Rockets Are The Most Dangerous Team In The West--Antoine Walker

JW86 · Feb 12, 2020

Walker is at least bias free and level-headed unlike others who just try to make crazy statements /have hot takes, are just dumb, stuck in the past or a combination of these 3.

TimDuncanDonaut · Feb 12, 2020

A recent turn in national media coverage.

Positive coverage?

DeBeards · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

talent over system. all anyone wants to talk about is the system. It's increasingly clear to me that the system doesn't matter, except to the extent you'd like to maximize your talent with the right system FOR THEM. For Russ in particular, this system is better. For Harden, with Russ, this system is better. For Harden, it's mostly about defense.
Click to expand...

Imho, except milwuakee bucks（pct.868, diff +12）, most Eastern / Western top 5 seed teams all got its problems wait to revamp, no one perfect till now, incl us. So dunt worry.
As for harden era, the only proved system is 2017-2018 season cp3-jh-cc plus 3 defensive specialists, building specifically against GSW. Literally, we were 5min away from entering nba finals in the painful unforgettable game 7, should cp3 stayed on court.

This year, we are actually under a process of semi-rebuilding which makes us like a 'late boomer', i mean 28 games left we not even accomplish filling in all right pieces yet; because of it, system larger than talents…now small ball is our new system. (we use 30+ games to prove cc got to move) Thanks God, New Orleans game was a successful experiment, around that point DM and MDA made up their mind firstly making use of swap season to tweak the roster and pave the way for bringing in all of our 10 reliable players in the system (DM quote in US TODAY interview) , secondly, let the system help jelling key players together through remaining 20+ games…and thirdly like the The Wizard of OZ, letting cowardly lion, Dorothy, scarecrow and tinman finding themselves in the system:
* team D
* more switching, more spacing
* less dribble, more ball movement
* hero ball ＋ good decision (less russ branded irrational)
* more discipline, less TO
Instead of puting cart before the horse, i believe we put system before talents which are mostly already there. Other uncontrollable elements in playoffs…just let it be, say non-call foul, buzzer beater, dirty refs.
We will be fine.

Section123row16seat1 · Feb 12, 2020

lavar ball has a championship ring thanks to walker

ksny15 · Feb 12, 2020

Lol no they are not. Until they show some consistency no team in the West will be afraid of them.

D-rock · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

I guess relevant here, but less about what Walker and the media think, and more about my observations 4 games into RoCo and fully committed to small ball.

* DM did the one thing he LOVES to do... increase variability. This team has a HIGHER ceiling. It also has a LOWER floor, imo.

* Mental is half the battle. What I mean is that at least for now, without a legit big, they are all SUPER committed and all-in on the style, and frankly, the EYE TEST on the defense and hustle scale just looks WAY WAY better.

* RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo. He's WAY better than I thought defensively. Not necessarily mano-a-mano, one on one defense, where he is more hit than miss, but also has some tendencies to get to aggressive and let his guy get by him. But in terms of overall team defense, immediately understanding this switching scheme, and being able to guard multiple positions and multiple areas of the court simultaneously... from what I've seen so far, he maybe the best defender the Rockets have had in that regard in the Harden era.

* the style absolutely makes opponents switch up strategy, or rotations. Dwight became unplayable. Kanter played his lowest minutes since early December. Gobert was -6. In a playoff series, not sure who much this will factor in.

* Eric Gordon. ERIC GORDON. This dude needs to get healthy. Then he needs to COME OFF THE BENCH! Even if everyone is healthy. Style doesn't matter... the Rockets still have a very hit or miss, and MOSTLY miss bench. Healthy EG coming off the bench to give you 20 makes the bench legit dangerous. Moreover, it makes the starting lineup which includes House, better at defense/rebounding/hustle.

