it's that time again NBA Power Rankings, summer edition: Knicks, Nuggets are contenders; Celtics, Pacers slide https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/65...kings-knicks-lakers-celtics-thunder-clippers/ we're number one in Tier 2 Tier 2: In a Good Place 6. Houston Rockets Last ranking: 9 Free agency: PG Fred VanVleet (re-signed), PG Aaron Holiday (re-signed), C Steven Adams (re-signed), PF Jeff Green (re-signed), PF Jae’Sean Tate (re-signed) Additions: SF Dorian Finney-Smith, C Clint Capela (trade), PF Kevin Durant (trade), SF Josh Okogie Departures: C Jock Landale, SG Nate Williams (waived), SG Jalen Green (trade), SF Cam Whitmore (trade), SF Dillon Brooks (trade) Midsummer summary: The first big move that the Rockets made was getting Durant in exchange for Brooks and Green. The second big move was to backfill Brooks’ defense by getting Finney-Smith from the conference rival Lakers. This defense should be at least as good as it was last season. And Houston tripled down on depth at center by getting Capela back to replace Landale. The Rockets are counting on a leap from 2024 lottery pick Reed Sheppard, as Houston is going to need some shooting and ballhandling even when Durant is available. And for all of Green’s weaknesses, he only missed 21 games in four seasons, including none the last two years. Durant will be 37 in September and has missed an average of 22 games per season the last four years. more at the link
https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/...ffseason-rockets-nuggets-chase-thunder-at-top NBC put us 2nd. A “true title contender”. Seems a tad optimistic.
The Athletic writer forecasting the T-Wolves ahead of the Rockets and Nuggets is just plain nuts. The NBC writer should add the Knicks to his list of title-contenders.
