Houston Rockets. Will they make the play-offs?

Deivork · Post #1 » by **Deivork** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:42 pm

They're off to a hot start (11-5), good for #4 in the Western Conference with 80% of the regular season left for them.

They have a deep and young team that is exciting to watch. Will it be enough to clinch a play-off berth in a very, very tough conference in April?

They have the #3 best defensive rating under Ime Udoka and the 14th best offense. This data tends to translate to success.
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/best-nba-team-defensive-rating

They have an average strength of schedule left, though that might not not be very relevant this early in the season.
https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

None of their main guys have missed games, which is more than most top teams can say (Nuggets, Suns, Sixers, Thunder, Celtics, Mavs, Bucks...).

At least 11 west teams will fight tooth and nails for 8 play-offs spots. Probably health will determine most but if it would average out, would the Rockets make it? They seem ahead of schedule and it's fun to watch.

Are all the young players content with their current role? Would they be a true player if Giannis is available?

Maybe those who watch them close can tell us more of this team's expectations this season.

bstein14 · Post #2 » by **bstein14** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:53 pm

At worst, they are a play-in team that loses a play-in game that keeps them out. I think realistically they will likely finish between 3 and 8 in the West. Their defensive potential is really up there with OKC and Orlando as a top 3 defense and if they keep that up alone, it pretty much ensures them a play-in spot even if their offense is still taking some time.

The tough thing about the West is, if you don't land a top 6 spot really no one in the play-in is guaranteed to win because there is so much talent and any team can get hot shooting for a night.

jasonxxx102 · Post #3 » by **jasonxxx102** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:58 pm

They need to find a way to stop playing Jalen Green. They are winning despite him currently and they'd be so much better without him sucking the air out of whatever lineup he's in.

He's having yet another terrible season so far. Horribly inefficient as a scorer, still clueless defensively, offers absolutely nothing outside of scoring... Rockets are 11.5pts better when he's off the floor.

kane0801 · Post #4 » by **kane0801** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:00 pm

Their main weakness is they have no reliable shooter in clutch time

Jalen Green,FVV,Jabari Smith,Dillon Brooks both are not real shooter

God Squad · Post #5 » by **God Squad** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:00 pm

Why not. IMO there definitely in the mix for the playoffs.

UcanUwill · Post #6 » by **UcanUwill** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:09 pm

I think most had them in the play offs even before season started, and they did not disappoint so far.

Kiss of Death · Post #7 » by **Kiss of Death** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:27 pm

I don’t think most people would have had them one game out of 1st place in the West 1/4 of a way into the season.

And they should have an even better record.

They lost the Bucks game because of a missed call (Giannis standing out of bounds with the ball on the Bucks game winning play) and the Warriors needed 50 free throws to beat them.

So, yeah I’m sure they are for real.

Post #8 » by **MoneyTalks41890** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:34 pm

They likely end up 8-10. The defense is good. They have a lot of talent. No number one guy and I think that’s going to cause them to drop enough games to stay in the middle or back of the pack.

Karate Diop · Post #9 » by **Karate Diop** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 2:37 pm

There's always a team that starts off hot, and makes the mistake of going 110% from the get go, before fading down the stretch.

My guess is that the Rockets are that team this year. They have some good pieces though, so the team is heading in the right direction.

Deivork · Post #10 » by **Deivork** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 5:41 pm

jasonxxx102 wrote:They need to find a way to stop playing Jalen Green. They are winning despite him currently and they'd be so much better without him sucking the air out of whatever lineup he's in.

He's having yet another terrible season so far. Horribly inefficient as a scorer, still clueless defensively, offers absolutely nothing outside of scoring... Rockets are 11.5pts better when he's off the floor.

Good god

scrabbarista · Post #11 » by **scrabbarista** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 5:43 pm

If they stay healthy, then yes, they're in.

They're good, y'all.

Frank Dux · Post #12 » by **Frank Dux** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 5:46 pm

I don’t see why not. Their defense and depth is great.

Billl · Post #13 » by **Billl** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:06 pm

I think they hold on to a playin spot. From there, it's a matchup question.

