FrioAg 00 said:

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I know we're young, but I don't understand how we have the 13th best odds for winning a championship

I could accept 5-7, but 13?!

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It does seem like way high. My only analysis would be that when's the last time a really young team just took off and went from no playoff experience to winning the title? I think you have to go back into the 70s maybe to the '77 Blazers who didn't make the playoffs at all from the start of their franchise in 1970 until 1976-1977 when they drafted Walton, went 49-33, and won the Finals.

A pretty good comp from team history would be the '86 Rockets who lost to Boston in the finals.. They missed the payoffs in 83 and 84, and got bounced in the first round in 85 before going 51-31 and shocking LA.

Think tonight was personal for Coach? Bench only played 59 minutes and Brooks and Thompson both went over 40. You know there was a little added satisfaction getting that W in Boston. I'm really not sure what to think of this team. The energy seems unmatched most nights. It feels like they have finally bought in to the system. My only concern going into the playoffs is that we still don't have "that guy" to go to in the 4th. Could Thompson be developing into Mr Clutch? Quite a run they are on, and a whole lot of fun to watch!

I'm not saying these guys are gonna win it all, but I will say Rockets +5000 is really, really good value.

Playoff basketball is a different game.

Will be fun to watch.

Amen is a top 15 player in the league right now.

Am I wrong? He's the best player we've drafted since Hakeem.

Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuz said:

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FrioAg 00 said:

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I know we're young, but I don't understand how we have the 13th best odds for winning a championship

I could accept 5-7, but 13?!

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It does seem like way high. My only analysis would be that when's the last time a really young team just took off and went from no playoff experience to winning the title? I think you have to go back into the 70s maybe to the '77 Blazers who didn't make the playoffs at all from the start of their franchise in 1970 until 1976-1977 when they drafted Walton, went 49-33, and won the Finals.

A pretty good comp from team history would be the '86 Rockets who lost to Boston in the finals.. They missed the payoffs in 83 and 84, and got bounced in the first round in 85 before going 51-31 and shocking LA.

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Also the lack of an established #1 scorer or anyone that is going to get the benefit of the official's calls on offense. Green is talented but wildly inconsistent. Right now, Sengun is more of a #2 option. Then the shooting problems, 26th in eFG and 27th in 3pt. Team is still super, super young and six of eight of the rotation players could be playing college ball right now. I think the number one thing is the lack of the #1 go to scorer/superstar. Guy like Jimmy Buckets dragging the Heat to the Finals. Amen could be that guy next year the way he is playing and getting to the rim right now.

Yao was great before his legs fell off but I really can't think of anyone else.

This kid is special.

Better than Yao imo. I never thought Yao was a franchise carrier. I think this kid is Anthony Edward's type franchise carrier, culture setter.

Woods Ag said:

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Amen is a top 15 player in the league right now.

Am I wrong? He's the best player we've drafted since Hakeem.

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You're right. I was thinking the same thing. Although there are a lot of low cards in that hand

The Rockets draft picks that they didn't trade away after Yao at 1/1 in 2002 up to Jalen Green at 1/2 in 2021 are about the worst thing you'll ever see.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Rockets_draft_history

Dillon Brooks: "I knew that mfer was going in."

Amen Thompson: "Oh that's my first game-winner. I feel like Kobe." pic.twitter.com/UHpCxQnwz4

— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) January 28, 2025

Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuz said:

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The hype is real. I bought Rockets' tickets this morning for the first time since the late 90s.

Amen's #s for January (9 games)

57% FG
11.0 rebounds
4.6 assists
1.3 blocks
2.3 steals
18.8 points

Averaging 22.4 points per game his last 5 games vs. Cavs (twice), Boston, Detroit and Sacramento.

He turns 22 on Thursday.

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Dreams averages his second year:

23.5 ppg
11.5 rpg
2.0 apg
2.0 spg
3.4 bpg

Not saying. Just saying .

They shoulda given Amen the contract Jalen got once he reaches that time.

zooguy96 said:

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They shoulda given Amen the contract Jalen got once he reaches that time.

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What about they just give him Jalen's contract?

JUST IN: The Sacramento Kings are expected to open up talks to potentially deal All-Star De'Aaron Fox ahead of Feb. 6 trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. There will be plenty of suitors, but it's believed that Fox has a target destination in mind ahead of 2026 free agency. pic.twitter.com/Oh3fXgZjm3

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 28, 2025

Is coming home to Houston his target destination?

Heurter+Fox for Cam Whitmore+FVV and a bunch of picks?

Fox can only get the 35% supermax if he stays in Sacramento, so he would be up for a 30% max deal, which is pretty reasonable.

Would the Kings be interested in the #3 pick of the 2024 draft? Because otherwise I don't want to break this team up.

Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuz said:

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Would the Kings be interested in the #3 pick of the 2024 draft? Because otherwise I don't want to break this team up.

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Sengun/Adams/Jocko
Jabari/Eason
Brooks/Amen
Green/Huerter/Reed
Fox/Holiday

I don't see how that is not a massive upgrade. Fox isn't as good defensively as FVV, but he is bigger, longer and is a very good POA defender. Ideally Huerter remembers how to shoot. I don't know why his numbers are down this year.

Fox's numbers seem to be not elevating with age. He kind of reminds me of Dwight Howard. His skills from Year 3 to Year 7 don't seem to be much different.

Jose Cruuuuuuuuuuuuz said:

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Fox's numbers seem to be not elevating with age. He kind of reminds me of Dwight Howard. His skills from Year 3 to Year 7 don't seem to be much different.

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He's putting up 25/5/6/2.

There are 8 players in the league putting up at least 25ppg and at least 6apg. He's stagnating at the top of the league in stats and they run their offense through Sabonis.

The Rockets don't need him. Let your Spurs trade for him.

I think he is exactly the player the Rockets need. He would fit on the Spurs, but they would still be multiple players away from actually contending. I think the Rockets are like one missing piece away.

But I think it is doubtful the Rockets make any significant moves during this season. Especially with Phoenix looking like *****

I'd rather trade Reed and/or Jabari over Whitmore. Robert Williams could also likely be had for some second round picks and filler contracts (like Landale).

Phoenix currently has the 13th best overall record, and won 8 of their last 10. Why are you saying they will tank?

FrioAg 00 said:

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Phoenix currently has the 13th best overall record, and won 8 of their last 10. Why are you saying they will tank?

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I am not saying they will tank, they obviously won't tank since they dont have their own pick, so not sure why you think I said PHX will tank.

I don't believe in them, plus they are in kind of disarray with the Beal mess, openly trying to trade for Butler, Nurkik refusing to even talk to their coach, etc. Look at who they beat in those last 8 games. Washington twice, Brooklyn, Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte, Utah and the Clippers. One kinda good team in the Clippers. They are 24th in defense and only 10th in offense and despite the winning record so far, they have a negative net rating.

Way to many turnovers on the first half

AMEN THOMPSON RISE UP.

pic.twitter.com/uliFFPqqIm

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 29, 2025

16 turnovers now

And zero offensive rebounds according to the broadcast.

We were lucky to be down only 1 at the half.

Odd debbie downer vibe tonight on thread. coming off a huge win in Boston last night, then flying to the ATL for a game tonight. now up 6 as Jae'Sean Tate of all people comes alive.

Clear let down spot after last night. Need to hold on for the dub.

Young flopping all over the floor here in the 4th.

Nice to hold on. That is a game we find a way to lose last year.