Nope - this is false. Stone became close to TF when he worked on getting the sale approved by the league. Stone had a lot of influence with TF and played a large part in the Westbrook trade, and is also a big reason that Morey left the Rockets.
Stone haters: injuries can't be used as an excuse. Team that Rockets will play in 1st round that has only been slightly better than the Rockets by record losses 2 best players just before the playoffs... Stone haters: If the Rockets win, it is only because the Lakers are down 2 players. I get that Luka and Reaves are better than FVV and Adams, but the Rockets are likely better if those guys are all healthy or all injured.
Stone was given the responsibility of getting the sale approved by Alexander and during that process Stone worked with TF and forged a relationship.
Not sure if the Rockets or Lakers win the series if both are at 100%. I think the Rockets would have been the 3 seed and a top 5-6 team in the league at full strength. However, the Lakers have the best player on either team by a long shot, and as currently constructed the Lakers will miss Luka and Reeves more than the Rockets miss FVV and Adams. I don't think the goal for this season was to beat the Lakers anyway - especially a Lakers team in flux, waiting for LBJ to move on. I think the goal was to get to the WCF at least --- and what has happened is the Spurs have passed them, and the Rockets are in a group of several good but not great teams in the West. Do you think that the Rockets would beat Jokic and the experienced Nuggets 4 times in 7 games? I wish I could say I do - but I don't think it is very likely.
Hmmm...my sources from that time was the CEO of the Houston Rockets, Tad Brown, brokered and got approval of the deal to sale the Rockets to Tillman
Of course the Rockets are not favored to beat Jokic and the Nuggets 4 times in 7 games in the playoffs. Is the bar right now for our group to be better than a top ~15 all time player with a solid team around him, whose franchise traded all their future picks to win now? I agree with you that the Rockets are in a group of several good but not great teams in the West. The difference between them and the truly great teams is Shai, Jokic, and Wemby. Three players whose current level puts them amongst the greatest to ever play. If the bar is "be favored over current healthy OKC, SAS, DEN without lucking into one of the greatest players ever in their prime on your team", then we might as well fire Stone now, and then fire the next GM, and the one after, and the one after that. Because it's not going to happen before that player luck comes around for us, absent some super random shooting variance outcomes or opponent injuries. Doesn't matter who the GM or coach is. Insert Presti and Spoelstra as our GM and coach and we still aren't gonna be better than OKC/SAS/DEN without getting lucky and hitting on a prospect or draft pick turning into a top 5ish player. Some will say that's defeatist, but I think that's just acknowledging the realities of the NBA and the level of our opponents; and gets us focused on what actually winning a championship entails in the Western Conference of this era.
I generally agreed with the 2025 Rockets thesis of using possessions and vets to provide a base for the young core to develop; Durant as the scoring assassin. Clearly needed another viable PG/playmaker. It was a bit disappointing the young core didn't take the step forward, but maybe the playoffs will show something new. I think Stone is a B- for me so far. Mostly because I think he's done a very great job managing our assets and cap. Rightfully we really aren't committed to much since we never got that Cade or Wemby with our tanking window. I would argue we've created a two year window around Durant's extension (which can be moved after the first year). Stone has shown he will not overpay but is flexible enough with the years (Jalen 3 yr deal vs Sengun 5 yr deal) so it will be interesting what happens with Amen or how the roster will look. We've kept a lot of powder dry to acquire a big name so that grade can be different sooner than later.
People do not realize that Katie is a generational player and talent.......albeit 37 but still. A toxic generational aging player.
Technically it's a even match up. There missing 2 starters, and so are the rockets. We got gift from basketball gods. Nobody beating okc anyways....
Just ain’t our year . That’s why I didn’t go after Coby White. Probably made plans at an all you can eat resort after the season. Wasted a year of KD .
First off, Stone's quote is lifted way out of context. He was acknowledging a thought. Just a thought. One that anyone with an ounce of sanity should have have had. After the injuries "maybe it's not our year." A thought. That's all. Suicidal ideation is not the same as suicidal intent or having a plan. It's just a thought. Our problem isn't Stone. If we lose before the WCF it will be because the Thunder are a perfect team and playing like it right now. If we take the Thunder to 6 or even 7, I'll be satisfied with the season. If we don't take the Thunder to 6 or 7 it will be because of Udoka. You can lay that hiring at the feet of Stone but I don't think it would be right to do so. Almost any team, before the season began, would have loved to have our coach for their team. OKC is an incredible team right now. Probably impossible for anyone to beat in 7. But if Udoka can get out of his own way I think we have the talent to do it. But I'm a Dark Souls fan and enjoy losing so there's that.
