Ben DuBose's personal hot takes about GMing. It's a hard blend for the audience, so that's why I don't want to do it in the same breath.
As the role of a reporter, understand and agree that should be objective and steer clear of opinion pieces. I was speaking to @The Cat the poster on Clutchfans as this is a message board intended for takes/opinions.
I think his soft ass did it but chemistry was already dead the day we traded for him. Im not shocked at all. .