* talent over system. all anyone wants to talk about is the system. It's increasingly clear to me that the system doesn't matter, except to the extent you'd like to maximize your talent with the right system FOR THEM. For Russ in particular, this system is better. For Harden, with Russ, this system is better. For Harden, it's mostly about defense. There's no being horrible at defense then pointing fingers at Clint (who would take it) anymore. That said, this team PROBABLY has the same problem its had EVERY year. Not enough talent. They need to replicate RoCo and get another one of him. Or they need a legit 6'10+ big that can stretch the floor and play defense/board. While the likes of Bolden/Kieff/Harkless or whomever might be available on the buyout market, or Bruno getting healthy, sounds "nice", I'm not sure it moves the needle that much. 100% healthy, in the playoffs, I think they're still short on talent, one player

* too little, too late?? There are 28 games left in the season. They're a legit 1.5 game behind Utah... that loss HURT. Utah now has the tie-breaker as well. Had they made another RoCo like impact trade, I might say, 4th or 5th seed, they can still do it, because they're a super better team talent-wise post trade. But as is, can they really make the Finals or win a ring as a 4+ seed? I say no. As a 5+ seed, I say IMPOSSIBLE. They're not going on the road every series and winning. Is there a HUGE difference between 4th and 3rd seed? Maybe not... both slots only get one round of HCA. Of course 3rd seed avoids the #1 till a WCF. Whatever the case, there's been too many last second losses (Kings, Jazz), or blown leads (11 of their losses they had double digit leads) that there is NO ROOM for error anymore. For the last 28 games, they need to win MINIMUM of 20 games, but in reality 22+. Going 22-6 would put them at 56-26, a 68% winning percentage, that might get them 3rd seed. According to tankathon, Rockets have a relatively easier schedule: http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength Denver, Utah have a relatively harder schedule. Still, if yo look at the Rockets schedule game by game https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2020_games.html it's not like you can easily point to a super long potential win streak stretch.

It's hard to see this season ending in any way that isn't a playoff loss, at some point in the first three rounds. I could legitimately see them finishing 4th/5th and losing in the first round, or finishing anywhere 2-6 and nonetheless making the WCF. I would be VERY HAPPY to be proven wrong. Thinking ahead, though, the question becomes, what of the offseason? I think the change in style theoretically gives them more leash... it gives me more leash, I'm more willing to say "they finally decided to go all-in, DM did his best but couldn't fully outfit a roster to reflect that" and get somewhat excited about the potential to maybe move EG, or find an MLE type legit 6'10 RoCo-esque guy. Of course it all kind of gets screwed if MDA walks away or isn't re-signed.
Click to expand...

Nice analysis!!

The missing piece(s) are more Killer B's of course!! LOL

Bo Harkless
Bolden
Broekhoff
Bender
Biyombo
Tyler B Johnson
Bomari Spellman

D-rock · Feb 12, 2020

DeBeards said: ↑

Imho, except milwuakee bucks（pct.868, diff +12）, most Eastern / Western top 5 seed teams all got its problems wait to revamp, no one perfect till now, incl us. So dunt worry.
As for harden era, the only proved system is 2017-2018 season cp3-jh-cc plus 3 defensive specialists, building specifically against GSW. Literally, we were 5min away from entering nba finals in the painful unforgettable game 7, should cp3 stayed on court.

This year, we are actually under a process of semi-rebuilding which makes us like a 'late boomer', i mean 28 games left we not even accomplish filling in all right pieces yet; because of it, system larger than talents…now small ball is our new system. (we use 30+ games to prove cc got to move) Thanks God, New Orleans game was a successful experiment, around that point DM and MDA made up their mind firstly making use of swap season to tweak the roster and pave the way for bringing in all of our 10 reliable players in the system (DM quote in US TODAY interview) , secondly, let the system help jelling key players together through remaining 20+ games…and thirdly like the The Wizard of OZ, letting cowardly lion, Dorothy, scarecrow and tinman finding themselves in the system:
* team D
* more switching, more spacing
* less dribble, more ball movement
* hero ball ＋ good decision (less russ branded irrational)
* more discipline, less TO
Instead of puting cart before the horse, i believe we put system before talents which are mostly already there. Other uncontrollable elements in playoffs…just let it be, say non-call foul, buzzer beater, dirty refs.
We will be fine.
Click to expand...

Most importantly, system was adjusted to maximize the 2 best players.

It was a hard decision to let go of 3rd best player but it was the right one.

