The Houston Rockets have been lauded and praised by many for their "Moneyball"-like personnel decisions, made famous by Oakland A's Billy Beane and being currently executed by Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Now with the NBA lockout over and money burning in their owner's pockets, it will be interesting to see how the Rockets press forward with upgrading a team seemingly ready to take the next step towards an NBA championship.
Could the Denver Nuggets big man Nene Hilario be a missing link? Per Yahoo! Sports Mark J. Miller:
Now without the services of retired 7-6 center Yao Ming, Rockets coach Kevin McHale and GM Daryl Morey will meet with the 6-11 Brazilian in Denver on Monday, a source tells the Houston Chronicle. Nene, who has played for the Denver Nuggets since 2002, was a trade target of the Rockets last season, the paper notes. The Chronicle reports that Morey is also in discussions with the rep for free-agent center Tyson Chandler as well.
The Rockets will never be able to replace Yao Ming, but the likes of Nene or Tyson Chandler paired with a gutty and crafty forward like Luis Scola could be a new beginning.
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