Post Mortem #22 - Houston Rockets

[Bobbymcgee]

Need players who can make a 3 point shot.

Not sure what they plan to do with FVV. If they let him go, they need a point guard.

I feel like this team can either be the next OKC or the next Atlanta Hawks.

[Blazing_royale]

They should grab anfernee simons

[___Rand___]

[b]I would look at the executives who selected Jalen Green[/b] ahead of Mobley, Barnes, Suggs, Wagner, etc. or picking Jabari Smith when Jalen Williams or Nembhard were still available. They got Thompson right, but the rest of picks because of poor scouting talent evaluation and decision making has been costly. Jabari Smith can still develop so the book isn't closed on him yet. He is potentially Porter Jr. for Rockets.

Ehhhh - it's easy to play that game (with all due respect)

Jabari was seen at a can't miss prospect. He had an historic freshman season at Auburn. I think the worst thing the Rockets can do is overreact and trade him

That's not what I said. I didn't say trade Jabari - do read again. I said look at the executives - i.e. replace many of the scouts, the decision making process, and finally, put the GM under greater scrutiny, firing and replacing some of them, change the decision making and talent evaluation process. The GM's made one steller choice - hiring Ime. That was more luck than anything, because there weren't many openings that season, and people were reluctant to hire Udoka due to his off-court issues in Boston.

[azcatz11]

[b]I would look at the executives who selected Jalen Green[/b] ahead of Mobley, Barnes, Suggs, Wagner, etc. or picking Jabari Smith when Jalen Williams or Nembhard were still available. They got Thompson right, but the rest of picks because of poor scouting talent evaluation and decision making has been costly. Jabari Smith can still develop so the book isn't closed on him yet. He is potentially Porter Jr. for Rockets.

Ehhhh - it's easy to play that game (with all due respect)

Jabari was seen at a can't miss prospect. He had an historic freshman season at Auburn. I think the worst thing the Rockets can do is overreact and trade him

That's not what I said. I didn't say trade Jabari - do read again. I said look at the executives - i.e. replace many of the scouts, the decision making process, and finally, put the GM under greater scrutiny, firing and replacing some of them, change the decision making and talent evaluation process. The GM's made one steller choice - hiring Ime. That was more luck than anything, because there weren't many openings that season, and people were reluctant to hire Udoka due to his off-court issues in Boston.

I get it. And I'm as frustrated as you. Believe me.

[MoreyWins]

I'll also add that their GM, Rafael Stone, should play it cool this summer. Don't call other teams with the intention of offloading a player. He should answer phone from other GMs and quell their offers, but he shouldn't have the mindset of making a panic move. Keep your ear to the streets, try to gauge the market of unhappy superstars. Retain the vets and keep the progress going.

[WargamesX]

I am wondering will they pay Adam’s in the offseason. I honestly thought he was going to have to accept a minimum or maybe a tax payer MLE but this series made me realize that he still is a legit good defensive center.

There isn’t a lot of FA money out there but I think Adams can get a good deal.

[Jadoogar]

They had a great season but they really need to be careful they don't go the way of the Kings. It might be tempting to think that this is a young team and it will improve on it's own. Sometimes you get the Thunder and sometime you get the Kings or Memphis. IMO the Rockets don't have an SGA so they shouldn't rest on their laurels. I would be aggressive about improving. Identify players that aren't part of the future and look to improve thos spots. Jalen Green and FVV are the prime candidates, although i would be careful about dumping FVV. The team already lacks shooting and we have seen this team struggle heavily when he was hurt.

[Jadoogar]

I would look at the executives who selected Jalen Green ahead of Mobley, Barnes, Suggs, Wagner, etc. or picking Jabari Smith when Jalen Williams or Nembhard were still available. They got Thompson right, but the rest of picks because of poor scouting talent evaluation and decision making has been costly. Jabari Smith can still develop so the book isn't closed on him yet. He is potentially Porter Jr. for Rockets.

Ehhhh - it's easy to play that game (with all due respect)

Jabari was seen at a can't miss prospect. He had an historic freshman season at Auburn. I think the worst thing the Rockets can do is overreact and trade him

referencing Jalen Williams and Nembhard is also kinda crazy. Jalen Williams was picked 12th and Nembhard was 31st, neither of these guys was in consideration for a top 3 selection.
Also, i wouldn't say Nembhard is better than Jabari Smith.

[Froob]

Gotta get a high lvl shot maker. Thompson is the keeper. Deal Jalen Green and Senguin if you need to.

[Bankai]

They simply lacked experience. Udoka is a great coach. They will be better next year with experience and more pieces, like OKC.

[MoreyWins]

They had a great season but they really need to be careful they don't go the way of the Kings. It might be tempting to think that this is a young team and it will improve on it's own. Sometimes you get the Thunder and sometime you get the Kings or Memphis. IMO the Rockets don't have an SGA so they shouldn't rest on their laurels. I would be aggressive about improving. Identify players that aren't part of the future and look to improve thos spots. Jalen Green and FVV are the prime candidates, although i would be careful about dumping FVV. The team already lacks shooting and we have seen this team struggle heavily when he was hurt.

