For the sake of some optimism

[JordansBulls]

Let's say Mcgrady does come and starts the season and plays the whole season and is as good as he was in 2007 or 2008

In 2007 he averaged 24.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.3 spg on 43%

In 2008 he averaged 21.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.0 spg on 42%

How well will the Rockets do?

How many wins?


PG Brooks/Lowry
SG Tmac/Taylor/White
SF Ariza/Battier/Buddinger
PF Scola/Landry/Hayes
C Andersen/Dorsey

[jove9]

Who knows?

That's why they play the games.

[Ribalding]

That starting 5 could get you about 70 points per game.

On the offensive end, that bench is WEAK (and short).

[tisbee]

Last yr on one leg and totally mindf***ed because he couldn't dominate McGrady still put up 15.6ppg,4.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists. Assuming he comes back in time to make a difference and stays in the line-up let's compare what was to what will be,just using last yr's numbers.

Ron/Von..........26.8ppg,7.0 rebounds,4.4 assists a game.
McGrady/Ariza..24.5ppg,8.7 rebounds,6.8 assists a game.
Ron/Shane.......24.4ppg,10.0 rebounds,5.6 assists a game.

Assuming Andersen can score 9ppg(and Scola ave'd 10.3 as a rookie),this yr's Rockets w/out Yao,Ron,Von are missing about 12-13ppg,assuming T-Mac and Ariza score at last yrs pace. I think we can assume Scola,Brooks,Budinger,Taylor,an Ariza more involved in offense and a healthyish T-mac can score that much. Yes,the offense will sputter and look ugly at times,esp early,but I believe there should be enough scoring,esp if the Rockets push the ball. I'm more worried about the defense.

Ribalding,
If T-Mac comes back and stays in line-up,that pushes Battier to second unit and his normal 9ish ppg pretty much matches Wafers 9.7ppg. Only this yr instead of the bench being Wafer and...and...and...and,um Barry,there's Battier,Budinger and Taylor and,um Barry. A realistic 5,6ppg from Budinger and Taylor,some 7-8 from Battier gives 20 and there's still Landry and Lowry.
I expect low 90's from team at beginning of season and mid-to-high 90's should McGrady come back.
Not to say it will all be smooth,but against teams w/poor defense I can see the Rockets running them out of the gym and also struggling to break 70 against a good defensive team.

[khrno]

they'll average about 70 points... losing every divisional games. 20/82 wins...with some luck maybe rockets will get first pick in teh 2010 draft.. reminds me of the time david robinson went out and the spurs acquired tim duncun.

[rocketsballin]

tmacs proven to come back from injury, he's been doing that every season since his 2nd in houston. he's had plenty of time to rest, not even 40 games played last season. this is the most rest he's had in houston, so the only thing keeping him from playing would be a nagging injury wearing on him. if that doestn happen he's set for a good season, and prolly would have his best season, if the rockets can go higher than the 8th seed tmac would have to do a lot, but he's still able.

just gotta wait and see, everybody hates that so its always 'tmacs out till its official he can play'. dude always plays hurt. he knows this is the best time to prove his worth, push for another good contract, better not be as big.

health is the name of the game w/ this foo

[moofs]

You want optimism?

This guy's not our GM
http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... er_boozer/

[Optimism Prime]

You want optimism?

This guy's not our GM
http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... er_boozer/

You want Optimism?!?!

I'm right here. Sup.

[moofs]

If you're trying to pun me to death, just be aware that I do own a jacket and some heavy-duty galoshes.

[TMACFORMVP]

Well, IF McGrady came back, I don't see why we'd only average 70 points per game. I'd have no doubt Scola would take more responsibility offensively - hell to finish the season he was putting up near 16/10 consistently. With him as the main option in the paint, and off the pick and roll (especially if McGrady comes back) then I wouldn't be all that surprised with season average of roughly 16-18 points per game. Brooks was coming into his own during the playoffs, and as a starter put up nearly 12-13 points, and over 15 during the playoffs. Assuming he's gained valuable experience, I wouldn't be that surprised at nearly 15 points per game. Brooks may not be a PG per se, but he knows how to score using his quickness and shooting ability.

Ariza is expected to take a larger offensive role with our team, and off the attention McGrady would garner, Ariza would get the open threes he got with the Lakers, except moving off cuts and screens and plays called for him. Lowry, Battier, and Landry have all proven they can be offensive options off the bench or in the starting lineup. We don't know how Anderson will turn out, but he'll be a rotation player most likely, and from what we've seen has a decent touch around the basket.

Our offense won't be that great, but 70 points per game is nearly an all time low for any team, and we certainly would have more offensive talent than that, especially when this thread is assuming McGrady comes back at the form he was 07-08, let alone 06-07..

[Optimism Prime]

If you're trying to pun me to death, just be aware that I do own a jacket and some heavy-duty galoshes.

I'm the punniest poster here--don't pretend otherwise.

[moofs]