Seems the pessimism is turning around. If you had made this poll one week ago we'd be seeing totally different results. I voted that we'll do better, because I think that Parsons (despite being my favorite Rocket for 3 years) for Ariza is not a downgrade, and possibly an upgrade with what this team was missing last year. Lin will likely turn into a wash
This is a good thread. I think we win 56-58 games this year and advance past the 2nd round. The nucleus of Harden and Howard is what will give us a championship. Not Parsons, Lin or Asik. We go as far as they will take us. I believe Harden and Howard will have their best years this coming year. I think Howard will be angry and come out on fire and I have to think James is a little embarrassed at what happened to him in the playoffs and with the national media and his non defense video. I also expect the team to get back to running. Not as much as they did in 2012 but deff more than they did this year. I am warming up to the addition of Ariza. He brings something Chandler didn't and that's defense. The Adrien signing I think will end up being one of our best ones this off-season he's just a great hustle player something we lacked last year.
(Accidentally submitted while still typing) Seems the pessimism is turning around. If you had made this poll one week ago we'd be seeing totally different results. I voted that we'll do better, because I think that Parsons (despite being my favorite Rocket for 3 years) for Ariza is not a downgrade, and possibly an upgrade with what this team was missing last year. Lin will likely turn into a wash if Canaan can live up to the second year progression of late rookies in the Rockets system. Asik will be missed, but he missed a huge chunk of last year anyways. And I think Morey still has a card or two up his sleeves to bring in one more piece to boost this team.
If we're talking about the team as it stands now then I'd stay we're looking at closer to 50 wins than 55 wins. If DMo gives us better production like how Jones did with starter minutes.... If Troy Daniels can give us Ray Allen's Miami production (20 mins per game with 9-10 points per).... I think we'll get 56-58 wins. I still think that bench is shaky though.
I think we come out with a chip on our shoulders in response to the consensus belief that we are no longer a good team. TJones makes a major jump in offense and defense. Harden becomes a nearly-good defender. And just to go futher out on the limb, Ariza outplays Parsons this year.
Parsons =/= Harden. Parsons isn't going to go to Dallas become their #1 and then suddenly flourish (even if he is their #1, he won't flourish). Check win shares (even feel free to the 2nd to last year for Kmart): http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/martike02.html Even with Harden being a 3rd fiddle, he was still miles better than Kmart by any advance statistical measure you want to use AND significantly younger Ariza is actually really similar to Parsons by most/all statistical measures and both are going to fill EXACTLY the same role they did with their previous team. Rockets can use a vet and someone better @ D @ the 3. All that said prob 55-58 wins depending on how much D harden plays. Harden and Howard will both become way better as a tandem, which will help.
Where is the option for rockets will simply finish with a worst record than last year? The third option of "wish they never made any moves" isn't remotely the same. Unlike the other two poll options, the last is much more drastic outcome. It requires the rockets to actually regret every move they made, from drafting nick Johnson, Capella and trading disgruntled asik, overpaid Lin, signing ish, Adrien, ariza to not matching parson. Kind of a drastic option especially compared to the two don't you think? I understand you may have wanted people to be optimistic vs critical, but the poll options are silly. For the record, I think the rockets will finish 5th or lower in conference and under 54 wins. My guess 50-32. Despite this, Morey won't have regrets about the offseason and will try to utilize the trade exception and flexibility in jan/feb to improve the team for the playoffs. The 1st round of the western conference playoffs will once again be a crap shoot and I wouldn't be surprise if the rockets make it to the second round or were elimimated in the first. Thunders Spurs Clips Warriors Mavs Rockets Blazers Grizz
we'll get out of the first round, maybe not a championship, but we'll do well enough to get some good offseason assets for the following year. then we'll get a ring
Better Team! Aziz' better player than Parson', Omir cried all last year, Lin cannot stand the altitude, hungry bench players, and hope for good led assistant with defense skills!
There are still some options and flexibility for us the remaining off season and throughout the season. However , I think the main reason we will improve is that Howard will re-establish himself as an ELITE player superstar caliber. I know it has been another year and his athleticism is supposed to decline , but this is also the first full offseason he has had in about 3 years to train instead of just rehab . Look for him to be much better . I am also super high on D mo and Jones. I think our biggest weakness will be at pg and ball handler but hopefully we can find an answer to that throughout the season even though it may be a bit rough in the beggining.
