2021-22 Houston Rockets Season Thread: Sucking with a Purpose

[SilasCoade 2622]

33 minutes ago, Murfdogg21 said:

Public execution at that bball court across from Toyota Center if Stone signs Zion to a max deal next year. Ja Morant? Hell yeah Houston has to be a better place to live than Memphis right?

You sound like someone who has either never been to Memphis or never been to Houston.

 

Just kidding. Softball setup I couldn't resist. Some of my favorite people out up with the urban hellscape that is H-town.

[HtownHorn 14814]

I do wonder which twosome would play better together Smith and Sengun or Holmgren and Sengun. I am thinking Holmgren because he's already playing with a guy at Gonzaga who has a game very similar to Sengun. I'd really like one of the Baylor wings should Brooklyn's pick fall into the lottery. Haven't really been impressed with Banchero, but maybe a strong run in the NCAA's can reignite his draft stock.

[HtownHorn 14814]

28 minutes ago, Tylerocks said:

Don't care about wins/losses

Jalen Green has really come on since the All Star break.  Usually rookies hit the "wall" and start to suck late in the season.

He got his sucking out of the way and has maybe figured things out.

I don't remember when they showed the graphic, but Green's output went through the roof when he had 50+ touches a game. Either Silas figured it out, or Green has become a lot more assertive. Still don't understand why Gordon is getting 30+ minutes a night, he should be shut down ala Wall.

[Murfdogg21 4450]

 

5 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

I do wonder which twosome would play better together Smith and Sengun or Holmgren and Sengun. I am thinking Holmgren because he's already playing with a guy at Gonzaga who has a game very similar to Sengun. I'd really like one of the Baylor wings should Brooklyn's pick fall into the lottery. Haven't really been impressed with Banchero, but maybe a strong run in the NCAA's can reignite his draft stock.

Holmgren has to run around in the shower to get wet. It’s all a crap shoot anyway. Whichever pick they get, hopefully the player ends up the best of the bunch. Just as long as they don’t get bounced down to the #5 pick…

[BigOrange1 6476]

1 hour ago, Murfdogg21 said:

 

 Just as long as they don’t get bounced down to the #5 pick…

i actually really like aj griffin from duke who is currently being projected around pick #5.  the only guy in the top 5 i'm really out on is jaden ivey and that just has more to do with the fact that the rockets are already guard heavy.  i'd probably rank my top four prospects at the moment as: holmgren, smith, griffin, banchero

[BigOrange1 6476]

damn, i knew this guy was good but i didn't realize he was this good (and yes i realize its a small sample size):

 

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

It’s Chet and it’s not close. Unless he gets hurt. Which with his body type would be a fear every day. 

[ChickenSandwich 9856]

Cue Yao medical nightmares. 
 

I write check

for medical bills. 

[HtownHorn 14814]

I wouldn't worry about Chet getting hurt, unless he puts on 50 pounds like Yao did. He's not going to be the center for the Rockets. Sengun is, with Chet being the help defender, high post player. That should relieve some of the wear and tear on him. Kinda like how Ralph was the high post player with Dream.

[BigOrange1 6476]

sengun and kj starting again tonight.  need to lose, but its the fun lineup

 

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

Orlando with another win. 

[BigOrange1 6476]

54 minutes ago, Wulaw Horn said:

Orlando with another win. 

led by mo bamba!

[UDontKnow 10451]

@TexArcherand I agree. Don't draft Chet Holmgren. He's not going to be able to put on 55 lbs of good weight and stay healthy. He has NBA bust written all over him.

The Rockets need a rebounding big. I wish the Rockets pushed the Nets to get Jarret Allen from the Harden trade or maybe tried to take Mo Bamba off of the Magic prior to this NBA season. But if the Rockets are gonna draft a rebounding big, take Jalen Duren and don't look back. I think a Duren-Sengun backcourt will work while freeing up Sengun to roam the court more and use his creativity.

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

Man I’d take holmgren every time. His body might not hold up but he’s a KD starter kit but even longer and skinnier. If he hits he will be a guy that you can win a title with. That’s upside worth chasing imo. Highest beta guy in a long time. 

[HtownHorn 14814]

14 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

@TexArcherand I agree. Don't draft Chet Holmgren. He's not going to be able to put on 55 lbs of good weight and stay healthy. He has NBA bust written all over him.

The Rockets need a rebounding big. I wish the Rockets pushed the Nets to get Jarret Allen from the Harden trade or maybe tried to take Mo Bamba off of the Magic prior to this NBA season. But if the Rockets are gonna draft a rebounding big, take Jalen Duren and don't look back. I think a Duren-Sengun backcourt will work while freeing up Sengun to roam the court more and use his creativity.

They did get Allen, and promptly traded him for Dante Exum and a 1st round pick. Jabari Smith is the guy you want. Duren will be gone before we pick again, but Walker Kessler is likely there. Smith, Sengun, and Kessler are a great rotation at the 4/5 for the next 10 years.

Edited March 20, 2022 by HtownHorn

[billfromlaketravis 11566]

16 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

@TexArcherand I agree. Don't draft Chet Holmgren. He's not going to be able to put on 55 lbs of good weight and stay healthy. He has NBA bust written all over him.