DeBeards · Feb 12, 2020

D-rock said: ↑

Most importantly, system was adjusted to maximize the 2 best players.

It was a hard decision to let go of 3rd best player but it was the right one.
Click to expand...

BaselineFade · Feb 12, 2020

TimDuncanDonaut said: ↑

A recent turn in national media coverage.

Positive coverage?

Click to expand...

I am also noticing a sudden change from media. The laughter has been replaced fear and hesitation lol.

Deuce · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

I guess relevant here, but less about what Walker and the media think, and more about my observations 4 games into RoCo and fully committed to small ball.

* DM did the one thing he LOVES to do... increase variability. This team has a HIGHER ceiling. It also has a LOWER floor, imo.

* Mental is half the battle. What I mean is that at least for now, without a legit big, they are all SUPER committed and all-in on the style, and frankly, the EYE TEST on the defense and hustle scale just looks WAY WAY better.

* RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo. He's WAY better than I thought defensively. Not necessarily mano-a-mano, one on one defense, where he is more hit than miss, but also has some tendencies to get to aggressive and let his guy get by him. But in terms of overall team defense, immediately understanding this switching scheme, and being able to guard multiple positions and multiple areas of the court simultaneously... from what I've seen so far, he maybe the best defender the Rockets have had in that regard in the Harden era.

* the style absolutely makes opponents switch up strategy, or rotations. Dwight became unplayable. Kanter played his lowest minutes since early December. Gobert was -6. In a playoff series, not sure who much this will factor in.

* Eric Gordon. ERIC GORDON. This dude needs to get healthy. Then he needs to COME OFF THE BENCH! Even if everyone is healthy. Style doesn't matter... the Rockets still have a very hit or miss, and MOSTLY miss bench. Healthy EG coming off the bench to give you 20 makes the bench legit dangerous. Moreover, it makes the starting lineup which includes House, better at defense/rebounding/hustle.

* talent over system. all anyone wants to talk about is the system. It's increasingly clear to me that the system doesn't matter, except to the extent you'd like to maximize your talent with the right system FOR THEM. For Russ in particular, this system is better. For Harden, with Russ, this system is better. For Harden, it's mostly about defense. There's no being horrible at defense then pointing fingers at Clint (who would take it) anymore. That said, this team PROBABLY has the same problem its had EVERY year. Not enough talent. They need to replicate RoCo and get another one of him. Or they need a legit 6'10+ big that can stretch the floor and play defense/board. While the likes of Bolden/Kieff/Harkless or whomever might be available on the buyout market, or Bruno getting healthy, sounds "nice", I'm not sure it moves the needle that much. 100% healthy, in the playoffs, I think they're still short on talent, one player

* too little, too late?? There are 28 games left in the season. They're a legit 1.5 game behind Utah... that loss HURT. Utah now has the tie-breaker as well. Had they made another RoCo like impact trade, I might say, 4th or 5th seed, they can still do it, because they're a super better team talent-wise post trade. But as is, can they really make the Finals or win a ring as a 4+ seed? I say no. As a 5+ seed, I say IMPOSSIBLE. They're not going on the road every series and winning. Is there a HUGE difference between 4th and 3rd seed? Maybe not... both slots only get one round of HCA. Of course 3rd seed avoids the #1 till a WCF. Whatever the case, there's been too many last second losses (Kings, Jazz), or blown leads (11 of their losses they had double digit leads) that there is NO ROOM for error anymore. For the last 28 games, they need to win MINIMUM of 20 games, but in reality 22+. Going 22-6 would put them at 56-26, a 68% winning percentage, that might get them 3rd seed. According to tankathon, Rockets have a relatively easier schedule: http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength Denver, Utah have a relatively harder schedule. Still, if yo look at the Rockets schedule game by game https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2020_games.html it's not like you can easily point to a super long potential win streak stretch.

It's hard to see this season ending in any way that isn't a playoff loss, at some point in the first three rounds. I could legitimately see them finishing 4th/5th and losing in the first round, or finishing anywhere 2-6 and nonetheless making the WCF. I would be VERY HAPPY to be proven wrong. Thinking ahead, though, the question becomes, what of the offseason? I think the change in style theoretically gives them more leash... it gives me more leash, I'm more willing to say "they finally decided to go all-in, DM did his best but couldn't fully outfit a roster to reflect that" and get somewhat excited about the potential to maybe move EG, or find an MLE type legit 6'10 RoCo-esque guy. Of course it all kind of gets screwed if MDA walks away or isn't re-signed.
Click to expand...

Pretty much agree with all of this. Nice write up. BTW, Rockets/Utah series stands at 1-1 with 1 more game to go. Tie-breaker goes to the next win.

DeBeards · Feb 12, 2020

BaselineFade said: ↑

I am also noticing a sudden change from media. The laughter has been replaced fear and hesitation lol.

Click to expand...

bloody soap opera…smh

D-rock · Feb 12, 2020

macan said: ↑

Click to expand...

Walker doesnt believe Rockets are scary but they are the most dangerous team in NBA.

Get your **** straight Toine!

D-rock · Feb 12, 2020

BaselineFade said: ↑

I am also noticing a sudden change from media. The laughter has been replaced fear and hesitation lol.

Click to expand...

LOL, finally giving MDA some love for his impact on revolutionary basketball.

Too little, too late national media.

macan · Feb 12, 2020

BaselineFade said: ↑

I am also noticing a sudden change from media. The laughter has been replaced fear and hesitation lol.

Click to expand...

alright, looks like we have First Take on our side. and those Undisputed dudes still straight hating on us..

TheRealAllpro · Feb 12, 2020

What the hell was this!? This was a click bait ass title.

Walker spent the whole time slandering the Rockets then out of nowhere throws in a line about the Rockets being “the most dangerous team”

Also I love how all 3 were saying when they play the LAKERS they will struggle. b****! We already played the Lakers and beat them!?

HP3 · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

I guess relevant here, but less about what Walker and the media think, and more about my observations 4 games into RoCo and fully committed to small ball.

* DM did the one thing he LOVES to do... increase variability. This team has a HIGHER ceiling. It also has a LOWER floor, imo.

* Mental is half the battle. What I mean is that at least for now, without a legit big, they are all SUPER committed and all-in on the style, and frankly, the EYE TEST on the defense and hustle scale just looks WAY WAY better.

* RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo, RoCo. He's WAY better than I thought defensively. Not necessarily mano-a-mano, one on one defense, where he is more hit than miss, but also has some tendencies to get to aggressive and let his guy get by him. But in terms of overall team defense, immediately understanding this switching scheme, and being able to guard multiple positions and multiple areas of the court simultaneously... from what I've seen so far, he maybe the best defender the Rockets have had in that regard in the Harden era.

* the style absolutely makes opponents switch up strategy, or rotations. Dwight became unplayable. Kanter played his lowest minutes since early December. Gobert was -6. In a playoff series, not sure who much this will factor in.

* Eric Gordon. ERIC GORDON. This dude needs to get healthy. Then he needs to COME OFF THE BENCH! Even if everyone is healthy. Style doesn't matter... the Rockets still have a very hit or miss, and MOSTLY miss bench. Healthy EG coming off the bench to give you 20 makes the bench legit dangerous. Moreover, it makes the starting lineup which includes House, better at defense/rebounding/hustle.

* talent over system. all anyone wants to talk about is the system. It's increasingly clear to me that the system doesn't matter, except to the extent you'd like to maximize your talent with the right system FOR THEM. For Russ in particular, this system is better. For Harden, with Russ, this system is better. For Harden, it's mostly about defense. There's no being horrible at defense then pointing fingers at Clint (who would take it) anymore. That said, this team PROBABLY has the same problem its had EVERY year. Not enough talent. They need to replicate RoCo and get another one of him. Or they need a legit 6'10+ big that can stretch the floor and play defense/board. While the likes of Bolden/Kieff/Harkless or whomever might be available on the buyout market, or Bruno getting healthy, sounds "nice", I'm not sure it moves the needle that much. 100% healthy, in the playoffs, I think they're still short on talent, one player

