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What might a contending Rockets team look like? (time sink)

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by sydmill, Nov 8, 2021.

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  1. sydmill

    sydmill Member

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    Given where they are right now, what do you think and eventual good Rockets team looks like?

    Starters
    1 - KPJ
    2 - Jaylen Green
    3 - KJ Martin
    4 - Jabari Smith
    5 - Alperen Sengun

    Top NBA shooting guards have a usage rating somewhere around 30%. I dont see the Rockets being successful any time soon unless Green becomes a top shooting guard in the NBA. If that is the case then he will consume about a third of the plays the Rockets run when he is on the floor. I expect this to be a lot of ISO and Pick and Roll as he becomes stronger and his court vision continues to improve. A two man game with Green and any one of Martin, Smith or Sengun should be pretty effective. Green taking on such a leading role in the offense shifts KPJ's responsibilities on offense down as he become a secondary creator and a third scorer behind Green and Sengun (and maybe Smith too). This decrease in offensive involvement will hopefully be offset by a dedication to defense as KPJ's physical gifts make him capable of playing smothering defense against opposing point guards. The front court plays off the talented guards as Martin and Jabari Smith (2022 draftee) can play the two man game with either Green or Porter in pick and rolls or pick and pops. Both guys are also capable of filling the lanes for what is hopefully a very good transition offense. A beefed up Sengun holds his own defensively with other 5s while taking advantage of his burgeoning outside game and his passing abilities to run an offense through him when Green is off the court.

    Bench
    1 - Nolan Hickman
    2/3 - Josh Christopher
    3/4 - Jae'Sean Tate
    4/5 - Usman Garuba

    Hickman backs up and is a pure point guard with defensive chops due to his 6'9'' wingspan. In fact, the bench is very much defensive focused to counter the Rockets high octane starting lineup. As the game is played the hot hand is left to carry the offense as the starters are replaced with guys whose job it is to maintain the lead, if not grow it. The bench is on the small side but the players are flexible and strong so they should be able to hold their own with other teams' reserves.

    Specialists
    2 - Armoni Brooks
    5 - Ibou Badji
    Brooks is the 3 point specialist on the team while Badji is, essentially, 6 fouls to use against the occasional low post big the Rockets might face.
     
    #1 sydmill, Nov 8, 2021
  2. Haymitch

    Haymitch Custom Title
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    Since we're using guys who aren't on the team (or even in the league)...

    Curry
    Green
    KD
    Giannis
    Jokic

    That would be a contending Rockets team.
     
    #2 Haymitch, Nov 8, 2021
    Der Rabbi, javal_lon, BigShasta and 9 others like this.
  3. hajkov

    hajkov Consummate Member

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    You mean DRAYMOND Green or even JEFF Green, right?
    Cus I don't see girly guys on a contending team :rolleyes:
     
    #3 hajkov, Nov 8, 2021
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  4. TEXNIFICENT

    TEXNIFICENT Member

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    KPJ isn't a point guard, he's a wing. You need a lead guard to contend and this team is going to have to get a lot bigger & tougher. Oh and a new HC too!
     
    #4 TEXNIFICENT, Nov 8, 2021
  5. palmsnbananas

    palmsnbananas Member

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    Are you assuming we draft a kid named Jaylen Green that ends up being a superstar lol
     
    #5 palmsnbananas, Nov 8, 2021
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  6. alethios

    alethios Member

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    Maybe replace Jabari Smith with Paolo Banchero?
     
    #6 alethios, Nov 8, 2021
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  7. Mattician

    Mattician Member

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    Garuba, Green, Martin, Sengun and Tate better be on the team when they're ready to contend.

    Christoper could be a key guy off the bench. I don't think Porter is the starting PG, but he could still get better and that could change. Maybe the backup PG with the way he is playing now.
     