MoreyWins · Post #14 » by **MoreyWins** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:19 pm

MoneyTalks41890 wrote:They likely end up 8-10. The defense is good. They have a lot of talent. No number one guy and I think that’s going to cause them to drop enough games to stay in the middle or back of the pack.

Sengun is more of that number one guy that's depended in the clutch. He's averaging 22 points and 6 assists per 36. When the team puts the ball in his hand to create he can go around or through most of the league. He also commands help and can make a play for the open shooter or cutter.

Chuck Everett · Post #15 » by **Chuck Everett** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:24 pm

The team is still learning how to win together. Clutch time is an issue, but FVV is rounding into form (after a horrendous start). Udoka still needs to find quality backup minutes from Holiday and Sheppard, so as not to overplay Fred. Eason and Amen Thompson are all-NBA bench mob though. Those guys are a nightmare on a nightly basis.

Yes, they will be in the playoffs. Anyone who watched them last year should have saw this coming and Steven Adams still isn't even conditioned yet to help them defensively and on the glass.

Bloodbather · Post #16 » by **Bloodbather** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:33 pm

I think they make the Playoffs if they can avoid major injuries. Their defense is rock solid. Eason has been All-Defensive First Team level so far and Amen isn't too far off, just doesn't have the minutes. Şengün is much improved as a rim protector. Their offense has been average despite Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith shooting the ball terribly. If they can get their outside shooting up some they'll look a lot better because Şengün is clearly a legit offensive hub.

If Jalen Green and Jabari Smith do not start to show improvement soon, I'd look to move on from them and build around Şengün, Eason, and Thompson. Jury is out on Sheppard; profile wise he does seem like a great fit next to Amen in the backcourt.

whatisacenter · Post #17 » by **whatisacenter** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:36 pm

Deivork wrote:They're off to a hot start (11-5), good for #4 in the Western Conference with 80% of the regular season left for them.

They have a deep and young team that is exciting to watch. Will it be enough to clinch a play-off berth in a very, very tough conference in April?

They have the #3 best defensive rating under Ime Udoka and the 14th best offense. This data tends to translate to success.
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/best-nba-team-defensive-rating

They have an average strength of schedule left, though that might not not be very relevant this early in the season.
https://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength

None of their main guys have missed games, which is more than most top teams can say (Nuggets, Suns, Sixers, Thunder, Celtics, Mavs, Bucks...).

At least 11 west teams will fight tooth and nails for 8 play-offs spots. Probably health will determine most but if it would average out, would the Rockets make it? They seem ahead of schedule and it's fun to watch.

Are all the young players content with their current role? Would they be a true player if Giannis is available?

Maybe those who watch them close can tell us more of this team's expectations this season.

Yes they can and you should add a poll.

iggymcfrack · Post #18 » by **iggymcfrack** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:41 pm

Making the playoffs is a pretty low bar for a team this good who between their youth and the best coach in the league is improving by the day. We saw it at the end of last season how much they improved over the course of the year. I had the Rockets as a 4 or 5 seed going into the year and I feel like I’d put them higher now. With how thin Denver is and with how Minnesota’s struggling to gel after the trade, I think a 3 seed for the Rockets is probably the most likely outcome. I could see them finishing something like 54-28.

bkkrh · Post #19 » by **bkkrh** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:46 pm

If you mean with Playoffs them being in the top 6, most likely not, but I wouldn't be surprised any more. Play-In on the other side definitely. Doesn't sound that great, but there are pretty much 12, if New Orleans gets it together 13 teams that are competing for those spots.

TheHartBreakKid · Post #20 » by **TheHartBreakKid** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 6:54 pm

If I was to bet, I think they do make the play-in.

West is too good for me to feel confident about them making the playoffs though, currently constructed, as solid as they have been.

It's not me being down on the Rockets...it's just the fact that the West is too good.

My level of optimism for them can change with a major injury to another team, or if they make a big trade, but again, as constructed, I expect them to be in the play-in.

What seed will the Rockets get?