I'm not sure this is all bad. I'm not sure this is all true. However we do agree on this. And other teams (MIL, DEN, OKC) have gotten better.
Of course not and it’s not close. Even the post-ASB Rockets are statistically worse than last year’s Rockets were over that full, injury-prone year (and of course worse than the GOAT fully-healthy team.) The hope this year is that CP3 can squeeze out a prime version of himself for 7 games, Harden’s improvements translate to the postseason and the Warriors have regressed. Obviously, this hope would have been easier to swallow if Tilman didn’t punt on the trade deadline - and really throughout the season - in order to save money.
Regular season, no. Playoffs? Well, considering Anderson and Luc were playoff no-shows, we ran with less than what made us amazing for 65. Those guys made a big difference during the season. This year we shuffled, ridiculous inconsistency in roster and flipping around minutes due to all the injuries, but now.... I actually think our playoff potential is the same or even better. Rockets are hungry and coming alive and healthy together at the right time, riding momentum as well. I wish I could count on House, Jr. as a part of that picture too, because even though he's not amazing individually, man did he click with our squad. Capela/Nene Faried/Clark Tucker/Shumpert/Green Harden/Ego Paul/Rivers I like that team... a lot. Sure, MDT won't play 11 guys consistently by any means, but considering last years playoff squad missed out on Luc/Ryan for the important part, I think it's possible we're looking at a stronger squad, and maybe some timely stoked fire.
Honestly my honest non bias take is really the champ is coming from the east. I hope we win tho. My heart of course is Houston. But Boston Toronto n bucks scare me
I feel almost the same but i fear we would loose to bucks or 76 in po series. I fear bucks more than gsw because of matchups
Assuming we are comparing the team as of late to last year’s team. I say no. The team last year could hold big leads with the bench. We were accustom to 20-30point third quarter leads and weheld them.
I think this roster has the potential to be better in the playoffs, which is what matters. Trevor and Luc gave us something special last season, but Luc basically didn't play in the playoffs so, even though Trevor is still the better player, i think Rivers, Faried, Shumpert, and why not, House, have the chance to make us better.
Yes. Unequivocally. This year's team is better prepared for playoffs. Much better depth for sure. CP3 is rounding into form, Capela was playing better than last season and is getting back to that after his return. Most importantly, Harden was MVP last season. But Harden is playing on Wilt-level, absolutely unguardable, this season.
CP3/Rivers Harden/Shumpert Gordon/Green PJ/Faried Capela VS CP3 Harden/Gordon Ariza/Green PJ Capela/Nene Assuming everyone is healthy, this year’s team is deeper and better.
Dont think these guys have gel enough to make that judgement on d. That's the last thing to come. We been hirt alot. Would love to see post allstar defense rating.
I think 19 Capela is better than 18 Capela. I mean he was a one man fast break yesterday. I’ve never seen him dribble before.
It's really hard to know until we get a 5-10 game span where all our rotation guys are healthy at once. We've held our last three opponents to 103, 95 and 91. Not much of a streak, but encouraging.
Now all of a sudden is this years team better when all season everyone has been saying how dreadful we've been lets pump the brakes on that notion and hope that this recent surge sustains for a bit longer
Are you saying all 3 titles of Shaq and Kobe are due to refs? Lol I mean sure maybe one title but surely not all 3 years RA Kings didnt win a ring is due to refs. Anyway the point is really only 1 good player left from last year's team: Trevor Ariza. In return we got Rivers, Faried and an upgraded James Harden. I think that is a pretty great trade off. I'm not sure why the team isn't eating out every night, you still have Harden, Cp3, Tucker, Clint, EG etc. basically the core team is still there literally only 3 guys left. Maybe Anderson paid for the bill every time because he knew he was overpaid.
Rox team got hit with injuries last year they were healthy, thats basically been the big diff. Of course when the no. 2-4 options are injured you are gonna lose more games thats why people were complaining the ROX suck, Fire Morey etc. But in reality when Faried and Rivers signed the team automatically became better than last year these are 2 starter quality guys added for nothing.
It's just like the Seinfeld episode when Elaine, George and Krammer realize they don't hangout together without Jerry; he is the linchpin in the friendship. Maybe Luc, Ariza and Anderson brought all disparate parts of the locker room together.
Last year's team had far and away the best record in the league against teams .500 and over: 37-12. Second best was Golden State at 30-19; everyone else lost at least 20. This year's team is second in the league, trailing only the Bucks.
Per Feigen: "The Rockets defensive rating before the winning streak was 25th. In the past seven games they have ranked eighth. Held the Sixers and Raptors, fifth and eighth in scoring, to 91 and 95 points." Translation: We used to suck; now we don't.
