Is it just me or is Stone building a team to beat the Lakers?

Forgot to mention, we signed Mason Jones Jr. as well.

With Stone, Masonry, and Wood the real time strategy is coming into focus.

 

LOL. Stone has done a granite job so far.

(The excitement around here is kind of bizarre for a bunch of journeyman and unproven players. I'm excited to watch them, but the word "Lakers" doesn't factor in at all.

With Schroeder alone the Lakers got a player better than anyone we picked up, and who carved us up pretty well just recently. Wood and the minimum-boys' defense will be nowhere near as impactful as Robert Covingtons, and I doubt Cousins is better than even Marc Gasol at this point in time.)

 

Schroeder will be great playing off of Lebron as he was off CP3. Wood off Harden can be just as impactful if not more though and in all seriousness Marc Gasol is not better than Cousins even right now. Covington I liked on defense but even his defense is overrated I'd actually like to see a better defender for us at the 3 but he was the best we had and it sucked to lose him and now have to rely on Tucker who is north of 35 years old now.

 

with Westbrook on the squad, we are not built to beat the Lakers or any smart defensive team

Lakers didn’t even attempt to guard Russ...according to Second Spectrum, Russ shot 29% on catch and shoot threes last season, and let’s not even talk about his poor decision making

How Silas will manage Westbrook’s enormous weaknesses and try to counter Harden double teams will be the very interesting.

 

Jeff also became a more reluctant passer versus Lakers.

In your example, Harden is doubled mid court, Jeff has ball at elbow and AD and Caruso are sagging off him.

He has Russ wide open at the arc and EGo wide open at right corner. If he fakes elbow jumper then pass to corner, there is no way Lakers can close out on EGo in time.

Instead Jeff holds ball too long allowing double teamers to re-set D or he whips it to Russ who settles for uncontested but inefficient 3.

 

Yep I think that you're right. That's why I wish that Harden's people would stop complaining. They're building a powerhouse contender around him again on the fly. And if Boogie can stay healthy and get to at least 80% of what he used to be, which I think he is more than capable of doing and some health willing, the Rockets will be a major force.

 

Spoiler

 

Rockets are still one move/acquisition away from doing this.

Until then Rockets are middle of the pack, maybe top 5.

 

8-Man Veteran Rotation:
Cousins
Wood/ PJ Tucker
House/McLemore
Harden/Eric Gordon
Russ

Youngsters we're looking at:
Kenny Wooten
Chris Clemons
Jae Sean Tate
Nwaba
Mason Jones
Kenyon Martin Jr.
Sterling Brown
Bruno Caboclo
Issuf Sanon

Of the youngsters, 1) who do you see making a significant rotational contribution this season, if any? 2) who has star potential down the road, if any?

 

Sanon is not playing for Rockets this season, maybe ever.

Kenny Wooten and Mason Jones are on 2 way contracts. Don't expect too much from them.

Only David Nwaba, Sterling Brown and maybe Bruno Caboclo will break into regular rotation.

That is a bit of a downgrade from Jeff Green, Austin Rivers and Thabo Sefolosha. Even Demarre Carroll and Luc Mbah a Moute were more proven and productive than the current bench depth.

 

AD w/ the constant def 3 sec, constantly ignored by capers/silver of course

 

Sterling brown is now coming off the bench with Eric gordon and pj tucker who was a starter. I think we're alot deeper than alot of people think. Boogie just knock on wood needs to stay healthy. The only thing we are lacking is just a little more length at the 3. What I would do to have a 30 yr old Trevor Ariza start at the 3 for us.

 

Hmm, there are two competing strategies at play. The sons of Rod Higgins, Paul Silas, and Kenyon Martin are all converging on the Rockets as well. Rumor is, they relate well to Patrick Fertitta, who is also somebody’s son.

 

Agree with your 3 picks. Also believe Bruno will have to pick up some bench slack early on if Cousins isn't ready or we don't pickup another 4/5. I guess we can run Wood and PJ into the ground or play small ball, but doubt that's what Silas wants to do.

 

The problem is that Rockets have too many back up guards (McLemore, Clemons, Jones, Thomas, Brown).

Again.

And fewer back up forwards but these 3/4 players are undersized or lack length (Nwaba, Tate & Queen).

Again.

And a back up center that cannot play 5 out (Wooten).

Rockets rotation is unbalanced unless the plan is to continue to play small.

 

If you still want to make that bet let me know. We can take it a step further and bet some stone cold cash.

I can do Paypal, Venmo or Bitcoin.

 

OVER RATED!

 

Stone hasn't said a word since his introductory presser.

Who knows what he thinks.

 

This isn't true. He did say something.

 

Don't worry guys. AD is no match for Olajuwon reincarnate.