Answer me this. Would it be better to have a lottery pick in this upcoming draft or be a 4th seed and lose in the first round?
It’s possible, but I think this team wins 50 or more games, unless any one of Amen, Sengun, or Durant go down. Still just a mediocre first round exit team though.
This negativity is way over the top. They have the second best point differential in the West, fourth in the league. Vegas still has them as 2nd, 3rd or at worst 4th odds in the West. They aren't a perfect team, but "lose in the play-in" and "mediocre first round exit" are simply not reasonable projections.
4th seed and lose in the first round. First, winning is better than losing. Second, the Rockets having a lotto pick means the Rockets are much worse team than expected. Likely, it means Amen and Sengun can't coexist even in the regular season. Third, the Rockets pick being in the lottery would go to OKC. Granted, I see some chance as more than none. I would not shrink the window (i.e., give up on this season) just because the Rockets aren't the favorite.
We don't have a lottery pick unless it is top 4. The chances of getting a top 4 pick as a play-in team is very low. If we are 4th but lose in the first round, like last year, it will mean one of four things: (1) injury to a key player, or (2) none of our young core guys step up in the playoffs, or (3) getting beaten by a team at similar talent level, or (4) Udoka gets embarrassingly outcoached by an inferior team. (1) is a possibility but no big effect for our future. (2) would be a huge disappointment and we will likely have to retool our rebuilding. (3) is fine, a learning experience for our young guys. (4) is not likely in my opinion, but if it happens, it will be interesting how Udoka will be treated. Scenario (2) would be the only scenario I would rather have a low probability of getting a top 4 pick.
And why did DD spell Adam's first name with a 'ph' instead of a 'v'. If name is mis-spelled, does the DD curse still count? Consulting with BBS superstition expert: @DreamShook
I saw this and knew immediately who it would be from Charlotte - Grant Williams. I’ve liked him as a player but he just came back from the inactive list about a week ago. Not sure we have the depth to add someone who may need to be load managed.
Grimes is impossible to get back next year (or close to it) if we trade for him - but he is the rental that I would give up a protected #1 for. Grimes is tough, takes no short cuts and will defend against anyone. He causes zero problems in the locker room, is a leader and brings it hard every single game and practice and he would speak up if Sheppard gets passive or Jabari decides to take plays off. His production isn't what it was last year, but he brings it every game and every play.
I love Tari. I love the idea of Tari - but I don't know that I love him with this group. Actually, there are a lot of guys on the Rockets that I crush on, I just don't know that I think the fit is great right now.
And while (2) would be intensely disappointing, it is a scenario that we won't know about until it is experienced. It is almost the goal of tanking for a top4 pick anyway. Namely, to actually host a playoff series and see if the young guys can deliver under the bright lights
We owe our pick to OKC unless its like a top pick. We are already supposed to be done with the rebuild you wanna go back to tanking? What if we miss top 4 and end up with like 5th pick like the Jazz and give it to OKC? You think thats better?
Actually we were demolishing teams with Tari. The full squad was beating teams by 20 before Sengun got hurt and Tari followed after. Tari was the missing piece in the starting lineup. He fits like a glove with Amen and KD since with him Rox have 5 plus defenders on the court and he was hitting 3s above 40% at high volume.
Yeah - I don't think that Eason would keep up shooting 47% from 3 though - I think he is more of a 35% shooter from 3 - and I would be fine with him (he is a good player), if the Rockets didn't already have Jabari Smith. I think that those two are somewhat duplicative. If Eason could stay healthy, I would be happy to have him replace Jabari. I think having Sengun, Thompson and Jabari all on the floor together is asking for trouble - as they don't shoot well from the perimeter.
Can’t agree with you. I do believe a lead guard/legit point forward in would allow the best version of TheGoodGuys to reemerge: TheTerrorTwins.
