If they land a LeBron or PG, they won’t have to put out the energy for that. They’d naturally be a team of that caliber. That would be a goal to keep them interested game to game. We also saw how important it was to be focused. The Rockets should have had a better record in the regular season as well as two sweeps in the playoffs. Most of their losses were due to lack of focus early in games. Even some of those wins were despite a sluggish start
the only goal they need is to beat GS and win a championship. that's the whole point of them playing together in the first place. regular season means nothing to these guys at this point. the record takes care of itself but aiming for some 70 win season won't be some priority. certainly didn't happen when GS got KD and rightfully so. they just focused on being able to play together and click when the time came the rockets aren't the only team in the league that goes through "focus" issues. every single team does including GS.
I suspect they knew exactly what the financial projections looked like when they made the trade for Butler. Whether that means they'll pony up the cash for him or not, who knows. But I suspect they have a plan at least. And certainly you let Teague walk first.
Yes winning the championship is the reason a super team would be assembled. Beating GS is one and (or is it in?) the same as winning the championship. But if the Rockets with LeBron or PG don’t make regular season goals, then they’ll share the same fate as OKC this year. Gotta have the desire to want to realize the maximum potential of the super team. Regular season does that. So hopefully they do care about it
By "big fish", yeah, I don't know if we'd land a whale with the bait we have. Some of that bait sat idle in the bucket (playoffs) and died for lack of oxygen when a lid was placed over them (see also: Anderson, Ryan; Moute, Luc mbah or however you spell his name). If we had enough to land LeBron, great; obviously it would take a lot of creativity (and maybe catch a GM while drunk when Morey calls). But three super-max players? Whither the rest of the roster? I'd almost settle for finding a way to unload Ryan for players that will actually help (and D'Antoni will trust come playoff time; his Circle of Trust is small) and bolster the 4 and the backup 1 (while keeping Clint). We went deep in the playoffs with CP3 held together by spit and wire....until it gave out. Stud-ly star options? I'll daydream but I'll reserve my enthusiasm. After all, CP3 kinda came out of nowhere last year. (We also had more to give up then.)
i don't believe championship teams realize their maximum potential in the regular season. not even close imo. you never know how some guys will play come playoff time. whether they embrace or shy away from the moment. much of it is matchup based and guys eventually became unplayable while they were part of the rotation in the reg season. you see a team at its best when they come together during the playoffs and find ways to win as a team. what we saw in the regular reason for the rockets wasn't exactly how we saw them win games in the playoffs. Scoring in bunches was what hou did all year. We witnessed an eruption in the 3rd quarter of the Minny series but that was basically it.
Evans sounds intriguing only if Gordon is traded in a potential scenario. IMO George would be awesome here but I don't see it happening he seems set on playing for his hometown. Evans can create his own shot and facilitate better than Gordon, but his shooting is not nearly at the same level as Gordons and I am not sure if his defense is either. Having both on the team becomes really redundant. We saw last season when Lou and Gordon was on the team that Gordon did not play nearly as well off the bench as he did before Lou joined the team. I dont want to lose Gordon actually but if it means getting a guy like LeBron or George (highly unlikely IMO) then its a no brainer. Gordon is great but just has a lot of inconsistency, when he is hitting his shots the Rockets are near unstoppable but he had way too many poor shooting nights the second half of the season and into the playoffs. He did attack the rim more this season compared to last season so that was nice to see, but he is a volume 3pt shooter and shot below average this season. With Evans who cannot shoot as well as Gordon we're going to have to change the offense during the times when he is playing or helping facilitate since he is not the same threat to pull up from deep. All theory right now but its the off season after all.
I agree Evans can't shoot like Gordon but he can get to the lane and is a better playmaker than EG. We needed someone to help Harden in those last two games. Getting LBJ, PG, or Butler in a trade and then grabbing Evans would be ideal. I was also would like to kick the tires on Avery Bradley or Cory Joseph
I’m cautiously optimistic about Hartenstein, but his upside for the next year is taking Nene’s role. He’s not going to cut it as a starter.
I am not caught up on the thread, but I heard that Portland would trade him in the right deal. They arent in LOVE with him.
Spurs have checked in with the Rockets on their interest in P. Gasol... That interest is long gone lol
Hmmm would anyone be okay with CJ for Gordon, CJ is better offensively but I think Gordon is a much better defender, seems like a lateral moves and I dont even think the salaries match anyways.
Of course not. I never said that. I clearly mentioned that he could be a off the bench 4/5, more likely a 5. If he can replace Nene, it would be a plus point for us.
It's surprising to see that Tyreke shot the 3 ball better during the regular season than Gordon, % wise.
Yeah, ironically Evans was better than Gordon and Butler was only 35%. Although I imagine Butler would do great here with all the open looks he'd get. Certainly better than Ariza.
