Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has watched his team go from among the NBA’s best to the league’s worst record very quickly, and he’s realistic about how long it will take to get back on top, writes Brian T. Smith of The Houston Chronicle. Houston arrived in training camp with playoff aspirations and a veteran core in place, but after a massive roster overhaul, the Rockets are just 4-35 since February 5.
“It’s really, really hard because I am competitive and I hate to lose,” Fertitta said. “But my people, including (CEO) Tad (Brown) and (general manager Rafael Stone) and even my son Patrick, just (say) the biggest mistake you can make right now is use all these picks to be a .500 club, because you’re never able to be a championship caliber club,” Fertitta said. “But I hate losing so much I’m totally staying out of it, because I’m scared that I can make the wrong decisions. I want to win today. I just have to (stay out of it) because they’re right and they just gave me examples and examples.”
There’s more on the Rockets:
- Tad Brown has become the latest high-profile figure to leave the organization, announcing Friday that he will step down as CEO at the end of the season, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Brown made it clear that he wasn’t being pushed out and said he spent several months considering his future before deciding to leave. “This is something that is going to be a part of my heart and soul for the rest of my life,” he said. “It’s very difficult to transition out, but I do believe it’s the right thing to do.”
- The Rockets were down to seven healthy players for Saturday’s loss in Denver, which meant extended minutes for some players who aren’t used to a lot of court time, Feigen notes in a separate story. D.J. Wilson played 40 minutes and K.J. Martin was on the court for 42 minutes. “We put the work in behind closed doors,” Wilson said. “When our number is called, we’re definitely going to be ready, each and every one of us. When you’re not getting those minutes on a game-to-game basis, you can’t do much but ask to play. I don’t think anyone was asking for a sub. Everybody was enjoying the minutes. It was just tough we couldn’t get the W.”
- Dante Exum, who was acquired in January as part of the James Harden trade, is considered out for the rest of the season, Feigen tweets. Exum only played six games this season because of a calf injury and hasn’t been available since the trade. He has a $9.6MM expiring contract.
From the best team to the worst team
The reporters need to write an article
Rockets owner hint that the benefit of tanking is the path to win championships
Who is the new Sam Hinkie?
Should the nba review draft awards?
Tanking is less likely to help now than it did in the past because the bottom three teams now have an equal shot at the #1 pick. Also, teams can be penalized for resting their best available players, though I think what the league did to the Spurs is a travesty.
There are 5 potential all stars on this draft
The Rockets primary goal is to get one of the top 4 picks, if they don’t then that pick goes to OKC and they end up with Miami’s pick.
I would like to see them put the non-playoff teams in reverse order for drafting. If you’re the worst team in the league, you get the 14th pick. You’d have teams really competing to get that #1 overall pick.
Or do some other kind of experiment, mix it up a little.
most players don’t care as to where there team drafts. Coaches & GM’s ‘control’ that
Tanking is how the Astros won a World Series…
Well, that and with help from buzzers and trash cans.
The buzzers theory is proven to be not accurate, but I guess that would not fit your narrative.
Tad Brown, the latest to jump ship. He didn’t want put his “heart and soul” into managing expectations for Fertitta. “Calm down big fella. Don’t want to hurt anyone. Just a few years more.”
Cheapest owner in the NBA. Instead of getting Ben Simmons chose a bunch of so so picks, more so, chose dipo and a bucks pick instead of Levert and Jarret Allen. Why? Read the first sentence
Top4 draft pick = cost saving
Steal free agent stars = expensive
Cade = 4 year $40 million, future
Lowry = 3 year $60 million
NBA encourages tanking?
What??
I think he liked it!
Rockets tanking tanking and tanking. Worst record will almost guarantee top 4 pick. Top 4 pick this yr is an excellent player. Suggs, Green, Mobley. Imo Rockets should not pass on Green.
It doesn’t, even with the worst record, a team has a 47.8% of dropping out of top 5