[Calm Down] Rockets currently w/ maximum % at top pick

We're going to keep losing because we are a bad team. Bad teams lose. Once we trade Eric Gordon, we will be much worse.

So no one should be arguing about "tank or no tank" because losing is going to happen no matter what. We can just hope the players develop individually so that next season everyone is better.

OP is right. We must stay calm, and have a party.

 

This is the way

 

You had me at Paolo.

 

Draft Pancho Balero

 

scary looking dude

 

Chet Banachos rocking the blue steel look.

 

How can you party and be calm at the same time?

 

Didn't you hear, Wood and KPJ are the key to a championship formula.

 

Shet Homegreen, Alparoon Singoon front court here we come!

 

Hey look, a wise guy who joined CFs in 2021.

 

Joined to become a bottom 3 poster on clutchfans

 

Given what is at stake, falling out of the top 3 would be a set back. Falling out of the top 5 would be problematic and any farther down would be a disaster* for the team moving forward. Each of Banchero, Smith Jr and Holmgren are tier 1 players who are also easy fits into the team as it is currently constructed. Ivey, Duren and, maybe, Hardy are also potentially tier 1 guys but whose fit is more difficult to see atm. But at least then we would have the option of trading back for assets. Falling passed these players basically makes it much more of a gamble the Rockets end up with something more than a role player from the draft. Just my opinion...

* I believe that the Rockets are positioned to build a team that can have an extended run of excellence not unlike the Spurs of the 00s or even the Warriors of the 10s. They are bottoming out and rebuilding during a period where the draft is producing a ton of talent. They need to take advantage of their good fortune and accrue as many of these blue chip prospects as possible. Green and Sengun was a great first draft of the rebuild but the Rockets need a similar type haul in '22.

 

We have the tank commander back now, everything is going to be just fine. He got us to the worst record in the NBA once, he can do it again!

 

Recent mocks have ROX taking Duren around pick 5-6ish -- I have a problem with that. Duren isnt the most athletic guy. He's an old school post player. We already have Sengun who plays similar. If you fall out of the top 3-5 you'll be looking at having to go redundant in player in a BPA or reaching for fit. Paolo, Chet, and Jabari slot in as day 1 starters. Ivey, Duren, Hardy would not fit as seamless. I'd have to look at Patrick Baldwin who may not be "better" than the players available when we draft.

 

Agreed on Duren. The Rockets are, IMHO, set at guard and center. I like Tate and Martin at the 3 so that really leaves the 4 as the place to improve the talent base. Luckily the top guys are all 4s or 4/5s (Chet). If the Rockets dont end up in the top 3 to get one of those guys then I think they do look at someone like Baldwin or, for me, Keegan Murray. The real question is whether that is by a trade down or do they get "their guy" earlier than expected?

 

Not sure where you get Wood and KPJ.

Without assuming anything from the next draft, most people are hoping Green and Sengun to be our future cornerstones.

Many people want to get rid of Wood. Some believe that he can be a good third wheel for a contender.

A lot of people thought KPJ would be our second star alongside Green. More and more people are losing faith. Some people think it should be Christopher's place, not KPJ.

Most people like Tate, Mathews, Martin, and maybe Brooks as the future core of role players.

Personally, I'm excited about this group. We know that Sengun will be a star. Wood is a good role player. (If we trade him, we should be able to get a good return.) Tate, Martin, Mathews, and Brooks are very promising gritty guys.

The only unknowns, ironically, are Green and Porter. I don't put a lot of hope in KPJ. If he turns out to be good, it's a bonus to me. Green is something I feel anxious about. If he is the star we envisioned, we are pretty much set. If he's not, we need another top guy in the next draft.

Another unknown is Christopher. I like him a lot. Like Porter, if he turns out to be good, it's a bonus. Chances are, at least one of the two will be very good.

And we haven't even looked at Garuba yet.

So if everyone pans out as we hope, we will be a contender in 2024. That's my fan optimism.

 

Watch a game of Duke. Banchero next Lebron.

 

Keep losing. Draft Chet or Jabari. Move Wood to get back into the top 8ish, grab Kendall Brown too, and hope he learns to shoot.

I’ll be fine not tanking the following season - not that there will be any choice - with a Green/Sengun/Holmgren/Brown core.