Houston Rockets: This particular team isn’t a contender yet
The summer of Daryl Morey 2.0 started off with a bang. The Houston Rockets acquisition of Chris Paul (Based Point god) primed the start of the summer’s NBA Arms Race to take down the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately for Rockets fans, although the team is markedly improved, it’s still not good enough.
What? You wanted me to give you a Houston Rockets hype piece in my first article back?
The Houston Rockets are definitely an improved team. You can’t add Chris Paul to a starting lineup that won 55 games last year and regress. Paul adds discipline and a never quit attitude this Houston Rockets lineup sorely needs. Chris Paul was the only point guard who scored better in defensive plus/minus than Patrick Beverley, Paul doubled Beverley’s output.
Paul’s arrival in Houston means the team has an easier route to recruiting players and attracting ring chasers. In an era where the Golden State Warriors are causing quality teams to consider re-building, the Rockets zigged when other teams are trying to zag.
Unfortunately for Morey, they’re not there yet. Houston is still one notable piece away from being able to give Golden State fits. Their frontcourt, especially small forward Trevor Ariza, is not one that necessarily inspires terror. Golden State’s pick and roll defense and athletic composition helps guard against Paul’s lob game and Houston in general needs to add some more firepower in the front court to keep the Warriors honest.
The Houston Rockets problem is simple; if there’s no reason to respect the front court offense of its own making, can they hang with Golden State? Think about it. The Warriors can run out a line up of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and Zaza Pachulia. No one fears Pachulia but with that lineup, it’s tough to not wet your pants in general. Houston’s counter is Chris Paul, James Harden, Ariza, Ryan Anderson (P.J. Tucker, maybe?), and Clint Capela. I’m a humongous Capela fan but the Rockets aren’t toppling the Warriors with that.
Since the Paul trade, the Rockets have been quiet – that should alarm Houston fans. Paul George was sent to Oklahoma City to deflate his pay prospects by playing next to Russell Westbrook (Can’t produce if you don’t get the ball). Gordon Hayward reunited with Brad Stevens. Danilo Gallinari wound up in Los Angeles with the Clippers. Dion Waiters is back in South Beach.
Daryl Morey has openly stated he’s in bargain shopping mode as per the Chron’s Jonathan Feigen:
Rockets next step? Bargain hunting. GM Daryl Morey said today he'll likely hang on to NG contracts, exception. Could add 1 minimum contract.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 3, 2017
Houston Rockets fans, right now, need to be praying that Morey can duplicate his Harden heist (Yes, to a lesser degree than the first extortion of a franchise).
More from House of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
Two teams can answer those prayers, though, and Morey would be wise to pay attention to them. If you’re looking for the immediate payoff, New York is hell-bent on getting a return for Carmelo Anthony. Teams aren’t interested in Anderson’s contract but if the Knicks are demanding something, they may be forced to eat the deal. Anthony would immediately put the Rockets on par with the Warriors. A creator in the front court with Anthony’s level of skill and buttressed by the defensive presence of Ariza, Paul, and Capela generates a ton of options for the Rockets.
It’s a Hail Mary for the Rockets. Other teams that are dealing are looking to shed salary, Houston can’t make that happen (Boston). The Rockets can’t afford to part with their only blue-chip trade pieces (Gordon and Capela) for a single player and no one wants Morey’s albatross (Ryan Anderson). Barring a dark horse three team trade, Houston looks to be stuck.
Now, don’t let any of that divert away from the genius of what Morey has done. In pursuing Chris Paul he gets a year to test the chemistry and return before committing to a major contract. If the experiment fails, Houston can cut its losses and be $34 million under the salary cap next off season. If it works, Houston can extend Paul with his disgustingly large salary.
Next: Carmelo Anthony must be okay with being the third option
Just… even considering all of that… Houston, on paper, doesn’t look like they’ll push the Warriors. Then again, on paper, people thought Houston was an 8th seed in the Western Conference. One thing is for certain, if Morey wants to quash the notion of doubt, he needs another splash. Barring that, pundits and bloggers will raise questions about whether Houston can compete.