Deep Blue

With the Astros new GM sucking, let's take a look at how the Rockets new GM Daryl Morey is treating the city.

As the season ended, the Rockets were exposed as a team with a very weak complementary cast of players. Their bench went only 7 deep (Luther Head and Juwan Howard) and some of the starters (Chuck Hayes and Rafer Alston) wouldn't even start on most teams.

Specifically though, the Rockets needed an upgrade at the point guard and the power forward spots. And to make matters worse, the team had 1 late first round draft choice and little wiggle room under the cap.

Many looked for the Rockets to add a possible rotation player and hope one of their youngsters became more consistent (John Lucas III or Steve Novak).

But out of nowhere, Morey, aka Deep Blue, showed he can wheel and deal just like Carrol Dawson. He started by selecting Aaron Brooks in the first round. Brooks gives them the quick, waterbug point guard that the Rockets have never had but always been torched by (see Nick Van Exel, Rod Strickland and now Tony Parker and Chris Paul). Then Morey acquired 2 second round picks and chose Carl Landry at the top of the second round. Landry gives them a Paul Millsap type (you remember, the rookie off the bench for Utah that killed us late in the game) that can bang and hit the open jumper. Their late second round pick, Brad Newley, is a pick and stash player from Australia. At 6-7, 200lbs he has great size for a SG and has done well in limited international experience. Playing in the Australia league is akin to Juco ball but he fared well in the predraft camps. Could possible join Houston in 2-3 but don't expect much.

But yes I said trades didn't I? Morey added quite possibly the best foreign player available in Luis Scola in a trade with San Antonio. He's played well in all the highest levels, whether that be against the Dream Team or in Europe. He's no Nowitski but he can score, pass and rebound in the post. Should give us a very solid option at the 4 spot. And what did we trade him for? Basically nothing. Vassilis Spanoulis wanted to return to Greece but he had a guaranteed contract for next year. Since the Spurs were over the luxury tax and didn't want to pay it again and wanted to unload Jackie Butler's guaranteed contract it made perfect sense. In essence Houston paid roughly 4 mil for Scola. And by all accounts it should be worth it.

But Deep Blue wasn't done yet. He sent now worthless (since we acquired Scola and Landry) Juwan Howard to Minnesota for instant offense Mike James. He then inked Steve Francis to a 1yr contract for 2 million. While Francis and James are virtually the same player, they give the Rockets even more flexibility in the backcourt. Look for them to try and move Alston and/or Lucas since they now have 5 point guards on the roster. It would be great if he could get mid level money or draft picks in return.

My best guess as to their 2007-08 roster would be

Starters
Yao Ming C
Luis Scola PF
Shane Battier SF
Tracy McGrady SG
Mike James PG

Bench
Steve Francis G
Chuck Hayes PF
Bonzi Wells G/F
Luther Head G
Dikembe Mutombo C
Carl Landry PF
Kirk Snyder G
Aaron Brooks PG
Steve Novak PF
Jackie Butler C

This team looks more like a true NBA team and arguably is the most talented bench the Rockets have ever had. Look for Adelman to utilize Bonzi much better than JVG and Mutombo to only see minutes vs other slow Centers. I have a feeling he'd rather put Scola/Hayes/Landry vs the more athletic ones.

Houston may have struck out on Tim Purpura but it looks like Daryl Morey is a slam dunk.