Man, I don't even watch the NBA after the Rockets get eliminated. I don't follow any other sport. So it's like NBA Draft, Summer League, and then months of tortuous wait.
September would be a good month to ramp up for the Season but alas they are doing things at the end of October. Brutal how long they keep players from having Organized Basketball games after Summer League. All you have are those random Workout and Scrimmage Videos.
Kings are underrated and Denver will fall off......Joker has to do too much. One of Utah or Portland is going for Ace Bailey....not just Flagg bearing.
Only 24 days till training camp opens on October 1st. Most excited I have been for a season since 2017/18.
September would be good for a Pre Season tournament instead of the In Season tournament or the Emirates Cup.
3 to 4 more weeks left until off seasons ends. Getting closer and closer to training camp and pre-season.
I don't see the Spurs winning more than 35-37 games, max. Whereas, we are likely looking at a 50 win season, assuming health.
McMahon never passes up a chance to downplay the Rockets. Let's look at their pessimistic view of our talent that we have a collection of viable NBA talent but none a franchise player. That tells me we have a very high floor to these players. So don't you think we can put together a contender with: - 6-7 young NBA good to great role players - tons of picks to trade - we have favorable financial flexibility with all this homegrown talent - we are almost done paying off our own picks - enough cap space to potentially keep 2 of our oldest 4 prospects plus sign/acquire a max player next summer - extremely friendly and flexible contracts in Brooks and FVV in case we go trade hunting instead - opens up different options for us - Finished 41-41 and a top 10 defense in our very first attempt at making the playoffs. Come on, we're in an amazing position to - at worst - consolidate our assets into becoming a contender. Stone just needs to play it safe, nothing fancy needed. People didn't think Tatum and Brown would be enough firepower and worried that there was too much overlap. We can build that kind of team much cheaper than they did. Rockets are going to shock a lot of people this coming season.
The Suns new owner has made moves to get the Suns on local TV, I love that and think it's great for growing a fan base. This would be a perfect time for Rockets to make similar pivots I wish at the least the Rockets and Astros could just offer Space City Home Network as a standalone streaming option. I had some hope when ownership reverted back to the teams that maybe something would change, but it's the same
18 Days to Training Camp! Hype is building. How do we give quality minutes to all the guys who deserve time? A countdown of the items I am looking forward to most during the 24/25 season in reverse order. I had to stop at 10, but I could have kept going... 10. Continued leadership from Fred VanVleet. Fred stabilized the roster last year. Can Fred play more up tempo and be just as impactful this next year? I wouldn't bet against Fred. Fred's contract situation should be intriguing as well. I wish we could extend Fred on a Brunson type of contract (a little lighter on $ and years), but I think Amen and Reed Sheppard will look too good for the Rockets to need Fred after this year. 9. Dylan Brooks suiting up for another team. I know, I should accentuate the positive, but I think freeing up Dylan's minutes is one of things I am most looking forward to in 2024/25. He is the ultimate effort guy. He just doesn't provide much else and his minutes could go to Tari, Amen, or Cam and the Rockets would be better during those minutes. If the young wings start out strong, I expect Dylan and a 2nd round pick to go out to get a player on a shorter term contract - maybe Brown from Toronto? Maybe Hardaway Jr from Detroit? He may be part of a consolidation trade. I just expect him to be traded by the trade deadline. 8. Can Sengun consolidate his leap to fringe all-star into a perennial all-star? To go further, can he develop a reliable go to outside shot? I think Sengun is going to get paid, but can he keep improving? Is he a Sabonis light or is he mini-Jokic? Efficient free throws and a mid-range game will have him on his way. 7. Looking forward to Steven Adams setting some screens and bullying opposing teams backups. I want to extend him already, but I think they will wait until next summer. Keeping Adams around will help once they lose the edge that Brooks brings. 6. Was Cam Whitmore's spot up shooting for real? He fell off once he had the two injuries and started playing against the other teams regulars. Also, can he play team basketball? Give me 2 assists per game as a start. Learn the defensive rotations. If he can't impact winning basketball, Cam is the most likely player to go out in a consolidation trade in the next year. 5. Can Jabari keep improving his shooting and rebounding? He improved mightily in season 2 - can he improve half as much again and be a 39% 3-point shooter and average 8.5+ rebounds a game? His D and 3 archetype is an easy fit for winning teams. 4. Is Tari the disrupter he appeared to be at the start of last season? Can he be the ultimate glue/6th man. Can he make a layup? Will he make the easy pass? Good things happen when Tari is on the floor. I hope he can stay on the floor. 3. Is Reed Sheppard an NBA point guard? He looked good in Summer League. Lots of guys look good in summer league and then look like children when the real season starts. Having Reed Sheppard ready to take over in his year 2 or 3 at the point will make the Rockets future as a contender secure. I think he will have his ups and downs, but I think he will surprise on how good he plays as a 20 year old rookie. 2. Can Jalen use his creation ability to create for others? Want the bag? Make the winning play. This translates to an assist ratio > 20%. This is one of the two ways that Jalen can make the leap to all-star level. If he makes the easy pass, his game will open way up. Can't tell you how many times I was screaming at the TV for him to pass the ball when he drew a double team. I have given up on his outside shot. I haven't seen the tear down and rebuild of his shooting form to make me confident his shooting will be anything other than inconsistent. I think Jalen could be a really good outside shooter. He makes free throws at a great rate - he is a great shooter when he can pause at the top of his release and have a consistent release. The problem is that his form on his jumper leads to a wildly inconsistent release point and way too much movement in all dimensions. 1. Has Amen made the leap? He hit the weights. He maybe grew an inch and is now 6'8"? MIP? If he can make 30% three-pointers he will be on his way. This year will be telling - what is his real upside? You hear prime Westbrook or Simmons with his head screwed on straight - I would take a blend of those two archetypes and run to the bank. Is he a future point guard? Is he Scottie Pippen 2.0? I don't know, but his growth is what I am looking forward to the most in 2024/25.
