I could see Houston getting 60-65 wins

[Heavincent]

Lawson
Harden
Ariza
Jones/Montewhoever (not sure who will start)
Howard



Bench:
Beverly
Brewer
Jones
KJ McDaniels might be a nice player

I would say no excuses, but the West is so loaded there wouldn't be much shame in losing to some other stacked powerhouse (like GS, SA, OKC, or LAC).

The West is BRUTAL.

[Prime_Shaq]

Its all about health though... Same goes with many West teams (SA,GSW,LAC,OKC)

[theaussieguy]

I see Houston doing big things this season. Although they fell short in the playoffs I am hoping that those tough grinded out long series has put some serious GRIT and BALLS into the side.

[Smoke117]

I see Houston doing big things this season. Although they fell short in the playoffs I am hoping that those tough grinded out long series has put some serious GRIT and BALLS into the side.

lol...a lot of morons here had them falling out of the playoffs this past season. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won 56 games with Howard missing half the season and upset the Clippers and made it to the WCF. I wouldn't call it "falling short" losing to the Warriors who were a superior team in every way...especially when people didn't expect much out of them in the first place.

[Cocaine80s]

Feels good to be an east fan


Cavs in 6 if healthy

[Milbuck]

lol...a lot of morons here had them falling out of the playoffs this past season. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won 56 games with Howard missing half the season and upset the Clippers and made it to the WCF. I wouldn't call it "falling short" losing to the Warriors who were a superior team in every way...especially when people didn't expect much out of them in the first place.

Great post. Agreed on all points. "Falling short" is best reserved for teams like the Heat, who went 0-4 against the Bucks in the RS, were used as toiled paper by Khris Middleton, and missed the playoffs a year after making the finals.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Great post. Agreed on all points. "Falling short" is best reserved for teams like the Heat, who went 0-4 against the Bucks in the RS, were used as toiled paper by Khris Middleton, and missed the playoffs a year after making the finals.

[brantonli]

60 wins is way too much. I'd say Rockets marginally improve their win total (57-59 wins) but that's it. The only good thing about this offseason is that Portland should become a punching bag, giving the top 6 seeds a few extra wins.

[StephHamann]

Am i the only one who thinks they would be way better if Lawson plays as 6th man?

[Achilleas]

Am i the only one who thinks they would be way better if Lawson plays as 6th man?

no i agree with you,he should be a guy like manu or iggy,because the second unit don't have any player to create for other players

i don't think they will win 60,i predict 53

[ronnymac]

I think the most realistic scenario is 56 to 58 with the improved status of many western teams this season.Also I think Lawson will probably come off the bench for the 1st few months of the year but by January he'll be starting.

[HylianNightmare]

If only they'd kept j smooth

[red1]

Lawson
Harden
Ariza
Jones/Motiejunas
Howard

Bench:
Beverly
Brewer
Jones
KJ McDaniels

thats a nice squad

[BlakFrankWhite]

54 wins.

5th seed.

1st round exit

[Prime_Shaq]

If only they'd kept j smooth

Why did he even leave? He was a great fit