I came into the season foolishly expecting the Rockets to be a championship contender. After several low effort embarrassing losses I now see them for what they are. This team's ceiling as presently constructed is a 2nd round playoff exit. I've stopped watching games expecting us to run through lesser competition because this team has become so inconsistent it's criminal. Sure there is the possibility that as the playoffs near they could begin to focus more and play a more consistent brand of ball, but I think the Rockets have shown us who they are this year and in order to preserve our sanity we should all pay attention.
So a Memphis loss without Westbrook got u feeling this way? Really? -_- Look, unless they get some 3&D guys in the frontcourt, they will be held back by their inconsistent defense. Also, the shooting is inconsistent, and it will be a sure 5 v 8 when playing the likes of the Lakers, Clippers, and Bucks. So yeah, a title isn’t likely. Harden has gotten better, but is he gonna average an efficient 38-40 in the postseason to overcome all the flaws and ref fckery? Also, when will people realize that the Rockets have a different level of intensity when playing good-contender level teams? Did they not bust Philly and Denver’s ass recently? Did they not win at LAC, and barely lose there the 1st time? We won’t be seeing these scrub teams in the playoffs, so the issue of “playing down to their competition” will go out the window.
I don't care about this loss, I have no doubt we are better than the Grizzlies. However, this team as constructed is a 2nd round exit. I suspected it before the season, and I have been convinced for a couple of weeks. In the last 3 years, we wiped the floor with everyone but the Warriors in the playoffs. We're not that team anymore - and it's not because others improved. There's no one better than Durant's Warriors in the NBA. We got worse with each salary dumping trade, our trade flexibility has dried up and we've put a lot of miles on an old team that now has to play at a fast pace. If one key rotation player goes down for the season, we might as well tank.
I agree, sometimes bad losses to "lesser teams" along the 82 game schedule make people feel like we don't have it. All teams have these types of losses during the long season, it happens. I too believe they are a 2nd round exit team, UNLESS they address the SF/PF issue we have. Watching our PF only avg 4-5 shots a game (all spot up 3s, some games only taking 1 shot) and miss all but 1 of those, and our starting SF only take 3 shots and miss all of those, makes it tough to watch. James and Russ HAVE to have great games for us to even have a chance to win. That is not a championship winning formula. We will have to find another SF that can make plays for himself and others. This roster needs help.
I am a little pissed, frustrated and irritated but I think they can be championship contenders still Rocket River Faith and Confidence
if we had someone in the frontcourt who u could count on to average at least around 15 ppg without having to be entirely dependent on Harden or Russ or a Robert Covington, then we’d be good I love PJ, but dude DIDN’T EVEN SCORE in 4 of our past 6 games, and he’s playing 30+ minutes every night...Rockets have too many limited specialists, and not enough just pure hoopers...guys that can just ball
i think the non-hot take here is that we are another consistent role player away from being true contenders. at least in my eyes.
its embarrassing the way you guys freak out after every loss. we just got our full roster, but of course of the back to backs have only played with it a few games. chill TF out got damn. the team is fine. as someone pointed out the grizz have the 3rd best record in the league since morant came back from injury. only the bucks and jazz have been better.
Eh. Waiting to see what the team looks like in March. I put no stock in a road loss in January without Westbrook playing. The NBA season is too long and each game doesn't matter that much - that's why they're talking about mid season tournament, etc..
Yeah, and that version of Durant is probably gone too.... I am doubting he comes back as strong. He would still be a great Allstar though, like nobody can block his shot. Back to us, the stinger that hit the Tuckwagon, almost had me thought the season would be over.
I think we need a 3/4 and a 4/5 that isn't' currently on the roster for regular season depth. I also think one of our rotation guys needs to be moved.
"It's just one game." "Just that one game" turns into 10-11-12-13 by the end of the season. Don't think it would have mattered when they faced them because they were gonna lose but you had people ... "Man, that OKC loss (last regular season game last year), man, we could have had the 2nd seed and avoided the Warriors until the WCF!" Didn't show up vs Miami, Dallas, OKC Lost a game they were up in the final 45 seconds/minute vs the Clippers Blew 20 point lead vs Spurs Lost to Sacramento, Detroit, Golden State, Memphis but remember, "It's just one game"! Tell yourself that at the end of the year. It's just one game!
They are not championship contenders with the coaching and the depth they have compared to other top teams in the league. It is disappointing but that is the reality of the situation. Maybe they make a move at the deadline. Maybe MDA decides to actually coach. I don’t know. But as it stands right now, they are not contenders. It’s not hard to see.
It’s so crazy to think about it. Rewatch the clippers game, the first half is what the rockets are, half if not three quarters of the time.... and the second half is what the rockets have to be almost every night to win (clicking everywhere) That’s a bad sign because the odds are not in the rockets favor. Even before WB they would go through crazy drouts..... it’s just an offense based on hoping you make shots ... with no plan b....
We've been playing worse in our last 9 games. We've lost to the Warriors, Pelicans, OKC, Grizzlies... and we should have lost to the Hawks. The main reason for that is the supporting cast are out of form or are just too inconsistent to make a difference.