2018 Houston Rockets Offseason Thread

[Emoryal]

Ehh, the defense they were playing along with the short rotation makes me think they were exhausted. That’s an absurd amount of 3s for pros to miss.

If I had to label any part of the series a choke job it’d be game 1. Rockets talked a good game all season but game 1 was the worst game from an effort standpoint. Ppl gonna point to the hamstring situation years from now but for me it’ll always be game 1 where the missed opportunity lied.

The defense wasnt THAT bad tho and they were 12/23 from the free throw line.

 

[Osmosis]

No doubt in my mind the series is won of CP3 is healthy. He was just as valuable as Harden was during that series, the Rockets don’t win game 4 if he doesn’t have such a great second half. The Rockets were also dealt a pretty heavy blow when Luc injure his shoulder in the regular season. Imo he had a better season than Tuc and Ariza and would have been another body to beef up the rotation. All of that said, the game was lost during Anderson’s second stint in game 7. Why D’antoni decided to play him again after barely surviving his initial stint I’ll never understand. There’s a reason he didn’t play the entire series.

 

[Primetime]

No doubt in my mind the series is won of CP3 is healthy. He was just as valuable as Harden was during that series, the Rockets don’t win game 4 if he doesn’t have such a great second half. The Rockets were also dealt a pretty heavy blow when Luc injure his shoulder in the regular season. Imo he had a better season than Tuc and Ariza and would have been another body to beef up the rotation. All of that said, the game was lost during Anderson’s second stint in game 7. Why D’antoni decided to play him again after barely surviving his initial stint I’ll never understand. There’s a reason he didn’t play the entire series.

Facts

 

[Primetime]

How Carmelo Anthony would fit with the Rockets

When Luc Mbah a Moute agreed to leave for the Clippers on Monday, the talk turned to the Rockets' expected pursuit of Carmelo Anthony and how Anthony would fit.

The broader question so often repeated is, "What are the Rockets doing?"

The start of that answer is that Anthony would not replace what the Rockets lost in Trevor Ariza and Mbah a Moute. The Rockets would not think of it that way and did intend to try to get Anthony even when they hoped Mbah a Moute would take their offer to return. After that, it's complicated.

Ariza's departure was expected. The Rockets might not have thought he'd take a one-year deal, but $15 million – which could have cost the Rockets $50 million in salary and taxes depending on where their spending lands – would have been a heavy hit.

Mbah a Moute's departure will not save the Rockets anything if things go the way they hope.

They will spend it on other players, but they hope to spend it anyway. People can debate the roster decision they will make, but the NBA tax assessor does not care who gets the money. Someone, if the Rockets get their wish, will get it.

The plan/hope at this point is to sign one younger, more athletic defensive wing and land Anthony when he becomes a free agent.

The Rockets have been in talks with representatives of James Ennis, according to two individuals with knowledge of their plans. Ennis would bring good athleticism to the position and has made himself a solid 3-point shooter, much as Mbah a Moute has throughout his career. He would have to make a significant step to fill the void left by Ariza and Mbah a Moute.

Anthony is a very different player than the players that left last season's 65-win Rockets team. The doubts about how he would fit begins with his defense and how he would play in the Rockets' switching style.

He was actually better defensively in those situations last season than many realize, but he was burned in the postseason against the Jazz. The Rockets torched him on switches and teams could hunt him as they did, to the point that if he is added to the Rockets' starting lineup, Rockets associate head coach Jeff Bzdelik might have to go to a two-three zone.

His fit could be difficult in other ways, too, ways that might interfere with the Rockets' chances to land the 10-time All-Star.

Would he even start with the Rockets? Would he finish games? A case could be made – and the Rockets are likely to make it to him as a way to lay the groundwork for how he might be used – that he would need to come off the bench.

He could excel that way, with his buddy Paul running the point with that group and playing in a style that suits Anthony much better than Russell Westbrook's explosive and unpredictable bursts. No one values putting passes in a shooting pocket more than Paul and Anthony could flourish playing with that, especially as a backup power forward.

He might, however, prefer to play for Miami where he would likely start and finish games, more often play his way and join another close friend, Dwyane Wade, assuming Wade re-signs with the Heat.

With the Rockets, there would be limited post-up opportunities. That was an issue when Anthony was with D'Antoni in New York. Both seemed to have gotten over that part of their past. Anthony wanted to join the Rockets last summer and D'Antoni wanted him. He does now, too.

Both are so affable they tend to believe they can get along with anyone and they are usually right. That could be tested if the Rockets sign Anthony and then finish games with a lineup of Clint Capela, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon, Harden and Paul. There would also be times Anthony would be on the floor, a point the Rockets would make if they do get their chance to recruit him again.

It might not hurt that this will be their third swing at trying to get Anthony. He was not likely to sign with them when he re-upped with the Knicks as a free agent in 2014, but came away greatly impressed with the Rockets' presentation. It was common knowledge that the Rockets tried to trade for him last summer, though they never thought they were going to be able to get a deal.

Anthony should at least feel wanted, though with as many Olympics and All-Star appearances as he has, he likely expects that much.

He also could be needed in ways generally overlooked.

The Rockets were a sensational offensive team last season, but they did bog down against the Warriors. That has been forgotten because the Rockets had the Warriors on the brink, anyway, success that pointed to their play defensively that is now in question. But the case could be made that they need help offensively.

The Rockets averaged 112.2 points per 100 possessions in the regular season. In the five Western Conference Finals games before Paul was hurt, the Rockets averaged 103.5 points per 100 possessions, and that took Harden going nuts in Game 1 and Paul in Game 5. The need for them to carry the offense going one-on-one against the Warriors' switching defense took a toll.

