This has to be the make or break season for McHale. What are realistic expectations for this team? If we don't meet those expectations, will McHale be the scapegoat?
I actually like the idea of Lawson as a 6th man but I doubt he'd buy into it. He could be what we wanted Lin to be when Bev was starting. Obviously Lin didn't work out, but Lawson could do well in that role. The only issue is our bench will have horrible shooting Lawson, KJ, Brewer, Jones, Capela. Not a good perimeter shooting team. BUT THINK OF THE FAST BREAKS. THE OOPS!
I would match our team top to bottom with any team in the NBA. I think we could easily run a 12 man rotation and not skip a beat. KJ is not even mentioned as a rotational player and I think he will be a star in this league. I think this just might be the most loaded Rockets team ever. Yes I was here for our championship years.
With the addition of a sober Lawson (I mean this seriously), the expectation is to win it all. The good Lawson is a terrific pg, who can create for himself and others. He will take tremendous pressure off Harden when playing together in that teams no longer will be able to double team him. In addition, I would sign that Williams dude. Before the Vegas S/L, Bima said Williams was a rebounding demon. I know he is short, but I think he has the girth to play center. We need massive insurance at that position given the number of games Howard missed last year.
Well to be fair, they didn't have a bench (except for a few games, when certain 'no names' stepped up) - The Clippers have had a terrific off-season, with the additions of Pierce, Stephenson and Smith and now have a solid bench. I think the Clippers will be improved from last season. Hopefully the Rockets will be healthy next season. The additions of Lawson and Thornton should pay off. If healthy, they should be able to win against anybody. #REPURSUIT
I just got my Rockets rose-colored glasses. :grin: Seriously, I am excited because of this trade. This is a win-win for us in that Morey gave very little value in return for top pg who is having some personal issues.
I think it's still to hard to tell with the changes in the West during the offseason. Warriors are definitely number one until proven otherwise. Going by the "on paper" evaluation, I would put Rockets at 2/3, probably fighting with Clippers and Thunder for those spots.
Agree, too hard to tell where any team is going to be in the standings...oh and don't forget SAS. They gotta be right up there with Houston, LAC and OKC
We can't beat the Warriors small lineup, especially with Draymond playing the 5. I'm hopeful that Dmo can punish that lineup in the post.
I'd rank the Warriors ahead of everyone until there's definitive proof(if it ever happens) that last year was a fluke. I don't think they'll be quite as fortunate with injuries and they certainly won't catch opponents by surprise at the beginning of the season. But it's hard to imagine if healthy that they don't easily win over 60 games. After that, I'd give the Rockets as good a shot as anyone at being #2. They now have a roster with no holes in it. San Antonio for all the sucking up from the media they're getting doesn't have a true center. Memphis doesn't have outside shooting. OKC doesn't have a shooting guard or a good defensive center. The Clippers don't have a quality starting SF. And with regards to the Clippers, their much improved bench still has some question marks. Can Paul Pierce be effective at age 38? Can Smith duplicate his success in H-Town or will this be Detroit all over again? Are they getting Indiana Stephenson or Charlotte Stephenson? Were Games 1-4 in the semifinals last year a fluke for Austin Rivers?
I mentioned that in my post. But I also noted that Pierce is going to be 38 this season. And Stephenson is coming off a bad season in Charlotte. You never know what you're getting when you acquired a guy like that(see Spencer Hawes). The Clippers bench will be better than last season. But how much better remains to be seen.
this is a difficult question now. IMO this is what the rankings will look like: 1. Warriors 2. Rockets 3. Spurs 4. Thunder 5. Clippers 6. Grizzlies 7. Pelicans 8. Suns 9. Jazz 10. Kings 11. Blazers 12. Mavericks 13. Timberwolves 14. Lakers 15. Nuggets Honestly this years top 5 will be the biggest toss up I can remember. I didn't think it could get more competitive than last year... but here we are.
Not likely under Alexander unless he changes his tone. He said not long ago that making the playoffs is enough for him. Everything else is gravy. He let go of JVG and Adelman not because they did poorly but they are not eloquent speakers in front of the media.
I'm not quite sure how one can say the Clippers over Rockets. Is anyone really going to say they improved their team more than we did?
