New post: What is at stake for the Houston Rockets?
By: rahat huq
We're now just an hour away from tip-off of Game 1. After tonight, our expectations and perceptions will be polluted by the emotions of whatever is about to take place. Thus, it's important now to reflect with clear minds.
What's at stake and what do we hope to see?
To begin, only one, maybe two individuals involved with the Houston Rockets organization have anything at stake in this series. The team, in even making the playoffs this year, overachieved beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Even if they lose 4-0 by an average of 20 points per game, perception will not change. They are on the rise and ahead of schedule. Daryl Morey, regardless of the outcome, should unanimously claim Executive of the Year honors for his job in assembling this team. While he won't win the award, Kevin McHale should at least be mentioned in the discussion for Coach of the Year for the job he did in getting this young group to buy into the system and come together.
Greg Smith, Terrence Jones, and Donatas Motiejunas have nothing at stake. No one is expecting any of the three to provide anything. Patrick Beverley also has nothing at stake - because he played such a huge role on this team, we quickly forget that he too is a rookie. Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, and Carlos Delfino also have nothing at stake. No one will think any less of them if they lay eggs.
While it shouldn't be the case, there's a chance the perception of Lin could change after this series. Recall that this is really the first time he'll be back on the national scene after leaving New York and the spotlight of Linsanity. Many [bitter New Yorkers] felt that he was not worth the contract he signed - he'll certainly be under the microscope. If Lin is completely outclassed by Russell Westbrook, those critics will feel justified in their stance.
James Harden is really the only Rocket who without a doubt has something on the line. Did the Thunder make a mistake? So far, they haven't missed a beat but that question will only be answered in the postseason. If he can even put a scare into Oklahoma City, he will cement himself as one of the game's best players. (ESPN ranked him 7th in the league, behind Westbrook.)
What are we looking for? I'm not quite sure some realize just how greatly the odds are against this Rockets team. In the sole win against the Thunder, the Rockets needed everything to go right, overcoming a 12 point deficit in the second half of the 4th quarter just to eke out a 3 point win. Those aren't circumstances with high odds for duplication. In the two losses, the Rockets were blown out.
There's really nothing I'm looking for. I won't even be upset if the team runs ISOball if there's a close game - that adjustment can only come after a full training camp. All I hope is that they learn from this experience. I hope that Parsons and Lin, and the rookie forwards too, learn what it takes to compete in the playoffs. I hope Harden sees how much he needs to improve now that he is the focal point of his team. And I hope McHale learns what does and doesn't work about our system and scheme. We won't know if any of these desires come to fruition until next season. For now, we can just sit back and enjoy.
Toggle shoutbox Shoutbox 
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
What is at stake for the Houston Rockets?
Started by Red94, Apr 21 2013 10:35 PM
30 replies to this topic
#3 
2016Champions
-
- Members
- 1,424 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationVirginia, USA.
Posted 21 April 2013 - 10:53 PM
Kevin McHale's job might be at stake if we don't play small ball and take advantage of Ibaka's weak spot-up defense.
“Every [player] decision has two main components, the scouting or traditional analysis and the numbers … depending on the situation, you weight them differently.” - Daryl Morey
Small sample sizes exaggerate effects.
Do not read statistics as gospel. Statistics provides tools that you need in order to react intelligently to information you hear or see.
#5
Rahat Huq
-
- Administrators
- 1,077 posts
Administrator
Posted 22 April 2013 - 12:39 AM
Respectfully disagree on Smith,Jones and D-Mo.
Their play in the Play-Offs goes a long way towards determining if the Rockets feel they have to upgrade the PF this off-season.
Definitely agreed - but I think that's just house money. i.e. those guys have nothing at stake....they won't get traded or cut or be thought less of just because they played poorly. everyone's expecting it. if any of them plays well, its an unexpected surprise with the product being a reevaluation of offseason needs. but nothing is on the line for them individually.
#6
Stephen
-
- Members
- 264 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 22 April 2013 - 01:15 AM
Again I disagree.
There are 4 young PFs on the roster. That's way too many. One may carve out a role as a back-up C,but if they collectively play poorly enough that the Rockets bring in a PF,somebody's leaving town.
There's a big difference being a young rotation player on a Play-Off team and being exiled to Charlotte.
And if the Rockets do bring in a starting PF,that shrinks the minutes and someone is going to get banished to deep bench,or become a D-league fixture. Not exactly career enhancing,and definitely a limiter to their next contract.
#8
Rahat Huq
-
- Administrators
- 1,077 posts
Administrator
Posted 22 April 2013 - 03:11 AM
Again I disagree.
There are 4 young PFs on the roster. That's way too many. One may carve out a role as a back-up C,but if they collectively play poorly enough that the Rockets bring in a PF,somebody's leaving town.
There's a big difference being a young rotation player on a Play-Off team and being exiled to Charlotte.
And if the Rockets do bring in a starting PF,that shrinks the minutes and someone is going to get banished to deep bench,or become a D-league fixture. Not exactly career enhancing,and definitely a limiter to their next contract.
good point, i see what you mean.
#9
Jason
-
- Members
- 361 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 22 April 2013 - 03:17 AM
Am I the only one here that has seen enough out of All of our power forwards to realize that None of them are very good? I seriously do not see how people think they are all so talented. Talented from a basketball sense, yes. Talented from the league know as the NBA sense, no. They are serviceable at best and are all projects.
