because I.D.I.O.T. Western Conference only: https://www.nba.com/news/offseason-power-rankings-western-conference 7 Last Week: 0 ↓ Houston Rockets 2019-20 record: 44-28 Pace: 104.0 (2) OffRtg: 112.5 (6) DefRtg: 109.8 (15) NetRtg: +2.7 (7) Key addition(s): Coach Stephen Silas, Christian Wood, DeMarcus Cousins, Trevor ... Key departure(s): ... Ariza, Coach Mike D'Antoni, Robert Covington, Austin Rivers, Jeff Green Three numbers to know... • The Rockets had the smallest difference between their winning percentage against the 17 teams under .500 (26-15, .634) and their winning percentage against the 13 teams with winning records (18-13, .581). • They ranked 16th offensively (111.4 points scored per 100 possessions) and ninth defensively (110.4 allowed) after committing to small-ball (Jan. 31). • James Harden led the league (for the third straight season) with 34.3 points per game, the fifth highest scoring average of the last 45 seasons. His 33.9 points per 36 minutes was the fifth highest mark (minimum 750 minutes played) in NBA history. He had 21 40-point games, 10 more than any other player, and the Rockets were 18-3 in those games. But he didn't score 40-plus in any of their 12 playoff games. Key question: Will Stephen Silas change things up? The Rockets have the league's longest active playoff streak, having reached the postseason in each of the last eight seasons. A healthy James Harden and some shooters should lead to an elite offense, and Wood appears to be a great fit. He can finish at the rim (his 77% in the restricted area ranked second among 102 players with at least 200 restricted area attempts) and shoot from the perimeter (39% on 140 3-point attempts). But no good team feels more fragile than this one. And all eyes will be on Harden and Russell Westbrook to see how they handle themselves amid speculation and in the wake of the leadership changes in Houston. It would be interesting if Silas encouraged (and Harden went along with) more balance and ball movement in the offense.
IF Harden and Westbrook stay, then we're better than 7th. Another year with Harden and Westbrook together might improve some of the hiccups we had last year. Woods, Boogie, etc might make us a bit better than last year. We're at worst 6th IMHO and could be 4th.
From the ESPN RPM projections for the West https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...iew-wins-standings-projected-all-30-nba-teams 3. Houston Rockets Average wins: 41.3 Playoffs: 82% If -- and it's a big if -- the Rockets can keep their backcourt together, this group looks competitive for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Christian Wood projects as an upgrade from Robert Covington, and Wood also allows Houston to play a more conventional defense after last season's small-ball experiment
We have two former MVPs and one former 6th man of the year and we're ranked 7th in the West? Yeah, I do not believe in this ranking. We lost to the champs, not in the first round. Should be 4th at worst considering we got better in the offseason.
Vegas has us winning 35.5 games out of the 72 planned games. BUT... if they do not play 72 games all money is refunded. Boo. I'm pretty sure we'll win 1/2 our games even if we trade both Harden and Westbrook. That's such a low stress bet. Too bad it'll be refunded.
The ESPN numbers I posted aren’t their power rankings. In a nutshell, they calculated it using the players real plus minus, estimated minutes distribution, and then ran simulations to get the average expected wins. It doesn’t take into account anything non statistical like coaching changes, stars requesting trades, etc. It’s all numbers based. All that to say I’m willing to bet that when ESPN does their actual subjective power rankings, the Rockets aren’t going to be anywhere near 3rd in the West.
Here’s the ESPN power rankings. I feel like you can relax now. Lol https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...amp-edition-resetting-league-hectic-offseason 15. Houston Rockets 2019-20 record: 44-28 2021 title odds: +4000 Previous ranking: 12 Has the smoke cleared in Houston yet? Even by the Rockets' turbulent standards, this was an offseason of radical change. Gone are coach Mike D'Antoni, general manager Daryl Morey, short-term co-star Russell Westbrook, shorter-term forward Robert Covington and Houston's commitment to a historically small lineup. The replacements: first-time head coach Stephen Silas; promoted general manager Rafael Stone; John Wall coming off a two-year injury layoff; and Christian Wood, a skilled 25-year-old center preparing for his first full season as an NBA starter. And of course, perennial MVP candidate James Harden has let it be known he would rather be in Brooklyn, a wish the Rockets are in no rush to grant. -- MacMahon