Well, that’s the hard truth. It doesn’t really matter what the Rockets do or don’t do. OKC and SA are positioned to be dominant dynasties for years to come. Sad but true. I think I favor getting what we can get for the older players after this season and then hope some of those Phoenix picks turn into gold. The Rockets are a good team right now. But, I don’t see them becoming a top two team. I hope they prove me wrong.
Option (a): Win 47-52 games, be the 4th-5th seed and have zero championship equity and lose in the first round or get smoked in round two, with a team of young core + old guys who are invariably getting worse or close to retirement and depreciating to zero. Option (b): Win 40-45 games, be the 6th-8th seed and have zero championship equity, with a team of young core + other players in their twenties who have a chance of getting better + a couple extra future picks. To me personally, obviously option b is superior. 5th seed in the West vs. play-in team doesn't matter to me at all if you're gonna get smoked by the actual contenders either way. Either you think your current roster can win a championship as is in the future, or you're in pursuit of changing your roster so that it can. (Or you are a small-time franchise not actually pursuing titles). Is that controversial?
Phx is winning, they might end up with a better record than us, and that is without Jalen ....... We are struggling because we have a coach who is so stubborn he refueses to adjust - I honestly don't know if he is just too stupid to understand complex systems, or just figures playing HARD is the answer - teams rarely are able to sustain playing hard all year long - it is best to be able to outscore folks ....every night, put the pressure on them with TALENT.... We have a center in Adams who is at BEST a part time player when we match up or need a rebound - he is 100% a waste as an offensive threat. We have KD trying to beat guys 15 years younger off the dribble, and he can't anymore - and he is LOUSY at reading defenses and passing the ball he is a finisher...period. We have an offensively gifted guy who is amazing at passing but is obviously learning the position, but we can't get him 30 minutes a night to lean into his gifts and let him work on his weaknesses. We are 100% doing so much wrong - it is MIND NUMBING to be a fan....hard to watch......frustrating to see a guy FLAILING as a manager, and all he can say is CLAP CLAP play harder, play defense. Ime is just a good guy, who isn't a great coach, he is literally not doing his job....which is to make decisions that help players be their best selves....he is fundamentally in the team's way, at this point. DD
The problem with defense is that Ime's system requires smart defenders like Fred and Dillon. Terror Twins are good at being agents of chaos but they are not defensive leaders the way those two were.
One thing that caught my eye last night was that while Harden was on the free throw line, he was directing where his teammates were supposed to position themselves. It was a reminder of the leadership on offense and defense that this team lacks due to FVV's absence. The team is disorganized on both ends of the floor due to the lack of someone who directs the players on both ends. I remember Phil Jackson stating in an interview that when Pippen was not playing, the Bulls were disorganized despite the gravity of MJ. I think the team is sorely missing FVV and his leadership. As it is, it would be great if someone would take on that leadership role.
we aren’t far enough into the season to say we’ve seen the whole show. A lot of what is said in the original post is correct but I do believe that what we have on hand represents a higher potential outcome for the next couple years. That being said, we are one player away. it definitely needs to be somebody that could more efficiently orchestrate the offense and probably even drive and distribute to a certain level. finding that player will be difficult, although I do believe we have the contracts as long as we are willing to trade Fred. I think Durant has been good, but I do agree with most of the original post points and that we are too reliant on him. for the time being I would like amen and read serving his point guards and taking their lumps. I would like a little bit more of a Motion around Senhub built in and then using Durant as a fourth option and of course, just a shooter and finisher. Jrue Holiday is the player that sticks out to me that accomplishes a lot. I think the argument can also be made for Harden. neither of those players should take a lot to acquire.
Thompson's advanced defensive stats are noticeably down this season. There's zero possibility he'll make another all defensive team this year. In some regards he's regressed when we expected a leap forward. Add that to the lack of a seasoned point guard and there's the problem. KD isn't the problem. You guys are talking like he's shooting 40%.
Ime basically turned Kevin Durant into FVV. They're playing almost the exact same role with disastrous results. Like Silas trying to turn KPj into James Harden.
Reed can’t play defense and Tari has the basketball iq of a peanut….that lineup is a first round loss waiting to happen.
