I thought about this long and hard, but I've come to the conclusion that the Rockets (healthy) are the best team in the league. Hear me out Celtic fans. The Rockets already have the most efficient player in the league in Yao. You have Tmac, who is still top 5 best playmakers in the league. You add Artest who is defensive thug, and our supporting cast is fantastic. Shane Battier is also a great defenisve minded player, Scola's a solid NBA powerfoward. Carl Laundry is a straight beast and Brent Barry adds veteran leadership and playoff experience. Pound for pound the Rockets are the best team in the league talent wise. Chemistry will be the biggest challenge. But with this team we're never losing to Utah again. I can just imagine Artest bullying Kirilenko all over the court in a playoff series. Rockets fans should the most excited we've been a decade. We finally have a "villan" that'll bring some toughness............ The only team that might match up with us is the Celtics. But what makes us better is our supporting cast. The Celtic actually lost one of the best role players in Posey. But I believe Shane's a better defender and shooter than Posey. Even our young players are incredible. I personally would like to see Luther Head stay but I we'll have to see..
pegs, you have to realize that this is on paper though. And Rock, for the first time, I think I agree with you. ON PAPER, we have more depth than the Celtics, and are at least even with the Lakers. How that translates with regards to chemistry, health and whatever else though will be an entirely different matter.
I think this is all subjective Rockets fans will say their team is the best Laker fans will say their team is the best Celtic fans will say their team is the best And out of the three above, Celtic fans are the only ones able to boast, because they did win the championship last year. But I guess we'll just have to find out
Damn it, I really wanted to like this Ron Artest deal. But if Rock4life is on board with it, I'm having second thoughts.
The Rockets are far from the best team on paper. The big 3, Mac, Yao, and Artest, are the main 3 that have been battle tested. I guess you could throw Brent into that group too. Even then, neither Tmac nor Yao knows how to win in the playoffs. Come the postseason the Rockets could still struggle with any number of teams that have more playoff experience like the Spurs, Suns, or Mavs, not to mention obviously the Lakers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jurassic @ Aug 1 2008, 12:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Rockets are far from the best team on paper. The big 3, Mac, Yao, and Artest, are the main 3 that have been battle tested. I guess you could throw Brent into that group too. Even then, neither Tmac nor Yao knows how to win in the playoffs. Come the postseason the Rockets could still struggle with any number of teams that have more playoff experience like the Spurs, Suns, or Mavs, not to mention obviously the Lakers.</div> When healthy the Rockets have proven they can beat any team in the NBA. That's WITHOUT Artest. With Artest makes us that much better. The key to us being the best team is Yao Ming in the middle. I honestly think Yao is the best player in the league when it comes to making the game easier for teammates. When Yao's on the court teams have no other choice but to either 1)Front him, leading to alley hoops, open 3's or wide open jumpshots or 2)Double or Triple team him which will lead to very easy baskets. The problem is teams can no longer get away with that now that we have an VERY potent 3rd option. Boston's team has 3 superstars but if you really match them up with our Big 3 we're a little more versatile. Tmac vs Pierce= Tie KG vs Yao= KG Artest vs Allen= Artest (scorer AND lockdown defender) Support Cast= The Rockets On paper the Rockets have definatley built an impressive variety of players. What they don't do in the season is unknown, but you cant really argue any team as more talent <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (durvasa @ Aug 1 2008, 12:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Damn it, I really wanted to like this Ron Artest deal. But if Rock4life is on board with it, I'm having second thoughts. </div> Sucks for you
I agree. The starting rotation will give a lot of teams match-up problems. Yao now has another weapon to play with when he gets doubled, the bench is one of the deeper ones in the league. If they don't at the very least reach the WCF, blow it up.
I kind of picked the Rockets to come out of the West last season. (lazy to find the thread etc) I think they'll be a contender again this time around, but when it comes to who is the best team in the league, it has to be the defending champs Celtics, and finalists Lakers.
