Rockets are only a few pieces away from being contenders

And, a few years. The Nuggets ARE at the end of a long road trip (shorthanded), but, yeah, we look good.

 

A few pieces away from being a few pieces away

 

Edit - Not the thread I’m looking for

 

Step 1: they have to acquire a legit back up C at the deadline

 

The team has been impressive. Jalen and Jabari have a little catching up to do but we're in such a good place 14 games into the season. I'm 100% certain we've not seen Sengun's best yet defensively, he will keep improving still.

We might have a top 10 defense while starting 3 players under 22 years old. That's really incredible. Our offensive execution is improving.

Our fate depends on the development of Jalen, Amen and Jabari. If two of those guys are borderline all stars or better, we would be ready to contend. I'm confident that will happen under Udoka, sooner or later.

 

One season is great but you need at least 2-3 seasons to see the Consistency and what you would need.

• Right now if you go by that - Clint Capela esque Back Up Center and a Shooting Bench Threat.
• And gradually someone who can be a successor to Jeff Green.
• Develop Amen and Whitmore quickly.

At least you know what is on the Menu....

 

Curb the enthusiasm a bit, we are 8-1 at home and 0-5 on the road. But this does look like a 7-10 seed this year.

 

Yeah.....no.

 

With this exception, I am thinking we might have the right pieces, right now.

Yes, they need maturity. Yes they need more experience. Yes, they need more cohesion and consistency.
But time will fix those issues. Just gave to have a little patience.

 

We're too young and inexperienced at this point. Three of our starters are 21 and under and have no playoff experience at all. Even being contenders next season would be way ahead of schedule. I don't expect us to seriously contend until our young core starts to hit their mid-20s, age 24 or so.

 

A backup big and a Tim Hardaway jr type of player off the bench along with Amen's progression plus a season or two of experience.
You have a Brooklyn pick if you wanted to just sayin'

 

It's very exciting. I'm not convinced those missing pieces aren't already on the roster. We still haven't been able to see much out of Amen and Cam, and they definitely have talent. With Udoka and his staff, do any of us doubt they'll get the most out of their talent? Our other young guys look like completely different players under this coaching staff.

 

A rim protecting big and Luke Kennard away from being in conference finals.

 

A few side pieces away from being true NBA stars.

 

I was going to say something similar. We really don’t need to make any moves without seeing how our guys continue to gel and mature.

The only piece I think is missing is a back up big in a traditional rim-running, rim-protection mold. Guys like biyombo, capela, mitchell robinson, gafford, etc. Luckily, we should be able to get a guy like that without having to give up high quality assets

 

I wonder what Ime thinks about Gafford. He's kind of a Javale McGee around that age (25) type of player.

I can see Memphis giving up on this season if they dig too deep of a hole and jettisoning some supporting guys like Biyombo.

 

imo... any team that hasnt fully screwed themselves with bad contracts, no future assets or a toxic environment - are a few pieces away from being contenders... with free agency and the cap being what they are, ANYBODY should be able to put together a .500 team (see scola 'treadmill of mediocrity' years) if they are not tanking or dealing with injuries... so 1 or 2 pieces and theyre contenders...

thats where i think many people's mentality is wrong... most seem to think 'we need to find a superstar - and then build around him...' which is a long and frustrating journey and depending on what kid yer hanging your hopes on - may or may not come to fruition...

I say build a team... build the best team you can... take some shots on youthful potential... stock the cupboard with good work ethic vets... build a culture... and then hope somebody elevates their game or maybe a disgruntled star becomes available.... but this whole get a buncha higher potential kids, throw em together, see if someone excels - and THEN try to build a team 'around them' is just stupid imo...

 

Yeah…hush up.