Im not ready to jump off a bridge ... I just believe there are at least 8 and possibly 10 teams who end up with better records than this Rockets team as currently constructed. Ive said that since day one and wont change my mind until they prove otherwise. Thus far , they have outperformed what the win total I thought they would finish the season with (sub.500). I give the team an A for effort , they have character and grit ..... but no chance at the big prize at the end of the season. That was my pick . More of a joke on the paying fan .... Les wont lose so he can continue to put asses in seats .... But all he has to do is look at all the empty seats to understand that his plan blows like a cheap hooker.
We'll either lose in the first round or just miss the playoffs and wont get into the top 8 picks. So, we'll continue our mediocrity for another season.
But we could make the playoffs! The PLAYOFFS! Don't you know that in MLB and the NFL, teams can get hot at the right time and win it all? That clearly means that if we can just get in, we've got as good of a chance as anyone to win the whole thing! Pay no attention to 'draft picks' and 'rebuilding' - we can play the hell out of our aging starters and win more games right now
I'd be happy with 9th if it meant that our players were improving. Most have not at all and have regressed.
Some of you in the anti-tank crowd are focusing on our record and how close we are to having a top seed....which is cool. However, could you shift your focus to how you actually expect us to do in the playoffs? Who honestly thinks we can make some noise this postseason?
Well, since being 3-7, we've gone to 9 and 3. So yeah, it has been an easier schedule since then, but we've been winning.
Actually, that wouldn't be bad, because if our players aren't improving their contracts are up or if we have wiling trade partner, then we could let them go or trade them for slightly better players. Moreover, we have alot of cap room, next year and is it currently 3 to 4 draft picks. Samuel Dalembert Luis Scola (he'd be a good option off the bench at this point in his career, but if the right deal comes along) Kevin Martin Kyle Lowry Chandler Parsons Courtney Lee (restricted free agent) Off the main roster right now (but will probably be on it next year, full time): Donatas Motiejunas Marcus Morris I would say that's the players I would try to keep, unless the right deal came along, though. Draft 2 quality rookies and sign 2 quality players. Biggest needs: Starting, versatile small forward and C/PF player, while trying to make our bench deeper.
I agree with this, unless there is a significant turnaround before the deadline we should call it quits then and coast to the highest draft spot available. I love the Rockets, no homo, and I appreciate them never giving in, but changes need to be made if our 9th spot mediocrity continues. Screw making Lowery untouchable, everyone should be up for sale at this point.
UPDATE: 23/66 of the season in, and the Rockets are in the 8th seed. 1.5 games behind the 3rd seed. Still think we should tank? If the season ended with us in the playoffs would you be satisfied?
If we ended up 9th seed I'd be very happy, we'll have two lottery picks in a deep draft. If we ended up making the playoffs, I'd still be very happy, esp. if we end up with a 4th seed or higher. We won't have our pick next year, but we'll have NYK's. Either scenario sounds good for Rox fans. WHy people keep b****ing about our situation escapes me.
Making the playoffs and losing our pick wouldn't be all that bad if we for sure would get a lottery pick from the Knicks. It's nice when teams whose best players are young can sneak into the playoffs and get some experience but that just isn't the case for us. Most people would agree that our best four players right now are Lowry, Scola, Martin and Dalembert and only one of those guys is on the right side of 30. This team gets very little out of a first round exit from the playoffs which is a very possibly scenario and will be compounded if the Knicks make the playoffs.
Meh I just don't care any more. I find myself watching the Knicks now and hoping they lose since that is our best chance at getting a good pick. If we get in the lotto twice hey...maybe the Knicks will give us a good pick and that paired with our own lotto pick will mean we get two great young players OR we trade up to get that big franchise prospect we have been waiting on.
