At least as of today, I know what the roster is to start the season. Somehow, I am not finding it makes predictions any easier though (I thought it might). Here we go: 1) Record: 27-55 (3rd worst overall) (Get 2nd pick in draft) 2) No Major Trades: Gordon might go, as will some of our bottom feeders in some sort of consolidation move(s). But I don't see a trade for a star. 3) KPJ will be extended.
I could tell you what my psychic told me, but I don't wanna spoil it for ya. Hint: be very optimistic. Go Rockets!
Kpj gets extended Eric Gordon is traded alongside kmj Eason will get starter mins We will not make play in Gary bird will get phrased out, and b used as a sharpshooter sparingly Sengun will get better to shut up the doubters like double d
How can we win 40 games without having a single top 50 player? Even if green and sengun progress, and jabari is solid as a rookie there’s a decent chance we won’t have an above average starter at any position, let alone an elite guy.
Rankings schmankings! I look at chemistry. This team has it. Saying we won’t have an above average starter at any position is absurd. Before PS games I was around 30 wins. After watching them play these 4 games almost all without Jabari? They will surprise teams.
I think they flirt with 30 wins and look good in the second half of the season once they really start to gel before ultimately shutting some guys down and resting some players for better draft positioning the last 10-15 games. The tough early schedule and fact that they're so young and inexperienced makes me think that forst 25 games could be rough. But there's too much talent for them not to win some games against some of the really awful rosters across the league. Green comes close to All-Star status and gets some votes for MIP. Bari and Tari both eventually make the starting lineup and help the defense become respectable by season's end with both guys cracking the All-Rookie teams. Gordon is dealt or bought out. KPJ and Sengun both show some marginal improvement, but it's still unclear by season's end if they're the long-term answers at PG and C. And overall, they finish somewhere in that bottom 5-10 race for top draft pick.
Why is it absurd? Who is likely to be an above average starter? Certainly nobody has come close, so you would need massive improvement from green or kpj, or jabari to be at least as good as barnes last season.
Ranking is subjective. I don't think that's a reason why we don't win 40 games. We are still way too young, chemistry is lacking, we lack a real pg and our HC is questionable at best.
Season record predictions can be tough 'cause there are so many variables (injuries, trades, shooting slumps...), but my expectation is that they will be better than last year and a 5-7 game improvement isn't too much of a stretch in my eyes so I'll say: 1. 26-56 2. Jabari wins rookie of the year (barring injury of course) 3. Rockets are competitive but lose close games
At some points teams and players figure it out.....and when that happens they just flip to winning a lot.....would love that to happen this year, the confidence of our team looks good, the chemistry is outstanding. I dunno, this could be a shock the world tour! DD
I would be disappointed if we don't get 35-40 wins. This team is good. Watching the three preseason games it looks like a bunch of guys have grown and matured Green looks like a superstar, composed, knows his strengths, his shot has been killer. KPJ was solid. I haven't really seen anything stupid from him. He didn't pout, at least I didn't see it. Looks like hes enjoying himself more. KMJ has been really really good at this new position. His shot looks a bit weird but he believes in it and it works. Bruno is an excellent backup. Eason is a machine, Garuba can wrack havocs on Defense... Sengun looked a bit lost, but I wouldn't worry yet...Smith will be probably our second best shooter... I haven't been this excited since 2018
Your prediction is good, 27-55 seems most likely, 32 or 33 wins seems possible if they finish games well.
