I get that people could see them as better than the Rockets. But this new "load management" philosophy will hurt their win total.
so you expect the rockets not to be on load management? its only everyone else and not them. and injuries wont be part of the rockets season at all?
This seems like it’s too good to be true. I guess they are expecting the West to be a blood bath. I just can’t see this team winning less than 52 games. This seems like a lock.
The Rockets finished with 53 last year, and that was after we had complete and utter garbage playing very real minutes for the first 25 games of the season. I'm going OVER at 55-27 because the West is brutal this year, and that will counteract the fact that we have a competent lineup from 1-9 to start the season.
Everyone else and not them? I only mentioned the Clippers and Lakers. And no. I fully expect the Rockets to try to win as many games as possible. Harden has averaged 77 games played per season as a Rocket.
doubt it. the rockets arent exactly young and the injury bug goes through everyone at some point or another. its never too easy and with the huge questions on how the team will change, its really not that crazy
Interesting. I have had them at 50-52 wins. The West is tougher and deeper than last year and I’m not sure the Rockets will have the same level of focus. I believe the Sixers will have a better record than the Bucks, who will see a lot of zone defense this season.
another example of how 4 wins can take us from 4th to 1st in the west. just like last year. 4 wins over the course of 82 games can decide if we lose in the second round or make the finals. with no real depth in our front court one has to think that an MLE player, or expanding the Westbrook trade, could be the difference maker. instead we get tax savings.
No I took the under last year. Very hard to come off a 65 win season and losing the way the Rockets did. I expected less focus and injuries.... I can’t see us winning as many games this season either.
I’m glad someone else said it. Also added depth would have allowed for fewer minutes. Instead we Chandler and McLemore.
i just had a quick look at last years over under thread filled with the overs posts. i mean its no secret i didn't like how the summer went either. so its much less about focus/injuries for me. no way would i have taken that over last year
I would pound the over. The main issue with the team in terms of regular season win totals is health. And with Harden and Westbrook both pretty healthy guys, downside potential is limited unlike last year.
like last year when James was playing with 4 rec center guys and averaging 40ppg and we finished 4 games out of first. the difference was playing the warriors at full strength in the second round instead of playing a depleted warrior team in the WCF. all we had to do last year was spend the MLE to replace Ariza and that added depth would've helped us coast through some of those injuries and maybe picked up 4 more wins. would've lowered minutes and kept guys fresh for a deep playoff run. literally its the difference between contending and pretending. but tilman doesn't understand the true value of adding just 1 great role player.
If Harden is still dating Kardashian adjacent Jordyn Woods, under. The distractions will be too high.
Clippers 67 wins Nuggets 66 wins Rockets 56 wins Jazz 50 wins Lakers 49 wins GS 48 wins Blazers 48 wins Spurs 48 wins