Clutchfans: With the moves, are the Rockets a better team than the Blazers?

I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that they have a point. I felt Portland fortunate top win last year. Fortunate that McHale took so long to realize that Jones couldn't handle Aldridge. Fortunate that Harden couldn't hit a thing (yeah, Matthews' defense was good, but his performance was beyond bad). Fortunate that we matched up with a poor defensive team. I wouldn't count on any of those this year. I do think they are delusional if they don't see how the Blazers are better this year, but I can certainly understand how Rockets fans might believe they were the better team last year, and are significantly improved this year as well.

 

The big question is, has Ariza, Smith and Brewer replaced the output of Lin, Asik and Parsons.

 

We should compare the players to each other, or who has an advantage.

PG:

Beverly and Lillard.

Beverly is a better 3 point shooter and rebounding (barely) but much worse at everything else.

Advantage: Portland.

SG: Matthews and Harden.

Advantage: Houston

SF: Batum vs Ariza

Honestly, it's a draw. Batum is shooting somewhat crappy this year, but so is Ariza. In fact, Ariza is shooting much worse overall than Batum. Nic is at least shooting a respectable % from 2, and still is averaging 5 boards and 5 assists.

PF: Aldridge vs Smith.

Obvious advantage Portland. LaMarcus scores more, rebounds more, has a better defensive rating and is a bigger threat to take over games and not get waived by a team desperate for talent, even if it costs them 28+ million.

C: Howard vs Lopez (when healthy) or Freeland.

Duh.

Bench:

Blake, Kaman, Crabbe, Freeland Vs Brewer, Montebunchofletters, and maybe one more.

Honestly, it's a draw.

So all in all, I think it's probably a draw with a slight edge to Portland because they don't have to introduce two players into their system, McHale still is a so-so coach, and their best players (Howard, Harden and Smith) all have a reputation for being unable to lead teams or be clutch.

For such a superstar, Harden is shooting an attrocious % from the floor, and still finds ways to Russell Westbrook it up. Howard can't shoot free throws to save his life AND still (after 10 years in the league) doesn't have a go to move offensively, and Smith is a bit of a knucklehead.

Could they beat Portland in a playoff series? Sure, but they could also lose in a playoff series to Portland. As of right now, there is no clear cut favorite in the playoffs, and it's way too soon to really make a declaration for odds on favorite, or prognosticate about how the Mavs or Rockets will evolve with their new players.

To me, personally, the Mavs and Rockets went from "no realistic chance" to "better chance" at winning the west. Portland was in the "better chance" group to begin with.

 

players that depend on their athletic ability (Howard and Smith) don't tend to win titles.

Harden doesn't necessarily rely on his athletic skill (in that flopping doesn't take athletic skill) to score.

LaMarcus and Damian don't rely on their athletic skill to over power/score against their opponents. I'll take the smarter player over the athletic one every day of the week.

I'd also take whatever the hell LeBron James is too.

 

pass.

signed,

Blazerwookee