Well, that’s the hard truth. It doesn’t really matter what the Rockets do or don’t do. OKC and SA are positioned to be dominant dynasties for years to come. Sad but true. I think I favor getting what we can get for the older players after this season and then hope some of those Phoenix picks turn into gold. The Rockets are a good team right now. But, I don’t see them becoming a top two team. I hope they prove me wrong.
Option (a): Win 47-52 games, be the 4th-5th seed and have zero championship equity and lose in the first round or get smoked in round two, with a team of young core + old guys who are invariably getting worse or close to retirement and depreciating to zero. Option (b): Win 40-45 games, be the 6th-8th seed and have zero championship equity, with a team of young core + other players in their twenties who have a chance of getting better + a couple extra future picks. To me personally, obviously option b is superior. 5th seed in the West vs. play-in team doesn't matter to me at all if you're gonna get smoked by the actual contenders either way. Either you think your current roster can win a championship as is in the future, or you're in pursuit of changing your roster so that it can. (Or you are a small-time franchise not actually pursuing titles). Is that controversial?
Phx is winning, they might end up with a better record than us, and that is without Jalen ....... We are struggling because we have a coach who is so stubborn he refueses to adjust - I honestly don't know if he is just too stupid to understand complex systems, or just figures playing HARD is the answer - teams rarely are able to sustain playing hard all year long - it is best to be able to outscore folks ....every night, put the pressure on them with TALENT.... We have a center in Adams who is at BEST a part time player when we match up or need a rebound - he is 100% a waste as an offensive threat. We have KD trying to beat guys 15 years younger off the dribble, and he can't anymore - and he is LOUSY at reading defenses and passing the ball he is a finisher...period. We have an offensively gifted guy who is amazing at passing but is obviously learning the position, but we can't get him 30 minutes a night to lean into his gifts and let him work on his weaknesses. We are 100% doing so much wrong - it is MIND NUMBING to be a fan....hard to watch......frustrating to see a guy FLAILING as a manager, and all he can say is CLAP CLAP play harder, play defense. Ime is just a good guy, who isn't a great coach, he is literally not doing his job....which is to make decisions that help players be their best selves....he is fundamentally in the team's way, at this point. DD
The problem with defense is that Ime's system requires smart defenders like Fred and Dillon. Terror Twins are good at being agents of chaos but they are not defensive leaders the way those two were.
One thing that caught my eye last night was that while Harden was on the free throw line, he was directing where his teammates were supposed to position themselves. It was a reminder of the leadership on offense and defense that this team lacks due to FVV's absence. The team is disorganized on both ends of the floor due to the lack of someone who directs the players on both ends. I remember Phil Jackson stating in an interview that when Pippen was not playing, the Bulls were disorganized despite the gravity of MJ. I think the team is sorely missing FVV and his leadership. As it is, it would be great if someone would take on that leadership role.
