What needs to happen for this team to make the finals?

Gotta put brown thing in the round thing as Kelvin Sampson would say.

It's about putting the brown thing in the round thing 60-70 times and more than the opponent.

*Waiting for Carl Herrera to chime in.

 

Intelligent use of players to minimize ball sharing issues.

Last year's offensive output remains relatively steady, with better half court production canceling out a slower pace. This requires Dwight and last year's team to integrate smoothly, at least by the playoffs.

Team defense improves greatly around Dwight as the anchor.

In other words, the pieces are there. They just have to be fit together. Another move would be great, but I'm not sure it's necessary.

 

No injuries

 

Only two factors:

1. Find answer at PF position.

2. Dwight returns to his pre-injury form.

Distance behind or non-factors:

- Do not expect Parsons becoming an all star THIS year. That's asking too much and only setting up for dissappointment. I look for Parsons to improve on creating shots for himself. That would be the first step in becoming a star.

- PG position is very competitive. There is a very little gap between 15-20 to top 10. Improvement as a team is minimum. The gap between top tier PG's in, RW0, Parker, CP3, or a healthy Rose and second tier is a lot wider. Lin needs to be a top tier PG to have an impact and I just dont think that's gonna happen this year either.

- Harden's TO's is a overstated. I rather have an aggressive Harden than one who is constantly aware his high TOs rate.

- Harden's defense is also overstated. You can't expect somone who is not LeBron to play 38+ min/game, lead offensive attacks, lead the league in pace, AND give 100% effort on defense.

You want Harden to play defense? We gonna have to either 1. cut down his minutes or 2. reduce his offensive usage.

Solid productivity from bench is NOT an obvious need to contend. There is a reason why people referring to NBA as a superstar league.

During playoffs, teams will have their best players on the court as much possible. In close games, 42+ min for superstars/starters is not unrealistic. Bench becomes somewhat irrelevant. Only a few players shine and win games during PO's, and they are not from the bench.

 

New uniform!!!

 

Beverley all the star players

 

The first thing team needs to work on in order to even reach the playoffs is our chemistry,I mean last year Lakers had the best material for winning the championship in the league on the paper,but they couldn't accomplish the expectations because there was lack of chemistry among the players.
They didn't get along and you could definately sense it on the court,a lot of ego and bad blood.
Coach needs to arrange a lot of trainings in order for players to get along more and to get to know each other better,a lot of players were added to the roster in this offseason so there are things which need to be done before the upcoming season will start.
Why chemistry is so important,because in my opinion when your players know each other so well and have good relationships with each other it will automatically affect their performances on the court,no doubt about it.

I'm not to worried about Howard,I think Houston is the ideal place for him,he is getting to play with a talented young group of players with bright future in this league,that's what he needs,new energy,and Houston is exactly the place,plus he also gets a tutor called Hakeem,it will be great for Howard to learn from one of the best in the business.

I think Houston got a great bench and I think their will be a major contribution from the bench,it can be tremendous.

 

Bribe the Spurs and OKC to let us win.

 

1. Get to the playoffs.
2. Win a best-of-7 series in the quarterfinals.
3. Win a best-of-7 series in the semifinals.
4. Win a best-of-7 series in the conference finals.

Then, and only then, will they make it.

As far as winning individual games, they do it by scoring more points than the opposing team.

 

...Chandler Parsons gets a spa day

 

Dwight must return to his top 3 form. Him and Harden could be a scary duo.

 

Lin needs to play out of his mind

 

Harden has to become a top 5 player. Its simple. If he plays up to the superstar tag everybody's prematurely given him, everything on this team falls in place

 

its kind of obvious, just win as many games as possible

 

crowd energy?

 

Need a third star. Most realistic route is to waive Chandler Parsons and sign T-Mac.

 

T-Mac is gone dude.

Only Tracy McGrady now.

 

win games and playoff games.