Based on his advanced splits he isn't way worse he even increase his TS. Net rating went from 11.4 to 10.4 how is that "way worse"? Also the general consensus is Steph is still a superstar. Ask most fans and CCs majority will say Curry is still a superstar. GSW are irrelevant because of the supporting cast and not really Curry.
Look at any of his WS, ws/48, vorp, any advanced stat and he's a shell of what he used to be. Not believing aging is a real thing is just so weird man, even for you. General consensus also doesn't matter, he's not a superstar regardless what people think or believe, that's not relevant to reality.
Corey Brewer, who was traded to the Lakers, took a pass on the baseline, drove, spun, shook two defenders with a 360 and missed a point-blank shot at the rim. "Coach, I did my thing," he told D'Antoni, "but then I got to the rim and just ran out of talent."
This team has more depth than the Spurs and Nuggets, you remove Victor / Jokic they are lotto teams. Remove our best player and they are still a playoff or play in team.
OK. Good discussion, I concede that most championship teams in history have had more power at their #1 than this Rockets team. Although, in my book Admiral was not a superstar in 1999 by any means... I'd much rather have 2026 KD than 1999 Admiral. What it boils down me is this: Can the Rockets win a title in 2026? Yes, I think so. Is that very likely? No, by any means. Winning a title is a very high hill, only one team wins in a given year, amongst several who can. If we don't win it, will it be because our #1 is not a superstar? It depends entirely on what KD does in the playoffs. His shotmaking looks as sick as ever, but he's not dominating the way Jokic or SGA or Giannis are. Is that because of age? Is that because he defers to our very good depth? Is that because at 37 you're bound to pace yourself... You claim that it is because of decline, I say that this is not at all evident. he very well may have it in him to go on a complete playoff tear and be as good or better as many #1s on championship teams over the past 30 years. His stats at 30 games of regular season is not an indication in my book, and this is where we'll have to disagree. Now, if people are saying that Sengun is a legit #1 on a championship team, I'd agree that this is a leap. Maybe in few years, but not this year. Is our #1 power the main thing that would prevent us from winning a title? Not in my book. I am much, much more concerned about our ball security than our #1/#2 guys. A team with such turnover rate cannot win it, and that is a much bigger factor. Unless we improve or address it with a trade for PG, I think we are second-round exit.
