The Rockets are only 6 games out of the top seed and most the other teams are jumbled together. So the reality is if the Rockets got hot they could move up really quickly. Still with the team as it is currently constructed, they won’t make the playoffs. They will need to make additions and subtractions. If they make the right moves they could be the 2-3 seed.
It’s a wrap. Just sad we are wasting hardens prime with our stupid GM s decision making this offseason.MCW and Possibly JR Smithnow? Gtfoh
Harden gets shut down with the dreaded plantar fasciitis . CP3 calles Morey a fat ass and gets traded to the Lakers with MD for Luke Walton and Ball.
Funny but I disagree …. we don't necessarily NEED a guy like Jimmy Buckets - tho he would be nice to have. The difference between this years team and last years is exactly that - Role players. Ariza , Luc , Ryno , Black …. none of them stars but all contributed , Ariza and Luc most of all. This team has 3 primary needs - At least one wing that can defend 1-4 , shoot and rebound. A backup 4/5. A backup point. Now where we agree is that we cant fill all the needs this season …. just don't have the assets.
I don’t agree with that. I think the major difference is Chris Paul and Gordon. Ariza, Luc and Ryno are replacement level players. Not having someone to fill those roles might mean you aren’t quite as good as last year but that wouldn’t cause a colossal drop off like we have seen. The thing that usually causes a huge drop off in the nba is the loss of stars. In this case, it is the regression of Paul and Gordon which is why the rockets are second to last in the conference. And id ven argue that if Paul and Gordon were playing better then it would open up opportunities for the role players that are here now. You can’t have such a large regression from 2 of your top 3 offensive players—both ball handlers/initiators— and continue to have success. Stars win in this league for the most part. Butler would’ve been a tremendous get and he’d have eased some of the burden that we are expecting Paul and Gordon to carry. Maybe even held things together and given them time to come around.
to think we passed on ego/tucker/1st for butler. at this point i imagine, like most of us know, that knight/chriss and maybe nene will be packaged. the question is: (A) does morey go all in since we are only 5 games back from having home court in the first round? another WCF trip isn't out of the question if we can turn those deadweight contracts into 2 more rotation players. or (B) does morey spend picks to shed those contracts to get under the LT for greater job security? i would wager that option B, plus some late season 'resting' of cp3 can land us a late lotto pick. while option A, depending on the incoming players and their arrival date, can put us anywhere from #2-#8. my best guess is no one will take knight before the deadline which means we will be at or around 500 in mid february. in that case even if we go all in we are looking at #4-8 seed at best. too risky for morey at that point to go all in. morey will probably hedge his bet by trying to get under the LT (say knight/1st for JR or the kings cap space), and bring in some cheaper help like chriss/nene/pick for another rotation player. this would aim to put us in the playoffs while under the LT... somewhere between #6-8 seed.
I disagree with people saying Butler would have fixed everything, he would not have. Even if he was here, we'd still be a low seed, because we'd have an even shorter rotation with no bench players. Itd be 7th or sixth seed at this moment.
its not ariza and luc.... Without them I'd expected us to be anywhere around 16-9 or somewhere near. It's exactly what the poster above said and its all mental. You can't explain beating the warriors and spurs by 30 with our current team and losing to the jazz and mavs by 30. the lack of depth hurts but we can't forget that a team of harden, gordon, ariza, ryno and Nene at the time led us to a 3rd seed in the west just 2 seasons ago. Current team has more talent with a good center, just need to get our mojo and that could come similar to the way the Texans got theirs.
I’m expecting Paul to be shut down at some point...and for Harden, Capela, JR Smith and the RGV Vipers to battle valiantly for the 8th seed. Ending in a six way tie with the Spurs, T Wolves, Jazz, Pelicans, and Kings at 41-41.
Two roads from here: 1) Rockets young players of Hartenstein and Gary Clark keep improving while new player Ennis continues improving at his pace now that he is catching on. Brandan Knight injects fresh blood which allows CP3 more rest; which in turn means quicker pace. Who will be added in trade? Who exits? Knight? Melo? MCW? Chriss?........for which player or players coming to team? Rockets go on a 20 game win streak in the final 57 games.......Rockets go 22-15 in the other 37 games and end up around 53-29. Make the playoffs as the 5th seed. 2) They continue sucking and stop improving; which brings on the only proper thing to do.... “tanking” Worst place to be is the 8th seed or just missing the playoffs. Either make it with complete confidence and all out fury.....or fake an injury like they do in soccer or football to stop the clock, except do it for the remaining games. Go Rockets!!
Paul and Ego maybe the major difference in this year Plus Extended minutes/effort from Tucker and Capela - showing diminished returns Harden can step up too I think Harty comes back for the second half of the year. I think we need to cut Capela's minutes back to less than 30 Ennis and Clark will have to step up some Green needs to be consistent We need to focus on Team Rebounding I would like more fast break points but . .. rebounding is more important. Rocket River
Yeah, this is where I am at. They could make a move for the 2-3 seed but trades are going to have to be made to augment the team. So we'll see.
Since we're not tanking, it will be a thrill ride for the 8th seed just like in 15-16' except this time around, we likely won't make the playoffs.
