How do the rockets stack up in the current western conference?

We are a better team than we were a week ago at this time and we have two new draft assets.

 

I think the biggest thing to look out for is if this whole "no trade value" thing humbles Russ and makes him more amenable to coaching. If he plays with less tunnel vision and more self control we'll be rolling in the regular season even if Cousins never plays. I have no doubt that we'll finish as a high seed cause that's what these players do. The questions will come during the playoffs and I really don't think we'll make it far unless Russ cleans up his act. So with the team as currently constructed I'd say: 3-5 with Denver and Portland for the regular season and maybe 5-7 just a tier below for the playoffs. Hopefully we can add another good 3 and D wing before the off season ends though.

 

Probably No 1 pick in Edwards who has Donovan Mitchell lite potential.

Rubio is back with his former draft team.

I think they will be like Suns last year.

Around 12th till halftime then going Top 6 team the rest of the way.

Around 10th seed ot better.

KAT+DLo+Edwards+Rubio

2 Allstars, 1 ROY candidate although DeAngelo is a weaker Allstar.

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/roster/_/name/min/minnesota-timberwolves

 

I see mid-seed playoff team and 2nd round exit at best

 

I forgot about Rubio. That was a good pickup by the Wolves.

in reality we are probably talking about less than 5 wins difference separating 8-12. So we are really nitpicking this morning.

 

I would be very confident in the Rockets being the 3rd best team if the trade demands never happened, especially after the Wood signing. Perfect fit for both Harden and Westbrook, which is rare. Alas...Houston sports are forever cursed.

 

If Harden and Westbrook remain on the team this is the ceiling.

Find a way to move Westbrook I could see a conference finals appearance as the new ceiling.

Move Harden and we are out of the playoff mix.

 

I definitely disagree the only problem Houston had was their length and they added to bigs one a young stud and one who has something to prove Houston if Healthy is the 2nd best team in the NBA and I would even say better than the Lakers im.not putting too much into the Bubble yall are definitely playing down the Rockets

 

Both the Rockets stars have openly quit on the team this offseason. Maybe they buy back in and do well, but that can't be assumed right now.

 

Clippers have taken a step back

Clippers, Denver, Dallas all seem to be primed for decent to good seasons
but come playoffs. . . I won't be sold on them coming out of the west

I think Rockets have has good if not better chance

Rocket River

 

If James Harden isn’t traded, I would easily take the over on the Rockets win total for this season.

 

Easy easy easy money.

I need a bookie stat.

 

You never know when harden is going to get traded so that over under 35.5 could easily sway one way or the other in extreme the 2nd it happens. Which is exactly why it’s set at that point. If there was no trade demand it would probably sit at 40 give or take

 

Tuck is playing for a contract. He will show out. A healthy Harden lands us a top 5 no matter what. I say we land on the 4th seed.

 

That.

 

It's so hard to say with all the uncertainty, but our ceiling is very high.

If James and Russ are bought in and stay healthy, Boogie can stay reasonably healthy and is at about 80% of where he was, Wood isn't a total fluke, and Nwaba is back to 90% of where he was pre-injury this is the second best team in the West and can go toe to toe with the Lakers in a series. That's a lot of if's though.

 

Put 500 bucks on that and hope harden isn’t traded. That’s easy money

 

our ceiling is always through the roof

 

And the corners are always turned