Nick Wright: Kevin Durant & Rockets will WIN WEST!

He's probably right.

We upgraded from a streaky 20ppg scorer to one of the leading scorers in NBA history, and one of the most efficient.
We upgrade our defensive stalwart (who was losing a step) to a younger, longer, better rebounder as a starter, oh, and not to mention that leading scorer dude can still defend like nobodies business.

Our starting 5 has better shooting, rebounding, defence, weak-side shotblocking, playmaking, individual offensive initiation - to name a few areas of improvement. Those are improvements to the team that finished 2nd in the West last year.
And our bench is still DEEP. Adams, Holiday, Eason make a fine 8 man rotation, and if Reed and Whitmore produce consistently, WATCH OUT OKC

 

The Rockets have a golden opportunity to win a title. That is something that got problematic with Jalen Green who is too streaky and still too young/or not talented enough to get on through to the other side.

I fully expect the Rockets to be a juggernaut next season. Defense, shooting, creative shots by Sengune, rebounding, etc…. The team has it all except a shot blocking center.

 

Not mutually exclusive, the Rockets have a shot at the West and Nick Wright is one of the biggest homers.

 

This dude is ALWAYS wrong. So its makes me sad to say it probably wont happen. Mr Wrong was finalyl Wright about the trade scenarios and now he thinks he's the best media personality out there lol

 

I'm tired of Nicks optimism. Let's just embrace the hate instead.

 

They mention GSW and OKC, that's the most important thing. KD's legacy will be cemented immediately if he wins a chip here. It'll be the validation of that generation, a final hurrah to send them off to the sunset.

 

prefer that the rox win the east. cus that means they already got past the west

 

Rocket River

 

You’re wrong, Nick is ALWAYS wRight !!!

 

That line will go over most ppl's head.

Meet me at the studio bruh, I want you to spit a 16 bar on this Baby Shark Trap Beat

 

I used to appreciate or tolerate him when he defended us and didn’t slobber over the Warriors like everyone else, but he’s the hot take idiot on that show and I can no longer stand his ass.

He’s not loudmouth Skip SAS bad, not idiot Perk bad, but he definitely uses big gestures to drive his points home and it’s about as obnoxious as the next fool. He’s become crazier over the years and in turn has made Broussard the likeable one.

 

I don't mind Nick so much
I like that he actually explains his takes well and supports them with facts
(he often misinterpret the facts but he at least tries)
He does his homework . . .but that don't mean its an A

Rocket River

 

The way I see it, Durant solidified our unit as the second best team in the West. So let’s take a look at the defensive matchups against OKC’s starting five and a couple of their bench players.

SGA will be guarded by Amen. Amen is the ideal defensive matchup in the league against SGA. Advantage Rockets.
Dort will be guarded by FVV. Horrible matchup that Dort will dominate.
Williams will be guarded by Jabari/Tari. Ok matchup but advantage Williams.
Chet will be matched up against Durant. I think Durant will do fine in the half court, but may struggle in transition. Wash
Sengun vs. Harty. Advantage Rockets.

The one bench guy for Okc that’s a problem is Caruso.

So as far as defense goes I think we need to add a combo guard with some length that can shoot. Who with NT-MLE money in trade or FA.

 

We can keep them human and mediocre on offense but
we didn't use to press their Defense - Now they have to play even harder

Rocket River

 

When's the parade?

 

I guess the model we're looking at is something like the 2019 Raptors--a good young team, now with playoff experience under their belts, adding a proven top 10 player and crossing fingers that it will work out even though he might not be here long.

The only thing is, Kawhi in 2019 was in his prime and KD is... well, not. KD just doesn't play much defense anymore, and I'm not sure we can count on his production to stay the same. Whereas prime Kawhi was a two-way force.

As far as winning the West, there was also a substantial gap between us and OKC, and they also have a young roster with lots of room for internal improvement. It's possible, but not something I'd bet on.

This is why I was not in favor of giving up much for KD--I don't really think we'll win a championship with him. At very least, I'd put the odds as pretty low. Fortunately, Stone did a great job holding firm, and gave up a reasonable package that doesn't hurt our future prospects much. I think we can make the WCF and have a puncher's chance, provided KD and everyone stay healthy enough. At least it should be a fun ride!

 

I agree with this if we are done this year. We are a solid add at combo guard to rival OKC. FVV simply cannot guard anyone on OKC and many other teams. As long as he is our starting PG we will not be serious competitors to a healthy OKC team. If the team is satisfied with a 34% 3 pt shooting with zero driving capability then go get a defensive only combo guard that can hit 34% from 3 and let him stand in the corner.