The Case For Rebuilding The Houston Rockets 2010 and Beyond

     To truly compete in the NBA for the title,  there are a list of things a team needs, (besides good fortune).  Top notch talent, great coaching, and great personnel moves  by the front office.  Any teams that don't have these basic ingredients are fooling their fans, and themselves.   With the salary cap situation and other significant factors such as injuries, personnel moves are basically a crapshoot.  Sometimes it works (see Boston Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Heat), and sometimes it doesn't (see recent/current Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and everybody else).   

     So, the team I'm going to hold up as the best model of a team that consistently contends and has won the most championships in recent history is the San Antonio Spurs.  The reason why is the Spurs core players(their big 3) all came via the draft, and yet only one of them was a lottery pick. Tim Duncan.  

     As I've mentioned before, to contend for the title, a team needs at least 2 superstar level players, and a 3rd player considered amongst the better players in the league as well.  Then you need role players, and at least 3 bench players who can impact a game when the playoffs roll around...in a positive way.   The Rockets (Morey) have built a good team of role players.  Which will keep them in the running for the low end of the playoff seeds, and also keep them out of the lottery for acquiring a player with superstar talent potential.  So, to rebuild and contend, it will require a GM who will offer up assets (fan favorites) for draft position, and or picks at the trade deadline.  Which will break up the Rockets as currently constructed.  Before you comment, decide whether you prefer a team that is a serious title threat a la the Spurs, or you're content with first/second round exits. 

 Quick assessment of Houston's players;

Yao Ming- this guy is in the same situation as Tracy McGrady, coming off a major injury, and nobody knows what kind of player he will be whenever he gets back on the court.  And he will be at the end of his contract.  I would not rely/game plan on him being the same player he was.  And I would not/could not ignore his history of injuries, its worst than McGrady's. A fan favorite, he would need plenty of help, and that is the essence of this article.  The team I would rebuild would have options that would not place the burden of carrying this team at his injury prone feet.   

Aaron Brooks- Ultra quick fast guard labeled a point guard because of his size, but is really a undersized shooting guard.  Because of his defensive liabilities and size, he is better suited for a sixth man role.  He's on my trading block.  Some contender would bite on him.

Trevor Ariza- Swingman capable of defending most shooting guards and some small forwards.  A keeper- miscast by Rockets management with more scoring responsibilities.  He has not responded well to the extra duties.  Best served as the 5th option as a starter.  Not on my trading block

Luis Scola- Consistent production is what you get with this guy, but occasionally overmatched by physical, athletic power fowards.  He should be the first big man off the bench.  A keeper, a guy capable of impacting the game if paired with a physical rebounder/defender.  Not on my trading block.

Chuck Hayes- Gritty, undersized player who gets the most out of his abilities.  Unfortunately this isn't Kentucky, so he is candidate no.1 for a buyout. He has no value, so he would only be useful as part of some package.   

Shane Battier- Smart player who knows his limitations. He has to play with a team with multiple offensive stars, because he doesn't have much offense to offer, and teams will continously leave him to double team my best players. And he has done nothing in the playoffs offensively or defensively to warrant starting him.   Since he has a reputation as a good defender, I'm definitely putting him on the trade block. Never been blessed with athletic ability, he's at the age where his defensive skills are slipping....best to move him asap before his value drops anymore.  Another player some contender could/would love to have.   Otherwise he is a bench defensive role situational player. 

Kyle Lowery-  a pass-first smart point guard tough enough to get inside, will rebound, and run any style offense, but best suited for backup minutes.  Would be a nice tandem with bigger (more talented) point guard as a starter.  A keeper.  Not on my trading block. 

Carl Landry-a rapidly developing inside player on the offensive end.  I'd like to keep him, but if I have to trade him to acquire position (lottery pick) for better talent in the draft,  I would part ways with him.  Definitely should be a starter for this current team, and if I was able to keep him,  I'd be doing everything to help him at (hiring gurus) developing his game to play the small forward position.  Another player who like Brooks, his value will be high if it's known he's on the trading block.   

Chase Budinger-a young player who shows flashes of offensive skills.  However, his defense needs a lot of work.  A keeper, but could be packaged in a deal.  Both he and Landry would benefit from a coach (assistant) with defensive teaching skills. 

David Andersen- a player with international experience,  no defense, some offensive skills.  No value on the trading block, so I'm trying to save roster spots for big men that I can develop on the defensive end.  This is a roster spot that I would use for that purpose. 

Jermaine Taylor- haven't seen enough of him to gauge his abilities or value.  I'd rather have a defensive role player here. 

So, I've basically gutted the team as currently constructed.  My intent would be to acquire a top notch point guard,  a power forward capable of double digit rebounds, and a physical presence on defense, a small forward/wingman with superstar ability. 

Since nobody is willing to trade a Chris Paul, or Derrick Rose,  I'm going to look for one in the draft.  If Chris Bosh comes here, it won't be because he's the missing piece, and even so, he's not really a defender/shot blocker (and he has injury history too) either. So I need to draft and develop a big man.  Superstar (high scoring)     wingmen/guards are the easiest to come by.  I prefer to draft them, because I'd rather miss in the draft than to sign a free agent and miss and hamstring my ability (salary cap) to contend for the title.  Draftees cost a lot less than free agent superstars.  Keep an eye on Memphis Grizzlies, a young team built basically thru the draft, though (I'm not a fan of Zach Randolph) Randolph has being playing well so far this year.  The Grizzlies in the last 4-5 years, other than the Iverson fiasco have actually done well in putting a team together via the draft.  The key now is to keep the core together after the rookie contracts are up.  It's easier if players can identify progress being made.   

  There are plenty of guesses about who is willing to trade players/contracts for Tracy McGrady.  It could happen, but I don't think teams will do that.  I think Morey's best option is to just let the clock run out on Tracy's contract,  and not take any bad contracts back.  Iguodala is not a superstar, and if fans hate the low percentages of Ariza, Battier and others,  this guy is no better.  Dalembert is not worth his contract either.  These players will only excite fans, not bring a championship here.....only one (Wade) has won a championship, and he's only interested in playing for a team with talent ALREADY in place.  He knows what it takes, and has made clear to his current team, get some talent here, or I'm gone.