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Rockets Team Identity/Culture & How it Affects Free Agency

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by BreakYoSelfFool, Jul 2, 2019.

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What What Should the Rockets Team Culture Be and What Personalities of Players Should We Target

  1. Pure Shooters (Ray Allen, Dirk, & Glen Rice Type)

    4 vote(s)
    36.4%
  2. Underdog/Tough Guy/Hard Defenders (Beverly, Jimmy Butler, & PJ Tucker type)

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%
  3. Clutch Performers (Horry & Chauncey Billups type)

    5 vote(s)
    45.5%
  4. Smart Team Players w/ Intangibles (Shane Battier & Tim Duncan type)

    4 vote(s)
    36.4%
  5. Extreme Competitor/Killer Instinct (Kobe & Jordan type)

    2 vote(s)
    18.2%
  6. Athletic/Physical Freaks (Giannis, TMac, Shaq, Yao, & Zion type)

    2 vote(s)
    18.2%
  7. Hustle/ Effort/ Energy (Kawhi Leonard & Dennis Rodman type)

    3 vote(s)
    27.3%
  8. Swiss Army Knife/All-Around (Magic & Lebron)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. Unselfish Distributor (Stockton & Chris Paul)

    1 vote(s)
    9.1%
  10. Penetrator/Off the Dribble Creators (Iverson & Kyrie)

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. BreakYoSelfFool

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    What is the Rockets current identity, do we even have one? By this I mean is there a specific type of player the Rockets target or specific characteristics that are a must for players. In my opinion we don't have one and it hinders us from successfully recruiting to build a champion. While it is not necessary to have a team identity, I think it helps cohesiveness. H
    aving a unique identity that players can identify with can strengthen a team and also give free agents that fit the culture more willing to join the team and buy in.
    Usually a team gets their identity or culture from their best player, coach,
    the front office
    , or
    the city they represent
    . I think this could also help with the media and outsider perceptions of the team. Currently we are viewed as team that:
    • lets nerds tell them how to play basketball
    • just runs up the court and shoots threes all the time
    • just stands around watching Harden dribble.
    We are not known for any positive or defining trait. We also don't necessarily target the best players for any specific play style. We don't have any play calling that emphasizes any strengths or style. I understand Harden is our star and we are efficient with him playing ISO basketball, but aside from that, doesn't seem like there is much else. We emphasize high efficiency shots, but don't have any strategy or team concept on how we will get them, besides hoping James can get to the Rim, 3pt, or FT line. We don't target guys who are great last second spot up shooters, people who can create off the dribble, tough defenders, athletic floor runners, pick and roll specialists, rebounders, or any other type of player that can compliment James.

    I understand that stars win games and star power is important, but there is still a need for the stars to be able to work together.
    It doesn't feel like there is enough thought on how the pieces will fit or play together. Or maybe there is a plan and the players are not buying in. For example, Harden and Dwight could have been a killer pick and roll combo and destroyed teams, but Dwight wasn't interested. Seems like this is something we could have known ahead of time. Seems like we run around chasing the scent of anyone we consider a star or close to it, but have no actual criteria to the type of star we need or type of players that would best surround them. I think even if you are open to whatever star you can get, there needs to be a philosophy when filling out role players, besides whoever we can get for a bargain.

    I think James and Paul could still be a great combo, but we need to find an identity that fits them both and uses what they bring to the team. Also would help if the rest of the players supported this. Keep in mind most players may fit multiple categories, and the greats usually fit in 4 or more. The question is which traits should be must haves in all our players.

    Examples of team cultures:
    94 Rockets: 3&D and Clutch Play
    Bad Boy Pistons: Defense and Dirty Play
    GS Warriors: Pure Shooters and Unselfish Distributors
    Shaq & Kobe Lakers: Overwhelming Athletic freaks
    San Antonio Spurs: Smart Unselfish Players
     
  2. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Moreyball

    3 and Layup. Switch Defense.
     
  3. Texanasiafan

    Texanasiafan Member

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    ISO / Not care about Defense much, until you really stink, then call Bzdelik again / Night Club / The Kardashians / Fat GM love Twitter and TV/Radio interviews so much
     
  4. Texanasiafan

    Texanasiafan Member

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    Actually there are more Rox culture :

    Clean up on aisle 4 / sitting in the locker room and watching our bench scrubs beating up the Knicks

    If you are having fun on these Rox culture, then you should be prepared to get hated.

