Daryl Morey: Rockets Already Have Makings Of Championship Team

[Fallen Angel]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPHqLhIVAAICFfA.jpg


Daryl Morey is confident in the Houston Rockets' title chances this season after keeping most of their core in tact and adding Ty Lawson.

"If you look historically, championship teams have two or three elite-level players, and they're usually together for a bit," Morey said. "I expect this group to be together for a while.

"If this year we don't make it as far as we want, which is all the way to the LOB (Larry O'Brien trophy), I would expect to bring most of this group back, because the group we assembled is good enough to win. We have to prove that on the court, but I don't think you look at it and say there are obvious things that need to be changed for us to be a championship team."

The Rockets' title chances begin with James Harden and Dwight Howard.

"Let's be clear: There's a lot of execution to go from here to there," Morey said. "We have what we think is the top player at two positions (Harden and Howard), and we have very, very solid pieces to work around them all the way to players eight through 10.

"A lot of teams that look good on paper, like I think we do, don't finish it. But we have all the components."

[MiseryCityTexas]

Rockets are one power forward away.

[Fallen Angel]

Rockets are one power forward away.
The only way we can improve our PF spot is by acquiring an All-Star. D-Mo is a really good inside-out offensive player that can pass and play defense. T-Jones is a developing shooter who can handle the ball like a SF and can protect the rim with his shot blocking ability.

D-Mo is probably on the verge of getting himself a fat contract this coming summer when he becomes a Free Agent.

[G-train]

The Rockets have a big problem, and that is Dwight Howard.
Until he becomes more competitive, they won't win the West.
Not sure if a brain transplant is possible this far into his career.

[dhsilv]

The rockets are certainly at that level. My question for them is who is the "brains" of the offense? I just feel like 2 minutes to go in a close game that decision making on this team can be iffy. If they can get past that, they're a legit contender.

[Fallen Angel]

The rockets are certainly at that level. My question for them is who is the "brains" of the offense? I just feel like 2 minutes to go in a close game that decision making on this team can be iffy. If they can get past that, they're a legit contender.
The addition of Ty Lawson will really help their crunch-time play calling. We were already have the league leader in total points in clutch time (http://www.nbaminer.com/clutch-time-stats/) so I'd assume we'd improve in that area in terms of our play calling. I also hope to see D-Mo be involved more since he's our best low post player, how many PFs in the league have the size to cover a coordinated seven foot low post scorer.

[bdreason]

Team is scary on paper. That Lawson trade could be a game changer. Team has no weakness, outside of a questionable mental fortitude.

[I<3NBA]

well, their leader disappears when he is needed the most

[GIF REACTION]

Dwight will always be the weakness

Cleveland be like: "We got a Lebron."

[Thorpesaurous]

I think Lawson helps a lot. He forces tempo and that can help keep Dwight engaged. It can also help them get easier looks for Harden and a few of their role players which can make them look better.

I also like Terrance Jones and DoMo more than most people. The depth will look better with some of the young defensive wings they have, and especially with Beverly as a backup. And I don't think the offense will stall as much with Harden out so long as they stagger Lawson's minutes with him, because Lawson can create enough on his own. I can even envision stretches with Lawson and Beverly together where Lawson can play all the catch and PnR stuff. I think Sam Dekker may play a bigger role than expected because they'll need more shooting from the off side wing spot when Ariza is down. They've already got guys who can help defensively out there, but the shooting is tougher to replace.

It's a nice roster. I'm not sure I'd consider a complete contender, but more like a team that could swing it with a break here or there.

[JellyBean]

Oh yeah. On paper, the Rockets are a great team with the making of a title team. However the games are not played thru the paper but on the court. They lack chemistry, mental toughness, and leadership.

[Thorpesaurous]

Oh yeah. On paper, the Rockets are a great team with the making of a title team. However the games are not played thru the paper but on the court. They lack chemistry, mental toughness, and leadership.


Absolutely. And a ton of this is going to hinge on how well Harden and Lawson can co-exist. They do so much similar stuff as far as needing to have the ball in their hands. And as much as the Harden trade from OKC gets hammered, and OKC did screw up it's assets, there was definitely an element of how were they going to fit those three pieces together, and Harden is the least fittable of the pieces.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I would agree if Dwight Howard was playing at the level he did in Orlando. Unfortunately he's playing on par with Mutombo's peak offensively. Still a very good player overall but he has to find a way to contribute more as a scorer. He's not the great big he should be especially considering that a lot of teams don't even use real centers so he should have mismatches he can abuse.

[Fallen Angel]

Chemistry isn't an issue with the Rockets. We have no ego driven players, guys know how to sacrifice on this team.

Our star SG voluntarily sat out the forth quarter of an elimination game on the road in the playoffs because we had a lineup on the floor that was getting the job done.