Anthony can still score. He would be a better offensive threat with the Rockets than he was in Oklahoma City, where he was a poor fit. It would not hurt for the Rockets to have another mid-range option, something they desperately lacked in the 2017 playoff loss to the Spurs and missed so badly when Paul was hurt in the 2018 fall to the Warriors.

Even in his worst offensive season, Anthony averaged 16.2 points in a career-low 32.1 minutes with the Thunder. The Rockets can reasonably expect more.

The challenge would be to make it work defensively. That would be the gamble the Rockets were willing to take, betting on longer odds in the hope to catch the Warriors.

The whole "run it back thing" sounds good and will likely still be a theme the Rockets repeat even with Mbah a Moute and Ariza gone, but there was still a gap to close. The Rockets might need to take a few chances in the retooling around Harden, Paul and – assuming they get their deal done – Capela.

Anthony would have to bet on himself. By choosing to play with the Rockets, he would also have to accept playing in the most recent iteration of D'Antoni's offense. He would have to accept a flexible role. He would have to know he would not be close to the first option he had been through most of his career.

With the Rockets, he would get a better chance at a championship than he would find in Miami or Los Angeles. He would get a chance to rebuild his reputation, especially if he can defend with enough determination to at least get by and increase his role. By signing with a chunk of the mid-level exception money the Rockets left available by not using it on Mbah a Moute, he would be in line for a much greater salary with the Rockets in 2019-20 than if he signs for a veteran's minimum.

At 34-years-old and after 15 NBA seasons, Anthony is not likely to be what he was when he was one of the league's most unstoppable scorers, but he and the Rockets might find themselves in a position to gamble on one another.

As always, the Rockets do give people something to talk about.

 

[Primetime]

Ignoring the Ariza/MCW swap for a moment... I don't necessarily mind Carmelo for Luc Mbah Moute. But what can't happen is us feeling pressured to play Carmelo down the stretch instead of someone like PJ Tucker. We'd really need to lean on Chris Paul's leadership to nip any locker room tension bullshyt in the bud. Esp since he's good friends with Carmelo and Tucker.

And since the Ariza/MCW "swap" did happen, it makes me wonder if Green would start at the 3, or would we try moving Tucker to SF and Melo to PF.

 

[Primetime]

Matter of fact, doesn't really matter about the starting 3, bc we switch everything anyway

It really could just be
CP3, Harden, Tucker, Melo, Capela

With Gordon and Green off the bench.

Offensively I'm actually not worried. It's just defensively if Melo can keep up with all the switching of picks.

Plus we'd need a serviceable big if Nene is too flabby. And MCW wasn't who I had in mind as the extra ball handler to spell CP3

 

[GR13]

if Morey can swap Ryan Anderson shytty contract for Nicolas Batum and his shytty contract at least you get a player that can play sf&pf against golden state

 

[Mike_Pipeson]

 

[YaThreadTrashB!]

if Morey can swap Ryan Anderson shytty contract for Nicolas Batum and his shytty contract at least you get a player that can play sf&pf against golden state

Batum contract going till 21'

 

[Primetime]

Ariza, Luc Mbah Moute Carmelo, James Ennis, Michale Carter Williams

I'm actually not sure we got worse


Kinda depends on this "James Ennis" guy. MCW is that "backup ball handler" i've been wanting (unfortunately he can't shoot)... Melo for Luc, I'm at peace with... But @holidayinn21 what does this 6'9 28yr Ennis guy do or not do that made yall bush him?

 

[Mike_Pipeson]

Ariza, Luc Mbah Moute Carmelo, James Ennis, Michale Carter Williams

I'm actually not sure we got worse


Kinda depends on this "James Ennis" guy. MCW is that "backup ball handler" i've been wanting (unfortunately he can't shoot)... Melo for Luc, I'm at peace with... But @holidayinn21 what does this 6'9 28yr Ennis guy do or not do that made yall bush him?

We just need him to up his offensive game and we guten

And if Morey can talk to the Wizard of Oz and get Melo some heart, I'm good with the trade

 

[holidayinn21]

Ariza, Luc Mbah Moute Carmelo, James Ennis, Michale Carter Williams

I'm actually not sure we got worse


Kinda depends on this "James Ennis" guy. MCW is that "backup ball handler" i've been wanting (unfortunately he can't shoot)... Melo for Luc, I'm at peace with... But @holidayinn21 what does this 6'9 28yr Ennis guy do or not do that made yall bush him?

He was trade because we were tanking and he was a FA. I was always a fan of his.

As far as the move is concerned. He's versatile defensively, runs the floor, strong finisher, and he's a decent outside shooter. In other words, he's the perfect for for ya

 

[Primetime]

We just need him to up his offensive game and we guten

He was trade because we were tanking and he was a FA. I was always a fan of his.

As far as the move is concerned. He's versatile defensively, runs the floor, strong finisher, and he's a decent outside shooter. In other words, he's the perfect for for ya

We back!

 

[FukkaPaidEmail]

Ennis + Melo
Means y'all got infinitely better

 

[Primetime]

And if Morey can talk to the Wizard of Oz and get Melo some heart, I'm good with the trade

I truly believe CP3 is the key. If he can't inspire Melo to be great, then Melo just wasn't meant to be great. Paul gon deliver him buckets on a silver platter. But he's also gon get on his ass for shytty defensive rotations.

Gon be interesting to see how Melo responds to his best buddy not pulling punches