[SI] Midseason grades for every NBA team

Mr. Clutch · Jan 19, 2016

Not accruate at all.

F.

count_dough-ku · Jan 19, 2016

Rocket River said: ↑

Discipline? We were a disciplined team last year?

I thought that was what everyone b*tched about last year was the lack of discipline.

Rocket River
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They were far more disciplined last year. They were a much better defensive team. They rarely took crappy opponents lightly compared to this season(0-5 vs Denver and Brooklyn). And they were very good at bouncing back from the occasional bad loss(no 3-game losing streak til the WCF).

ksny15 · Jan 19, 2016

I blame this entire season on Les and Morey. Everyone and their mom knew Mchale and his staff were completely inept at coaching and we could tell last year this team lacked focus. They were bailed out by MVP James who is non existent this year. If they would have replaced Mchale with a respected smart coach this wouldn't have happened.

J.R. · Jan 20, 2016

Midseason Report Card

Houston Rockets: D

2015-16 Record (as of Jan. 16)
W-L: 21-20 | PCT: .512 | DIV: 4-5 | CONF: 15-11 | HOME : 13-10 | ROAD: 8-10

Frontcourt: C
Dwight Howard is fully healthy for the first time in three years, but has had trouble finding a place in the offense. Trevor Ariza has slipped at both ends of floor. Clint Capela is young, energetic and with lively legs, but very, very raw.

Backcourt: C+
James Harden still posts big points, but takes more shots and more 3-pointers than ever and doesn't play at other end. Pat Beverley is supposed to put energy and bite into the backcourt, but has been mostly all bark.

Defense: D-
A top-10 defense a year ago has fallen into the bottom 10 (21st) this time around and is the primary reason the Rockets fell out of the starting gate 0-3 and have never been able to pick themselves back up.

Bench: C
There has been no consistency to individuals and no consistency to the rotation. Terrence Jones in and out, Donatas Motiejunas recovering from surgery. Ty Lawson mostly a bust. Jason Terry, Marcus Thornton deliver in spurts.

Coaching: C
Maybe it wasn't all Kevin McHale's fault when he was fired at 4-7. Interim coach J.B Bickerstaff knows his stuff and what he wants team to do, but has been unable to light a real fire under the group.

Summary
There are others with worse records and less talent than the Rockets, but no team has been more of a frustrating, underachieving puzzle.

Perhaps it was hangover from a surprise run to the Western Conference finals a year ago and a sense of "we have arrived" entitlement. It led to an NBA record of opening the season with back-to-back-to-back 20-point losses from which the Rockets have never recovered. It was easy to point the finger at McHale when he was fired three weeks in. But now the Rockets enter the second half of season still showing no sense of commitment to or confidence in the task. Harden is an uninspiring leader and difficult teammate to play with.

The defense is often disinterested and abysmal shows no signs of coming together and it could be time for G.M. Daryl Morey to shake up the roster at the trade deadline. Howard is heading to free agency next summer and now might be the time to acquire new pieces before he bolts or the Rockets must overpay greatly to keep him.

2015-16 Team Rating
OFFENSE: 103.2(9th Overall) | DEFENSE 104.8(21st Overall)
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dmorey · Jan 20, 2016

F-
5 char

daywalker02 · Jan 20, 2016

cheke64 said: ↑

That's pretty accreate.
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Well I had hopes for a C- which is a bad grade itself....

because they had a wins streak of 5

fair enough given the expectations before the season

daywalker02 · Jan 20, 2016

It was easy to point the finger at McHale when he was fired three weeks in. But now the Rockets enter the second half of season still showing no sense of commitment to or confidence in the task. Harden is an uninspiring leader and difficult teammate to play with.

The defense is often disinterested and abysmal shows no signs of coming together and it could be time for G.M. Daryl Morey to shake up the roster at the trade deadline.
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Key words: Harden not a good leader and below average teammate, blow up half of the roster, was not all McHale's fault

R=$ · Jan 20, 2016

Satisfied! damit this team has been SNICKER ED!

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[SI] Midseason grades for every NBA team

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