OT LMAO Rockets, Bosh going back to Miami

My take was that Morey didn't need to hit another home run. Sure Chris Bosh would have been nice, as he fits their needs to a T, but he probably could have created an equally competitive (or possibly more) roster by just making a number of safe moves. Retain Parsons for cheap, get a starter level power forward that might not be all-star quality. Then sign a few good bench pieces that complement your core. Howard and Harden by themselves is an extremely strong core as it is. They could have built a more balanced roster without the risk of the scenario they are facing now.

IMO, Morey is a gambler. He's smart, but not brilliant. He won two times in a row but like any other gambler he couldn't resist going for it again. It remains to be seen how much of a stepback this offseason really is, but the Rockets could probably have a roster right now that would be just as dangerous as the one with Bosh, if they didn't decide to shoot for the moon.

 

But you frame this as if they're now facing an apocalyptic scenario. I don't think the team is significantly weaker than they were. Maybe slightly weaker, but I think that was an acceptable risk for getting a third star. It's not like he ripped the team apart for that chance.

I agree that it's possible that the right direction to go was to sign a few solid players and not shoot for a big ticket item, but I don't think that that path would have been strictly superior (better than even the upside of his gamble, getting Bosh) and they're going to have plenty of chances to get solid role-players going forward using the MLE and the BAE. This was their final chance to have an impact signing.

I don't know if Morey is brilliant. I think it's way too early to say that he is or isn't and I would default to "isn't," because most people aren't. But I don't think he's too much of a gambler. I think "too much of a gambler" might fit Whitsitt making moves like trading for Shawn Kemp and signing Rod Strickland and Detlef Schrempf...making somewhat desperate upside gambles on guys who were probably (based on what was known at the time; in retrospect they obviously were) past their primes. Risking basically one decent but not great player (Asik) for an in-his-prime star in your final chance at real cap space during this "era" isn't gambling too much, in my opinion.

 

I'm not saying it's an apocalyptic scenario. Hell, any scenario where they keep Harden and Howard is salvageable. I'm only comparing what they have now to what they could have had. Most contending teams, unless they're losing LeBron or something, don't really take a step back. The Rockets took a step back when they could have planted a firm foot forward. That's all I'm getting at.

 

Sure, but risking a small step back for a huge step forward is a pretty good gamble, IMO. I mean, if you bet $100 for a chance at $1000 with decent odds, that's a great bet. If you lose, you can be criticized for losing money, but that doesn't mean the decision-making was flawed.

We can, of course, debate whether he had decent odds or not (I think NateBishop thinks not, which is fine), but if you feel you do, it's a good decision. Only Bosh knows for sure how seriously he was considering Houston, but I don't think it's unreasonable to believe that he was seriously considering Houston. Just the fact that he went back to Miami doesn't mean he never considered Houston.

 

There is a poster with inside knowledge on the clutchfans forums that said Bosh was considering the Rockets because the Heat lowballed him after learning LeBron was going to the Cavs. Then the Heat panicked and offered the max, which Bosh took. Take it for what it's worth but all things equal I think Bosh clearly preferred Miami.

My point is still that the Rockets could have put together an equally competitive team than the one with Bosh and no bench and avoid the risk altogether. Howard and Harden are good enough by themselves. That may still be possible.....but after the Ariza signing I doubt it.

 

Morey's ego got in his way and he dealt Asik and Lin before he got assurances from Bosh. Huge error by the GM. Good that he shoots for big deals, but needs to be smart about it and not think everyone wants to go to the Rockets (a poster of Melo in a Rocket uni with Lin's number was also pretty stupid and had zero effect)

I would rather have Ariza at 8 mil/yr for 4 yrs than Parsons at 15 mil/yr for 3 yrs and a player's option.

I have my own theory, not supported by anything but a hunch, but I don't think a lot of players want to play with Howard. Think that is why Melo never really considered Houston.

 

Yes

 

how did Beverly's knee turnout? he is due a payday next offseason too, yeah?

 

I said resign Parsons and use their trade exceptions or sign 1 year deals and offer a deal to LA.

 

Right, and Parsons contract is $15 million a year. You know that counts against the cap right? Parsons at 15M + Harden at 15M + Howard at 22M is over 52M of committed salary to three players. Even if the salary cap moved up to ~65M next year, the most they could offer LA is around 13M a year. There's no chance LA would even consider that. Not to mention the Rockets would have to literally clear every other player on the roster and fill up 8 roster spots with min players.

 

Houston is fine. Afterall they have superstar Troy Daniels still.

 

The difference with the Minnesota / Batum deal was that Batum hadn't signed the offer. It was all posturing by Minny to get a S&T. Portland just said sign the offer & we'll match.... so Minny never had Batum sign for like a week. That's why we heard so many rumors. Once the offer was officially signed, there were no more S&T rumors.

 

Yep. I like it. He took a shot and it didn't happen. Expected value calculation.

 

It's awesome that their starting PF will be Terrence Jones.

Bill Bayno and his pads plays better D than Jones can.

 

Bosh is a Dallas guy. Doesn't that make Houston his hated rival growing up? I wonder if he strung them along in free agency out of spite.

 

Bosh said a couple of years ago that he preferred not to go back to Texas because of family asking for tickets and things all the time

 

Pencil LaMarcus in for 40 on those nights...

 

It sucks if family takes advantage of your generosity so much that you'd prefer to leave the state...

 

The only mistake Morey made this offseason was to not keep Parsons for peanuts. If he wants he can still match Parsons and trade him to another team. If they could get cap space and a 1st rounder for Asik, they should be able to get at least that for Parsons.

Morey has built a superteam, good for him. I and apparently others here from their reactions are jealous. What the team really needs is a coach who can get Harden to not play some of the worst defense in the league. Instead, he re-signed McHale. OK, I guess that make 2 mistakes for Morey this offseason.