So, I was watching the "Rockets preview" on NBATV the other day, and I started day-dreaming about the following scenario occurring during the regular season: 1) Yao Ming stays relatively healthy and by the end of the season is 80-85% of his '07 form and can play 28-30 minutes. 2) Luis Scola maintains his high level of play that he showed in the World Championships. He (obviously) doesnt come close to matching those numbers, but is more consistent with a slightly higher PER than last year. 3) Kevin Martin (finally healthy) and now comfortable with his new teammates in the system he already knows, puts up offensive numbers (in terms of efficiency) similar to those he put up in 2007 before the string of injuries. 4) Aaron Brooks puts up similar numbers to last year while improving his "entry pass ability." 5) Chase Budinger improves defensively (while maintaining his current offensive ability) and starts to take minutes from Battier by the end of the year. 6) Battier works on his 3 point shot from the corner exclusively in practice. Since the other 4 starters are all good shooters, and can create their own shots, Battier's role becomes making wide-open set shots from the 3 point line (similar to Bruce Bowen.) Over half his shots come from there, and he shoots in the 35-40% range. So, on an individual basis each of these assumptions is possible. I wouldnt call any assumption unrealistic. If they all come together, the Rockets could be a top 5 offensive team in the league by the end of the season. In the worst case, we would be a team nobody would want to face in the first round of the playoffs. Of course, the problem is that even if each individual scenario has an 80% chance of happening, the probability that they would all happen would only be around 1 in 4. The other problem is that we might have the worst starting back-court defense in the NBA and our frontcourt defense seems mildly mediocre. But, it should make for an exciting brand of basketball to watch. Thoughts?
If Kevin Martin is indeed finally healthy, i fully expect him to put up monster, all-star starter numbers, not merely just his 08' statline (24ppg, 2ast)
1. Is this even a possibility? I thought Yao was at a 24min hard cap. Period. Would be nice for him to remain healthy, though. 2. I think for us to have a shot at the playoffs, Scola needs to be at least as good as he was last year. Anything better would be gravy. Not sure if it would be cream gravy or brown gravy. Both are equally delicious. 3. Kevin Martin being healthy for an entire season would be great. I really like his game and think he can have his best season playing alongside Yao. 4. I really don't expect anything more from AB, but I'd gladly take any improvement. 5. I'd like improvement defensively as well as expanding his game offensively. He was used primarily as a spot up shooter last year in a similar fashion to Battier (as well as doing well on the break), but I think he has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create as well. 6. Battier was too streaky last year with his 3pters. More consistency from him would be huge. Agreed with our starting backcourt's defensively ability. They are scary bad. KMart allegedly worked on his defense in the offseason, but I think that may mean him trying to play the passing lanes more and not necessarily 1-on-1 defensive improvement (thinking Drexler in the mid/late 90's). However, I think our 2nd unit is VERY strong defensively. Lowry and Hayes coming in off the bench immediately makes us a MUCH better defensive team. I actually go back and forth between wanting to start Lowry over Brooks just for the reason that Lowry is so much better defensively. Total minutes wouldn't change necessarily, but I think Adelman may be able to play with combinations to mask some of our defensive deficiencies. Also, JJ Stokes was an awful NFL WR.
