1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[OFFICIAL] 2020-2021 Power Rankings Thread

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Os Trigonum, Dec 1, 2020.

  1. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,469
    Likes Received:
    110,429
    because I.D.I.O.T.

    Western Conference only:

    https://www.nba.com/news/offseason-power-rankings-western-conference

    7
    [​IMG]
    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.
     
  2. jim1961

    jim1961 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    17,056
    Likes Received:
    12,918
    So, we are 0 and falling?
     
    don grahamleone and apollo33 like this.
  3. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,469
    Likes Received:
    110,429
    some kind of metaphor there
     
    hajkov and hakeem94 like this.
  4. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2005
    Messages:
    27,893
    Likes Received:
    23,015
    6-8 sounds about right
     
  5. jogo

    jogo Member

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2003
    Messages:
    1,742
    Likes Received:
    917
    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.
     
  6. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    88,849
    Likes Received:
    42,772
    Key departure: Trevor the most traded.
     
    D-rock likes this.
  7. B-Bob

    B-Bob "94-year-old self-described dreamer"

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2002
    Messages:
    34,620
    Likes Received:
    33,563
    Need larger logo and then will read.
     
  8. white_dragon

    white_dragon Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    45
    From the ESPN RPM projections for the West

    https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/st...iew-wins-standings-projected-all-30-nba-teams

    [​IMG]

    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
     
  9. DreamShook

    DreamShook Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    70,468
    Likes Received:
    114,316
    Espn ranking the Rockets that high is making me nervous. I like very low power rankings.
     
  10. banzai

    banzai Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2013
    Messages:
    2,410
    Likes Received:
    1,404
    Seems like we’ve started 6-8 every year forever.
     
    D-rock likes this.
  11. don grahamleone

    don grahamleone Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2001
    Messages:
    23,315
    Likes Received:
    33,304
    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.
     
    D-rock likes this.
  12. don grahamleone

    don grahamleone Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2001
    Messages:
    23,315
    Likes Received:
    33,304
    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.
     
    D-rock likes this.
  13. white_dragon

    white_dragon Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    45
    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.
     
    DreamShook likes this.
  14. white_dragon

    white_dragon Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2010
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    45
    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

    [​IMG]

    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

     
    DreamShook likes this.
  15. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,469
    Likes Received:
    110,429
    OK GUY!!! NO BULL ME, HAHA!!
     
    D-rock and clutchdabear like this.
  16. clos4life

    clos4life Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    10,779
    Likes Received:
    11,673
    Watch us climb the rankings soon, like we do every season. Can't wait to play the games.
     
    HP3 likes this.
  17. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2006
    Messages:
    88,849
    Likes Received:
    42,772
    7. Rockets

    15. Harden partying.
     
  18. Os Trigonum

    Os Trigonum Contributing Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2014
    Messages:
    72,469
    Likes Received:
    110,429
    we're Number Fourteen baby!!
     
    DreamShook likes this.
  19. DreamShook

    DreamShook Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2008
    Messages:
    70,468
    Likes Received:
    114,316
    this is the way.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now