JayZ, it just comes down to not overestimating what Capela has done up to this point to me. I like Capela. Ive actually ran into him a few times out and about and even complemented him every time on his willingness to work and to keep it up. I only used those as an example to list how much work Capela has ahead of him to really establish himself as a good player in this league. I mean reading already a full time starter on a NBA team? let him walk a little longer at least before he can actually run. I don't want him being a starter on a 10 win philly team. He should be working to be a starter on a playoff team that has a chance to win a ring
Sure, just again pointing out it is closer than you make it seem. Moreover, Capela this year on the Thunder is a better player and Adams this year on the Rockets is a worse player. Consider Capela played a bit as backup center, then started as PF, then didn't play at all for a while, then played some as backups at both positions, etc. For example, below is a chart of his minutes by game. The vertical line is the firing of McHale. I mean, on the whole there does seem to be some correlation with his minutes and his play, but it isn't huge, and there's just such a lack of consistency. A lot of that is on him... but he's 21... changing coaches mid season, changing positions often, etc. This couldn't have been great for him. Again.. you're right, but I think its also closer than you think, especialyl if you consider team situations. Spoiler
There's 2 if's there, one being Durant signing here, the second being a second max FA signing here. Two is "a lot"?
One thing about the Rockets is that they have shown the propensity to sign and pay players, so if you are looking for a franchise that challenges the top tier, we do that. We may have personnel problems, but we also have the pockets to fix them.
Ok, I think it's ridiculous that Durant is not considering the Rockets. That doesn't mean were in his top 3 or even top 5, but he will definitely let us talk to him. It could be due diligence or perhaps he is in fact intrigued by the idea of playing with Harden and maybe even D'Antoni. The Rockets season was an outlier. We are so much better than what we showed for the past 85 games. So much better. We are more likely a 50 win team. Easily. Maybe fringe 50 wins, but we're more of a 50 win team than a 40 win team. Now, if we're a 47-54 win team then adding Durant would propel us to being a 56+ winning team and we'd have one of the scariest offensives in the league. It is possible that Houston with Durant and Harden could.....be.....a .... really damn good.... team. Not saying KD is coming. He has better options. Boston, OKC, man maybe even Washington because John Wall is a pretty damn good robin. Still, for people that think it's preposterous that Houston wouldn't be able to field a championship caliber team for Durant yall are just ridiculous. Any team that has Durant on it instantly becomes a threat to be a contender. Why would Houston be any different? Because OKC and maybe 2 or 3 other teams provide a better chance? Weird. Also, the Capela, Adams, and Ibaka conversation is strange. Not sure why we're comparing a guy who has been in the league for 2 seasons and hasn't played much basketball to those two men. Not like I'm high on Clint or anything (I'm not) but I don't see the point. Of course Ibaka and Adams together are better than Clint. Individually as well. Clint just isn't ready, and he might not even be ready next season either.
This is a good post and sums up what in think most rational fans around here think. We could be top 3 top 5 or worse but we def would be a contender if we added KD. Only thing I don't agree with is your Washington and Boston take unless your argument is he would be playing in the east which I admit might be worth more than adding a 3rd max player. Washington was worse than us this year and they played in the east they have some talent but not championship talent. I don't see him teaming up with Wall. He's to similar to westbrook but does nothing better. KD needs shooters around him and Wall is not that. Boston is interesting besuse they do have some nice pieces but no real star. I mean does anyone really think Boston wins more than 41 games in the west? That's rockets level in a down year. I think ppl have gotten so clouded from the bad taste this season left. We formed a lot of bad habits under the old coaching staff. You don't win 110 games over a two year stretch and go to the WCF and then have one year were u win 41 games and no yiur garabage especailly when you still have your best player in his primes. If this team is just focused and plays even avg defesne we will be a 50+ win team again. Is that good enough to beat SA GS and Cavs? No but that's why we're trying to add a player like KD to put us in that class.
Just popping in to say that I've said this consistently for years since I first heard we were "pursuing" Durant. Guy has his pick of the league. There's no way he'd ever choose here unless he's insane.
Lol; maybe overstating it a bit, but point taken. Then again, lots of folks said the same thing about Dwert
The ability to add him plus one other max player (which he could probably influence) to a team that has one of his best friends? To be clear, I also doing think it's going to happen. But it definitely wouldn't be "insane"
Dammit KD come to Houston. I want To see rockets playing in June. I don't care what even the biggest haters/detractors say. Harden/KD tadem is good enough to wins chips add players like bev/Ariza/Capela/beasley/Harrell/ even kj you can win a ring. Imo those guys would all step up and perform even better than they did the year we went to the WCF. The more star power You have the better your role players perform, I fully believe this. I know its a long shot but man KD I have been itching for a real contender in rocket red, he's the closest player we could add that would make us a top team and really capable of beating anyone. It's actually a chance he could come and maybe just maybe watching these finals has given him a feeling that he can get it done with harden and the guys we have here and maybe a few other addition(s).
I honestly think the "best friend" angle is highly overrated. Pretty sure it's about $$ first, then championship. If they can be with friends while fulfilling the first 2 criteria, then all the better. But not a priority.
I came up with a semi realistic way to obtain a very un-realistic roster. Spoiler Trade Capela, Harrell and or Dekker + 1st for Teague, Trade Brewer and KJ with no salary in return. Howard opts out or we trade him for straight cap space. Renounce/waive all our free agents except Beasley. Sign KD and Whiteside to their max's. Fill rest of roster out with minimum players + room exception. Teague / Beverley Harden Ariza Durant / Beasley Whiteside Add room exception + vet mins, better then OKC right? Looks like a monster team.
If the Thunder had been knocked out in the first round, we would have a strong chance. I don't think Durant wants to join the Spurs because he wouldn't get as much of the accolades from winning. I think playing with a top 3 player in the world is more attractive than some whiny, insecure Rockets fan want to believe.
