HOUSTON ROCKETS: 31.5 – OVER
Key Additions
- Ime Udoka (coach)
- Amen Thompson (draft)
- Cam Whitmore (draft)
- Fred VanVleet (free agency)
- Dillon Brooks (free agency)
- Jock Landale (free agency
- Jeff Green (free agency)
Key Subtractions
- Stephen Silas (coach)
- KJ Martin
- Kevin Porter Jr.
Rotation
- Guards
- Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson
- Wings
- Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate
- Forwards
- Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Jeff Green
- Bigs
- Alperen Sengun, Jock Landale
Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.
Fertitta wanted a 3 year rebuild. So, now that those 3 years were up, they decided now was the time to start winning. Hired a new coach, brought in some vets, spent some money, etc. But it was basically putting lipstick on a pig. Their rebuild hasn’t worked because their players haven’t really gotten any better. Or, at least, whatever improvement they made didn’t result in wins. When building a team, you can’t just rely on getting high draft picks and giving them as much playing time as possible so they can learn on the job. Player Development was nonexistent for the Rockets. Last years’ offense was essentially a Your Turn, My Turn streetball tournament between Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Add to that the fact that neither of them play defense, combined with a rookie PF in Jabari Smith and an undersized C in Sengun, and it was a recipe for failure. Everyone around the league has only positive things to say about Coach Silas personally. That aside, his coaching left much to be desired, and I’m worried some of his young players stagnated under his watch.
With Ime, there should be some semblance of strategy and discipline. He’ll have his guys ready to play, and they’ll be better than last year for sure. Kevin Porter Jr. is banished from the team due to beating the shit out of his girlfriend. Pretty horrific stuff actually. Very good chance he never plays in the NBA again. So Ime doesn’t have to worry about him stealing time from Jalen and Cam and Amen. But the West is tough. Every team besides the Blazers are competing to make the playoffs, and the truth is, the Rockets are nowhere near contender status yet, despite what Tilman Fertitta wants.
Last Year – Interesting Stats
- 110.7 ppg – 28th
- 118.6 opponent ppg – 28th
- 119.3 Defensive Rating – 29th
- 111.4 Offensive Rating – 27th
- 1st in the league in offensive rebounds
- 30th in the league in assists
- Gave up the most 3s – both made & attempted – in the league
Keys to Success
They establish a firm rotation, Sengun becomes a focal point in the offense in the same way Sabonis is in Sacramento, VanVleet & Brooks shoot 37% or better from 3, Jabari becomes the face of the team, Jalen Green learns how to play within the offense
Potential Obstacles
VanVleet has a lot of miles on him, Sengun gets frustrated because no one knows how to make a post entry pass, Ime plays Landale big minutes for his defense which stalls Sengun’s growth, Dillon Brooks forgets that he sucks and shoots his way right to the bench in crunchtime, Jalen Green resorts to his bad habits
Hot takes
- Alperen Sengun leads the team in scoring
- Jalen Green sees crunch time minutes given to Amen Thompson
- Jalen Green’s career tops out as a Anfernee Simons/Jordan Poole 6th Man Scorer – type
- Dillon Brooks is a bust and loses minutes to Jae’Sean Tate
- VanVleet has injury riddled season
- Kevin Porter Jr. never plays in the NBA again
STANDINGS PREDICTION: 12TH IN THE WEST
