"I like Houston. I think they're the second-best team in the West."-Charles Barkley

"I like Houston. I think they're the second-best team in the West."-Charles Barkley

"I like Houston. I think they're the second-best team in the West."-Charles Barkley...

He also mentioned that SA is the clear-cut favorites to repeat, and that he sees Dallas as no real threat...Barkley also said he liked the Swift and Anderson signings...

 

Man, anderson looked pretty good based on the charity game! Quick, athletic, and mosly smart! I can't wait for the seson!!

 

Second best team in the West? Interesting. I do think that we have the ability to beat any team in the West in a seven-game series, with the exception of San Antonio. If we can develop more consistency and avoid getting beaten by overmatched teams like the Raptors and Bobcats, like we did last year, then we could definitely go deep in the playoffs.

 

I would agree. Everyone better than us last year took big steps back. The only team that could arguebley be the second best is Sacremento. They have made serious upgrades but i think they might have chemistry problems and anyways, they still arent as good as us.

 

ya sacremento or the suns because the suns have added lots of depth

 

I was thrilled to hear Chuck say that last night during the broadcast. I've thought since the DA and Stro' signings that we've propelled our team to top 3 in the West easily. Our depth, veteran leadership, and chemistry make for one heck of a strong team. The only team I see us really having any problems with in the West would be San Antonio. To me, they appear to be the only team that could pose a threat to us because of their leadership and acquisitions this off-season.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TmacGarnett:</div><div class="quote_post">ya sacremento or the suns because the suns have added lots of depth</div>

sacramento is nice, but I think they lost a lot of their identity with bobby jackson being traded...now, they have little to no reliable depth at the swingman or backcourt spots...Phoenix added pieces that dont fit in with their playing style-Kurt Thomas, raja Bell, brian Grant- they all thrive in a halfcourt, grind-it-out scheme...only james jones can really thrive somewhat in a running attack...I'm not convinced that Phoenix upgraded at all from last season...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Houston:</div><div class="quote_post">sacramento is nice, but I think they lost a lot of their identity with bobby jackson being traded...now, they have little to no reliable depth at the swingman or backcourt spots...Phoenix added pieces that dont fit in with their playing style-Kurt Thomas, raja Bell, brian Grant- they all thrive in a halfcourt, grind-it-out scheme...only james jones can really thrive somewhat in a running attack...I'm not convinced that Phoenix upgraded at all from last season...</div>
Agreed. While both teams have added players who significantly upgrade their rosters on paper, these players don't fit into the styles of play. Sacremento has relied on their team's chemistry and veteran leadership in past years, and this year they are faced with the feat of finding a new indentity and chemistry. Phoenix's additions of Thomas, Bell and Grant really don't match the game plan they intend to carry over from last year. Thomas and Grant both are the type of players that will grind it out and bang down low, and the Suns are looking to run-and-gun instead of bangin' it out defensively. Granted these players may provide the missing piece to their defense's struggles, but they won't have the impact many people are predicting in my opinion.

 

im gonna have to go with shape
kings lost:
bobby jackson
gained:
SAR
fransisco garcia
bonzi wells

looks like they did pretty good

 

This is kind of a bad thing because as ya'll know barkley predicts many things wrongly. But you could never predict before the season starts anyways..especially with 2 new signings and coming from an ok year last year. Of course it's okay to say San antonio will be favorites since they ADDED to their already championship mold.

 

I'm still pre-pared for my Rocket season to come. Today at my school, I got one of the Lousiana evac's in my 6th period class. He's from a small town and hopefully I'll get a feel of his atmosphere and his thoughts..if that made some sense.

He's a pretty cool guy it looks like. Btw, My team owned the heck out of Kingwood In High School Football

 

adrenaline where do u live.
My school plays kingwood regularly too

Im the starting varsity PG for clear lake high school
tell me if u ever played us

...and ya we got a bunch of LA kids too

 

It's definitely possible, Houston has one of the best defenses in the league and now with more scoring options I think they will probably have the 2nd - 5th best record in the West.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TmacGarnett:</div><div class="quote_post">adrenaline where do u live.
My school plays kingwood regularly too

Im the starting varsity PG for clear lake high school
tell me if u ever played us

...and ya we got a bunch of LA kids too</div>
You two are both near my old area. I played basketball for Katy High in '04 and I think we played Clear Lake and got stomped, can't remember for sure though.

 

I really like the new look of the Rockets. I think we only got better and the only part of our rotation that worries me somewhat is the backup SF spot. we're gonna be undersized somewhere, sometime IMO.

Either way, I think things are gonna be great next season and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

 

The Kings are definitely a force to be reckoned with again. They've let go of a lot of their unreliable (injury prone) players like Chris Webber and Bobby Jackson. This new look team they have will be expected upon to stay the same for the whole season. They can go two deep at every position, and have a lot more youth than they did a year ago. Young wings like Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia and Bonzi Wells are all perfect players to play alongside Mike Bibby and Jason Hart. They also have a lot more inside scoring with Brad Miller, Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson. Miller, Skinner and Thomas are also strong post defenders who can give any center fits on both sides of the floor.

That being said though, I think Phoenix's regular season record will be better than the Kings. They added more defensive players to their lineup and it would supposedly help them to do better in the playoffs. I do have doubts though, as it's unclear which style of play they would want to adopt. The current lineup is more suited for a Pistons-like style, but I doubt Steve Nash would be as effective as he was last season.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Second best team in the West? Interesting. I do think that we have the ability to beat any team in the West in a seven-game series, with the exception of San Antonio. If we can develop more consistency and avoid getting beaten by overmatched teams like the Raptors and Bobcats, like we did last year, then we could definitely go deep in the playoffs.</div>
50 games we won last year................ease up a little

Phoenix lost bigtime this offseason, they lost they're speed which was basically they're crunch last year. I don't see what they were thinkin. lol. Anytime you have to depend on Kurt Thomas to hold down your center position, then that's trouble. Dallas lost too by cuttin Finley, but you know we ain't complainin I think Memphis did decent. They're still a threat, but they gave up too much in that Miami trade. But by gettin Bobby Jackson, they still got one "Rocket killer". Sacremento did awesome. They got younger, and more athletic. I see them being the new Phoenix this year. Also, don't sleep on the Clippers. I know I sound crazy, but the Clipper are a legitmate threat.


Cassell
Mobley
Maggette
Brand
Kayman

That's not a bad line up. Check they're bench too, young and athletic.

 

What do you mean by easing up? Does that mean I'm over optimistic or too pessimistic?