Going from 56-26 to (potentially) 37-45. What's even more sad is that our SOS (strength of schedule) so far is 20th in the league. We played one of the softest schedules thus far.
Maybe we can draft the next Sam Dekker, Lamb, Jones and Royce White if we cash in some of our assets for picks.
When your goal for the second half of the season is to go on a run, rebound from the poor start, in order to get to 45 wins.... (Which is pretty much the bare minimum for making the 8th seed) I think it's safe to say that's not a good sign for a franchise. My knowledge would tell me that Morey wanted to see them at .500 or better by Jan 1st but with momentum building to grow their win percentage. Anything less would mean he has no choice but to significantly break down the roster starting as early as Jan 15th. I fully expect a roster explosion to occur and while JBB will most likely finish the year (no point in replacing during a roster overhaul), I fully expect Morey and Les are already starting their process of looking at coaches for this Summer to go after. This season is likely toast. What we have to look forward to is how Morey dismantles and re essenbles the roster. All the data shows that this season is toast.
I looked at their remaining schedule last night. They'll at best win 39 the way they're playing. 37 sounds about right. Sadly that may be enough to make the playoffs given how much the West has declined from last season, but is that really worth it for the franchise? Getting swept in Round 1 by the Warriors or Spurs?
Your force to trade both probably, or Howard.. Honestly i would go for some one like Bradly Beal from washington. If you trade them Harden, maybe durant would sign out there, and this is where houston can leverage a trade to there advantage. Washington would jump on this trade for harden knowing it would land durant. Something Like Beal,Otto Jr,Gary neal , and maybe nene huge expiring contract , and draft pick for 2016. For Harden and scrubs.
I don't know man, Beal is a very meh defender himself. If we were to trade Harden, I'd like us to get a legit 2-way player, someone like Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kawhi Leonard etc.
I honestly wouldnt mind a tank job at this point, the season is done let Harden drink all alcohol he wants give Dwight the season off. Maybe Harden gets sick of drinking all year and finally starts putting the work in again during the summer.
My opinion is what forced Harden to improve last year so much was the court of public opinion and media talking about his laughable defense and faults of sucking up possessions by holding the ball and isolating. This offseason I dunno what it's gonna take. But I do still think that the Rockets best chance of competing for titles is through James Harden. Even if you tank for Simmons your own hope is that he sniffs what Harden has proven he can give you. Regardless of what comes from the Rockets PR Machine the next few months, Morey is considering this season lost and will rebuild but I believe the data shows your best bet is to still rebuild around Harden and likely to keep Dwight too. The Dwight move is the only high risk high reward gamble that I think Morey might consider but all things considering(see Clutches article about Dwight) I don't see it happening. Likely just reshuffle the role players, new coach, and giving more young guys bigger roles.
I would expect some of the better teams to have a softer strength of schedule because they are adding a bunch of L's to their opponents. So when you are a bad team with a weak SOS that's pretty bad.
