[220Participant]

 When I noticed that the Rockets added Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon all I could wonder is what fans think about these deals? I think Ryan Anderson will likely be a good addition and he has a clear fit on the Rockets.  Now Eric Gordon is a bit more questionable as he’s clear a two guard and James Harden plays that position. He’s clearly a skilled player and a welcome addition if he’s healthy, but he’s been incredibly injury prone his entire career. Ryan Anderson has also had injury problems, but not as consistently season after season like Eric Gordon. So do Rockets fans like the team adding two injury prone guys in free agency?

[negguaryParticipant]

A big man

[negguaryParticipant]

A big man

[surveParticipant]

not a Rockets fan but I think both of these guys fit in great and Gordon has a decent contract if he can stay healthy.  he had the problem with his finger but lower body seems to be ok.  this gives the Rockets elite shooting and Harden and Gordon will play off each other well.  Gordon has good playmaking ability and doesnt seem to have an ego so I think he fits.  if you can get 65 games out of him, particularly post season, its money well spent.  Anderson got overpaid IMO, but hey, who isnt?

[surveParticipant]

not a Rockets fan but I think both of these guys fit in great and Gordon has a decent contract if he can stay healthy.  he had the problem with his finger but lower body seems to be ok.  this gives the Rockets elite shooting and Harden and Gordon will play off each other well.  Gordon has good playmaking ability and doesnt seem to have an ego so I think he fits.  if you can get 65 games out of him, particularly post season, its money well spent.  Anderson got overpaid IMO, but hey, who isnt?

[ChewyParticipant]

 I try not to be negative but… defense is lax in the regular season, but we all saw how important defense was in the playoffs. The intensity is raised 3 levels. D’Antoni doesn’t coach defense and he quick shooting offense leads to more possessions, which is great for offense, but it also means more defensive possesions. I think he is a terrible hire for this team.

I find it funny that Harden as the Olympics or World Championships (I can’t remember) said that he wanted to be the top defender on the team and guard the other teams best player (like Kobe did the tounrament before), but yet he doesn’t want to play defense in the NBA. I have no doubt he could be an average/solid defender, but the simple truth now is that he just won’t put the effort in. 

Gordon is a bad signing. He is always injured and plays the same position as your star player. Unless D’Antoni wants to try Harden at some combo pg position. 

Anderson is a good signing. Can’t fault that. I really thought Motiejunas was going to be a great partner for Dwight. He would shoot and spread the floor while being a solid second rebounder, but the Rockets pretty much just recruited over him with the Anderson signing.

A few years ago this team had Harden, Howard and capspace. I just don’t see this team going anywhere. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 I try not to be negative but… defense is lax in the regular season, but we all saw how important defense was in the playoffs. The intensity is raised 3 levels. D’Antoni doesn’t coach defense and he quick shooting offense leads to more possessions, which is great for offense, but it also means more defensive possesions. I think he is a terrible hire for this team.

I find it funny that Harden as the Olympics or World Championships (I can’t remember) said that he wanted to be the top defender on the team and guard the other teams best player (like Kobe did the tounrament before), but yet he doesn’t want to play defense in the NBA. I have no doubt he could be an average/solid defender, but the simple truth now is that he just won’t put the effort in. 

Gordon is a bad signing. He is always injured and plays the same position as your star player. Unless D’Antoni wants to try Harden at some combo pg position. 

Anderson is a good signing. Can’t fault that. I really thought Motiejunas was going to be a great partner for Dwight. He would shoot and spread the floor while being a solid second rebounder, but the Rockets pretty much just recruited over him with the Anderson signing.

A few years ago this team had Harden, Howard and capspace. I just don’t see this team going anywhere. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[festar35Participant]

Eric Gordon is all about how healthy he is, that will determine how good/bad his contract looks.
In terms of fit I initially didn’t get it, but I quickly realized that Harden spend a lot of time with the ball and Gordon is a great off the ball player so I actually like the fit even when they get minutes together as Gordon can guard the PG spot, but play off the ball next to Harden in spurts. He is ideally a 6th man to limit his minutes and have that instant O off the bench, but again he spent time at PG in LA and NO.

