ESPN.com recently forecasted the Rockets to finish 8th in the West, behind the Jazz, Thunder, and Grizzlies. Not surprisingly, the Warriors and Spurs are predicted to finish atop the standings, followed by the Clippers and Portland.
I have no problem with the top three, and I think the Clippers would be wise to hang onto their nucleus and hope for the best. But Portland is too high at fourth. Why the excitement over the Blazers? I don’t think they’re better than Houston. And same goes for the Thunder. Westbrook will keep them competitive, but sixth is far too high. I do agree, however, that Utah will probably finish somewhere within the realm of respectability.
The ESPN piece notes that “the departure of Dwight Howard cost Houston a strong interior presence on defense,” a point which is not very factually accurate. The Rockets will sorely miss his rebounding, but Dwight Howard was not very good defensively last season. I’ve beaten those numbers into the ground.
I honestly think the Rockets can finish as high as second in the West. Anyone outside of Houston would call that statement crazy, but you’d think I was crazy two years ago if I told you the team would end up finishing second – and this iteration has just as much talent, if not more. Similarly, the Rockets could easily be as low as missing the playoffs altogether. The range for this team is very wide.
They’re better just from removing Dwight. And you’d think finally surrounding Harden with actual shooters could lift the team to new heights. On the flip side, the defense has the potential to be very bad. Injuries are also a risk.
Eighth is very fair. There’s no reason for anyone to expect anything of this team. Maybe that’s when they’re at their best.
