How much better will Howard/Harden and the Rockets be this year?

Agreed!

 

Worried they are gonna have to do too much.

 

Ariza has real focus. He is going to help a lot. Parson, Lin and Asik all had other things are their minds. Harden got a good feel for going through playoffs and winning the whole thing this summer, as a team leader. This year is straight basketball, with more maturity. This season will be better than last season. I'm very psyched.

 

Howard and Harden stay healthy we are going to get 4th seed.

 

I agree 100%. The criticism Howard and Harden have gotten all summer since the Portland loss has only fed fire to the flame.

The whole team is probably also aware of all the criticism it's received. The media has turned the Rockets into the villains of the NBA.

PatBev, Ariza, and others are out to prove everyone wrong

 

Harden might improve, I think Howard will be about the same. Defense will improve with personnel and time. Lack of PG depth concerns me. Basically I think we'll be about the same with a better chance to advance past the 1st round.

 

Fockass???? Anyone reading what I'm reading lol

 

H&H are gonna be beast. I believe Harden will take us to the promised land, and finally turn up the clutchness in the playoffs. D12 will just grab boards and swat shots like always. Good time ahead

 

I'm ready to see the chemistry between Harden and Howard. I really think they're going to be a lot greater than last year.

 

I think people overrate the losses of Parsons, Asik and Lin and severely underrate not only the remodeled bench but also the improvement in chemistry between the starters that would lead only to improvement on both ends.

I still see us as dark horse contenders. I have faith Morey will swing a deal in February to set us up to contend immediately, yet also prep us for Durants free agency.

 

Dream speak

 

Ahhh, I thought Plowman was telling us to do something questionable haha

 

I think this is the year Harden takes yet another leap and jumps into the top tier of the NBA players. His leadership, focus and defense will all improve. He knows his weaknesses and knows what he needs to do to improve as a player and improve the team. I think the Portland loss humbled him as did the loss of some key parts. He seems hungrier (as does the whole team).

I think Howard hasn't been the same athletically but has done a good job adapting and adding to his repotoire to make up for it. Much like MJ when he lost some athleticism and became a post threat. Howard isn't 18 anymore but he's still stronger than most centers in the NBA. Overall I thibk he'll be the same productivity wise as he was last year. He might be a bit more selfish and defer less and have more poise and maturity, but I'm not expecting a huge breakout season like I am from James.

Also, I know this thread is about the stars but I have very high expectations for Ariza this season. I think Chandler is a much better player but Ariza is a better fit as he will be able to defend, knock down open jumpers, run and play off the stars. Flanking Harden with Ariza and Bev allows him to guard the weakest assignment of the 1-3 and gives him mor license to roam. Ariza will greatly benefit from Howard's post passing and I think overall his skill set will be a bigger net positive to the team than Chandler.

 

although we haven't really seen howard play yet, it doesn't appear that he's really added to his post game (being able to convert shots past 5ft out), developed any kind of J, or improved his FT shooting. I hope he proves otherwise in the next couple weeks when becomes active for games. But if this is the case, then i'd like to see him run pick&roll with harden 20 times a game.

harden needs to come to play every game and concentrate every minute he's on the floor. no more disappearing. and if his shot isn't falling or he isn't getting calls on drives to the hoop, i'd like to see him on the high post elbow.

 

James Harden Is going to win mvp this yr. Rockets win more games than clippers and secure a top 2 seed out west and dwight Howard returns to 1st team all NBA to join his teammate.

Rockets vs Cavs finals

I don't know who wins that series.

These out my predictions.

 

There is clearly a range when making predictions. There are just so many variables. At the end of the day, based on what we are seeing and know now, I think it is going to be tough to get the fourth seed. It might be hard to get in at all, but I am thinking the best case scenario is get a reasonable seed (4-6) and peak at be start of the playoff, make a serious run. I see no reason to think the team is better than last year; however, you could make some arguments with the loss of Parsons and Asik especially that it might be worse.

 

I would, if it was to Alexis Texas or someone similar.

 

You are such a fockass

 

I think we are in for a good season as well. We have a great team that will play above average DEFENSE, we have Beverley, Ariza, and Howard that are all elite defenders, we have James Harden who is young and an offensive machine that is just learning to master his game.

We have some scrappy players that go out there and show grit like Adrien, Black, Dorsey, and papa. We have three 3 point bombers in Isaiah Canaan, Troy Daniels and Jason Terry.

We have two PFs that may put it all together this year in Jones and Dmo.

Under the radar indeed, the Rockets can make some noise this year. Glad I'm along for the ride.