The Rockets can find solace that 4 of their playoff rotation players are 22 years old or younger and Tari Eason is 23. Keegan Murray was the only 22 year old on that Kings team that got significant minutes. Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter, and Malik Monk all were 24. The Rockets have more cracks at the apple that one of their players pops off. Houston also has an advantage with the abundance of resources they have to where they can make moves on the margin without interfering with the core pieces in their rotation.

[Jadoogar]

They had a great season but they really need to be careful they don't go the way of the Kings. It might be tempting to think that this is a young team and it will improve on it's own. Sometimes you get the Thunder and sometime you get the Kings or Memphis. IMO the Rockets don't have an SGA so they shouldn't rest on their laurels. I would be aggressive about improving. Identify players that aren't part of the future and look to improve thos spots. Jalen Green and FVV are the prime candidates, although i would be careful about dumping FVV. The team already lacks shooting and we have seen this team struggle heavily when he was hurt.

The Rockets can find solace that 4 of their playoff rotation players are 22 years old or younger and Tari Eason is 23. Keegan Murray was the only 22 year old on that Kings team that got significant minutes. Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter, and Malik Monk all were 24. The Rockets have more cracks at the apple that one of their players pops off. Houston also has an advantage with the abundance of resources they have to where they can make moves on the margin without interfering with the core pieces in their rotation.

Memphis is another example. They won 56 games in 2022. Ja was 22, Bane, 23, Jaren Jackson was 22, Zaire Williams was 20.
I agree that Rockets have a good young core but i still think they should address some of their weaknesses and not just hope that Amen becomes a great on ball scorer. Improvement isn't linear.

[pipfan]

KD makes so much sense to me-picks and Brooks/Green and all the picks

[Billl]

I really like all of houstons young guys except Green. That's a solid and deep supporting cast. Unfortunately, it's really hard to build a championship level team around really good players but no superstar. They have a lot of resources to try to go get that #1 guy, but it's easier said than done.

[Pointgod]

One answer Giannis

[Black Jack]

I think Giannis is a terrible fit. Sengun is still working on his outside shot so you're gonna have him and Giannis clogging the paint up?

Booker or KD should be the move. You'll probably trade less for KD than you would Booker.

Agree, why would you add a non shooting driver? KD in theory would be great but he's too old for the price imho. They needed a Jalen Green that actually plays consistently and with aggressive honed handles. Imagine Ant or Shai on this team.

That's the tough part of this roster vs Detroit or OKC. You can't just manufacture a big lead guard with on ball creation skills. If Amen can become that okay but I see him more as workin well with a guard who has an on ball role like Booker or whoever.

[Rafael122]

I think Giannis is a terrible fit. Sengun is still working on his outside shot so you're gonna have him and Giannis clogging the paint up?

Booker or KD should be the move. You'll probably trade less for KD than you would Booker.

Agree, why would you add a non shooting driver? KD in theory would be great but he's too old for the price imho. They needed a Jalen Green that actually plays consistently and with aggressive honed handles. Imagine Ant or Shai on this team.

That's the tough part of this roster vs Detroit or OKC. You can't just manufacture a big lead guard with on ball creation skills. If Amen can become that okay but I see him more as workin well with a guard who has an on ball role like Booker or whoever.

I'm also assuming Sengun wouldn't be part of a trade package for Giannis, but thinking about it more, he would probably be the center piece of a trade for Giannis and the fit question wouldn't be there anymore.

[MoreyWins]

They had a great season but they really need to be careful they don't go the way of the Kings. It might be tempting to think that this is a young team and it will improve on it's own. Sometimes you get the Thunder and sometime you get the Kings or Memphis. IMO the Rockets don't have an SGA so they shouldn't rest on their laurels. I would be aggressive about improving. Identify players that aren't part of the future and look to improve thos spots. Jalen Green and FVV are the prime candidates, although i would be careful about dumping FVV. The team already lacks shooting and we have seen this team struggle heavily when he was hurt.

The Rockets can find solace that 4 of their playoff rotation players are 22 years old or younger and Tari Eason is 23. Keegan Murray was the only 22 year old on that Kings team that got significant minutes. Davion Mitchell, Kevin Huerter, and Malik Monk all were 24. The Rockets have more cracks at the apple that one of their players pops off. Houston also has an advantage with the abundance of resources they have to where they can make moves on the margin without interfering with the core pieces in their rotation.

Memphis is another example. They won 56 games in 2022. Ja was 22, Bane, 23, Jaren Jackson was 22, Zaire Williams was 20.
I agree that Rockets have a good young core but i still think they should address some of their weaknesses and not just hope that Amen becomes a great on ball scorer. Improvement isn't linear.

The Grizzlies suffered from injuries and outside noise that plagued their regular and postseasons. We could be talking about them differently if their starting PG and C would be able to stay on the floor in those playoff runs of the past.

[pipfan]

Sengun/Brooks/Whitmore/#9 and all the future picks for Giannis

Milw builds around Sengun and the picks they get

Hou goes with
FVV/Reed
Green/vet MLE signing (should be great options for Houston)
Amen/Eason
Smith/Eason
Giannis/Adams

[Phenomenonsense]

Always happy to see the Rockets playing well personally. Them having a Thompson twin is great, and I want both twins to make it to the finals one day, so hope nothing but good things for them. I'd love to help facilitating Giannis on his way down to the Rockets while picking up Jabari (or Eason I suppose) for our trouble. FVV ain't it though.