How much better will Howard/Harden and the Rockets be this year?

He didn't dominate last year against every other center in the post. In fact he's never been a truly dominant post player. The best he ever was (in Orlando) was just pretty good. And I really don't but into the idea that working with Hakeem, at age 29, is going to suddenly awaken his post game. I think it is what it is.

 

Our bench was garbage last yr and asik Missed half the season and took almost 20 games to get into shape when he did come back. Dmo was already playing the back up center last yr now he has competition and that's making our bench worse? Clearly asik is the at superior player but he didn't show it till the last 6 games of the season in the playoffs. Meaning it should have no baring on the regular season this year than it was last season.

Garcia, caspi, Hamilton were hot garbage all yr and at some point in the season all three were asked to play real Minutes for us as the lead wing off the bench. I'm sure k papa will do much better than those guys did only because he can create for others.

Losing Lin was the biggest loss but with that said he's clearly replaceable and I see no reason one of our young guards can help step in and give us exactly what he brought to our team last yr. Lin is inconsistent he fan base over rates him beause in a 82 game season he'll have 10 games were he looks look he's a top 30 player then has atleast 20 games he looks like he doesn't belong in the league followed by avg play at best. I'm sure one of the the young guards can step up and give us avg Lin play throughout the yr.

The biggest difference this yr is the vets around the team we got harden entering his prime and howard atleast mentally entering his also. We've added championship role players who played major roles on championship teams in Ariza and terry. Everyone besides papa who should see rotation minutes this year our seasoned players who have been to the playoffs. The bench can't get much worse then last yr and I think some ppl forget how awful it really was. We were in the bottom 5 bad.

If the rockets can even get a proven bet 4 to be jones back up we'll be ready this yr. I heard somone say Landry, I think he would be a great fit if he can bring is toughness and vet leadership along with his GSW play of 2 seasons ago we'd be good to go.

 

I think it would be fine. Howard is back up to speed and Harden has a new mindset (maybe). Let guys like Pap and Ariza along with Terry go to work and this could be a great year.

 

IMO Howard played good last year, he's been in the league a long time. I don't think we will see any better, in the playoffs he was a beast, better chemistry smoother play i can see that.

Now James, i can see take him taking a huge leap. Nonetheless best case scenario is 4th seed maybe 3rd(Durant injury and WB injuries scare me a little)

ESPN has us on their Power Ranking as 7th seed w/ Portland, GSW, and Dallas above us IMO we're better than all 3 of them

 

He's 28

 

X Factor will be our PF slot, how much of an improvement can Dmo and Tjones make? that will be something to watch

 

4th seed should be the realistic goal this year for the regular season. I think if they do that, the season will be a success.

 

this is my concern. I mean I am a huge fan of the starting line-up and Ariza coming in but the bench has some ok individual players, but as a unit it seems horrible.

Hope I am wrong.

 

He'll be 29 in December, meaning he'll be 29 for most of the season.

 

You can't see my hands, but this much.

 

Barring injuries....no doubt Harden's defense and Howards post have improved from last year. By how much, not sure

 

I have thought all off-season long that the Rockets are going to be better - even with the players lost.

Asik.. Yeah he's great at what he excels at - but the dude went AWOL on us last season. His absence during the regular season is not going to be as noticeable as people think.

The main reason why I'm confident we're going to be better is even more time H & H have gotten to gel with each other.

The first part of last season it was awkward seeing Harden get into the lane and have PERFECT lob opportunities to Howard but he looked for his shot instead. As the season progressed Harden (through whether it was trusting Howard or just getting accustomed to the big man) began finding him more and more with those lobs.

That play alone is going to be a staple of our offense due to how comfortable they are with each other - and since it's an unstoppable play most of the time - it's going to make the team better.

 

They certainly have the individual talent to do great things. To me, it comes down to their coaching and their willingness to be mentally tough the entire game (i.e. not letting up when they have a big lead). Only time will tell if these aspects have improved from their previous seasons.

Oh, and for God's sake, work on you damn free throws, Rockets. So many games in the past two years would have been won handily had the team had a respectable FT%.

 

They are about to become the new Shaq and kobe this year

I just pray they stay healthy

 

Losing Lin is by far not the biggest loss. Losing Chandler Parsons is. As much as I love the Ariza signing, I still wish we were able to keep Parsons on this roster. I feel like our starting lineup is stronger with Ariza but having someone else that can step their game up and be a temporary second scoring option when Dwight or Harden is on the bench is sorely needed. This team reminds me of the Tmac and Yao era roster too much. We are an injury away from having a very rough season.