Yes I'm thinking second round(s) picks in most of these trades. Supposedly the Nets want a young talent back. Where many have not given up on Reed Sheppard, he was a number 3 pick. Nets might think he just needs playing time. Cam Johnson could contribute instantly and help in this year's playoffs. My knowledge of Dillon in the playoffs, is players getting under his skin and then Dillon wigs out. Kicks the ball into the stands or throw it at someone. Maybe build up our bench guys as salary fillers and keep Dillon as well. Reed ($10M), Jock Landale $8M), Tate $7M)........?with a couple of 2nd's?.....(Or a.1st Rnd'er?
I wouldn't mind Cam, just think he's going to cost at least 1 FRP, if not 2. His offense is very attractive to a lot of teams.
So far I got the record right. Just flipped the Minn, Dallas game (Luka was out). Looks like we might luck out with Ja being out and get 2 of 3 from Memphis. Amen getting to start might flip another couple of games so we might get pretty close to .500. Pretty good news for a possible play-off birth, if Ime doesn't lose his mind and put FVV back on ball.
Still feeling okay about 10-8. I see 4 cupcakes left and 3 really tough games. Assuming no upsets of those 7 games, the results going forward looks like 7-11, 8-10, 9-9, 10-8, 11-7, or 12-6. If Tari had gotten healthy already, at least 10-8 would likely have been a slam dunk.
This stretch coming up is absolutely brutal. Without Bari and Tari, going 500 would be a success in my opinion, but obviously we’ll all hope for a winning record. Given the org’s track record in the Stone era of not being aggressive about making trades, I doubt we’ll see much change. Just look at the last 4 trade deadlines. There seems to be a lot of loyalty and closeness with this group. Assuming we are still firmly in playoff contention in the West, I don’t see us making any moves, save for maybe shipping Tate off to a situation with more playing time for him as a favor. I think Adams and Holiday are staying because we actually need them. I’m not sure they move Jeff Green for just a 2nd given the vibes and leadership he brings. Landale is a walking contract asset so they actually don’t have to trade him this season. I’m betting Tate gets moved for a 2nd rounder but that’s it.
Gotta play Boston and Cleveland sometime. After this stretch, the Rockets will only have 2 games against Boston, Cleveland, OKC, or Houston.
Yeah, after the Washington game it gets extremely tough. 16 games, mostly on the road against quality to elite opposition. I only see 4 or so games I expect us to be favored in. If we can manage .500 over this stretch I will be happy.
5-3 so far. 3 games with the Rockets as big dogs left. 3 that Rockets should be strong favorites. 4 with odds relatively close to 50-50. Assuming no big upsets or an equal number of upsets each way, Rockets record will likely range from 8-10 to 12-6 for this 18-game stretch now.
I'm very pleased after last night. I had them losing all the Memphis games initially. I really think sharing the initiator role between Amen/Jalen/FVV has really had an impact. Let's see if it is for real or not. Jalen looks like a different player when Amen is involved. Fred is better as well. He can pick his moments to calm the team down and does not have to force 3 pointers like he was. When Amen gets a rebound and brings the ball up before the defenses get set, it enables a much more fluid offense even when he doesn't immediately get to the rim. Over the last 3 games, I have only seen a couple of times when Fred walked the ball up and we start the possession iwth 16 seconds instead of 20 or so. Ime stated a long time ago that he wanted to have multiple initiators. I'm glad he's finally getting around to trusting it.
This can't be said enough. I've been saying all season how well I think Amen plays with skilled players.
If Hawks game made up soon....6-3 so far. Assuming no big upsets or an equal number of upsets each way, Rockets record will likely range from 9-9 to 12-6 for this 18-game stretch now. If Hawks game later, likely range of outcomes with no upsets is 8-9 to 11-6.
These predictions were made before: 1. March Jalen happening in Jan 2. FVV willingly taking on a lesser role and focusing on defense/playmaking 3. Cam being the 3rd Terror Twin All bets are off. We just beat full power Memphis without JaTari. Other than OKC, Boston and Cleveland Rox are favored against everybody else IMO. These 3 are gonna be pretty hard because they have amazing tactical HC and a lot of sharpshooters while we have Ime and our guys lol. OKC is prob the easiest matchup because they dont have a franchise big to contain Sengun and Chet is out for the season. Celtics are prob the worst cuz they can play 5 out with Porzingis and still have a bunch of tall and athletic guys. Jrue, Jaylen and Smart are all elite perimeter defenders and Tatum is big and can also hit the 3. Cleveland prob in the middle if Amen can guard Mitchell and DB can contain Mobley like how he stops Wemby we can win.
Things happen. I'd point out... 1. The Rockets have been a great team since last February. 2. JSJ and Tari are also out. Tari's been out, but it seemed like he was closer to being back when thread started than it does now. 3. Young guys are improving such that one of them being hot and or taking a step forward should not be too big a surprise.
My whole premise was that this schedule was going to expose the Rockets as more of a play-in team instead of a play-off team, because of their terrible offense. I said repeatedly that Ime needed to get Amen starting by replacing FVV. Jabari's injury accomplished Amen into the starting line-up and Ime made a conscious decision to change FVV's role. We still have a tough road, but I think we are now in position to be contenders in the West not just a play-off team. Adding Amen to the starting unit was anagolous to making a trade for a star. The Rockets are going to blow away my prediction and I couldn't be happier. Depth could be a problem if Tari and Jabari don't come back and continue to play well, so I'd still be looking for some minor trades to enhance our chances in the playoffs or go all in this year and next with a trade for Durant for one Phoenix pick, one Rocket pick and FVV. If only Phoenix would play (which I doubt).
Questions???? I know we have Tari and Bari out but is our defense slipping somewhat and not good as it used to be? Although we are not halfway through the season, but do you guys think we have a legit chance of making the playoffs without going to the playins? Is it too much knee jerking to think we will finish in top 6?
Phoenix is starting to win games so the likelihood of us getting Durant this season are getting slimmer each day...if we can't get him now, I would probably pass on trading for him this upcoming off-season...the Suns will be better next season once Budenholzer assembles a roster according to his coaching scheme.
