GSW beat us by going small. We couldn't play big on this consistently because our bigs struggled. Jones was a no show for most of the series, Smith was most off and a little on, Capela didn't get enough time and was too young/not enough bulk and they kept baiting Dwight into foul trouble. DMo played well against the Warriors so hopefully he will change that. With the addition of Lawson and Bev coming back, I can see us beating them in small ball now, or at least making it much closer that is was in the playoffs.
This team is really going to thrive with a true point guard on offense. True point guard gets the ball to guys in the best spots for easier buckets. That really helps Harden in many ways. He'll get EASY buckets, less turnovers, more rest, better focus on the floor. Rockets are going to blow teams out more often and not let teams back into the game.
Completely agree. Someone published this a few weeks ago, but the Rockets were something like minus -57 in the GSW series when Harden sat. If Lawson can cut that in half, we probably win the series and championship. Assuming health, the team that lost to GSW is COMPLETELY different than the team they will face next year: Terry / Prigioni Harden Ariza / Brewer TJones / Smith Howard vs Lawson / Beverley Harden / Thornton Ariza / Brewer DMo / TJones Howard / Capela Yes....I know Capela technically played, but I'd expected him to contribute significantly more next year. IMO, it won't be obvious that Golden State can beat us with small ball next year. Dwight and Capela are highly mobile centers, especially Capela. If you throw the following out of the floor: Lawson Beverley Harden Ariza Howard is it really obvious that this group will get consistently beat by: Curry Livingston Thompson Iggy Green The answer is probably no, and I could see Green struggling with guarding Howard while Harden and Lawson are slashing to the rim.
realistically, I think we should look for Lawson's contribution in the second half of the season if not the post season. I doubt he would be able to turn himself around and contribute right away for the opening reason. Deep down I think next year would be more realistic for him to either make it or break it in the NBA.
I respectfully disagree. He has not had a problem performing on the court despite having a drinking problem. 1. Treatment/support- He will be working with a life coach/ sponsor. He has already been in treatment for sometime. They will work a plan to help keep him sober and NOT drive. No doubt the Rockets will make sure he gets the best care possible. Hell we got Royce White his very own bus and he had never made a single bucket or assist in the NBA. John Lucas has known Lawson for a long time, he sounded like he was wanting to help. After treatment, part of coping is to learn to live each day on day at a time. In doing so he needs to do it with his focus on his family and "normal" routine; practices, working out, games, traveling, and whatever else he does. Pulling him away from everything doesn't help, it actually would lead to more "free time" and that idle time would leave him more time to think about getting that drink. 2. Lawson's Interest- Contract/$$$$-He wants to play, he needs to play to get the next big contract. He is betting on himself. He could have stuck with his guarantee contract told Denver tough I'm getting paid. But I think he recognized he needs help and forgoing the guarantee for next season so he could land with the Rockets was a sign to me that he is admitting he has a problem. That is the 1st step. Legally he needs to get this area of his life under control or he won't be playing if he is in jail. 3. Rockets Interest- Morey and Les don't make this gamble unless they are fairly confident Lawson can turn it around. The Rockets would have passed and waited for a better trade option if they were even moderately concerned Lawson's life could not be stabilized this season. This isn't 1 of 3 draft picks on a team searching for a base of talent. This is a team that finished 2nd in the West despite a slew of injuries. They know the windows for title runs can be short lived, so hitching on to Lawson and his baggage was calculated. We have some good vets on this team that can get on his side and help him, Brewer is already a friend, Howard is a positive influence, Ariza is good teammate. Truly I only worry about him hangout with Harden. Hopefully Harden knows taking him to the club isn't going to lead to a championship. He'll be there at the start of the season baring legal issues, now if he can't stop drinking he'll be out the rest of the season and he'll likely never play again as a Rocket.
Also how are they going to guard the Lawson/Dwight PNR with Harden on the court? You have to either settle for Lawson layup, Dwight dunk or Harden 3
Dwight would struggle guarding Draymond because if he pressures they can get easy points in the paint while if he sags off Draymond will knock down his shots
Your giving draymond a little too much credit and dwight not enough. Green is a good player but he's not a good enough scorer to just kill dwight who's all world defense. I get dwight is prob not good enough to cover draymond all game but neither is he good enough to cover dwight all game. Draymond also was not a very good shooter last season from 3. He shot like 31% that's worst then DMO.
I didn't mean to come off like Draymond would torch us but it's a bad matchup because Dwight isn't around the rim to stop backdoor cuts or drives to the basket from wings
Agreed. Capela may be able to guard him outside, but with that line up you would prefer Jones or if he gets his fitness up, Hayes at the 5.
All you talking about the potential lineups and matchups.....makes me impatient for the season to start. This offseason is too long.....
It's been less than 2 months since the Finals ended. I'm impatient too, but it's more likely due to how excited we all are to see how good this team could be. Which is a good problem to have, BTW.
When GSW goes small, we could swich to a zone, and let Dwight defend only the rim... The other 4 guys can defend the 3 point line if they are so determined to have only shooters on the floor...
Javale mcgee said ty lawson will play in his celebrity softball game so im assuming he's getting out of rehab tomrrow
That also fits alongside the timeline of Morey having a one on one with him in the coming days as he said on 790
