If Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard take the next step, there's no reason why the Rockets can't win the NBA Finals this year https://t.co/xHlIuB0AY2
Amen Thompson's increased workload could stop him from winning DPOY, per @SamQuinnCBS
"He just has more on his plate now...I expect his offensive workload to increase pretty meaningfully, and for the Rockets to compensate by finding ways to limit Thompson's defensive workload. "
Jake LaRavia said Steven Adams used to “walk around the facility barefoot with steaks in his hand” when they were teammates 😭
(Video via @OldManAndThree)
Houston are fourth in BR’s latest NBA power rankings
“This team is uniquely built to survive (Fred VanVleet’s) absence. It might even make the roster better in the long run…Amen Thompson and/or Reed Sheppard will now get a lot more developmental reps as the primary creator.”
Ime Udoka said the Rockets have "four guys penciled in" to the starting lineup and will "figure out what to do with the fifth," per @BinkleyHoops
Who would you want to see as Houston's fifth starter? Tari Eason? Reed Sheppard? Or Steven Adams?
The Rockets gained the second most roster value this offseason in WAR, according to ESPN’s latest article
Houston gained +12.6 in WAR, headlined by Kevin Durant’s +7.1, while losing 7.5 mainly in the KD trade
It’s worth noting that the loss of Fred VanVleet is a -6.3 WAR loss
Reed Sheppard was cited as a "hinge guy" and potential difference-maker for the Rockets this season, according to @johnhollinger's new article
"On paper, Sheppard’s skill set is exactly what the Rockets need, and he should get more rope this season. But they can’t wait for him."
ESPN's @LegsESPN thinks Houston doesn't need to replace Fred VanVleet
"Do you really need that quintessential lead guard like a guy like Fred VanVleet? I look at a team like Boston. In Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, neither one of those guys is really a traditional lead guard."
An Ime Udoka-coached team has never finished worse than .500, dating back to 2012 when he first started as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs
Udoka may not have the resume yet, but he’s a proven winner 👏