The Rockets need a rebounding big. I wish the Rockets pushed the Nets to get Jarret Allen from the Harden trade or maybe tried to take Mo Bamba off of the Magic prior to this NBA season. But if the Rockets are gonna draft a rebounding big, take Jalen Duren and don't look back. I think a Duren-Sengun backcourt will work while freeing up Sengun to roam the court more and use his creativity.

Team Banchero with Coach K’s grandson as DD. 

[Make em eat Taco Bell 1549]

Holmgren was really underwhelming last game and should not be drafted in the top 5, mistake for any team.  He'd be a good 8-15 pick.  Gonzaga bigs are overrated, even Kimme can look good in college but the NBA will eat him alive.

The Banchero guy looks better. Also, keep C Wood for rebound and big man depth 😉

Edited March 20, 2022 by Make em eat Taco Bell

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

6 winnable games to end the season. Really going to need to dig deep to make sure we only win 2 headed home. 
now a 3 game lead on the thunder. Did anyone else get their 10 day contract in the mail from those guys?  They ain’t winning another game if they can help it. 

[Murfdogg21 4450]

Foot and fibula fractures: Chet gets ‘em wet. 

[HtownHorn 14814]

My big board would be

1) Smith

2) Holmgren

3) Ivey

4) Banchero

Ivey and Green would be a scary athletic backcourt. If Porter doesn't want to move off the ball to the 3, then let him go. Ivey's athleticism and ability to play the point make him a very tantalizing prospect. I'm close to moving Ivey to #2 over Holmgren.

Edited March 21, 2022 by HtownHorn

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

1 hour ago, HtownHorn said:

My big board would be

1) Smith

2) Holmgren

3) Ivey

4) Banchero

Ivey and Green would be a scary athletic backcourt. If Porter doesn't want to move off the ball to the 3, then let him go. Ivey's athleticism and ability to play the point make him a very tantalizing prospect. I'm close to moving Ivey to #2 over Holmgren.

I've got:

Holmgren

Ivey

Smith

Nobody else.  Do whatever you have to do to get into the top 5. Personally, I would probably trade out of #1 to #2 or #3 if I got that pick and somebody made me a decent offer.  I like Holmgren but he's a walking injury red flag with that build.  Ivey is just so explosive man, that's a different level.  Smith is good. I'd probably be disappointed with him over the other two for about a minute but I can't imagine his floor isn't 3rd best player on a title team? But yeah- I want Holmgren for his ceiling. If he puts it all together and stays healthy any reason why he can't be 80% of KD?  90% maybe?

[BigOrange1 6476]

2 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

Ivey and Green would be a scary athletic backcourt. If Porter doesn't want to move off the ball to the 3, then let him go. Ivey's athleticism and ability to play the point make him a very tantalizing prospect. I'm close to moving Ivey to #2 over Holmgren.

i think i'm right there with you.  ivey and green together would be absolutely electric.  there are a lot of good options in the top 4.

mark williams from duke is a guy to potentially think about with the brooklyn pick.

[BigOrange1 6476]

i mean:

ivey, green, kpj, kj martin, sengun is a fun as fuck lineup for next year.  then add in mark williams, tate, garuba, jgup, and gary bird as rotation guys and that is a super fun team to watch grow.

[Fud 9559]

20 hours ago, Make em eat Taco Bell said:

Holmgren was really underwhelming last game and should not be drafted in the top 5, mistake for any team.  He'd be a good 8-15 pick.  Gonzaga bigs are overrated, even Kimme can look good in college but the NBA will eat him alive.

The Banchero guy looks better. Also, keep C Wood for rebound and big man depth 😉

We should base our draft strategy on a single ncaa tournament game. That never backfires. 

[HtownHorn 14814]

18 minutes ago, Fud said:

We should base our draft strategy on a single ncaa tournament game. That never backfires. 

It was a data point that bears watching. He finally faced NBA level athleticism and he didn't fare well.

[Fud 9559]

How did Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes, Franz Wagner, and Jabari Smith do in their final game? 

[billfromlaketravis 11566]

Too many mock drafts with the Rockets taking Chet. I’m no longer rooting for the first pick. The universe needs to take the Chet decision out of the Rockets’ hands. I’ll gladly take the second or third pick. 

[HtownHorn 14814]

2 minutes ago, billfromlaketravis said:

Too many mock drafts with the Rockets taking Chet. I’m no longer rooting for the first pick. The universe needs to take the Chet decision out of the Rockets’ hands. I’ll gladly take the second or third pick. 

I am almost hoping for 4, just so we don't have to make the Chet, Smith, Banchero decision and we get Ivey.

[billfromlaketravis 11566]

4 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

I am almost hoping for 4, just so we don't have to make the Chet, Smith, Banchero decision and we get Ivey.

I’m still Team Banchero with a preloaded Uber card, but I’d be cool with this. 

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

58 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

I am almost hoping for 4, just so we don't have to make the Chet, Smith, Banchero decision and we get Ivey.

I think Ivey ends up going before 4. Just a hunch right now. We will see. 