Ryan Anderson is a nice fit, I don’t think he helps them contend but a good addition to challenge for a play-off spot. He has the potential in this team to score near 20ppg which may seem high, but the only other proven scorer on the team is Harden.
I imagine the team/rotation to be:
C. Capela/Donatas/Harrell
PF. Anderson/Beasley/Harrell
SF. Ariza/Brewer/Dekker
SG. Harden/Gordon/McDaniels
PG. Beverly/Gordon/Goudelock
Pretty clear cut positioning with them, they could stand to improve the PG spot though and maybe Anderson see a small amount of time at C spot if Donatas (Assuming re-signs) plays poorly or is injured.

[festar35Participant]

Eric Gordon is all about how healthy he is, that will determine how good/bad his contract looks.
In terms of fit I initially didn’t get it, but I quickly realized that Harden spend a lot of time with the ball and Gordon is a great off the ball player so I actually like the fit even when they get minutes together as Gordon can guard the PG spot, but play off the ball next to Harden in spurts. He is ideally a 6th man to limit his minutes and have that instant O off the bench, but again he spent time at PG in LA and NO.

Ryan Anderson is a nice fit, I don’t think he helps them contend but a good addition to challenge for a play-off spot. He has the potential in this team to score near 20ppg which may seem high, but the only other proven scorer on the team is Harden.
I imagine the team/rotation to be:
C. Capela/Donatas/Harrell
PF. Anderson/Beasley/Harrell
SF. Ariza/Brewer/Dekker
SG. Harden/Gordon/McDaniels
PG. Beverly/Gordon/Goudelock
Pretty clear cut positioning with them, they could stand to improve the PG spot though and maybe Anderson see a small amount of time at C spot if Donatas (Assuming re-signs) plays poorly or is injured.

[BigChamp12Participant]

 I thought D Mo was their PF of the future, but I see that’s changed. They  won’t be contending for  championship for sure. My question is will they make the playoffs?

[BigChamp12Participant]

 I thought D Mo was their PF of the future, but I see that’s changed. They  won’t be contending for  championship for sure. My question is will they make the playoffs?

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s time to stop pretending that Harden isn’t the point guard. Because he is… Pairing him with a ball dominant guard won’t work, so why not pair him with a player in Gordon who doesn’t mind playing without the ball and is a great catch and shoot player? Hopefully, D’Antoni can get Harden to make quicker decisions and get more off ball action for his teammates in the offense. 

Obviously I don’t like Anderson’s contract, but he fits with Harden too being that he’s your typical stretch 4.

I like both moves, just not the money. Gordon actually took a paycut. Anderson on the other hand is just significantly overpaid. I don’t care that the salary cap went up. That’s an awful overpayment. But I feel that way about a lot of guys, so oh well. 

 

[220Participant]

 Is being ball dominant the same as being a point guard?

I agree with your overall points, Harden is going to have the ball in his hands the majority of the time. Having a guy next to him that also needs the ball such a significant amount of the time doesn’t make much sense. Gordon would be a good balance as he’s often best when being a catch and shoot player so if he’s healthy he could really shine next to Harden.

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Being ball dominant doesn’t make you a "point guard", but you know what I mean. Just saying that I think it’s okay they signed Gordon, who’s the same position as Harden, because they compliment each other well in the backcourt. 

 

[surveParticipant]

 exactly.  they signed Eric Gordon, not Dion Waiters.

[surveParticipant]

 exactly.  they signed Eric Gordon, not Dion Waiters.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Being ball dominant doesn’t make you a "point guard", but you know what I mean. Just saying that I think it’s okay they signed Gordon, who’s the same position as Harden, because they compliment each other well in the backcourt. 

 

[220Participant]

 Is being ball dominant the same as being a point guard?

I agree with your overall points, Harden is going to have the ball in his hands the majority of the time. Having a guy next to him that also needs the ball such a significant amount of the time doesn’t make much sense. Gordon would be a good balance as he’s often best when being a catch and shoot player so if he’s healthy he could really shine next to Harden.

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

It’s time to stop pretending that Harden isn’t the point guard. Because he is… Pairing him with a ball dominant guard won’t work, so why not pair him with a player in Gordon who doesn’t mind playing without the ball and is a great catch and shoot player? Hopefully, D’Antoni can get Harden to make quicker decisions and get more off ball action for his teammates in the offense. 

