KD has been "washed" for four plus years now and he doesn't give AF. Just smile and go out there and get some dubs. People forget that we are one SG away from being THE team to beat.
This team doesn't make any sense. Our ceiling is anywhere between losing twice in the play-in to miss the playoffs entirely to Conference Finals. Heck the Pacers just beat the Thunder at home. Maybe we really could go all the way.
I'll point to stats to show it's far from just one game - How many wins do the Rockets have against Top 3 teams in the West? 2 How many losses do the Rockets have against lottery teams in the West? 9 I don't think it's freaking out to state that this is a very flawed team.
IDK about "very flawed team"..... We've won 62% of the games. We had some key injuries throughout the season with various players. We still have a very young core. I think we can say we aren't a contender this season anymore... also think it's a very valid question to ask if these pieces fit together.
Wouldn't you call the pieces not fitting a flaw? Lacking ball handlers a flaw? Roster imbalance? I think some of it is a lack of maturity on the part of Reed - he'll grow into that lead guard role more likely than not at some point, that point just aint today.
I won’t argue that we are constructed in a little bit of a odd manner right now. The flaws are evident and actually I think on some level kind of easy to fix. as a generality I only see one or two teams in the NBA. They’re going to have an easy time with us over to seven game series.
The issue is that we dont have a point guard and we decided to disrespect the rebuild by taking a shortcut and getting KD. So now everything is about building around a 37 year old and not about developing our young guys.
I agree with the lacking a point guard part but I disagree about the shortcut getting KD and building around him part. The major issue is the FVV injury - prior to that, I think Stone had a solid plan - he just didn't have a backup plan in case FVV got hurt. Now, they are making it work as best they can with the parts they have - the fact that an injured FVV has a no trade clause kinda forced that on them. With a healthy FVV (or a similar replacement / upgrade), I think this team is much better than currently constructed. Reed would be your backup point, Amen playing off the ball in the half court as your SF, his ball handling limited to rebound and go / transition and KD essentially your shooting guard. Rather we have KD as your pseudo point guard in the half court and primary playmaker .... and a lot of isolation. Obviously coaching doesn't trust Reed to be the primary ball handler and run pick and roll or other sets, they want the ball in KD's hands.
You can disagree but all of the moves we made after we got KD were moves to get rid of younger players for win now players thats a fact. Stone even made a statement saying we are no longer developing players after they traded Cam. They tried to shortcut the rebuild and its biting them on the ass.
