You guys are CLEARLY homers if you think we're still the 2nd best team in the West. We haven't upgraded and we still have two players (JET & Smooth) who aren't even on the roster as of now. Be real people!
terry is a non factor on the court. we might be better off without him. he was streaky from 3, and he's a poor defender. i'd honestly prefer nick johnson being a project over terry, although i'd prefer making a move to add a point guard most. smith is the ultimate feast or famine player. low IQ, and honestly, he didn't do anything too special last season. i think fans were enamored with his lobs to dwight and allowed them to look past all the stupid turnovers and missed rotations by him. and come on, if you're being honest with yourself you know every time he gears to shoot you're screaming out "nooooooooooooooooo".
The Rockets could have been like 6th had the very last day of the season gone a little differently, and haven't added anyone yet, unlike all the other teams. Not having them in the top 4 is hardly hating. 4th is probably the highest you'll see anyone place them outside of this forum.
The rockets probably win 60 games last season with a halfway healthy Howard and TJ was out for close to 50 games.
Yeah, lots of laughable "hot takes" by Rockets fans lately. It's pretty embarrassing, but knee jerk people are going to be knee jerk people. That said, the tendency lately of Rockets fans pretending other team's garbage is gold is getting a bit annoying.
We are #3, only because SA looks like they have re-upped. We went to the CF with two starters out -- those starters are returning and the only person we MIGHT lose is Smith. We handled the Mavs easy down two starters, we struggled against a good team down two starters -- go figure.... We deserve to be at worst the #3 team going into this season. You win in April, May, and June -- not in July. Capturing a big name free agent doesn't automatically propel you to contendership. The Spurs have basically never acquired a huge FA, they win by have some consistency and familiarity with their players -- and having a great coach. Adding back Dmo and a hopefully hungry Beverly should make us an even better squad than last year.
if a 38 year old point guard who can't defend anyone, and was brought in to be an elite shooter but isn't an elite shooter is "far from a non factor", we have huge problems on this team.
id say he shot pretty well last season and the rockets were lucky to have him especially for the playoffs once beverley went down. he was forced into a bigger role than what would be normally and handled it pretty well considering he's a "38 yr old pg who can't defend". houston having their guards back healthy and terry goes back to his limited role and you have a pretty decent option off the bench in terry. you're definitely overreacting calling terry a non factor. he plays a very significant role on this team
We rank #2, we are the Intercontinental champion behind the Warriors. Nobody has surpassed us until the games are played.
If you're top 4 in the West then you are a contender and that's all that matters. Houston, GSW, SAS, and OKC are all going to be fighting for the top 4 spots. I don't see GSW taking a 10 game lead on teams this year. The injury bug should hit them soon and they might miss Alvin Gentry more than people realize. Pop rests his players a lot during the season and sometimes it looks like the Spurs are just bored until March. OKC is getting used to a new coach and there could be issues there. Also, who knows how well Durant's foot is going to hold up. I think 1-4 will be separated by a handful of games. Should be fun to watch. Hope I didn't jinx my team but the Rockets should be in the WCF again.
They could have been 6 and lucked out to end up #2. But then they went on to beat the Mavs and Clippers. The likes of the Spurs and Grizzlies can't say as much. Not saying they shouldn't be down on the Rockets because they haven't done anything to get better, but the fluke at the end of the regular season isn't the end of the story either. True. Though Aldridge seems built for the Spurs system -- just the right demeanor to prosper there. It could go poorly, but I rather expect him to plug in right away.
1st seed. GSW 2nd.HOU 3rd.SAS 4th. OKC(even without Kanter) 5th.Clippers 6th.Mem 7th.Jazz(Crazy prediction) 8th.Pelicans
1st seed. GSW 2nd.HOU 3rd.SAS 4th. OKC(even without Kanter) 5th.Clippers 6th.Mem 7th.Jazz(Crazy prediction) 8th.Pelicans
I don't think it is an easier division. Dallas and Denver and Portland will be worse than last year, but everyone else will be either the same or better. TWolves and Lakers will be much better than last year. Sacramento should be much better. Jazz will be better. San Antonio will be better. Pelicans will be older, more experienced, and better. Clippers will be better with the addition of Pierce.