Obviously I don’t like Anderson’s contract, but he fits with Harden too being that he’s your typical stretch 4.

I like both moves, just not the money. Gordon actually took a paycut. Anderson on the other hand is just significantly overpaid. I don’t care that the salary cap went up. That’s an awful overpayment. But I feel that way about a lot of guys, so oh well. 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 w/ Howard gone & D’Antoni in charge…….. I get that Defense is Incredibly important in the Playoffs 

But trying to pretend you something you are Not gets you Nowhere in Life.

When Cleveland stopped trying to be an Imitation of Golden State & accepted that they are not smooth shooting & passing scoring maching like GSW — but a Bunch, Brave, Strong Rough Riders they won.

Houston is Never going to shut teams down Defensively —- Dwight Howard was a Terrible fit

By hiring D’Antoni & just accepting that James Harden is the team Leader & a Super Star scorer in the NBA —— they could finally find some pieces & coach that will work in a a Run & Gun Identity —

They’ll be a Much better team in the regular season & hopefully that will get them a High playoff seed & then they’ll just see what happens in the Playoffs  ——

 I doubt they will win a Ring next year but I really like the moves made & I like the Direction the team is going in now w/ D’Antoni, Anderson & Gordon & they will be a REally exciting team to watch next year

 

 

 

 

 

[BigChamp12Participant]

I disagree that Dwight Howard was a terrible fit. It didn’t work last season because they, all of a sudden, fired the coach and changed the playing style of the team who had just made the western conference fnals. Rockets were good for 2/3 years with Dwight Howard.

[BigChamp12Participant]

I disagree that Dwight Howard was a terrible fit. It didn’t work last season because they, all of a sudden, fired the coach and changed the playing style of the team who had just made the western conference fnals. Rockets were good for 2/3 years with Dwight Howard.

[circumlocution75Participant]

 w/ Howard gone & D’Antoni in charge…….. I get that Defense is Incredibly important in the Playoffs 

But trying to pretend you something you are Not gets you Nowhere in Life.

When Cleveland stopped trying to be an Imitation of Golden State & accepted that they are not smooth shooting & passing scoring maching like GSW — but a Bunch, Brave, Strong Rough Riders they won.

Houston is Never going to shut teams down Defensively —- Dwight Howard was a Terrible fit

By hiring D’Antoni & just accepting that James Harden is the team Leader & a Super Star scorer in the NBA —— they could finally find some pieces & coach that will work in a a Run & Gun Identity —

They’ll be a Much better team in the regular season & hopefully that will get them a High playoff seed & then they’ll just see what happens in the Playoffs  ——

 I doubt they will win a Ring next year but I really like the moves made & I like the Direction the team is going in now w/ D’Antoni, Anderson & Gordon & they will be a REally exciting team to watch next year

 

 

 

 

 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 If you are a guard and you are ball dominant or point of the offense, then that makes a player a point guard.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 If you are a guard and you are ball dominant or point of the offense, then that makes a player a point guard.

[RollingWaveParticipant]

 I think more than anything else, the moves since the McHale firing signal that Morey is losing control of the operation, as more and more moves are distinctly un-Morey like.   

 There is a significant chance he gets fired or resign in the next year or two at this rate. and with your star heading into his last 2 season on current contract the last thing you need is unheval in the FO .

  As for the player’s fits on the floor, it’s fine.  they can shoot, Eric Gordon can play a crediable combo guard.  giving Houston finally another guy that can actually dribble the basketball and do something with it.  

   The problem of course is that the year before they were fine on offense but horrendous on defense…  so the idea is to sign 2 more offensively oriented dudes with very questionable defense?

   To top it all off, these are two guys with questionable injury track records. I think that’s fair to say, and you give them both the maximum length contract with no outs? that’s risky as heck.

   The Rockets better start hoping some of their guys drafted in the last couple years start working out. or they could be in serious trouble in a couple years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RollingWaveParticipant]

 I think more than anything else, the moves since the McHale firing signal that Morey is losing control of the operation, as more and more moves are distinctly un-Morey like.   

 There is a significant chance he gets fired or resign in the next year or two at this rate. and with your star heading into his last 2 season on current contract the last thing you need is unheval in the FO .

