What if Lebron James was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2003? This thread has brought me to an interesting question. In 2003, what if the Houston Rockets drafted LeBron James? How so, how possible? Let's say rookie at the time, Yao Ming, had his rookie campaign shortened by an injury or some unusual agreement with Chinese basketball that kept him from completing his rookie season. Leaving the Rockets at a less-than respectable 2002-03, at roughly 18-27 wins. Yet the ping pong balls roll in the favor of the Rockets, once again. Meaning the Akron native would be taking his talents to Clutch City. For the 2003 NBA Draft , the Houston Rockets select LeBron James as the #1 pick. The draft pick creates an interesting situation for the Rockets. They now have a team featuring talented dynamic back-court of Stevie Franchise and Cuttino Mobley. Followed by the phenom Chinese center, Yao Ming who impressed the league in his season 1, which was cut a little short. Paired with the young James. The young Rockets are predicted to be fairly competitive in the Western Conference, but not quite on the level of the championship Spurs, Kings, Mavericks, T-Wolves, or the newly formed Super-team Lakers with addition of Karl Malone and Gary Payton. WIth budding young teams, Grizzlies and Nuggets. With addition of James and a full-season Yao, the Rockets bump their regular season win total up to 55 wins. Lebron is easily chosen as the Rookie of the Year. As there were few brushes of between James and SF being the go-to player for the Rockets, but the team seems to win more with LBJ running the show. His numbers see few slight changes a little less in scoring 18-19 per game, but increases in assists and FG% being surrounded by other offensive stalwarts, like SF, Yao, and Mobley. The 55 win Rockets land at #5 seed losing a tie-breaker to the Sacramento Kings. In the 1st round match-up against the Kings, the Rockets put on an amazing show against the favored Kings. Though, the young Rocket succumb to the Kings in a tough fought six games, losing very close games. But, the Rockets have put the league on notice of things to come. The Pistons still go on to beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals upset. For 2004-05 season, the Rockets decided to that SF/Mobley tandem may not be the best course action for team's future championship aspiration. In blockbuster trade, the Rockets land scoring champion, Tracy McGrady. Forming a super trio of LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming. The Rockets wreak havoc in the NBA with the two dominant scorers in LBJ and McGrady at 27 ppg and 25 ppg, respectively. With having two dominant scorers who are also unselfish superstars and great floor generals, the Rockets win a franchise record 61 wins. The Rockets put the Nuggets away in 5 games with 3 blowouts and a fairly close game 4. The next round pits them against the power-house Spurs. In a tough 7 game series, the Rockets finish the Spurs off in overtime at Toyota Center. The Spurs played very tough in the series, but containing 3 budding superstars is too much for even Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich to contain. In the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets find themselves as underdog against the supremely talented Suns. Though, in six games, the Rockets manage to knock off the Suns, who are mildly stifled by Houston's defense, while having no answer for the three superstars who average over 22 ppg a piece. The Rockets are back in the NBA Finals, since 1995. They take on the Detroit Pistons who are defending their championship. In barn burner of an NBA Finals, the Pistons defeat the Rockets in the 7 games. But, the league has taken notice that the Rockets are the new kids on the block. Coming into the 2005-06 NBA season, the Rockets are amongst one of the favorites to win the NBA title being lead by LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Yao Ming. Even with evolution of LeBron James and Yao Ming, the Rockets lead a somewhat disappointing with injuries to T-Mac and Yao, but the Rockets manage to win 58 games. But they are still only a 5th seed (due to 4-60+ win - Spurs, Suns, Nuggets, and Mavs) and will be going into playoffs without Yao or T-Mac, whom both are out . The Mavs dispose of the Rockets in 6 games, but LeBron has a wonderful series averaging over 32 ppg, 9 rebs, and 8 ast. For the 2006-07 season, the Rockets are expected to do well, but are rated under the Mavs, Pistons, and Spurs. They still acquire Shane Battier for a 1st Rounder and players to be named. The Rockets explode through the season, breaking another franchise record in wins with 67, but lose out on a tie-breaker to the Mavs for home-field through out the playoffs. But, as expected, the Mavs are defeated in the 1st round by the Warriors. In the first round, the Rockets showdown with Lakers, which advertised as Lebron vs. Kobe Part 1. The Rocket flatten the Lakers in 4 games, as they stand no chance against three headed monsters of Houston. The Rockets find themselves back up aganst the Phoenix Suns, led by Nash and Co. The Rockets finish the Suns off in 6 games, headed into another Conference Finals against the Spurs. In an instant classic, the Rockets and Spurs duke it out in brutal 7 game series, with no team winning consecutive games. The Spurs are able to slow down Lebron a bit, but not without also containing Yao and T-Mac. In game 7, after trading baskets late in the game, the Rockets take a 2 point lead in double overtime with a drive to the hoop by LBJ. The Spurs steal game 7 in Toyota Center with a last second Robert Horry 3 to bury the Rockets. The Spurs knock off the Heat in six games, regardless of the controversial officiating.
