Having said that -- I do think he's put together a pretty good team this year, an intriguing team for sure. Yeah, there are questions marks, pretty big ones, but it all really boils down to this for me -- to resign a guy like Melo and not take at least one more shot loading up on some win-now talent around him while his window's still open and he still has some game left probably wouldn't have been the right move. I mean otherwise, why give him all that money to come back then?? I'm usually a guy who likes and understands (even welcomes) a youth movement, a rebuild etc., but what we did for the most part this offseason makes a lot of sense to me after having had time to digest it -- the pieces seem to fit together fairly well. For that, I give Phil credit. Now do I agree with Isola that Phil did it solely to use Melo as a scapegoat if it doesn't work out? I dunno...seems like a little bit of a reach there by Frank, although if all these guys can remain healthy, I don't see a reason why this team can't win some games here. I really don't, and if we can stay healthy yet aren't successful for whatever reason, then yeah, Melo will have to take his share of the blame. Seems fair..

One big thing I do disagree with (although I can understand the criticism & pessimism--I just don't feel the same way about it) -- I like the Rose acquisition A LOT, more than these guys apparently and more than most on this board. Mannix mentioned quickly that "it was a good trade," pointing out the main fallback benefit of Rose being an expiring contract if it doesn't work out, but both guys I believe (definitely at least Isola) seem to feel Rose is 'a scoring guard in a contract year' and question how he'll fit in with the others, how he could affect Melo getting shots, the negative effect he could have on KP's development, etc.. I just don't see Rose as a detriment here at all. The man, provided he can stay healthy, is a HUGE POSITIVE for this team imo. HUGE ENHANCEMENT potentially...Without overanalyzing, the way I look at this is simple: what did Melo win here so far without proper help? Answer: NOTHING. He needs help and now he's got some help, and at a position we desperately needed to upgrade in the worst way. Rose is a big-time player provided he can stay healthy--a former MVP for Christ's sake, still in his 20s/very much in his prime. A flat out stud, still capable of overcoming injury and regaining close to top form. Maybe I'm nuts but I honestly believe that to be true! No way do I think this guy's done--maybe if he was 37 but certainly not at 27 and not after seeing how he played in the 2nd half of season this past year. Like I mentioned in that other thread talking about 'letting Rose be Rose' -- I want to see just that. Let Rose be the man on this team. I'm not worried at all about Melo getting his, about KP's development going south -- both those guys will get their shots. I mean I just don't get it. I see Rose's scoring as alleviating pressure/lightening the scoring load for those two in a big way. Really think about his impact -- it has nothing at all to do with Melo playing enough defense/trusting his teammates/passing the ball/continuing to rebound well/hopefully being more efficient --OR-- KP continuing to get stronger/develop further as a rebounder/become an even better shot-blocker etc. Those two need to maintain or get better in those areas and it's on them to accomplish those things--nothing to do with Rose. Rose only helps free them up offensively in a sense to work on maintaining or hopefully getting better in those areas. But let's not kid ourselves here -- Rose being Rose is what could take us to a whole different level. I'm very excited about him, so much so that I'm even willing to overlook the questionable contracts of Noah and Lee.

Finestrg wrote:Good listen. Don't have a problem with anything said basically, including the criticism of Phil which was the only real bit of negativity (and a small amount at that -- nothing to get upset about). Isola was in fact pretty positive about a lot of other things, i.e. Melo being basically a good guy, maturing as a person, they each paid respect to his impressive Olympic body of work, alluded to how they each thought he'd excel on other teams like Boston, etc... Back to Isola's perspective on Phil for a sec -- I happen to agree with him there 100%. The man is getting paid more than any other GM/President by far and we haven't won jack since he's been here -- both FACTS. And the bit about him never acknowledging that he's won with the top players in the sport at different times for two different teams in the past is spot on. I mean SPOT ON!! Seriously, why never acknowledge that?!? Stupid and really egotistically to the nth degree by Phil. I've always thought that. Mannix was on point too when he pointed out that all triangle stuff was thrown out the window on those teams at the end of games in order to get guys like Michael and Kobe the ball in ISO situations to secure wins. Again, completely true.. Phil goes to great lengths to make people believe it wasn't that but come on, it was exactly that. And Isola's right--why poo-poo that? Why has he never embraced it? Why Phil continues to put himself and his system, his zen, etc., ahead of said great players and their impact on those teams, is something I've never understood or respected about him.