Our star C accepted a reduced his role from a go-to option to a P&R big with limited touches on the block.

Our newest PG is ready to sacrifice guaranteed money for next season to embrace his new found role on this team.

Our guys have checked their egos at the door because that's the culture instilled in this team. Look at guys like Josh Smith and Corey Brewer who both came to the scene midseason with reduced roles and embraced it.

[UK2K]

Oh yeah. On paper, the Rockets are a great team with the making of a title team. However the games are not played thru the paper but on the court. They lack chemistry, mental toughness, and leadership.

That's basically what the article is about.

[el_locoteee]

The Rockets have a big problem, and that is Dwight Howard.
Until he becomes more competitive, they won't win the West.
Not sure if a brain transplant is possible this far into his career.

Actually Dwight have been the best Rockets in the playoffs. Harden is the one who's been spotty due to the fact that other teams have key on him and expose the Rockets for having only on creator on the team. Hopefully Lawson can solve that.

[RidonKs]

I would agree if Dwight Howard was playing at the level he did in Orlando. Unfortunately he's playing on par with Mutombo's peak offensively. Still a very good player overall but he has to find a way to contribute more as a scorer. He's not the great big he should be especially considering that a lot of teams don't even use real centers so he should have mismatches he can abuse.
he really doesn't.

d-mo and jones can easily combine for 20 points on any given night. they bring different things to the table too. d-mo will get iso post plays way more frequently than dwight, who i think/hope/pray will finally accept that he is not a dominant nor even an efficient offensive weapon. the energy he'll save could really add to his season long durability and more importantly for a fragile psyche like dwight's, he'll have a chance to find a comfort zone where not too much is expected of him. hate him or love him, this is the team dwight was born to play for. loaded with offensive weapons and great passers.



i gotta hedge on this mental toughness argument though. it's an easy argument to make because the core trio consists of a diva, a dildo, and a drunk.

look at the rest of the team though... ariza is championship tested. terry brings back that veteran leadership with occasional late game heroics. patrick beverley is fvcking savage.

but toss onto that just the way mchale had these guys playing last year, it was incredible. i think their defense went from bottom ten to top five in a single year and it had little to do with the personnel given all the injuries. that was an incredibly scrappy team and all the major pieces are coming back. given mchale's track record it was pretty damn surprising.




still i think their downfall will come on the offensive end. even last year against the clippers, the rockets offense was banking on playmaking from unusual places, whenever they weren't racing the break or handing the ball to harden.

bottom line i don't trust mchale's ability to design a competent playoff offense and make the right adjustments against the likes of pop and kerr.

the team is too new and lawson and harden have to figure out how to make their backcourt function in a predictable complimentary fashion. as opposed to taking the team out of its sets for isolations over and over.

[ClipperRevival]

On paper, they are right there with anyone. And I don't know what people are talking about. Howard was a beast last year in the playoffs and looked almost as explosive and springy as his Orlando days. He is still an amazingly impactful player.

Along with Harden, you got Lawson, Ariza, Beverly, Monty and Jones. Really talented team.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

I really think Dwight benefits greatly from Lawson. Probably more than any other Rockets player. Lawson is one of the best at the league at breaking down a defense and setting up his bigs right at the rim. All Dwight needs to do is catch and finish. Look at Lawson highlights from this past year (where he didn't even play that well). It's all setting up Faried and Hickson for wideopen dunks. You telling me Dwight can't do what they did?

I do question how Harden and Lawson coexist, tho. Both need the ball to be their most effective self. I think Harden can definitely play off the ball, but why take it out of your best player's hands? The guy who draws fouls at like 20% higher rate than MJ. He can't do that unless he is ball dominant. So you don't. That means you need Lawson to become a better shooter then. Curious to see how that all works out.

I'd agree on the mental toughness issue... Except they did have that massive comeback against the Clippers and legitimately pushed the Warriors (when I thought they would fold). imo, an overblown issue. Their playoffs run changed their perception imo.

Chemistry. Well no shit. They haven't all played a game together yet. That comes with time.

I would still have them below Spurs, Warriors, and healthy OKC, but they're legit and could join the top group if the Lawson-Harden stuff figures itself out. Same goes with the Clippers if the new pieces fit.

[ClipperRevival]

I really think Dwight benefits greatly from Lawson. Probably more than any other Rockets player. Lawson is one of the best at the league at breaking down a defense and setting up his bigs right at the rim. All Dwight needs to do is catch and finish. Look at Lawson highlights from this past year (where he didn't even play that well). It's all setting up Faried and Hickson for wideopen dunks. You telling me Dwight can't do what they did?

I do question how Harden and Lawson coexist, tho. Both need the ball to be their most effective self. I think Harden can definitely play off the ball, but why take it out of your best player's hands? The guy who draws fouls at like 20% higher rate than MJ. He can't do that unless he is ball dominant. So you don't. That means you need Lawson to become a better shooter then. Curious to see how that all works out.

