Our team is progressing very well but it's not disrespectful to say that the Rockets aren't contenders yet. Teams generally lose in the playoffs for a few years and grow from those losses before they finally make the finals. Shai was eliminated by the Rockets in the first round in Harden's last year and it took till now for OKC to be recognized as contenders. I don't think I can even remember a drafted (so not put together from outside pieces like the LeBron Heat) core that made it all the way to the finals in their first go.
We're young, you saw what happened to OKC in the playoffs despite their record. Teams are just now going to take advantage of the fact that we have 2 players you can sag off. It's usually in the second half and playoffs that you start seeing things like that or hacking bad FT shooters. Get ready for teams backing way off Amen and Sengun in order to pack the paint against our core of the core trio. Be warned. One difference for us is our coach is more experienced in the playoffs and we have 2 NBA champions on the roster. Udoka has won a title as an assistant I believe and has been to the finals as a head coach. Our offense is very balanced. We seem better prepared than OKC were. We're not going to get any respect till we've had one whole good season obviously. Lots of teams collapse mid season. We just have to keep doing what we're doing and finish top 4.
I like being disrespected. It may cost us some national TV appearances, which is an inconvenience to me, but it helps us take opponents by surprise. No matter what coaches tell their teams about us, a general atmosphere of disrespect affects the way opposing players think of us as they approach the game. One problem we're running into now is that teams are gunning for us. They're coming into the game with an attitude that they want take down the Rockets. That's not good. It's helping them play better against us than they would have a year ago. If we get to the point where we're so good that teams are truly scared of us, to such a degree that they get jitters and make bad decisions and bad passes and take bad shots, great. But until we reach that level, I hope we're totally disrespected.
didn’t watch the video, but it’s not disrespect to think the Rockets aren’t actually the 2nd best team in the West this season Forget OKC, would u seriously have a ton of confidence that we’d beat Denver or a healthy Mavs team in a playoff series right now? I’d take my chances with Memphis tho
Because we haven't done **** yet. Why would any give the Rockets anything yet? We have to go out there and get it. Besides, we are a piece away, and everyone that knows basketball can see that clear as day.
I didnt think I had to clarify, because its OBVIOUS. Washington is a YOUNG team, with a ROOKIE QB and they are not using youth as an excuse.
First - I stopped watching those TNT clowns years ago. Didn’t watch the clip. Second- doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. Our record is nice, but all that matters is getting healthy and keeping games close so you have a great chance to win in the last 5 mns of the game. Lastly, in the postseason the refs start their BS and teams that win series have players that take their game to much higher levels in crunch time (and have great coaching). Talk is cheap, I’m just enjoying the ride.
...the problem is recency bias- there are still quite a few people who think Houston wouldn't have a chance in a playoff series to the aging cores who will be battling it out in the play-in tourney - Lakers, Warriors, Suns, etc. I've heard CRAZY takes of people not really considering the Rockets as even the 6th most dangerous team in the West.
We are too young to be an actual contender. Just enjoy the overachieving for now and hopefully they'll get the experience they need to be true contenders in the playoffs.
Our “all-stars” still haven’t put a full season together. There are holes in our line ups. Being a grown up takes time.
They're not that young, aside from the lunacy of using a completely different sport that works completely differently, the rockets don't have a single core guy as old as Jayden Daniels.
I'm happy that folks feel disrespected that the Rockets are being overlooked. That means the Rockets are actually in the conversation.