[Fud 9559]

1 hour ago, billfromlaketravis said:

I’m still Team Banchero with a preloaded Uber card, but I’d be cool with this. 

I have Banchero 4th. He'll be relegated to playing the four because he can't guard perimeter players, and while he's a very nice player on offense, his negative defense will take away from that offensive value. I'm fine with any of the top four though, but there's a drop off after that, unless you want to roll the dice on Sharpe. 

Chet (if you think his body checks out)

Ivey

Smith

Banchero

[Brothahorn 10087]

On 3/20/2022 at 8:25 PM, Murfdogg21 said:

Foot and fibula fractures: Chet gets ‘em wet. 

I'm scared of Chet.

[Murfdogg21 4450]

9 minutes ago, Brothahorn said:

I'm scared of Chet.

[HtownHorn 14814]

Wow, Orlando beat Golden State.

[Fud 9559]

There's a pretty big six game stretch for the tank coming up starting with Dallas without Luka, two games against a Portland team in full tank mode, one against San Antonio, and two against Sacramento 

Orlando plays OKC tonight, so one of those two has to add another win, and Detroit has one left vs OKC

Portland has the two vs Houston and two vs OKC left, but they don't have anymore left vs Orlando or OKC

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

7 hours ago, Fud said:

There's a pretty big six game stretch for the tank coming up starting with Dallas without Luka, two games against a Portland team in full tank mode, one against San Antonio, and two against Sacramento 

Orlando plays OKC tonight, so one of those two has to add another win, and Detroit has one left vs OKC

Portland has the two vs Houston and two vs OKC left, but they don't have anymore left vs Orlando or OKC

This is the death part of our schedule where I've been nervous about for a month. We really needed to pile up a few more losses going into this stretch.  It would be so Rockets to go 4-6 down the stretch and end up with the 4th worst record, which, if the lotto balls went bad means that you could end up picking all the way down at 8th spot.  That would be a cruel reward for having to endure the last 2 years that we have. Really need to sack up and go 1-9 so that they can pick no worse than 5th.

[Fud 9559]

24 minutes ago, Wulaw Horn said:

This is the death part of our schedule where I've been nervous about for a month. We really needed to pile up a few more losses going into this stretch.  It would be so Rockets to go 4-6 down the stretch and end up with the 4th worst record, which, if the lotto balls went bad means that you could end up picking all the way down at 8th spot.  That would be a cruel reward for having to endure the last 2 years that we have. Really need to sack up and go 1-9 so that they can pick no worse than 5th.

They need to sit Gordon, and play Woods and Porter every minute of every game so Houston gives up 130+ points per game

[Brothahorn 10087]

They need to sit Gordon, and play Woods and Porter every minute of every game so Houston gives up 130+ points per game

Still don't understand why Gordon is on this team.

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

9 minutes ago, Brothahorn said:

23 minutes ago, Fud said:

They need to sit Gordon, and play Woods and Porter every minute of every game so Houston gives up 130+ points per game

Still don't understand why Gordon is on this team.

Just baffling that they didn't want a late first round pick for him which they claimed was on the table.  He'd look really good in Cleveland and Boston.  Boston would have done the deal with us for Gordon they did for the Spurs for White is my understanding.  Hell Gordon and Wall for Westbrook and shit and a 1st should have worked. Then just tell Westbrick he can ride the pine for the next year or agree to a buy out.  

[Murfdogg21 4450]

Rockets lose. Nets lose. Pistons win. 
 

[billfromlaketravis 11566]

Let's say the Nets finish in the 9 spot and lose the play in. I assume that's another lottery pick? 

Edited March 24, 2022 by billfromlaketravis

[BigOrange1 6476]

yes.

[HtownHorn 14814]

Really need the Nets to finish 7th or 9th.

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

37 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Really need the Nets to finish 7th or 9th.

Out of curiosity- why 7th as opposed to 8th?  What’s the angle there? 

[Slacks 6900]

7 hours ago, Wulaw Horn said:

Just baffling that they didn't want a late first round pick for him which they claimed was on the table.  He'd look really good in Cleveland and Boston.  Boston would have done the deal with us for Gordon they did for the Spurs for White is my understanding.  Hell Gordon and Wall for Westbrook and shit and a 1st should have worked. Then just tell Westbrick he can ride the pine for the next year or agree to a buy out.  

Is there another role model on the team?

I want my young guys to see at least one pro.

[Wulaw Horn 19157]

8 minutes ago, Snacks said:

Is there another role model on the team?

I want my young guys to see at least one pro.

DJ Augustin before they throw him over?  

[Fud 9559]

 

[HtownHorn 14814]

9 hours ago, Wulaw Horn said:

Out of curiosity- why 7th as opposed to 8th?  What’s the angle there? 

They would be the home team in both the 7/8 game and the 7 vs. 9/10 game, meaning no Kyrie in either game.

[Fud 9559]

2 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

They would be the home team in both the 7/8 game and the 7 vs. 9/10 game, meaning no Kyrie in either game.

 

[HtownHorn 14814]

2 minutes ago, Fud said:

 

Just in time for the playoffs, well done, NY.