[Media Conspiracy] ESPN projects Rockets 2nd in West

Troof, you think Adam Silver called ESPN and told them to list the Rockets finishing 2nd in the west ahead of the Spurs? seems to me that's the only logical explanation.

 

I think Morey only did the CP3 trade so ESPN would rank the Rockets 2nd in the West, thus Morey was the mastermind to the media conspiracy all along.

 

Curious how many more wins we would have if we add Melo. 60???? 65???

 

Melo would bring our win total down, because Melo hates Mike Dan Tony.

Also Mello is a ball-stopper, just like James Frauden and Crispy Paul. I would be surprised if Maurei gave up Rhino, the ultimate ball-goer, for a known Pringles hater.

 

Morey is a horrible gm

 

Agreed.

Another thing to think about: Some teams decide to tank late in the season. Teams that have the talent to win, say, 29 or 30 games decide to go for higher picks or just give younger guys more experience. They trade away or sit player who might actually help them. Lakers did this last season. This is part of the reason why late-March/April performance has very little predictive value as far as a team's performance next season.

 

So 49 wins gets the #1 seed in the East. Lol

 

ESPN always gets it wrong so I guess Rockets will be first in the West!

Edit: Redacted

 

That's asking a HUUUUUUGE leap.

 

Looks conservative. Houston and SA will win around 60 games. GS around 66-70

 

I'm another guy who believes we could be 2nd in the West, but is a little bewildered by the 55 win projection. We'll be sniffing at 60 wins, in my opinion. If the Rocks have luck with the "i" word, 59 wins. Maybe 60.

 

Timerwolves over the Thunder .. . interesting

Rocket River

 

Considering this ranking is based on RPM metrics, it might actually take our wins down or keep us the same. I know that Melo's NBA stats have not been favoured by these sorts of metrics. The real question is whether Ryno's stats lends better to RPM or not as a straight swap of the 2 players will be what changes our overall RPM.

Either way, we are banking on the fact that Melo does NOT play like he did most recently. Therefore this metrics based ranking really doesn't apply if we look at Melo. If he can play Olympic Melo for 82 games + playoffs, then we will win MUCH more than this ranking would say.

 

People were obsessed with the T'Wolves last year as well. I see them making a good leap, but maybe more towards 40 wins. I talked to multiple people who predicted them as a mid-seed playoff team...I couldn't see that large of a jump...and I'm not sure now

 

What matters is the performance in playoffs...

 

Twolves is in better position than Rockets in pursuing championship.

 

No they are not. Wiggins and towns are unknown quantities. And they have a very poor surrounding roster, little cap flexibility and an out of date coach and GM. Thats the pessimistic side. I could see them being a 2-3 seed and contender for the future but they have a much more volatile future than the rockets do with CP3, Harden and Diantoni

 

Wolves have talent, but no real range and too much overall youth IMO. Under Thibs, they should be a defensive powerhouse though.

 

Being a top 4 seed in a season does not mean you are in better position wining championship in the future. Rockets does not have right core to win championship.