http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9533210/page/2/ ======================================= I think the only team in the Western Conference that has a chance to knock off the Spurs is Houston, but the Rockets would have to show some dramatic improvements over last season. Rockets center Yao Ming has another year of NBA experience under his belt and he continues to get better. Tracy McGrady is enormously talented, but we still don't know if the light is going to go on with McGrady as far as his realizing what it will take from him to help carry the Rockets past an outstanding team like San Antonio. Houston made a key addition by adding power forward Stromile Swift through free agency. It shouldn't take Swift long to make an impact -- not with his superb shot blocking and his rebounding. The Rockets have a huge question mark at point guard, but if they can get by at that position they could be ready to take the next step after a 51-win season last year. If it all comes together for the Rockets, I think their style of play and their talent gives them a chance to knock off San Antonio. ============================
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">not with his superb shot blocking and his rebounding.</div>Superb rebounding? That line alone makes the writer ignorant to me. The writers at MSNBC may love the Rockets, but they're not doing the team any favors if they exaggerate the players' abilities, eventually setting the expectations to a height where the team cannot reach.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Locke:</div><div class="quote_post">Superb rebounding? That line alone makes the writer ignorant to me. The writers at MSNBC may love the Rockets, but they're not doing the team any favors if they exaggerate the players' abilities, eventually setting the expectations to a height where the team cannot reach.</div> I think those two things are seperate. He means his superb shotblocking and his rebounding(ordinary). His rebounding is pretty good, better than howard or any PF on the bench. Swift can give us like 3 blks a game while howard only gave us 5 total last year. I think the rockets have a good chance to beat them, but the sura loss is going to be a blow.
San Antonio can be knocked off. They ain't in no way, unstoppable. It'll take a team with size (which we have) and serious defense (which we also have). We can play the Spurs at they're own game, and also run fast break. But it all depends on Yao. If he can become a leader out there, we'll be favorites to win the championship.
Against the Spurs, we have to focus on the backcourt . Last year Tony Parker ran circles around us. If Luther Head can step up and become that shut down defender, the NBA Championship is ours.
The key to us beating the Spurs comes down to 2 players. Luther Head and Yao ming. Luther didn't expect to see minutes being drafted by the Rockets but he is a winner and will adjust to the Nba life. It will take time, but I think he'll get there near or after the allstar break at the least. If yao exceeds or even meets our expectations then there is no way we can't beat the spurs. Tmac alone has the ability to outscore parker and ginobili and if yao steps up then swift will feel more confident and do good as well. Of course their depth is troublesome, but we have a healthy howard, barry, and anderson coming off the bench. I might be sounding biased, but that is due to the lack of faith every team is having in these forums. No one thinks that they can beat the Spurs...yes they are a fantastic team that is stacked beyond belief, but I've never given up hope once on the Rockets and I don't plan on it. It will be hard, but if we stay consistent in our game, I dont see why we can't do it.
We have beaten the spurs before (let's not forget that T-Mac miracle) and we will beat them again. The Spurs are a great team there's no doubt about that but the Rockets need to get into the mentality that they can be better.
San Antonio is a tough team, but I definitely think we can hang with them and possibly beat them...yes they added Finley, but we added two big pieces and we have the spurs killer........tmac.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting drake:</div><div class="quote_post">We have beaten the spurs before (let's not forget that T-Mac miracle) and we will beat them again. The Spurs are a great team there's no doubt about that but the Rockets need to get into the mentality that they can be better.</div> Good plan. Be down by 12 with under a minute to go and let TMac just shoot threes. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting THE DREAM:</div><div class="quote_post">San Antonio is a tough team, but I definitely think we can hang with them and possibly beat them...yes they added Finley, but we added two big pieces and we have the spurs killer........tmac.</div> TMac has one scoring explosion and he's the Spurs killer? No, the only way to get a killer nickname is to constantly have big performances against a team ie: Reggie "Knick Killer" Miller