#10
2016Champions
-
- Members
- 1,424 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationVirginia, USA.
Posted 22 April 2013 - 04:52 AM
We did really well with Delfino at the 4 tonight, I hope to see more of that whenever Ibaka is on the floor because we need to take him away from the rim. Whenever Greg Smith was on the floor, Ibaka was there to block the shot everytime anyone got to the rim and that's just not cool Congo man.
“Every [player] decision has two main components, the scouting or traditional analysis and the numbers … depending on the situation, you weight them differently.” - Daryl Morey
Small sample sizes exaggerate effects.
Do not read statistics as gospel. Statistics provides tools that you need in order to react intelligently to information you hear or see.
#11
Jason
-
- Members
- 361 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 22 April 2013 - 05:56 AM
We did really well with Delfino at the 4 tonight, I hope to see more of that whenever Ibaka is on the floor because we need to take him away from the rim. Whenever Greg Smith was on the floor, Ibaka was there to block the shot everytime anyone got to the rim and that's just not cool Congo man.
That just proves my point and shows how much our power forwards stink! Carlos Delfino at 6'6" is our Most effective PF. How sad is that???
#12
2016Champions
-
- Members
- 1,424 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationVirginia, USA.
Posted 22 April 2013 - 06:10 AM
It's pretty sad lol
We need to upgrade, no question. But if we do, I want the PF to be someone who can shoot well.
“Every [player] decision has two main components, the scouting or traditional analysis and the numbers … depending on the situation, you weight them differently.” - Daryl Morey
Small sample sizes exaggerate effects.
Do not read statistics as gospel. Statistics provides tools that you need in order to react intelligently to information you hear or see.
#15
2016Champions
-
- Members
- 1,424 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationVirginia, USA.
Posted 22 April 2013 - 06:45 AM
I hope Lin is the answer because I've heard that the owner LOVES Lin, we're pretty much stuck with him.
“Every [player] decision has two main components, the scouting or traditional analysis and the numbers … depending on the situation, you weight them differently.” - Daryl Morey
Small sample sizes exaggerate effects.
Do not read statistics as gospel. Statistics provides tools that you need in order to react intelligently to information you hear or see.
#16
Jason
-
- Members
- 361 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 22 April 2013 - 07:39 AM
I hope Lin is the answer because I've heard that the owner LOVES Lin, we're pretty much stuck with him.
Of course he does, cause he's a great guy and a great teammate. He's like the Tebow of basketball. He is also very marketable and draws fans. What owner wouldnt want that? But does that mean he's the right PG for us as a team trying to win a title?
#17
2016Champions
-
- Members
- 1,424 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationVirginia, USA.
Posted 22 April 2013 - 08:20 AM
I heard that the revenue has has brought to the organization is crazy, like eye-popping numbers, and I guess you can say that could help us in the future if the time comes where we have to pay luxury tax and don't want to break up the team. The more revenue the owner makes, the more he's willing to spend on luxury tax.
In terms of how much he impacts games though, who knows? At the beginning of the season I would have said no way, but he has improved so much that it's hard to not root for this guy. I think we will know for sure next season if he's the guy or not, but if you forced me to make an educated guess right now I would say I'm pretty optimistic, I think he will become good enough for us to win a championship with as our 3rd or 4th best player. And when I say 3rd or 4th best player that's not a knock on Lin, that's just how good his team mates are.
“Every [player] decision has two main components, the scouting or traditional analysis and the numbers … depending on the situation, you weight them differently.” - Daryl Morey
Small sample sizes exaggerate effects.
Do not read statistics as gospel. Statistics provides tools that you need in order to react intelligently to information you hear or see.
#18
Jason
-
- Members
- 361 posts
Advanced Member
Posted 22 April 2013 - 01:42 PM
I heard that the revenue has has brought to the organization is crazy, like eye-popping numbers, and I guess you can say that could help us in the future if the time comes where we have to pay luxury tax and don't want to break up the team. The more revenue the owner makes, the more he's willing to spend on luxury tax.
In terms of how much he impacts games though, who knows? At the beginning of the season I would have said no way, but he has improved so much that it's hard to not root for this guy. I think we will know for sure next season if he's the guy or not, but if you forced me to make an educated guess right now I would say I'm pretty optimistic, I think he will become good enough for us to win a championship with as our 3rd or 4th best player. And when I say 3rd or 4th best player that's not a knock on Lin, that's just how good his team mates are.
I like him, but where would you rank him right now among NBA PGs?
#20
bob schmidt
-
- Members
- 73 posts
Advanced Member
- LocationBrownsville, Texas
Posted 22 April 2013 - 02:03 PM
It seems to me that there is a lot more at stake than most are thinking about if Houston continues to play like they did last night. Future free agents looking at us as a desirable destination won't come to a 'no potential' situation. So, I think that a lot is at stake here... Now, the good news... We only lost one game last night, and it does not matter by how many points. How we respond to this blowout is highly important. The coaches can't go out and play the game, so our players have to step up as Patrick Bev did last nite. If Lin can't show considerable improvement next game, his future in Houston might become a real issue... don't care how much they like him, if he can't produce there are others who can.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