    Its a fair game.
     
  5. coachbadlee

    coachbadlee Member

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    WWW
    TTT
    FFF???!!!
     
  6. Highlyrated

    Highlyrated Member

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    Has won us how many championships?
     
    BeardNation13 likes this.
  7. PeterKingX

    PeterKingX Member

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    Rockets are done in FA?

    We dont add any new player!

    No splash...
     
  8. JW86

    JW86 Member

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    It's not about that, it's about our play style, Harden & CP3 - plenty dislike either or both - but more importantly: an organisation run by loud mouth Texans who go public with everything, have little humility and don't put their money where their mouth is. I highly doubt Morey is working hard to sign guys.
     
  9. BHannes2BHonest

    BHannes2BHonest 2 SOLID FOR WEIRD AZZES

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  10. Madmanmetz

    Madmanmetz Member
    Supporting Member

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    Celtics of the Bird era - Confidence and everyone did the little things to win.
    Showtime Lakers - thrived in the brightest of lights.
    Jordan's Bulls - Greatest killer instinct ever seen in sports by one player.

    The Harden Rocket's identity has been we want to beat the Warriors and we want MVP respect. I honesty fell like prior to the hamstring game, they had developed an identity of defense no matter the score. That team had several huge comebacks on shutting down teams in the second half. Luc prior to the shoulder injury, and Ryan prior to the back injury were playing great positive minutes. Unfortunately they never returned to full strength and the rest of the team was gassed without CP# for game 6 and 7. The following season you lose Ryan's deep shooting that spread the floor, Luc tenacity on the floor and Ariza leadership and willingness to do whatever is need for the team night in and night out.

    I am a huge Morey supporter but that was the worst offseason that followed. I guess his thinking was CP3 and Harden are telling him "yeah Melo still has it, we've been balling all summer". Morey was hot for him years before. So take a 65 win team that gets sold, loses key defensive coach, loses the key role players and adds Ennis to replace Ariza, but Ennis was slow to learn the system, MCW was a massive failure as a signing never could shoot and Melo was Melo. Then injuries started to pile up and there was very little depth. Harden went crazy keeping the team afloat and pushing them into the play-off race. I think they were starting to get there roles down just before the play-offs, they only lost 5 games after the all-star break. Started out with playoff mode activated LeBron in LA, a game they should have won. Then second loss a tough 2 point home loss to GSW. The third loss an inexcusable 1 point loss to Parsons in Memphis. The "Finals preview" loss at the Bucks was a to be excepted. Then the final game of the season at OKC by 1 point another game they should have locked up. But in the playoffs for some reason (MDA in my opinion) the rotation got completely jacked in the play-offs and guys lost their confidence. Clint got very ill, Harden lost an his eyeballs, Faried never saw run, House couldn't adjust on the road was so so at home. The refs started the series vs GSW with a reminder to the team they can determine what's a foul at their leisure. Then they were down 2 games and should have been 1-1. I was at the final game. There was no fire in the building, no fire from fans, players, coaches, just blahh. They should have been up by 20 and broke GSW will to fight. Curry was a nothing in the first half and the Rockets just let him get confidence. Season over. I blamed MDA and staff for that loss. I think Tilman does too.

    Looking forward, as currently constructed the returning starting cast with a bench of House and Rivers and most likely another big that should provide quality minutes. They need to develop a us verse the world mind set. Harden is a Clint fan from all accounts. Clint needs to ball out. Per Green, Tucker and Rivers - CP3 and Harden are fine. MDA has no contract extension, so earn it. EG has been subject to trade rumors many times he'll be fine. That group needs to band together and say screw the media, screw the refs, screw the league, it's time to gel. They should get a full train camp to learn the system together and build a lead while the rest of the league adjust to their changes. A slow start just about seals MDA fate unless there are too many injuries to key guys again.
     
  11. PatBev

    PatBev Member

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    Maybe they realized how shitty MDA is at incorporating new players into rotation cause he is a scared little b**** and will go back to the 7 man rotation and play Harden 40+ for no reason
     
    PeterKingX likes this.
  12. BeardNation13

    BeardNation13 Member

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    Give the ball to Harden then shut up and go stand in the corner for 10s and with 4s left on the shot clock, be prepared for a pass that may or may not come your way
     
  13. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Tall people
     

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