Because in a series with either, I think they will have problems.

Michael Carter Williams...damn rook

Spurs held the Grizzlies to 7 points in the 2nd quarter last night. ROFL GO SPURS GO!

I tend to agree. They dont need a Harden level player though they just need some guys who can shoot from outside.

The thought is they hit free agency after this year because they dont want to go over 3 years in a row because the penalty increases.

They were the top seed in the West last year until went Russ went down though. They just need a shooter to replace Martin, and they'll be fine. The Westbrook injury would have held them back even with Harden obviously. The trade still sucked however. Their hope was Lamb could be that shooter, but at this point he's not. If he can't pick it up soon they'll have to find someone who can do the job.

I agree with the short window though. You have to surround them with players who can make plays. Otherwise in 3 years KD might jet, and I won't blame him. Not winning a Championship with Durant and Westbrook would be a HUGE fail.

The Clippers are soft. Maybe Doc changes that mentality.

The Howard acquisition is overrated IMO. They already had a good defensive center which is what Howard really is. He's never going to post up and dominate. He's also a bitch that goes in a shell when things get tough. He only makes them marginally better IMO.

Considering current rosters I like the Spurs in the West followed by Golden State.

The Clips, OKC and Houston are going to have to show me some serious growth before they are in the discussion.

Well that was a fun season! #lakers

I agree and Houston gave up absolutely nothing to get him. Okc traded a young top 10 player for nothing. Outside of presti, anybody could see that trade was a failure.

The worst part is it didn't have to happen. For those that really want to win, the luxury tax doesn't mean that much.

What are you gonna do pay all three? Theres no reason to keep all three. They jusy coulda got more outta that trade. Ibaka is just as important as Harden, at least for a team that already has scoring like the Thunder

You're entitled to your opinion, but the Howard trade is not overrated. He doesn't have to be a monster offensive low post player (but I bet Olajuwon teaches him something) with the players around him. All he's got to do is be somewhat of a threat, clean the glass and be active around the basket and he'll get his. The beauty part is the Rockets STILL have Asik. When he spells Howard, they still have very capable backup. Play them both together and the lineup is HUGE with enough smalls and or scorers to be used as needed.

Do you really think the Spurs and Warriors are deeper than Houston? Maybe the Warriors are as deep but the Spurs are a different case all together because they're old and it shows every season. What depth they have needs to be counted on more so than the others.

Did you check out Howard's line last night? He had 17 pts and 27 boards, and a couple of blocks. If you can count on that point-wise and half that board wise, all year from him - the Rockets have all the other pieces and will likely represent the West in the Finals.

Fair enough about needing to show you more, however, yours is one of the few discussion they're not in, but in time I bet they will be...

Darryl Morey, the Rockets GM, tweeted the following last night : All your rebounds are belong to us.

Hilarious.

Stats have never been a problem with Howard. A stat line vs the Bobcats means nothing to me. Time will tell, but Howard has always been selfish. If the Rockets succeed it will be Harden making the plays. I like Houston's roster fine, but like Golden State and San Antonio's better. Doesn't mean I'm right, but it's definately my opinion.

This.

The only problem was the return. He felt he had to rush into it, snd he should have waited.

New Delay of game rule just slows down the game even more. They really have to change it.

If they knew Harden would be this good, they should have kept all three. How could anyone think it's a bad thing to have 3 of the top 12 players in the league, all three playing different positions? Presti missed on his projection for how good Harden would become.

I knew if I talked shit about Bargnani he would have a solid game tonight.