Assuming Lin, Harden, Parson, 4th??, Howard - ??W, ??L With Josh Smith at 4th - ??W, ??L My prediction, without Smith 56 - 26. With Smith, 59 - 23.
Gonna be a log jam at the top of the WC, but I think the Rockets will end up with the first or second best record.
I think the team fits better without smith. if they can get smith for asik and jones, I think they can win around 57 wins. if they give up lin as well then it will be around 50 wins
Considering the fact that the entire team has improved plus we'll have Howard I say without Smith 58-24 and with Smith 60-22
It was Morey grant plan last off season, - get a young energetic PG - Lin, checked - get a scoring 2 or 3 - Harden, checked - get a quality 2 or 3 - Parson, checked - get a tough, workaholic 4 - ?? can not fill all the holes at once. May be getting Smith - get a Houston tradition, top flight 5 - waited for Howard done with LA, ( Morey knew DH and Kobe can not co-exist ) and get him this off season. Checked. The team developed chemistry last season while waiting for DH. Morey would not trade away Lin and Asik and destroy the grand plan, and 'hopping' the team will mesh quickly with a new pg. With Howard, we have a contenting team in the West, why f it up.
