HOUSTON ROCKETS
Key Additions: Chris Paul (trade LAC), P.J Tucker (free agent), Tarik Black (free agent), Luc Mbau A Moute (free agent), Demetrius Jackson (free agent)
Key Subtractions: Sam Dekker (trade LAC), Lou Williams (trade LAC), Patrick Beverley (trade LAC), Montrez Harrell (trade LAC)
I'm not going to lie. I am going to be very biased with this next episode because this is my favorite NBA team. So back to the Rockets, everyone is worried about the paring of All-NBA point guard, Chris Paul and this years runner up for MVP James Harden. The problem is not on the offensive end. Harden and Paul wanted to play together and unselfish superstars usually find a way to make things work out. The problem will be on the defensive end after Houston traded the best on ball defender in the NBA in Patrick Beverley. Houston was already in the middle of the pack in defensive efficiency (18th), so they will be hard pressed to improve. Paul can pick off a lot of passes but is over rated on defense and is no Beverley, but Houston did upgrade defensively everywhere. Sam Dekker for P.J Tucker, Montrez Harrell for Tarik Black, Kyle Wiltjer for Luc Mbau A Moute. These three guys have experience and are very under rated. I would have liked to have seen Houston's GM Darrell Morry get a true young defensive backup point guard but I guess Demetrius Jackson, or Tim Quarterman will have to do. I think the guy that will be most happy with CP3 coming to Houston is the Rockets' big man Clint Capela because Capela is very similar to DeAndre Jordan. Capela needs to work on a 15 footer and improve his jump hook. He can't just go up for alley-oops on offense because he needs to develop some more low post moves. The Rockets need him to step up in a big way if they want to beat the Warriors. The guy who also needs to step up on offense is Ryan Anderson, even thoe he's one of the best stretch fours in the game. Anderson is like the poor man's Kevin Love. He can shoot better than Love, but Love is a better low post scorer and knows how to get dirty in the paint. That is what I want to see from Anderson, toughness and the ability to use his size to get down low and get some more boards. He needs to be an 8 to 10 rebounding machine
STARTING LINEUP Ball handles Shot Rebounding Passing Defense
PG Chris Paul (A+) (B) (B) (A+) (C)
SG James Harden (B+) (A) (A-) (A+) (D-)
SF Trevor Ariza (C) (A) (C+) (C) (B+)
PF Ryan Anderson (D-) (A+) (C-) (C+) (C+)
C Clint Capela (F) (D) (B+) (F) (B+)
BENCH ball handles Shot Rebounding Passing Defense
SG Eric Gorden (B-) (A+) (C) (C) (B-)
F P.J Tucker (A-) (C-) (B+) (C) (A-)
C Nene Hilario (B) (C) (C) (B) (C+)
F Luc Mbah A Moute (A-) (C) (B) (C) (A)
PG Demetrius Jackson (C) (C-) (D) (C) (C+)
F-C Tarik Black (B) (B) (A-) (D) (B-)
PG Tim Quarterman (C+) (D) (C) (C) (C)
G-F Troy Williams (C+) (C-) (C) (C) (C+)
C Zhou Qi (D) (D+) (D) (D-) (D+)
MAIN POINT
Houston has one of the best offense in the NBA and it will take Paul and Harden at the most 10 games to mesh. If the Rockets want to win it all, the role players Anderson, Capela, Tucker, and Mbau A Moute will have to step it up on both sides of the floor. Anderson will have to be tougher and use his height to get some low post buckets. Capela needs to work on becoming a better 10 to 15 foot shooter. Tucker and Mbau A Moute need to be able to lock down scoring forces like Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Jimmy Butler. So to sum it up, the Rockets will have to play great on both sides of the floor
record: 60-22
position in the west:2
position in division:1
playoff run: NBA Champs
team MVP: James Harden
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