    #7 Mattician, Nov 8, 2021
  8. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    Starters (current - my take)
    1) Kevin Porter jr
    2) Jalen Green
    3) Kenyon Martin jr
    4) Wood
    5) Sengun

    Starters (next season)
    1) Kevin Porter Jr
    2) Jalen Green
    3) Kenyon Martin jr
    4) *draft pick (in training behind Wood)
    5) Sengun
    ______________________
    *Draft Pick :
    1) Banchero

    2) Chet Holmgren

    3 a,b,c,d,e) Jabari Smith / Caleb Houstan / AJ Griffin / Patrick Baldwin / Peyton Watson
    [in no particular order]
    _______________________

    since I think Rockets will be #4 or 5th pick.... I'm going Patrick Baldwin.
    since I don't care for any point guards coming out....Brunson (via free agency)
    ___________
    So eventually:
    1) Kevin Porter jr......J Brunson
    2) Jalen Green.........Armoni Brooks
    3) Kenyon................Tate
    4) Wood..................Patrick Baldwin
    5) Sengun...............Garuba

    The exit of Wall/Eric Gordon affords Brunson
     
    #8 ApacheWarrior, Nov 8, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2021
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  9. DreamR

    DreamR Member

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    PG Jalen Green
    SG Jaden Hardy
    SF Paolo Banchero
    PF Chef Holmgren
    C Victor Wembanyama

    At least that's what I saw in my dream last night.

    We won the championship. Dream was in attendance.
     
    #9 DreamR, Nov 8, 2021
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  10. Downtown Sniper

    Downtown Sniper Contributing Member

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    Well I can tell you neither KPJ or Jalen Green are on a contending Rockets team.
     
    #10 Downtown Sniper, Nov 8, 2021
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  11. palmsnbananas

    palmsnbananas Member

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    Chet banchero nor webanyama gonna be as good Mobley.. based on limited youtube highlight watching
    sad sad sad
     
    #11 palmsnbananas, Nov 8, 2021
  12. palmsnbananas

    palmsnbananas Member

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    There's only one guy on this team that has a complete game championship quality
    That's KMJ, and he'd probably be the backup SF on a championship team
    KPJ could be the 6th man microwave scorer on a championship team as well
     
    #12 palmsnbananas, Nov 8, 2021
  13. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    I am not gonna lie, you'd likely need to trade for a star player to even make a decent playoff spot.
    (I won't tell y'all names here)

    And ideally two of the rookies develop into big assets.

    There are too many holes, most pressing on the defensive end. You need Biggly D back.

    The brand of basketball should be what the Warriors are doing.

    Top 4 Offense
    Top 8 Defense in the Reg. Season.

    Then you have to wait for them to gain playoff experience as well. Rocky road.

    No more combo players for the next time, get players that can play 1 position well and know exactly what they are doing night in night out.
     
    #13 daywalker02, Nov 8, 2021
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2021
  14. fattz

    fattz Member

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    Wall
    Green
    Martin
    Simmons
    Sengun


    Christopher
    Tate
    Garuba
    Theis

    I think we are close already
    Wood/Gordon/Porter
    …for…
    Simmons
     
    #14 fattz, Nov 8, 2021
  15. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    He could end up being Jailor Green.
     
    #15 daywalker02, Nov 8, 2021
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  16. VooDooPope

    VooDooPope Love > Hate
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    a lot of people here overlooking Tate who often looks like he (along with Sengun) is one of the only people on the court in Rockets red who has a clue.
     
    #16 VooDooPope, Nov 8, 2021
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  17. Kevooooo

    Kevooooo Member

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    I think a team of
    Cp3
    harden
    Ego
    Ariza
    Capela

    Could probably contend… too soon?
     
    #17 Kevooooo, Nov 8, 2021
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  18. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    What about Patrick Baldwin?

     
    #18 ApacheWarrior, Nov 8, 2021
  19. palmsnbananas

    palmsnbananas Member

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    Hmm who knows, him dunking on smurfs doesn’t tell me anything but he looks good
     
    #19 palmsnbananas, Nov 8, 2021
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  20. ApacheWarrior

    ApacheWarrior Member

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    I was going to say you need to change your name to plum bananas.....but good answer

    I reserve that comment for another day
     
    #20 ApacheWarrior, Nov 8, 2021
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