I absolutely gave up on them last night. It sucks because the rest of the world is literally on fire and everything is awful.
Its Durant's leadership that is lacking as well as Ime's lack of adjustments. Durant constantly displays a defeated look which rubs on players like Amen, Tari and Bari. He needs to be better.
How can you hold out hope watching them learn zero lessons every night while the GM waved the white flag a month ago in a press conference? These games are just sacrificial and an income stream for greasy spoon king Fertitta.
Yeah, the Rockets were kind of my escape hatch this time last year. That team was fun to root for. This year they're just making me feel even worse. Guess I need to find a really good video game to play or something.
NBA players are humans too. They like winning games, yes. But they are all just as motivated by pursuing the advancement of their own careers. The last two years all motivations were aligned. Everyone's career advancement hinged on us proving we were actually a good team. The young guys needed to prove it to solidify their spot in the league long-term. The vets needed to prove they've still got it, and earn their next contract as team first guys. Nobody was optimizing for themselves. Everyone was pulling in the same direction. The Suns are an example of how that looks, this season. This year that's no longer the case. KD has been out for himself since he left OKC ten years ago. Sengun has already gotten paid, and realizes this environment is probably not good for him taking the next step in his development (it isn't). Amen is trying to get paid as an on-ball PG, not a high-end role player. Tari is the worst of it - he's obviously gunning for himself alone and it has made him awful. Probably ~10 wins last year were dependent on alignment. We are misaligned now. You don't need to be all-in to be aligned, but you do need to have a coherent set of team and individual agendas. Hopefully our moves this summer reflect that.
Honestly, we NEED to trade Durant while his value will still be high this off season and re-tool. We missed on getting a franchise player three years in a row, partly because Silver screwed us out of the #1 pick even though we had the worst record three years straight. I would trade Amen or Sengun but preferably Amen. I dont see him ever developing a jumpshot. Hes got a soft touch, so it doesnt make sense that he cant shoot, but yet here we are. Worst shooter in the league. Sengun hit his ceiling last year already, so he'll be what he is. Reed is probably the ONLY untouchable. Hes getting better and better but still his size will always be an issue. His offense will make up for whatever he lacks on defense though. I can see him as a Curry/Paul mix on offense.
I gave up when the Durant comments were made public when it was clear it was him. I'm sure the guys feel similar. At this point they're just going through the motions.
I honestly think this season is on Stone. If we had a chance to trade for Giannis, I don't understand why we wouldn't have just pulled the trigger. This isn't a team setting up to be a dynasty as constructed. We've been screwed over and over again by the draft. If Patrick Fertita has ANYTHING to do with the players we have drafted, then he has to go! Let Eli Witus take over!
Why would Reed be at risk from an expansion draft? Wouldn't he be in, at a minimum, the top 4 or 5 guys we'd want to protect?
They realize they can’t beat OKC and SA so several guys seem to be just collecting a paycheck. Which is unfortunate because even making the 2nd round is valuable experience for Amen, Jabari, Reed and Alpi.
I’ve about given up. I have watched probably 75% or more of all Rockets games since the Wall & KPJ days but have probably watched less this half this year It is almost unbearable to watch. Amen & Reed will barely drive to the paint anymore cause they have to pass to KD at top of the key every play so he can do his bullshit If we don’t make any guard upgrades this off season, and they just roll out Fred and try to call it a day, it will probably be the least enthused I’ve been for Rockets ball since idk how long
these 4 i want to keep and build a team around. I don't care about the rest. Re-tool the roster and let next year be a soft rebuild. Reset expectations and renew the energy. Reed, Amen, Jabari are all still under 24 and have lots of room to grow. They also are a nice fit stylistically with each other.