I'd agree on the mental toughness issue... Except they did have that massive comeback against the Clippers and legitimately pushed the Warriors (when I thought they would fold). imo, an overblown issue.

Chemistry. Well no shit. They haven't all played a game together yet. That comes with time.

They might maximize their talents best if Lawson came off the bench and let Beverly start but I doubt they do that. Lawson is a top 10 PG and too good to come off the bench but having Lawson run the 2nd unit would mean they have a guy who can break down defenses AND set up for his teammates.

[RidonKs]

I think Harden can definitely play off the ball, but why take it out of your best player's hands?
because he holds the ball too long before making a split second chest pass to his teammate who's defender easily recovers.... though you're right that its only by being so ball dominant that he finds those seams and draws those fouls

if somebody convinced harden that the energy he puts into handling the ball would be better served running screens and getting the ball in excellent position, i bet the whole league would come to respect the hell out of him.

but that seems unlikely; either that anybody confronts the issue (that lawson is clearly the preferable guy to run the offense) or that even if they did, harden would listen

damn shame cuz chub chub would wreak havoc dancing figure eights around his bigs

[Sakkreth]

Rockets are one power forward away.

Watch D-Mo next season.

[Sakkreth]

My prediction is that they lose to Cavs in the finals.

[bobopenguin]

Daryl Morey should be worry about Dwight's upcoming opt out with a new 5yr/150mil request.

[G-train]

Actually Dwight have been the best Rockets in the playoffs. Harden is the one who's been spotty due to the fact that other teams have key on him and expose the Rockets for having only on creator on the team. Hopefully Lawson can solve that.

I didn't say he wouldn't play solid ball, even sometime good ball.
I said he needs a brain transplant for the Rockets to win a title.
He is soft mentally and doesn't have the killer instinct.

[MiseryCityTexas]

Team is scary on paper. That Lawson trade could be a game changer. Team has no weakness, outside of a questionable mental fortitude.

Rockets have no power forward that can guard the LAs, the Griffins, the Greens etc. Both T Jones and D-Mo are good, but far from elite defenders. All Star power forwards be killing these guys on offense.

[Lebron23]

They need to play dirty

They need to play physical

[MiseryCityTexas]

Team is scary on paper. That Lawson trade could be a game changer. Team has no weakness, outside of a questionable mental fortitude.

Rockets have no power forward that can guard the LAs, the Griffins, the Greens etc. Both T Jones and D-Mo are good, but far from elite defenders.All Star power forwards be killing these guys on offense.

[Gileraracer]

Dwight has to be "Orlando Dwight" again to be contenders

[Sakkreth]

They need to make Dmo their second option on offense.

[Duderonomy]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CPHqLhIVAAICFfA.jpg

http://cdn.niketalk.com/e/e3/900x900px-LL-e3160165_857666.gif

[Jameerthefear]

Bump.

[Akrazotile]

It's a shame that curtis gif wasn't the bump, because that'd be a perfect response to the original post right now.

[Smoke117]

Ty Lawson is such garbage.

[Jameerthefear]

The addition of Ty Lawson will really help their crunch-time play calling. We were already have the league leader in total points in clutch time (http://www.nbaminer.com/clutch-time-stats/) so I'd assume we'd improve in that area in terms of our play calling. I also hope to see D-Mo be involved more since he's our best low post player, how many PFs in the league have the size to cover a coordinated seven foot low post scorer.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[Goofsta Knicca]

Recruit LeBron n get him on dat Grant Hill Imma Cowboy shit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Dk_VvgO2mA

[BasedTom]

http://i.imgur.com/brree4M.gif

[Jameerthefear]

http://i.imgur.com/brree4M.gif
name?

[Smoke117]

name?

Jodie Foster, child. She's in her early 50s now...still interested?

[Jameerthefear]

Jodie Foster, child. She's in her early 50s now...still interested?
wow well thanks for ruining it

[coin24]

name?


:roll: :roll:

[warriorfan]

The addition of Ty Lawson will really help their crunch-time play calling. We were already have the league leader in total points in clutch time (http://www.nbaminer.com/clutch-time-stats/) so I'd assume we'd improve in that area in terms of our play calling. I also hope to see D-Mo be involved more since he's our best low post player, how many PFs in the league have the size to cover a coordinated seven foot low post scorer.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

If you watched the end of the Magic Houston game earlier it makes it even more funny.

[Smoke117]

wow well thanks for ruining it

You can always watch Taxi Driver over and over again if you're as creepy as we all believe you are.

[AirBonner]

You can always watch Taxi Driver over and over again if you're as creepy as we all believe you are.
:roll: :roll: :roll: