Although still fresh and early off this elimination game.... I wonder what the (1) players, (2) front office, (3) Morey, and yes, (4) the fans think about this season relative to next season. Was 2016-2017... A building block step forward? OR Something seriously flawed and major step backward? Even if we lost the series in 6 or 7 but remained competitive with the Spurs here in Game 6, I'd be inclined to say it was still a net-positive building block year for the Rox. But after Game 6, Game 5, and even late season, I have to say, I have my doubts, and beginning to wonder if there are material flaws to this whole schema. Alternatively, if I were a player, coming back to this team, to this system, are things looking on the up and up? Or on the down and down because 2016-2017 showed some sort of ceiling in not just playoff performance but also the regularly season in going only so far. And yes, this argument extends to Harden too as leader of this setup. Re: GM and the front office.... Maybe I'm wrong, but I worry that from the "inside" perspective, and ending the season on this note, it also doesn't leave one hungering for more as they did say last year when the season ended pre-maturely.. Last year, there was a sense of untapped potential or unfulfilled expectation. But at least there were tangible ideas of personnel/roster changes. Disappointment yes. And perhaps a lower bar (insofar as expectations). But that things could be no worse. So hell, why not switch it up? But this year, I wonder if people look back to think as a team and organization we simply performed beyond expectation. And that as playoff contenders, much less championship contenders, we were more pretender than contender and reached a ceiling of sorts. And however this begs us questioning the whole schema of the team and the MDA/Morey approach. No doubt, this offseason will bring its attendant questions on personnel changes and free agents. This year was super fun. I'm just not sure what to make of next year, expectation-wise, based on this season's performance. theSAGE
First I can say that I won't be excited for the new season, I'll watch all the games of course but it's only about the playoffs now. That's all that matters.
Definitely a step forward with a really, really dark ending. Hopefully the whole body of work is what potential free agents think of, not just the bitter ending. Coming into this season I was hoping we would have a fun season and get back to the playoffs as a lower seed just to build back up the brand. I was cautiously optimistic, but what we did honestly blew my and most fans expectations out of the water.
Depressed. Unless we find out Harden was seriously concussed after Simmons hit him in the head in the fourth quarter of game 5, this performance is a career definer. It is unrecoverable as far as his image is concerned. Furthermore, the league is rigged, and two teams have a chance at winning it all going into the beginning of the season. How is that for a business model to running a sports league? **** you Adam Silver.
Looking forward to the 2nd year growth of Harden as PG, and his continued maturation process, looking forward to what Morey does to address the "We have no competent bigs" issue..... I am sure we win 55+ next year, but we need to be better on D, and add some variety on O.... Maybe trade Anderson too. DD
I don't think we'll fully get this taste out of our mouths until we can redeem ourselves next playoffs. and we all the know the narratives we'll hear all season long until we do. lets say james has another MVP like season, even a better year. and he has this on his resume now? good luck with that with that said, i look forward to what roster changes will be made. we need to get this man some help
So DD... just so I understand you. You think the Rox can build upon this MDA/Morey-ball blueprint? That its not entirely gimmicky as you say? Just curious! theSAGE
They need another wing/swing guy and a big. It's on you Morey. Trade for some balls while you're at it.
Fans of non-Warriors/Cavs teams will continue to get less and less excited every offseason as they continue to rematch in the Finals.
I think it is 100% gimmicky, but everytime a plan doesn't work you modify it, here is to hoping they realize that San Antonio just exposed the gimmick and we need some midrange to fall back on when 3s are guarded and a big is down low - the FT line was WIDE open all series long. DD
Every season has been depressing except for 2015 since Harden came. I honestly think I had more fun watching Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks
Ehhhh, I wouldn't got that far man. Nobody expected us to be in this position, and despite what happened last game, if one possession goes differently in Game 5 were coming home for an elimination game. The entire perception could have been completely different. Y'all act like making the WCF was the expectation for this team when really most of had us as a fringe playoff team. What is the worst this game proved, that Harden can't carry a team to the Conference Finals in a stacked Western Conference? While this year was fun, I don't think anybody seriously thought we should have one a championship. Add another superstar to this team (or two... or hell, three!) and tell me why that team couldn't be a contender? Shitty moment that could be a big part of his career lore, but he's got a while to prove its not "career-defining". We have one of the best players in the league who is only 27 with tons of possibilities entering the off-season... tonight sucked but trust me, it could be a lot worse. My other team is Minnesota, and they haven't had a .500 season since '04.
Dude, what!? I am a huge fan of the Aaron Brooks, Kevin Martin, Luis Scola and Lowry era of Rockets basketball but you can't honestly tell me you didn't enjoy this season? You mean to tell me when we jumped out to the three seed despite being labeled a fringe playoff team, beat the Warriors in GS, came back down 12 against the Wolves, or clobbered OKC in the first round you were simply depressed? If thats the case, I'm afraid you may have some bigger problems than the Rockets my friend. I mean come on. Tonight sucked but y'all acting like this year was horrible is ridiculous.
