Five games in..... so what do we have?

I think playing with a less than 100% ankle coupled with offensive/defensive systems that require more movement negatively affected Harden last game. Also, more movement and less predictability doesn't equal increased efficiency. The system can be predictable but still "unstoppable/unguardable" because of Harden.

 

Like never

 

Seems like we have hoarded a **** ton undersized wings in the off season. Maybe we should look to offload some of them and beef up the front court. Wood is not there defensively and Tucker is undersized and old.

 

That, and get a backup PG. Rivers is gone and Clements is ouut.

 

So... is this a body competition or a basketball game?

 

Like non, even.

 

I agree with everything you said.

But even as currently constructed Rockets will win a playoff series. As long as Harden is on the team.

Without Harden, they will not make the playoffs. Period.

Silas is a good coach, but Rockets currently look too much like last seasons Mavs. Excellent offensively (last game notwithstanding) and beyond putrid defensively.

This hybrid defense is a disaster.

Rockets really need longer 3/4 to take defensive pressure and rebounding off Wood. Another dynamic playmaker, especially at small ball 5 would also be ideal.

Harrison Barnes, Jerami Grant are good options but only partial solutions.

Optimal acquisition is Aaron Gordon.

AG length, physicality, position versatility, guard skills AND ability to switch 1-5 allows Rockets to maximize what they do BEST:

5 Out Offense AND Switch Everything Defense.

AG would allow Rockets to be ELITE offensively and defensively again.

 

Two banana splits and three lumps of coal.

 

I believe Silas and team needs a bit more time to work out some kinks before we can analyze any trends. Have we had a single game w full rotation? Last night was close but still lacked House and Mac. New system, new coach, new mood. Short “off season,” early drama, COVID, etc put us behind. We may see a lot of improvement in a few short weeks, then I think we will know where this team truly is.

 

Then I'm not understanding your reason to bring up his conditioning as a negative.

 

Not recalling this kind of patience for MDA or even McHale.

Playing without a 100% healthy full roster is the norm in all pro sports.

 

Well preseason was fun. That's it.

 

#TRUTH

 

So does Luka. Kawhi as well. Name any other top 10 player, they all do this.

You are better than this @treyk3 .

All ballers, from the blacktop to the NBA, will rest off ball.

Especially the players with the HIGHEST usage. This is normal.

Except for James Harden.

 

It's too soon to judge look at the Lakers they looked pedestrian/mediocre at the start of last season as well thats why everyone was on the Clippers hype train to start. Rox dealing with a new coach and new personnel a significant portion of which are undrafted rookies obv they gonna struggle to start. Gotta wait a couple of months to see where they are really at.

The Rox havent had a cream puff sched either, their losses have come from Portland, Denver and Dallas, 3 teams with championship aspirations. Compare that to a team like #1 Seed Philly who has faced bottom feeders pretty much all of their 7 games.

So far I really like what I see considering Harden missed all of camp and 4 dudes got quarantined. Harden, Wood, Tate and Nwaba get an A for outperforming expectations. Silas and Wall gets a B.Tucker and Cousins get C+. Brown and Thomas get a C. House, EG get a D. And Caboclo gets an F for getting me hyped in the preseason and then playing like a scrub in the real games.

The Rox arent hitting their shots why not give Bmac some burn? Bmac and House should be the first guys off the bench not Tate and Nwaba. As good as those are playing BMac and House are more proven and have shown last year they can produce.


For fixes Stone needs to move EG somehow, we have all this talk of signing or getting player XYZ it aint happening cuz the Rox are hard capped. This is what we got until the Harden trade happens, EG/Tucker get moved or both. We cant even afford GG Hold it Dine and he would prob be willing to work for free just to play on the squad.

 

Almost everything looks the same. I have low expectations for this lineup. Oh well... Wake me up next year.

 

Harden was struggling physically because of an ankle injury, serious enough to keep him out a game (should have been 2).

The ankle injury was from Wall stepping on his foot, not from being out of shape.

 

Rockets have enough assets to make an improvement via trade even WITH being hard capped.

 

They cant unless they get someone with exact salary. Thats what being hardcapped means.

 

Harden has a really bad hairdo.