Ron Artest on 2008-09 Rockets: "We had an amazing team."

Man, I sure do miss that team. Even without Tmac, had Deke and Yao not gotten injured, we would've gave the Lakers a serious run for the money. We took them to game 7 with role players for crying out loud. Wow, I miss Yao. He was Mr. Automatic down low.

 

We picked him up as a free agent. Dude got cut from every team.

 

You could argue he was done and was already into some substance at that time.

 

Man, 2009 was our year. If our players hadnt gotten injured we would of won the title. no doubt.

 

man, i miss YAO, DEKE and LANDRY so much, soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much

 

I think you are completely wrong on this.

We had "tanked" (not good enough players) + ping pong magic led to Yao Ming, he was our lotto savior. Add TMac a superstar (yea he skipped out etc, but I'm assuming had he played), and Artest an above avg player who is massively underrated because of the brawl (now he sucks, but I'm talking about at the time).

Morey had to just fill in the pieces with role players, which are easy to come by for a smart GM like Morey. Superstars pick their destination, role players don't.

Josh Smith is an athletic freaking and just a role player, if he was as good as you say he is, "a top PF", the Hawks would be much better than they are. Josh Smith has the tools to be a 2nd star on a team (Gasol type), but he isn't even mentally at this point able to be that, and I have my doubts he ever will be.

The reason the Rockets need to tank is to find another gem in the draft. IF superstars didn't pick their destinations like they do, I have no doubt Morey would've already landed someone (whether it be Bosh, Paul, or somebody), but they do. With that being said having a superstar is NEEDED to attract other stars (as the NBA is), as well as win (see the Superstar foul calls thread). Rockets will have trouble getting a superstar here through trading/FA, but with lucky ping pong balls, and Morey's good drafting sense, I think we'd be able to get a player to build around with a top 3 pick (especially in a draft as stacked as this years).

 

Side note:
This thread brings back so many good AND so many painful memories at the same time.

 

I remember that pregame Kobe handshake to Battier, it is almost like a hard slap than a cordial handshake. I believe if Artest win that championship for Houston, he would of kept that ring instead of donating his Lakers ring to charity. 1 of the best memories besides our champ years, I wished I had not live in a cave and enjoy bleeding Red here.

 

That team was so exciting - Full of passion. I remember the Yao Ming coming back from tunnel, the bleeding Batman, Buzzer beater from Aaron Brooks, tears of Deke at his last game, Artest in stand, Scola's dreamshake on Odom, every dunk from Carl Landry, and interview of injured team leader saying 'Lakers win'=)

 

Yer entitled to your opinion...
Personally I think we have MOST of the pieces to do a Detroit no superstars championship.... and I think DMo is our gem...
Additionally, as the new CBA kicks in and teams are paying these multiple max salaries 3 or 4 years into them, I think you'll see more movement of 'stars' (ie Bosh)....