Because we have no Superstar, we have some deficits- rim Protection! WE have no answer against dominant bigs like AD or Jokic. Our streak was against non Playoff teams or Shorthanded Teams .
There's only 3-4 real contenders the rest are pretenders. Right now i'd say the only legit contenders are Lakers, Clippers, Nets and a wildcard team among Celtics, Sixers, Jazz, Bucks and Nuggets. It's too early to tel since not even half the season is done. After deadline we'll know who the final contender is but apart from the top 4 the rest of the teams have almost no precedence of winning a ring.
Short answer: No Long Answer: good enough to win games during the season; but in a seven game series the Rockets have too many weak links to exploit mainly because of players coming off of serious injuries: Cousins, Wall, Dipo, Nwaba. t’s a M.A.S.H. Unit that needs this season as rehab and recovery session. Record goes to 20-12 after 32 games but finish 6 thru 4th seed. As constructed Boogie can’t guard anyone on the perimeter, Wood gets pushed under the rim by big centers, Tucker is too short and has no vertical. Tucker had one good game vs AD in the series (Game 1); but AD learned to use his body to shield the ball on the way up......at that point Tucker was dominated. Required extensive help defense. Can’t get by Lakers unless they experience injuries. Summary Rockets get a decent seeding of 6 to 4th. Get bounced early. Prediction Tilman has “Fire Sale” at the deadline: available are: Tucker House McLemore Exum Cousins Wall Nwaba Sterling Brown Eric Gordon (if good enough offer) Oladipo (if unable to get commitment to stay a Rocket beyond this season)
Could see this team as a better defensive version of the Pacers once Levert returns. Solid with flaws.
I don’t think much of the Pacers chances either. Tilman is not going to let Oladipo walk this summer and get nothing back in return. At that point, turn out the lights, the party’s over. Tilman Fire Sale. Come get your red hot newly reduced fresh out of the oven everything must go contender groomed player(s).
I am sure a true contender is a team that plays bad and still win by 5. I would say they are playing above their heads. Need to evaluate when the shooting percentages come down. Levert would be out for a long time but they are a Top 4 team in the East with him.
Well Levert is under contract for two more seasons. Oladipo is not. Tilman can’t spend the whole day at the poker table and just walk away leaving all his chips for the house. Annwwww. How did you like that casino analogy? Huh. If Oladipo gave verbal agree to stay is not legally binding. He can always say he didn’t say it. ___________ Oladipo walking and getting nothing in return in free agency would be criminal. That would be considered one of the worst trades every made. Perennial MVP, All Star, scoring champ for near first pick in second round. The Harden deal that brought him to Houston would look amazing for the Thunder then. Stone should be fired and executed.
Our team net rating 8th in the league. Better than the Celtics and Suns. Since trading Harden it is 3rd best. These are not numbers one should ignore. Peoples expectations are not meeting the actual reality that this is a very good team.
LOL no. If we're being honest...even teams like the Nuggets, 76ers and Celtics aren't contenders, since none of them are beating the Lakers. From what I understand reading this board, those teams should start the fire sale ASAP and start angling for a top 4 pick. Because, if you're not contending, then what the hell are you doing?
Winning games for those fans that relish the regular season. Can't hit the mark for everyone. And I didn't think the Kawhi Raptors would win it all or go the Finals, that's something.
hahaha. Still enjoying this analogy, thank you. the same “please don’t ruin the fun” feeling arrived when first seeing this thread.
If contender means being as good as the Lakers, Clippers, and Nets. No. But the other 27 teams can't ALL tank. Someone else fills out the bracket. And every now and then, a team like Toronto benefits from injury and wins it all. Those top 3 teams all have stars with significant injury history and injury risk. I'm not scared of the Nuggets and Jazz in a playoff series.
Dpending on how chips fall they may make it to 2nd round. I can see them lasting as long or even a bit longer than last years Rockets. Tbh if we get a decent backup C in the deadline we might be 3rd best team in West after Lakers and Nets which is oretty insane.
No. And I'm pretty darn sure we won't have enough to get there with this group, even with trades...in the next couple of years. Do I like watching them? Absolutely. Yes, they could be turned into a very good team. ( with an unacceptable injury risk to key players)But, I wouldn't sacrifice the future with all our picks...a culture built under Stone/Silas...a decent % chance to actually become one. To be an organization with a great rep..where guys want to play. To be young...really good each year and eventually a serious threat....
Maybe those other teams should start angling for that top 4 pick but not the Rox since they only have 50-50 chance of keeping their pick at best. Itd be the dumbest **** ever to angle for that pick and then give it to OKC. Thats just clowning yourself IMO.
Was Miami Heat considered contender last year? This is sports. Spirit, effort, luck... gotta try your best
Too early to tell and I don’t want to call it contender but I think we have a ‘punchers chance’ in a 7 game series with anyone but the Lakers.
