For me ? James Harden's improved Defense. Chandler Parsons leaving was a blessing. D Mo is becoming legit
Harden legit MVP candidate Ariza is a great fit DMos great development Josh Smith's all around play Brewer being available
D-Mo's emergence is the biggest surprise for me. He had the skills to be a good offensive player, but he couldn't put it all together before. His good defense also has come as a pleasant surprise to me.
I think most Rockets fans were on the verge of giving up on D-Mo when the year started -- at least, I was. Talent was evident, but just didn't seem as if he had improved much in two years. Now, he's on track (arguably) to be the Rockets' second most important player this year. And I'm not wondering anymore if he can be a quality NBA player; I'm wondering if he can be an NBA star.
The way James Harden has dominated and rounded out his game this year. The way DMo stepped in to the void left by Jones and has quickly matured. The way the team suddenly acquired Brewer and Smith. The way the team has continued sans Parsons/Lin/Asik was surprising early on. The way this team can look fantastic in the 1st half and terrible in the 2nd half of the same game so frequently. The way everyone on this team can go cold at the same time - for 10 minute stretches.
Harden's elevation from superstar to MVP caliber on both ends Dmo going from "million dollar move, one cent finish" bench player to starting PF, MIP candidate, and consistent post scorer Bench going from one of the weakest in the league to incredibly deep J Smoove randomly falling in our laps for practically free, and actually playing well The team's entire identity shifting from endless leaking fast-breaks and poor defense, to stifling defense, playing the passing lanes to shut teams down and transform into offense, and becoming an older more veteran team, as opposed to one of the younger teams in the league Having Tjones out for most of the season, Dwight playing bone on bone and missing extended time, injuries to backups, and STILL being third in the west Basically the entire season has been a surprise of the best kind
Donatas "The Untouchable" Motiejunas. I always believed he could put it together. Was saddened to see how many fans on this forum had given up on him.
Probably the evolution of our bench. We're starting to lean back into the good old days where we could proudly say that our bench can compete with teams.
It's funny. A lot of people on the board were claiming that we would have trouble this season with Lin/Parsons/Asik gone. They were clearly wrong. They are probably the same people that think McHale out to be fired. If McHale were fired right now, we'd be the laughing stock of the league. Some people must always complain I guess.
Top 5 surprises to me this year: 1. DMo's emergence 2. Harden's improvement 3. Josh Smith available for cheap 4. McHale extended in December 5. Parsons leaving
harden going tot he next level on both ends of the court team defense, esp without dwight rockets getting brewer for scraps and smith on a min contract the pros/cons of ariza dmo's breakout year unexpected year from the rockets. cant wait to see what they can do witha healthy dwight
D-Mo with the #CaptainHook Well also Daryl Morey trade to get the Band of Brother's and Signing J Smoove. Can he be considered 6th Man of The Year since he was signed damn near half way through the NBA Season? #Rockets #Pursuit
