Is Houston Rockets a legit title contender?

[iamgine]

They're now 2nd in the West en route to winning 55 games led by Alperen Sengun no less. Hard to believe since they were winning 22 games just a couple seasons ago. Ime Udoka is a hell of a coach.

Are they currently a legit title contender?

[Im Still Ballin]

Yep. They've recently beat Memphis twice, Cleveland twice, and now Boston in Boston. Houston is a deep and well-coached team fueled by effort, defense, and rebounding.

They don't have the half-court offense and first-chance offense to be a first-class contender but they could cause an upset and make for a very hard series. I could see them having a 2013 Memphis type of run.

[Xiao Yao You]

No

[Real Men Wear Green]

Definitely wouldn't take them over OKC. I have more faith in Denver by far as well. They will give some tough series because Udoka has them defending hard but I put them on the level below those two teams and I would have the Clippers over them if Leonard could stay healthy. Dallas is probably also better although we first need to see how Doncic comes back (I doubt he will be in shape at all).

[Xiao Yao You]

Donic will never be in shape.

[TMac&Luther]

They haven't even played they're best ball yet. They're young so they should only get better, especially with the emergence of Amen Thompson since he entered the starting lineup. When Jabari Smith comes back it should only make the bench stronger.. which is pretty good already. Whitmore was out with a illness tonight.

Having said that, I'll wait until after the trade deadline. I have no idea if they'll do anything, but if they can add a knock down shooter. It would help.

[Carbine]

They have no chance.

Unless you think they're the '04 Pistons, they just don't have that guy on offense to carry them past the other elite teams.

No team with Jalen Green is a serious contender as their #1 option. Playoff basketball exposes superstar level talent, it will demolish a guy like Jalen Green for the playoff greenhorn that he is.

[Axe]

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRocKhwZ3bBjzgt59KGSENDoEgCbARXc lv6zfRU9y0zY03evdCOiKeNlAsv&s=10

[Akeem34TheDream]

Yeah Udoka is a good defensive coach but he is also responsible for the lack of half court offense. Also do people still think you need a superstar, a top 5 player, to win the title? It wasn't Tatum's heroics that won them a ring. It was depth and overall quality. I do think OKC with a 100% Holmgren will be the best team but lets see how he returns. I like Rockets' chances against other teams.

[tontoz]

Donic will never be in shape.

He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.

[ImKobe]

WCF ceiling because no superstar #1 option and because they're a bottom-tier 3PT shooting team.

[Wally450]

WCF ceiling because no superstar #1 option and because they're a bottom-tier 3PT shooting team.
In all honesty, that's not that bad in year 2 with Udoka.

[ImKobe]

In all honesty, that's not that bad in year 2 with Udoka.

It's amazing they're this successful in this era without even a real consistent All-Star level player on the team.

[Carbine]

Yeah Udoka is a good defensive coach but he is also responsible for the lack of half court offense. Also do people still think you need a superstar, a top 5 player, to win the title? It wasn't Tatum's heroics that won them a ring. It was depth and overall quality. I do think OKC with a 100% Holmgren will be the best team but lets see how he returns. I like Rockets' chances against other teams.

There's a massive difference between Tatum and Green.

One is a multiple time first team all NBA while the other has never been an all star. Tatum is unquestionably a top ten player, surrounded by a tremendous cast of players.

[RRR3]

He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.
:roll:

[Manny98]

He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.
:roll:

[Neal Romer]

He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.


Twice in fact.

[Axe]

Due their finals experience, i believe having udoka and vanvleet in the team will help them on deeper runs through the postseason.


He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.
Ether.

[Akeem34TheDream]

There's a massive difference between Tatum and Green.

One is a multiple time first team all NBA while the other has never been an all star. Tatum is unquestionably a top ten player, surrounded by a tremendous cast of players.

If you REALLY think Rockets are being carried by Jalen Green, you have no idea. Jalen Green is mediocre to bad in 80% of the games. Team is not reliant on him at all. When he is on, it's amazing and usually results in a blowout. Strength of the Rockets is that anyone can show up between Alpi, Amen, FVV, Brooks, Jabari, Tari, Jalen and lead to a victory. Jalen Green is not the most valuable player of this team, he is not even in the top 3. He is in fact the weak link most of the times. I wish he wasn't, but he is unfortunately. He will have his hot streaks for 10 games here and there though.

[tontoz]

If you REALLY think Rockets are being carried by Jalen Green, you have no idea. Jalen Green is mediocre to bad in 80% of the games. Team is not reliant on him at all. When he is on, it's amazing and usually results in a blowout. Strength of the Rockets is that anyone can show up between Alpi, Amen, FVV, Brooks, Jabari, Tari, Jalen and lead to a victory. Jalen Green is not the most valuable player of this team, he is not even in the top 3. He is in fact the weak link most of the times. I wish he wasn't, but he is unfortunately. He will have his hot streaks for 10 games here and there though.


Yeah I've watched them a few times. Seems like Sengun and Amen really work well together. Sengun can create advantages off the dribble and Amen is a crazy athletic finisher. Sometimes it looks like Sengun is passing to Amen off the backboard even though it is probably counted as a shot.

They have a lot of athletic guys who play hard which makes them tough to deal with.

[ILLsmak]

No

agree

-Smak

[John8204]

Donic will never be in shape.

round is a shape

[ArbitraryWater]

Theyre not.

But how did they just lose b2b games to the Nets?

Strange.

[warriorfan]

He was in good enough shape to end Toody's season.

lol.