The Rockets head into 2007-08 season as the Western Conference favorite, but the new Celtics are the team expect to take the glory home, this year. Though, this season, the expectations are mighty high, but some critics are starting to bring the labels that the trio of LBJ, T-Mac, and Yao can't get it done. While, the team believes the team needs another head coach to get them to promise land releasing Jeff Van Gundy and picking up Rick Adelman. In 2007-08, the Rockets make history ending the Lakers 33 game streak by winning 35 consecutive games. This Rockets team is shaping up to be one for the ages being lead by James, followed by T-Mac and Yao. Also, now having quality role players, like Luis Scola, Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Carl Landry, Rafer Alston and Bonzi Wells. The Rockets become only the 2nd team in NBA history to win 70 games. Cruising to the league's best record, the Rockets find themselves as #1 seed through the entire playoffs. Though Rockets will be handicapped, not having the big guy in the middle, who is recovering from a broken-foot. The Rockets dispose of the Iverson-Melo led Nuggets in 5 games. For the 2nd round of the playoffs, the Rockets mollywop the Jazz in 4 games, in a series where both superstars average over 30 ppg. Though, the Rockets are expected to have their hands full in the next round against the new look Lakers who have added Pau Gasol to prospective MVP Kobe Bryant. LeBron vs. Kobe, Part 2. Although, the Rockets possess the league's best record, they are the underdogs against the Lakers, especially missing Yao Ming. The Rockets are able to battle the Lakers to 7 games, with LBJ having an incredible series against the Lakers, but the Rockets struggle against the Lakers bigs (Bynum, Gasol, and Odom) without Yao. Mutombo can guard Bynum and Gasol, but not both. While, Kobe has good enough series to get pass the Rockets. Still meeting their end against the Celtics. The 2008-09 off-season is an enigma. There are rumors that LeBron might be on his way out with pending FA and a slight rivalry with fellow-Rockets T-Mac. Behind close-doors, LBJ is making it known he doesn't like T-Mac's attitude and is becoming a little cancerous to team chemistry. Though, he thinks Tracy will come around as the Rockets get better. The Rockets even land Ron Artest (Metta World Peace). The Rockets push through the regular season landing at 63 wins. Even with the decline of play and reluctance of T-Mac, the Rockets are still a dominant looking team with LBJ and Yao, along with blue-chippers like Scola, Battier, Alston. A young players, like Landry, Lowry, Wafer and Brooks. Also, putting in defensive maestro in Ron Artest. The Rockets sweep the first two round of the playoffs with no losses, LBJ is on monster tear, while Yao is contributing though resting more due to the blowouts. The Rockets youngsters, like Brooks, Scola, Landry, and Lowry are making a name for themselves. As they lead into showdown with the championship favorited Lakers, the Rockets battle the Lakers in ... Lebron vs. Kobe, Part 3. We have another 7 game series, but the Rockets knockoff the Lakers in Staples, behind the play of Lebron James, Yao Ming, and the Houston's fiery young players and blue chippers. The Rockets go on to their 3rd Title as they defeat Orlando Magic in 6 game. A dramatic six games, LBJ dominates the Magic, while Yao dominates Howard for the first 4 games, but goes down with a foot injury in Game 5. But with LBJ's domination and the Clutch City revival on the shoulders of Battier, Artest, Lowry, Brooks, Landry, Scola, and Alston, the Rockets prove to be worthy [a much formidable challenge than Cavs squad, the real LBJ had at time] and blow out the Magic in game 6. The city goes crazy...Yao/T-Mac are now NBA champions [probably headed toward retirement]...the Houston supporting cast are being compared to other great supporting case, like the Bulls, Lakers, and *cough* 93-95 Rockets....also the arguments about LBJ being the GOAT are starting to begin. What happens next? T-Mac/Yao retirement? Morey's fine-tuning? Replacing Yao/T-Mac? The Dwight Dream? James-Who? Championship #2..#7?
In the 2009-10 season, we see the Rockets defend their title with Yao Ming being sidelined for the entire season, Metta World Peace who is now a Laker, and pending FA in LeBron James who may be forming a super team with NBA buddies Wade and Bosh in Miami. Though, the Rockets add Kevin Martin, Trevor Ariza, Jordan Hill, and Jared Jefferies. The Lakers are the favorites for the NBA title. LBJ leads the Rockets to another 60 + win season at 63 wins. Morey has created roster that almost perfectly compliments LBJ. The team is 1st in the Western Conference and has home-field advantage through out the playoffs. They knock off the Thunder 6 games and make short work of the Suns in 5 games setting up Kobe vs. LeBron, Part IV. The Rockets in another hard fought series against the Kobe/Gasol Lakers, take Game 7 in the Toyota Center setting up for title defense against the previous champions Boston Celtics. In the Finals, the Celtics prove to be too much for the Rockets beating them another NBA Finals Classic. The Celtics defense puts the clamps on LeBron, while limiting Houston's role players. Now. we are in the summer of uncertainty - - 2010. It looks as if LeBron would stay with the Rockets, considering they've been to the Finals -- 3 times (2005, 2009, and 2010) and won in the previous season (2008-09) [in real life he had only been to 1 NBA Finals at this point. He also has the perfect GM that know how to build a competitive team with or without a superstar, having greater reliance on analytics. Although, Yao is scheduled to be on his back, but his future is uncertain. On the other hand, T-Mac has decided to retire, as he has rings and is considered one of the best scorers in history. The Rockets have some great pieces in Martin, Ariza, Battier, Scola, and Lowry. Especially considering LeBron has won with a championship with this team and was on the cusp of another one in the past season. But . . . LBJ ends abandoning the Rockets to take his talents to South Beach -- But, we aren't as sour as Cleveland, we have titles already, while we won one with LeBron, so most of us are like whatever...good riddance. History is pretty much unchanged -- Lebron quivers against the Mavs in 2011 and takes down the Thunder in 2012. The Rockets are in NBA hell with a pretty decent team without a superstar. Until the 2012-13 season, the Rockets still land James Harden. History is still unchanged, the Heat defeat the Spurs. The Rockets are looking to grab Dwight Howard. The Lakers championship days are done. The 2013-14 season remains the same, as the Spurs cruise all the way to the title, Houston stil loses in 1st Round to the Trailblazers. And, LBJ is a FA again. Around the corner is the Summer 2014, will LeBron head back closer to his roots in Cleveland, join up with CP3 at some unknown team, return to Miami or end up back in Houston forming another super-trio with Dwight and Harden.
Beyond the unparalleled physical gifts, LeBron has been referred to as a savant. What do you make of this?
referring to the thread title... who is it? and what is "it" counting? if first round exit, then it is correct.
It’s so great that Clutchfans keeps everything Thousands of years from now They will be amazed how TOFs even existed What brain problems they had
