While that's true, a team's bench matters a ton. Last season's best starting five was the Indiana Pacers by a wide margin. Their starting unit had a much better scoring differential than any other team's starting five. The problem for them was that the moment they inserted any reserve, their scoring differential tanked. The result was a team that wasn't remotely close to winning the NBA championship. That said, the Pacers are probably historically unique in how finely tuned their starting five was to playing with each other, with any single part removed, the whole thing collapsed. That projected Rockets five probably wouldn't fall apart to the same extent with single substitutions. But having virtually no bench will still harm them a lot against a team like the Spurs who almost don't show a drop in level of play when they go the bench. I'd probably still make the Spurs the favorites even if Houston reels in Bosh and keeps Parsons, but Houston would probably be my pick for #2 in the West and NBA.
If LeBron truly ends up in Cleveland, the East will become a really exciting conference come playoff time. The Finals will likely suck though.
People whose source is someone officially tasked with keeping a secret from people are pretty much useless.
No. We will be better than the Rockets at three positions- PG, SF, and PF. Not scared of them at all.
So much respect to the king if he goes back...that is what the NBA should be about. A city and it's loyalty to a player, a player who gives that loyalty back. Hopefully he can bring that city the championship they have waited so long for.
