It will be interesting to watch what the Clippers do and their new owner. In contrast to the Rockets. Clippers have never won anything and always had a big brother. They are now the Number 1 in the Top 2 markets nationwide. They are always Top 3, Top 4 seed in the West but cannot get out of the 2nd round.
They have been playing nothing but mediocre teams when they play against good teams like San Antonio they lose.
I'll take Ariza's 9 points against the Celtics while holding Green to 17 pts on 19 shots with a +26 +/- over Parson's 29 points and +2 +/- while giving up 35 points on 50% shooting to Green, and having to play 5 more minutes against the Celtics while the Rockets were resting their starters by the 4th. But really we shouldn't be comparing Parsons to Ariza, as a max contract player he should be compared to max contract small forwards like Lebron, Carmelo, and Durant. Having a role player match or exceed the max player's production is just a bonus for the Rockets. The real measurement will be Ariza plus whoever the Rockets aquire in their next big trade that would not be possible if they resigned Parsons.
Ariza and Parsons are about equals on offense with a significant edge to Ariza on D IMO. However, Rockets and Morey are yet to make use of that extra $$$ savings from Parsons deal. They just let free agent after free agent go by while hoping for that 3rd superstar. A Spencer Hawes would have been nice for this team.
Only if we don't and you think keeping Parson's would have meant we win it all. Not much to support that considering we didn't get past the first round with him last year, but if Parsons becomes a superstar this year then sure.
Because this is Houston and we will 5h1t on our on players. Look at all the hate Harden got from his own fans so you know Parsons is gonna get it... Especially because he went to Dallas. Ariza is also playing with the best two guard and arguably the best center on the planet... Ariza does what we need him to do and Parsons does what they need him to do.
The thing that bothers me is how hard the media is trying to manufacture a super star out of Parsons. How hard they are trying to manufacture a contender out of Dallas for him as well. Truth is Dallas is in lala land, they brought chandler back and signed a player the media has pretty much claimed to be the chosen one that makes Dallas a top team in the west. Is Parsons a superstar? I didn't see it.... Is Dallas a top team in the west? They are playing like it but we have to wonder if its because they are that good or because they think they are that good...What happens when they go on a losing streak? What happens when Lillard busts a game winning three in Parsons face? Lets just wait let Parsons and Dallas earn their credit before handing it out them...
They need Parsons to play defense, but that doesn't mean he will Do you really sign someone between Monta and Dirk and not need defense?
To be fair,Jones and Harden were guarding Green for almost all of the Boston game. Harden started out on him and then Boston went small due to Olynyk's foul problems and generally ineffective play so Green played the majority of the game at PF. Likewise, Parson's was only guarding Green on 4 of his 14 made baskets last night (10pts). No doubt though that Ariza is light years better than Parsons on the defensive end. It's not even close. I was at the Boston game and it was very noticeable how much better both our offense and defense were when Ariza was in the game. The thing that I like about Ariza's offensive game is that he makes a big contribution without having to get a whole lot of touches. He's producing equal or better than what Parsons did offensively and there's additional touches for other players too. I knew Ariza could shoot and defend but I've been pleasantly surprised how well he passes the ball and his ability to get to the rim when given an open lane.
Just admit your owner's shiny new toy can't play defense. Mavs with the 28th ranked defense in the NBA despite getting Tyson Chandler. Rockets 4th in defense despite having no defender at SG position.
the only team to ever be pretty bad at defense and win titles was showtime, but they a) weren't this bad and b) their offense was genuinely transcendent, so no dallas aren't a real title threat. I read people comparing them to their 10/11 team...a team whose offense and defense were the same ranked (8) and sported 4 above average defenders in their starting lineup?
James gave up their only 3 of the night? DAMN YOU JAMES HAREN Oh wait, he was on the bench wasn't he? DAMN YOU JAMES HAREN ANYWAY
i think LAC, GS, and OKC (if healthy) all have several years now to contend for western conf champion. each has balanced rosters built to compete now. if GS's big men can stay healthy, i wouldn't be surprised to see them come out of the west one of these years. SAS, i'm not sure their fountain of youth may have dried up. and the rest of the west (HOU, POR, DAL, MEM, PHO) are all several pieces away at least. which points to our curious "#Pursuit" slogan this year. on one hand we have the top center in the league itching to get back to the finals immediately. and on the other we have the rockets front office surrounding him and harden with perhaps the most ragtag abominable supporting cast in recent memory. i mean nobody can even get the ball inside with a simple entry pass. we have players (some in the rotation) who probably would not even make the roster on any of the other 29 teams. almost seems like we were spoiled w/ david wesley and sedale threat and dally-bear in the past. for a few years we were stuck in purgatory between lottery picks and barely making the playoffs. and now the past couple years it's between just making the playoffs and actually contending. this team really needs an identity and direction. i'm glad they've embraced a committment to defense early on now, but no bench and a subpar starter at PG will keep us from going anywhere.
Worry about what's going on in your own house. That's for Dallas to figure out. We haven't won 5h1t (yet) to be telling other teams how to run their business... Especially a team with a championship winning head coach.
