As currently constructed: are Rockets championship contenders?

We currently ave 4.6per game. That means it's about one block a quarter. The most we are going to play without those 2 is a quarter. Basically, one block per game. Is that really something to be concerned about? FYI, TJ is a 1.8 blocks/game.

 

Yes, if you consider most of the play off teams in the West potential contenders. No if you're asking if the Rockets are at or near the top of the totem pole.

As mentioned by others, the team can really use another play maker/facilitator to help out when Harden is having an off night or under heavy defensive pressure.

 

We are one good coach away from a championship. Enough said.

 

No. Only because we rely to heavily on Harden. Wish we had a more balanced attack featuring Dwight. But we either don't feed him the rock correctly, or he's willingly taking a back seat. He does get his numbers, just not the way i had envisioned.

 

hey why wasnt this thread bumped after the game? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

It really depends on how chemistry develops post all star break. GS is a well oiled machine that has been together for years and they play at a speed the Rockets couldn't keep up with. They're close but imo they are 1 piece away. Bev doesn't belong in that starting 5.

 

Either need a coach who makes it easier for guys or puts them in the right spots OR we need a true creator off the bench. Look at the Warriors, it's only Curry who creates for himself and for others. They have a coach and a system though.

 

Badly need another play maker behind Harden.

 

No they are not. They need a solid point guard to compete in the west. Beverly is nothing but a good back up point guard.

 

I dont see how it not obvious that coaching is where were lacking. You watch gsw last night and they are running plays, their guys are running around using screens to get open. You never see their superstar curry just go one on one while the rest of his team mates just stand around and watch. That's the bulk of our offense is let harden have the ball and hope someone gets open when he draws all the attention away. When opponents figure this out its very easy to stop, then harden struggles and u have guysblike Beverly driving to the lane to force to force a bad shot

 

Offensive philosophy.

The problem is GSW has good midrange shooters. They have the confidence to shoot it when they're momentarily free. They don't have to drive all the way to the rim which we are forced to do when we are run out from the 3pt line. I swear I wanted to throw something when Speights kept getting free in the first half.

Can Bev, Ariza, DMo, Josh hit the midrange? Cuz I'm sure Dwight can't. Do the Rockets want them to? After drilling in them to avoid those shots?

 

Either opposing guards have figured him out or his defense has fallen down several notches. He ain't stopping guys anymore.

 

The Rockets don't tell players to not take midrange shots; they put them in a position to either take what are generally more efficient shots, which leads to the Rockets not taking many long 2s. This has been addressed by both McHale and Morey.

Ariza still takes a couple bad midrange shots a game. As does Josh Smith. Really though, are you advocating Smith taking more jumpers?

 

All of these issues are on Morey and that is why he is a big part of the problem. His philosophy is a gimmick and not championship/playoff caliber. Morey has turned into a "big name" gm so he's probably here to stay because Les loves big names. Rox aren't going anywhere under this bball philosophy.

 

Beverly is an excellent back up PG on a championship team. You have to make players like Stephen Curry play some semblance of defense or most good teams will just collapse on Harden. The rockets need the 3rd piece and everyone not named Harden and Howard is in play at the trade deadline IMO to get that possible 3rd piece. This team is very close though.

 

You give up a big PF like DMo and you pretty much handicap the team in another way. I'mma stick to guns ans say Shved, T.Jones, Pap, Dorsey, Capella, Johnson, Canaan are all tradeable and leave the rest of the team alone.

 

DAMN! There is a hot take. Morey is some sort of divine being in these parts, but you're saying he doesn't have the chops to put together a championship team?

For what it is worth, I'm mostly with you. I think most people here love the big names, too, which is why every move gets met with people lining up to fellate Morey, but there is something to building a compatible team instead of a collection of good players. That goes for the coach, too, but if the players don't compliment one another, it's hard to ask much of your coach. Ariza's defense is okay, but if Beverley was going to be the starting PG, then Morey should have signed a shooter. At the very least, he shouldn't have screwed up the Parsons deal.

 

Like I've been saying since last year. It's most likely McHale that you need to replace.

 

You can't be a contender without front court players who can shoot jumpers, sure you can get away with 1 or 2 that can't, but our entire rotation is a jumper free zone