  As for the player’s fits on the floor, it’s fine.  they can shoot, Eric Gordon can play a crediable combo guard.  giving Houston finally another guy that can actually dribble the basketball and do something with it.  

   The problem of course is that the year before they were fine on offense but horrendous on defense…  so the idea is to sign 2 more offensively oriented dudes with very questionable defense?

   To top it all off, these are two guys with questionable injury track records. I think that’s fair to say, and you give them both the maximum length contract with no outs? that’s risky as heck.

   The Rockets better start hoping some of their guys drafted in the last couple years start working out. or they could be in serious trouble in a couple years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bdiddy5115Participant]

I’m not a fan of these moves, but honestly, I’m not really sure what the "ideal offseason" was for us. KD wasn’t coming here. Horford probably wasn’t either. Dwight was going to leave without us getting any value back.

So we’re left with a team with a superstar in his prime, some (likely) disgruntled veterans, and a bad coaching hire.

And yet, we’re a year removed from a WCF run, while our reputation around the league has gone from "forward-thinking top franchise" to "dumpster fire". And with the latter as your reputation, you’re not luring any big-time stars in. 

So basically you’re left to do one of the following:

A) Try to piece together some vets with the ones you already have (Ariza, Bev, etc) to build a non-contending playoff team around Harden, try to rebuild your franchise reputation, and prepare for a big move in 2017.

B) Move the current guys outside of Harden for young upside, and hope that it develops before his prime is over.

C) Blow it up, move Harden, etc.

—

As much as I don’t like certain aspects of Option A (i.e. sacrificing cap flexibility for mid-career guys), it makes more sense than the other options. Nobody likes being stuck in mediocrity, but Morey has shown before that staying "good" while accumulating assets (and jumping on the next OKC Harden deal), can be a working formula.

Option B would never work for Morey because our owner, Les Alexander, is impatient and Morey doesn’t have the time or the leash (anymore) to work out a 5-year plan. 

So Option A it is, but I still don’t think the Anderson/Gordon deals were good. I actually think Gordon will work better with Harden than many expect, but my main gripe with him is obviously his health. I’m not a fan of PFs without positional versatility (can’t play 3 or 5), rim-protecting ability and shot-creating ability. It makes them liabilities in today’s game, and Anderson unfortunately fits that description. His shooting should help, and I think he could be a good P&P partner for Harden, but I don’t like giving a guy who is that exploitable $80 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bdiddy5115Participant]

I’m not a fan of these moves, but honestly, I’m not really sure what the "ideal offseason" was for us. KD wasn’t coming here. Horford probably wasn’t either. Dwight was going to leave without us getting any value back.

So we’re left with a team with a superstar in his prime, some (likely) disgruntled veterans, and a bad coaching hire.

And yet, we’re a year removed from a WCF run, while our reputation around the league has gone from "forward-thinking top franchise" to "dumpster fire". And with the latter as your reputation, you’re not luring any big-time stars in. 

So basically you’re left to do one of the following:

A) Try to piece together some vets with the ones you already have (Ariza, Bev, etc) to build a non-contending playoff team around Harden, try to rebuild your franchise reputation, and prepare for a big move in 2017.

B) Move the current guys outside of Harden for young upside, and hope that it develops before his prime is over.

C) Blow it up, move Harden, etc.

—

As much as I don’t like certain aspects of Option A (i.e. sacrificing cap flexibility for mid-career guys), it makes more sense than the other options. Nobody likes being stuck in mediocrity, but Morey has shown before that staying "good" while accumulating assets (and jumping on the next OKC Harden deal), can be a working formula.

Option B would never work for Morey because our owner, Les Alexander, is impatient and Morey doesn’t have the time or the leash (anymore) to work out a 5-year plan. 

So Option A it is, but I still don’t think the Anderson/Gordon deals were good. I actually think Gordon will work better with Harden than many expect, but my main gripe with him is obviously his health. I’m not a fan of PFs without positional versatility (can’t play 3 or 5), rim-protecting ability and shot-creating ability. It makes them liabilities in today’s game, and Anderson unfortunately fits that description. His shooting should help, and I think he could be a good P&P partner for Harden, but I don’t like giving a guy who is that exploitable $80 million.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

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