Harden guaranteed for the playoffs? The Clippers want Amen and Whitmore? It's a fantasy! ESPN's prediction was like a big joke for NBA fans, putting the Clippers on the brink of the playoffs while the Rockets finished in the top 10. It's a good thing now, Clippers fans are collectively frying the pot, and they can't wait to rush to ESPN headquarters to ask for an explanation!
Not long ago, ESPN released its prediction for the 2024-2025 season of the Western Conference team rankings, and the results can be described as earth-shattering. The Rockets jumped to 10th place in the West, while the Clippers fell out of the playoffs. As soon as this prediction came out, it immediately caused an uproar in the fan circle.
How can Clippers fans swallow that? jumped out to fight for their own team. Some fans swore that "Harden guarantees the playoffs, and he will slap ESPN in the face." "That's really domineering! However, we have to admit that Harden does have this strength. This "bearded" is not blown, he patted his chest in an interview and said that he is an all-round playmaker or a player with his own system. In the offseason, Harden was not idle, but he went to work his physical fitness. He confidently said that the new season will not only prove himself, but also prove that the Clippers are a good team. To put this way, it is simply to set off a "Harden whirlwind" in the NBA!
Speaking of Harden, many fans are quite relieved. After all, this "rocket engine" still has a lot of oil and water to squeeze. But when it comes to Leonard, the fans are a little worried. No, A-Smith opened fire on Leonard, saying that he was "a genius who invented all sorts of ways to get hurt." This sounds like a compliment, but it's actually a loss! Leonard's nickname of "Glass Man" seems to be confirmed.
Just when everyone was still worried about the future of the Clippers, the United States media "TWSN" broke the news: the Clippers are considering a rebuilding plan and may even sell Leonard to the Rockets. I heard that the Rockets' Amen and Whitmore were just the Clippers' appetite. As soon as this news came out, the fans were stunned. The Clippers want Amen and Whitmore? These two guys are both potential stocks, and there is a lot of room for growth. Amen's physicality, his passing vision, his finishing ability, his rebounding nose, he is simply an all-rounder. I heard that he also practiced dribbling and shooting hard in the offseason, which is the rhythm that will become the cornerstone of the team! Can the Clippers management not be greedy when they see such a player?
Speaking of greed, the Clippers previously traded Martin Jr. from the Rockets, but they tasted the sweetness. At the time, Clippers executives were so happy that they said that "this deal is just a robbery." The result? It's too early to rejoice! Martin Jr.'s performance was not as good as it could have been. It's a good thing now, the Rockets have become the smart guy who "ships at a high price", and the Clippers have lost money. Look at Whitmore again, it's an upgraded version of Martin Jr.! Athleticism, a blast of the ball, and the ability to shoot three-pointers, isn't that what the Clippers dream of?
Let's talk about the 2023 draft, the Clippers have a No. 30 pick in their hands and choose a 2.01-meter forward Kobe Brown. But this little brother's talent, compared to Whitmore, is really heaven and earth. What's even more laughable is that the No. 20 pick that the Rockets used to "pick up" Whitmore was still exchanged for the Clippers! This deal is done, and the Clippers management is afraid that they will regret it to death. If you miss Whitmore, the Clippers may be suffering and can't say it. Now that there's a chance to get Whitmore, how can Clippers management let it go?
"TWSN" really gave a trade plan: the Clippers sent Leonard and got Whitmore, Van Jordan and Amen from the Rockets. The United States media analyzed that the Clippers strengthened the forward line through trades, and with Harden leading the team, the playoffs are not yet hand-to-hand? The Rockets, on their side, got a star. This deal is a win-win situation! But is that really the case? If you think about it, no matter how you look at this deal, the rocket is losing a lot.
The United States media has previously suggested that the Rockets trade young players and first-round picks for Leonard. But the Houston media "SpaceCityScoo" didn't buy it, and directly pointed out that Leonard was too "glassy" and the rocket couldn't be the big culprit. Rockets fans are also one-sided, and they have expressed their determination not to Leonard.
Rockets head coach Udoka is a temperamental man, and he likes the "grass-tolerant" players the most. He once praised Jalen Green, who played 82 games: "For him, this has always been one of the biggest signs of his improvement, and it is key to be able to play. He's fought tough this season, he's been through ups and downs, he's kept fighting, he's stuck with it, and that won't go unnoticed. "Udoka's training intensity is not covered, and the players are also required to fight hard against each other's bodies. If Leonard had gone to the Rockets, I'm afraid attendance would have hit a new low.
Let's talk about Rocket boss Fertitta, who is a shrewd master. He doesn't like players who have a maximum salary but often miss games. He once said in front of everyone that Paul's contract was the worst he'd ever seen. Paul and Leonard, the two "glass men", each more difficult to serve than the other. Fertitta doesn't like Paul's contract, and she certainly won't want to take over Leonard's hot potato.
Seeing this, I believe everyone understands that this deal is simply thankless for the Rockets. The Rockets are now in the midst of a rebuild, and the young players are the rising stars. If these young men full of potential are replaced by a "glass man" who sits on the bench all year round, isn't it a waste of a great opportunity to rebuild?
Let's look at the data. Over the past three seasons, Leonard has averaged just 52 games per season. And what about Amen and Whitmore? These two youngsters are working hard every game, and their appearance rate last season was above 90%. Such a comparison, a judgment is made! If the Rockets did make this deal, it would be a big loss.
If you look back at the history of the NBA, there are many similar trades. Remember that in 2019, the Clippers traded a lot of chips from the Thunder for Paul George. How many people said the Clippers had won? But the result? The Clippers have yet to make it to the Western Conference Finals. Isn't that a living lesson? Rockets need to keep their eyes peeled, but don't repeat the mistakes of the past.
There is also a lot of discussion on the Internet. Some fans said: "Don't be stupid with the Rockets, Amen and Whitmore are our future!" Someone else joked: "If Leonard really comes to the Rockets, I'm afraid he will have to sit on the bench if he doesn't wear a hot jersey." That's really heart-wrenching and funny. However, there are also sensible voices: "In any case, we have to trust the decisions of the rocket management." They will certainly make the best choice for the future of the team. ”
After all, how will this farce end? Will ESPN's prediction come true? Will the Clippers really miss the playoffs? Can Harden lead the team to a slap in the face ESPN? Will the Rockets actually make this loss-making deal? I'm afraid all of this will only have to wait until the start of the season to find out.
Fans and friends, what do you think about this? What do you think the future holds for the Clippers and Rockets? Feel free to share your views in the comments section, and let's look forward to the new season together!