* too little, too late?? There are 28 games left in the season. They're a legit 1.5 game behind Utah... that loss HURT. Utah now has the tie-breaker as well. Had they made another RoCo like impact trade, I might say, 4th or 5th seed, they can still do it, because they're a super better team talent-wise post trade. But as is, can they really make the Finals or win a ring as a 4+ seed? I say no. As a 5+ seed, I say IMPOSSIBLE. They're not going on the road every series and winning. Is there a HUGE difference between 4th and 3rd seed? Maybe not... both slots only get one round of HCA. Of course 3rd seed avoids the #1 till a WCF. Whatever the case, there's been too many last second losses (Kings, Jazz), or blown leads (11 of their losses they had double digit leads) that there is NO ROOM for error anymore. For the last 28 games, they need to win MINIMUM of 20 games, but in reality 22+. Going 22-6 would put them at 56-26, a 68% winning percentage, that might get them 3rd seed. According to tankathon, Rockets have a relatively easier schedule: http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength Denver, Utah have a relatively harder schedule. Still, if yo look at the Rockets schedule game by game https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2020_games.html it's not like you can easily point to a super long potential win streak stretch.

It's hard to see this season ending in any way that isn't a playoff loss, at some point in the first three rounds. I could legitimately see them finishing 4th/5th and losing in the first round, or finishing anywhere 2-6 and nonetheless making the WCF. I would be VERY HAPPY to be proven wrong. Thinking ahead, though, the question becomes, what of the offseason? I think the change in style theoretically gives them more leash... it gives me more leash, I'm more willing to say "they finally decided to go all-in, DM did his best but couldn't fully outfit a roster to reflect that" and get somewhat excited about the potential to maybe move EG, or find an MLE type legit 6'10 RoCo-esque guy. Of course it all kind of gets screwed if MDA walks away or isn't re-signed.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the analysis. I really do....but I kind of feel like this is one giant "I give up" post. Lets just see what happens.

JayZ750 · Feb 12, 2020

HP3 said: ↑

I appreciate the analysis. I really do....but I kind of feel like this is one giant "I give up" post. Lets just see what happens.
Click to expand...

Because I don't think they're going to win a ring as presently constructed, lol?

HP3 · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

Because I don't think they're going to win a ring as presently constructed, lol?
Click to expand...

You are entitled to your opinion I’m just giving you mine lol.

Well we got half a season left with this new roster. Let’s see how it goes. I’m not a fan of the premature “this team is done.”

JayZ750 · Feb 12, 2020

HP3 said: ↑

You are entitled to your opinion I’m just giving you mine lol.

Well we got half a season left with this new roster. Let’s see how it goes. I’m not a fan of the premature “this team is done.”
Click to expand...

Ok...

Not sure what opinion you gave?? I guess your opinion is this team will win a championship?

HP3 · Feb 12, 2020

JayZ750 said: ↑

Ok...

Not sure what opinion you gave?? I guess your opinion is this team will win a championship?
Click to expand...

my opinion is that its too early to tell.

Forums

Rockets Are The Most Dangerous Team In The West--Antoine Walker

JW86 Member

TimDuncanDonaut Member

DeBeards Member

Section123row16seat1 Member

ksny15 Member

D-rock Member

D-rock Member

DeBeards Member

BaselineFade Member
Supporting Member

Deuce Context & Nuance

DeBeards Member

D-rock Member

D-rock Member

macan Member

TheRealAllpro Morey only fan

HP3 Member

JayZ750 Contributing Member

HP3 Member

JayZ750 Contributing Member

HP3 Member

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!

Rockets Are The Most Dangerous Team In The West--Antoine Walker

JW86 Member

TimDuncanDonaut Member

DeBeards Member

Section123row16seat1 Member

ksny15 Member

D-rock Member

D-rock Member

DeBeards Member

BaselineFade Member Supporting Member

Deuce Context & Nuance

DeBeards Member

D-rock Member

D-rock Member

macan Member

TheRealAllpro Morey only fan

HP3 Member

JayZ750 Contributing Member

HP3 Member

JayZ750 Contributing Member

HP3 Member

Share This Page

BaselineFade Member
Supporting Member