Over/Under: Houston Rockets 2023-24

HOUSTON ROCKETS: 31.5 – OVER Key Additions Ime Udoka (coach) Amen Thompson (draft) Cam Whitmore (draft) Fred VanVleet (free…

HOUSTON ROCKETS: 31.5 – OVER

Key Additions

Ime Udoka (coach)Amen Thompson (draft)Cam Whitmore (draft)Fred VanVleet (free agency)Dillon Brooks (free agency)Jock Landale (free agencyJeff Green (free agency)

Key Subtractions

Stephen Silas (coach)KJ MartinKevin Porter Jr.

Rotation

GuardsFred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Amen ThompsonWingsDillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean TateForwardsJabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Jeff GreenBigsAlperen Sengun, Jock Landale

Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.

Fertitta wanted a 3 year rebuild. So, now that those 3 years were up, they decided now was the time to start winning. Hired a new coach, brought in some vets, spent some money, etc. But it was basically putting lipstick on a pig. Their rebuild hasn’t worked because their players haven’t really gotten any better. Or, at least, whatever improvement they made didn’t result in wins. When building a team, you can’t just rely on getting high draft picks and giving them as much playing time as possible so they can learn on the job. Player Development was nonexistent for the Rockets. Last years’ offense was essentially a Your Turn, My Turn streetball tournament between Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green. Add to that the fact that neither of them play defense, combined with a rookie PF in Jabari Smith and an undersized C in Sengun, and it was a recipe for failure. Everyone around the league has only positive things to say about Coach Silas personally. That aside, his coaching left much to be desired, and I’m worried some of his young players stagnated under his watch.

With Ime, there should be some semblance of strategy and discipline. He’ll have his guys ready to play, and they’ll be better than last year for sure. Kevin Porter Jr. is banished from the team due to beating the shit out of his girlfriend. Pretty horrific stuff actually. Very good chance he never plays in the NBA again. So Ime doesn’t have to worry about him stealing time from Jalen and Cam and Amen. But the West is tough. Every team besides the Blazers are competing to make the playoffs, and the truth is, the Rockets are nowhere near contender status yet, despite what Tilman Fertitta wants.

Last Year – Interesting Stats

110.7 ppg – 28th118.6 opponent ppg – 28th119.3 Defensive Rating – 29th111.4 Offensive Rating – 27th1st in the league in offensive rebounds30th in the league in assistsGave up the most 3s – both made & attempted – in the league

Keys to Success

They establish a firm rotation, Sengun becomes a focal point in the offense in the same way Sabonis is in Sacramento, VanVleet & Brooks shoot 37% or better from 3, Jabari becomes the face of the team, Jalen Green learns how to play within the offense

Potential Obstacles

VanVleet has a lot of miles on him, Sengun gets frustrated because no one knows how to make a post entry pass, Ime plays Landale big minutes for his defense which stalls Sengun’s growth, Dillon Brooks forgets that he sucks and shoots his way right to the bench in crunchtime, Jalen Green resorts to his bad habits

Hot takes

Alperen Sengun leads the team in scoringJalen Green sees crunch time minutes given to Amen ThompsonJalen Green’s career tops out as a Anfernee Simons/Jordan Poole 6th Man Scorer – typeDillon Brooks is a bust and loses minutes to Jae’Sean TateVanVleet has injury riddled seasonKevin Porter Jr. never plays in the NBA again

STANDINGS PREDICTION: 12TH IN THE WEST