Having said that -- I do think he's put together a pretty good team this year, an intriguing team for sure. Yeah, there are questions marks, pretty big ones, but it all really boils down to this for me -- to resign a guy like Melo and not take at least one more shot loading up on some win-now talent around him while his window's still open and he still has some game left probably wouldn't have been the right move. I mean otherwise, why give him all that money to come back then?? I'm usually a guy who likes and understands (even welcomes) a youth movement, a rebuild etc., but what we did for the most part this offseason makes a lot of sense to me after having had time to digest it -- the pieces seem to fit together fairly well. For that, I give Phil credit. Now do I agree with Isola that Phil did it solely to use Melo as a scapegoat if it doesn't work out? I dunno...seems like a little bit of a reach there by Frank, although if all these guys can remain healthy, I don't see a reason why this team can't win some games here. I really don't, and if we can stay healthy yet aren't successful for whatever reason, then yeah, Melo will have to take his share of the blame. Seems fair..

One big thing I do disagree with (although I can understand the criticism & pessimism--I just don't feel the same way about it) -- I like the Rose acquisition A LOT, more than these guys apparently and more than most on this board. Mannix mentioned quickly that "it was a good trade," pointing out the main fallback benefit of Rose being an expiring contract if it doesn't work out, but both guys I believe (definitely at least Isola) seem to feel Rose is 'a scoring guard in a contract year' and question how he'll fit in with the others, how he could affect Melo getting shots, the negative effect he could have on KP's development, etc.. I just don't see Rose as a detriment here at all. The man, provided he can stay healthy, is a HUGE POSITIVE for this team imo. HUGE ENHANCEMENT potentially...Without overanalyzing, the way I look at this is simple: what did Melo win here so far without proper help? Answer: NOTHING. He needs help and now he's got some help, and at a position we desperately needed to upgrade in the worst way. Rose is a big-time player provided he can stay healthy--a former MVP for Christ's sake, still in his 20s/very much in his prime. A flat out stud, still capable of overcoming injury and regaining close to top form. Maybe I'm nuts but I honestly believe that to be true! No way do I think this guy's done--maybe if he was 37 but certainly not at 27 and not after seeing how he played in the 2nd half of season this past year. Like I mentioned in that other thread talking about 'letting Rose be Rose' -- I want to see just that. Let Rose be the man on this team. I'm not worried at all about Melo getting his, about KP's development going south -- both those guys will get their shots. I mean I just don't get it. I see Rose's scoring as alleviating pressure/lightening the scoring load for those two in a big way. Really think about his impact -- it has nothing at all to do with Melo playing enough defense/trusting his teammates/passing the ball/continuing to rebound well/hopefully being more efficient --OR-- KP continuing to get stronger/develop further as a rebounder/become an even better shot-blocker etc. Those two need to maintain or get better in those areas and it's on them to accomplish those things--nothing to do with Rose. Rose only helps free them up offensively in a sense to work on maintaining or hopefully getting better in those areas. But let's not kid ourselves here -- Rose being Rose is what could take us to a whole different level. I'm very excited about him, so much so that I'm even willing to overlook the questionable contracts of Noah and Lee.

there is such a thing as teamwork, skills, and fundamentals in balance with athleticism and talent/coordination. every player is ultimately successful based upon the best *possible* balance of these elements.

