When you have an 8-2 record against a team over two postseason series, including six double-digit victories, I think "owned" is an appropriate verb. I agree Utah struggled offensively in both series and that they're better on paper. I also think the Rockets played like crap in the last three games of that series last year and also could have blown them out in those games if they'd have been able to buy a bucket themselves. The gap between the two teams was undeniably substantial the last two seasons. That gap has probably shrunk a bit, but I think the Rockets performed well enough against Utah the last two seasons to get the benefit of the doubt.
This League is amazing. The media wants those guys ahead of us to win. The real truth is all of these teams are going to get demolished by the rockets and it wont be close
Eh, who the hell cares? Let the play on the court do the talking. For the record though, I really don't get the hype over the Lakers.
Lol what? Rubio isn’t a better defender than Conley, and not even close offensively. Favors is a solid defender but certainly no one they would miss. As long as they have gobert they are going to be good defensively.
In 17-18, Conley had .2 defensive win shares. In the same season, Rubio had 3.6. Furthermore, Conley has never had a season where he contributed more than Rubio’s career average. I was being nice when I said drop off. Realistically, Conley isn’t even in the same stratosphere as Rubio defensively. They absolutely will see a drop off in defense. It’s just a question of how much at this point.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...camp-edition-breakout-candidates-all-30-teams In this training camp edition of ESPN's NBA Power Rankings, we're taking stock of the latest league hierarchy while breaking down one player on each team that could be on his way to becoming a household name in 2019-20. Note: These rankings are based on where voters -- more than 40 ESPN NBA reporters, insiders and editors -- think teams belong heading into the 2019-20 season. Title odds for 2019-20 were provided by Caesars Sportsbook. ESPN.com's Malika Andrews, Tim Bontemps, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon and Royce Young contributed the following information. 1. LA Clippers 2. Milwaukee Bucks 3. Philadelphia 76ers 4. Los Angeles Lakers 5. Houston Rockets 2018-19 record: 53-29 2020 title odds: +900 Previous rank: No. 5 Breakout candidate: Danuel House Jr. House is a rarity for the Rockets: a young, athletic, ascending talent in a Houston rotation that is stocked with veterans. He struggled on the playoff stage, in part due to a sore toe. But House showed enough promise for Houston to give him a three-year, $11 million deal this summer, a significant vote of confidence in a 26-year-old who had to fight for a two-way deal last fall. He has potential to be a phenomenal complement to Houston's ball-dominant stars as a springy 3-and-D force. -- Tim MacMahon 6. Denver Nuggets 7. Utah Jazz 8. Golden State Warriors 9. Boston Celtics 10. Portland Trail Blazers 11. Brooklyn Nets 12. Toronto Raptors 13. San Antonio Spurs 14. Miami Heat 15. Dallas Mavericks 16. New Orleans Pelicans 17. Indiana Pacers 18. Sacramento Kings 19. Detroit Pistons 20. Minnesota Timberwolves 21. Orlando Magic 22. Oklahoma City Thunder 23. Chicago Bulls 24. Atlanta Hawks 25. Washington Wizards 26. Memphis Grizzlies 27. Cleveland Cavaliers 28. Phoenix Suns 29. New York Knicks 30. Charlotte Hornets
...because the GARM already has a surplus of casual sports fan middle schoolers masquerading as analysts.
USA Today has Rockets #7 https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...gs-clippers-sixers-lakers-rockets/2442840001/ boooo
Have you ever actually watched Rubio or Conley? Also, since we’re ignoring evidence and anybody can do anything in YOLO world, I think D-Mo would be an upgrade in every way to our PF, and we should give him a max contract. Why? I have no idea.
you should probably ask yourself that if you think conley isn't a massive upgrade over rubio. rubio sucks. if you subscribed to holic's newsletters telling you different that's just unfortunate for you
Conley is a much better player than Rubio. He’s a better ball handler, controls pace, way better shooter, and just a smarter player overall. His addition along with the other signings, particularly Bogdon... makes the Jazz a much improved offensive team. I’m not expecting championship for them, but I do see them doing major damage and surprising some elite teams. I def. wouldn’t want to play them.
I never said Rubio was the better player. I’m well aware, and agree, that Conley is a massive upgrade overall. However, repeating “Rubio sucks” isn’t evidence that Conley is better on defense. Do you have any actual data to support your claims? If not, maybe you should start a news letter too. It would compete with Holic’s in the “No evidence to support claims” section.
rubio's lack of actually winning at every stop hes been on and the negatives he brings to the table has been plenty of evidence. I'd say if you make an all defensive team in this league, you're actually pretty good at defense in some way just a bit. has rubio ever? no? cool
Whats with the media love affair with the Lakers?! Besides Bron and Davis, rest of the team is crap. Kuzma is overrated. Dwight is Dwight. Jazz ahead of Rockets after 2 back to back playoffs loss?! Jazz may have gotten marginally better but Westbrook makes Rockets statistically much better than last 2 years also. Jazz success depends on Mitchell’s MVP type performance, which is to be seen, until then it should not be rated this high. My top 5: 1) Clippers 2) Rockets 3) Bucks 4) GSW was (Even without KD they have won championship. Should not count them out as contenders) 5) Lakers
Tier 1: Top title contenders LA Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Milwaukee Bucks Philadelphia 76ers Utah Jazz Provisional status: Houston Rockets Everyone wonders if swapping Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook makes the Rockets better or worse. My boring take: They are about the same -- a really good team that probably isn't going to win the title. The trio of Westbrook, James Harden and coach Mike D'Antoni is talented and creative enough to paper over Westbrook's busted jumper, but only so much. You never know what the backup wings and bigs are giving you night to night. An injury to P.J. Tucker is death against LeBron and Leonard. But the Rockets don't get enough credit for being the only Western Conference team to compete at all with the Durant-era Warriors. Those Warriors are the only team to beat Houston -- or really even trouble them -- in the playoffs since the Rockets paired Paul and Harden. The Westbrook/Harden/Eric Gordon/Tucker/Clint Capela grouping should be a championship-level closing lineup. Houston deserves to be grandfathered into the top tier. I am a little afraid of what hard-chargin' Tilman Fertitta might pull in the event of a slow start. He could fire everyone and install himself as GM, coach, and head chef. He could also mandate the kind of nutty all-in trade (R.I.P. Nene contract) that fortifies the 2019-20 Rockets even if it hamstrings the team's future. Prove it Denver Nuggets Strongish playoff teams/The East stinks again Boston Celtics Miami Heat Brooklyn Nets Orlando Magic Borderline playoff teams Indiana Pacers Toronto Raptors Detroit Pistons Chicago Bulls Golden State Warriors Portland Trail Blazers Dallas Mavericks San Antonio Spurs New Orleans Pelicans Sacramento Kings Netherworld of the West Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder The rest New York Knicks Atlanta Hawks Cleveland Cavaliers Washington Wizards Phoenix Suns Memphis Grizzlies Charlotte Hornets