Finestrg wrote:One big thing I do disagree with (although I can understand the criticism & pessimism--I just don't feel the same way about it) -- I like the Rose acquisition A LOT, more than these guys apparently and more than most on this board. Mannix mentioned quickly that "it was a good trade," pointing out the main fallback benefit of Rose being an expiring contract if it doesn't work out, but both guys I believe (definitely at least Isola) seem to feel Rose is 'a scoring guard in a contract year' and question how he'll fit in with the others, how he could affect Melo getting shots, the negative effect he could have on KP's development, etc.. I just don't see Rose as a detriment here at all. The man, provided he can stay healthy, is a HUGE POSITIVE for this team imo. HUGE ENHANCEMENT potentially...Without overanalyzing, the way I look at this is simple: what did Melo win here so far without proper help? Answer: NOTHING. He needs help and now he's got some help, and at a position we desperately needed to upgrade in the worst way. Rose is a big-time player provided he can stay healthy--a former MVP for Christ's sake, still in his 20s/very much in his prime. A flat out stud, still capable of overcoming injury and regaining close to top form. Maybe I'm nuts but I honestly believe that to be true! No way do I think this guy's done--maybe if he was 37 but certainly not at 27 and not after seeing how he played in the 2nd half of season this past year. Like I mentioned in that other thread talking about 'letting Rose be Rose' -- I want to see just that. Let Rose be the man on this team. I'm not worried at all about Melo getting his, about KP's development going south -- both those guys will get their shots. I mean I just don't get it. I see Rose's scoring as alleviating pressure/lightening the scoring load for those two in a big way. Really think about his impact -- it has nothing at all to do with Melo playing enough defense/trusting his teammates/passing the ball/continuing to rebound well/hopefully being more efficient --OR-- KP continuing to get stronger/develop further as a rebounder/become an even better shot-blocker etc. Those two need to maintain or get better in those areas and it's on them to accomplish those things--nothing to do with Rose. Rose only helps free them up offensively in a sense to work on maintaining or hopefully getting better in those areas. But let's not kid ourselves here -- Rose being Rose is what could take us to a whole different level. I'm very excited about him, so much so that I'm even willing to overlook the questionable contracts of Noah and Lee.

spot on with all your points there but the DRose trade will always get a 50/50 response. I am alright with the trade since we didnt give up a pick for him and hopefully Justin proves to be valuable but DRose is a selfish guy and has blatanly said that he wants to get paid this summer....im just worried that with him being selfish - if he has a chance to dish it out to KP for an assist or shoot a runner im sure he will choose the latter......I would be ok with this if DRose is our 3rd leading scorer after Melo & KP

I agree. He also was very positive about Melo. He wasn't that positive about Phil but that is understandable. Aside from the Prigs and Hardaway trade Phil has given up a lot to get a little. Phil also did not do well with the coaches he selected and Isola highlighted that. Rambis was really bad. I wish he wasn't on the staff. I think it is interesting that one of the things mentioned about Fisher getting fired was that he began to branch away from the triangle and Phil. I think Fish was a mess. Brian Windhorst is not a guy that gossips, makes predictions etc., and he brought up Fisher chasing Hardaway's girl on something I listened to (Lowe Post or radio). I think there was a lot going on with Fisher and I think Rambis was really bad and Phil got to see the chemistry between Kurt and the young guys during the triangle camp.

I think the guys from last year will love Hornacek. I think Jeff is a professional with a gray area for guys if they need it (Not Kurt). I think Jeff will look to set up an offense that utilizes his players skills and not be locked into trying to make a system work with whatever players are on his squad. I hope there isn't friction with Kurt and that his role is to collect a check and occasionally provide triangle knowledge.

well it looks like Phil has more respect and trust in Hornacek because hes been in the game longer, has higher bball IQ and had already coached before whereas Fisher was an infant compared to Jeff. It was obvious when Phil said that Hornacek comes in knowing how to run a practice. Fisher still had that players mentality and was all about preaching but was still learning on the job even though he didnt deserve the contract he received

If Fisher agreed with Phil to run the triangle and then changed the gameplan without letting him know, or as Phil said very minimal communication, then he had no right to change the system cause thats his boss and even though what he was doing was working.