<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">1. I'm not that sure b/c you never know about T-Mac's back (only played 47 games last year),2. Yao is still haveing foot problems (at least it's not the same injury that needed surgery).3. Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier haven't really lived up to potential in their NBA careers.4. And Rafer Alston is good, but I don't think he's good enough to take them where they want to be.5. They don't have much of a bench.I know everyone wanted to scream "TITLE CONTENDER" when all this stuff happened over the summer, but I'll have to wait and see.</span>
You make some points, but I don't see TMac having back problems. I'll trust Nitro when he says it's not a chronic problem. Yao and TMac may get little injuries here and there but I don't see that being a huge problem. They have a lot of talent on that team and while their bench isn't that good that team will be very dangerous. I see them right with Clippers as two teams that are not title contender but could be VERY dangerous to one of the top 3 teams.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ProStix#6 @ Oct 11 2006, 01:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">1. I'm not that sure b/c you never know about T-Mac's back (only played 47 games last year),2. Yao is still haveing foot problems (at least it's not the same injury that needed surgery).3. Bonzi Wells and Shane Battier haven't really lived up to potential in their NBA careers.4. And Rafer Alston is good, but I don't think he's good enough to take them where they want to be.5. They don't have much of a bench.I know everyone wanted to scream "TITLE CONTENDER" when all this stuff happened over the summer, but I'll have to wait and see.</span></div>1) 5 of past 7 seasons he has played at leasy 75 games. Last season he had injuries due to being a bit too bulky/weighing too much and muscle problems in back....NOT the chronic problems. This past season he lost some weight, improved a lot on his core muscles getting stronger, etc...2) He just got a big toe nail removed because a teammate stepped on it. He played fantastic in WC's, and when season gets going I am sure he will be fine.3) No, they haven't, but both are still 2 of the best 3rd/4th options in league to one of the league's most dominant duos.4) They need him to score moreso than playmake. T-Mac has always done most of the playmaking in Houston and in Orlando, and while Rafer will be needed to play point, he won't have ball as much as most PG's in league.5) Assuming they go with Rafer-Wells-T-Mac-Battier-Yao as the starting lineup, they have Deke, Howard, Head, Snyder, Novak, Lucas, Sponauleis (sp is wrong, I know) and possibly Sura. they have a good bench.The thing about Houston is if T-Mac and Yao are healthy, despite who the players that surround them are, they will be playoff bound and very dangerous. With the additions of Wells/Battier, and good PG and very solid bench, this team could be very dangerous if healthy.
Yes, of course. TMac and Yao are both stars in the League, and guys like Shane Battier and Bonzi Wells are solid. They are going to get the 6th-5th seed atleast.
They could be a lock for 5th,6th seed. Having Bonzi and Battier is a big additon. Head has more expirence and so does YAo. T-Mac hopegully and play 60+ Games so they can contencd for the playoffs. If not Bonzi, Yao, Battier, Alston ,Howard is still a decent lineup with Grizzlies out it should be intresting.
Tracy McGrady has been having back spasms for years, it's definitely a problem. I remember watching games with him in Orlando where he was grimicing in pain and had to have people work on his back but he still played....it's always going to be a problem for him. You obviously have to take Houston seriously, you'd be a fool not to.
If the other teams don't then Houston is definitely in the playoffs.If a team doesn't take them seriously then Houston will beat them. Even a bad team can beat a good one when they're underestimated.Let alone one with T-Mac and Yao.
not chronic? :HAHAHAf course they were chronic! it was a reccuring thing, back problems don't just magically vanish. These injuries are nagging and will likely stay with McGrady for atleast one or two more seasons if not the rest of his career. And now Yao's being a vagina with his toe.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Oct 11 2006, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>not chronic? :HAHAHAf course they were chronic! it was a reccuring thing, back problems don't just magically vanish. These injuries are nagging and will likely stay with McGrady for atleast one or two more seasons if not the rest of his career. And now Yao's being a vagina with his toe.</div> When your 7'6" 315 pounds, thats a big and painfull vagina.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Oct 11 2006, 02:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1) 5 of past 7 seasons he has played at leasy 75 games. Last season he had injuries due to being a bit too bulky/weighing too much and muscle problems in back....NOT the chronic problems. This past season he lost some weight, improved a lot on his core muscles getting stronger, etc...2) He just got a big toe nail removed because a teammate stepped on it. He played fantastic in WC's, and when season gets going I am sure he will be fine.3) No, they haven't, but both are still 2 of the best 3rd/4th options in league to one of the league's most dominant duos.4) They need him to score moreso than playmake. T-Mac has always done most of the playmaking in Houston and in Orlando, and while Rafer will be needed to play point, he won't have ball as much as most PG's in league.5) Assuming they go with Rafer-Wells-T-Mac-Battier-Yao as the starting lineup, they have Deke, Howard, Head, Snyder, Novak, Lucas, Sponauleis (sp is wrong, I know) and possibly Sura. they have a good bench.The thing about Houston is if T-Mac and Yao are healthy, despite who the players that surround them are, they will be playoff bound and very dangerous. With the additions of Wells/Battier, and good PG and very solid bench, this team could be very dangerous if healthy.</div>1. that has to be the WORST excuse I've ever heard in my entire life. he wayed too much? oh please! unless he gained 20 pounds overnight, his body would've easily adjusted.5. a good bench? are you kidding me? the only compotent player on that list is Juwan Howard. Kirk Snyder really won't do much at all, especially considering he'll be behind McGrady, Wells, and Battier. Novak? what a joke. He had an alright summer league. I guess that means Allan Ray will be a contributor for the Celtics. John Lucas is too small, and he doesn't have the skillset to make up for it. Considering you don't even know how to spell that guy's name means he probably won't contribute. Sura is aging and just missed over a year. Even if he comes back he won't do much.
Speaking from experience (I've had weight issues) actually the more you weigh the higher probability of back issues. Cause the more weight you have the more of it is pulling on your spine. And the core strength thing is proven to help with backs.And what about Luther Head? I daresay that he gives the bench a bit more credibility...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (nba dogmatist @ Oct 11 2006, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>1. that has to be the WORST excuse I've ever heard in my entire life. he wayed too much? oh please! unless he gained 20 pounds overnight, his body would've easily adjusted.5. a good bench? are you kidding me? the only compotent player on that list is Juwan Howard. Kirk Snyder really won't do much at all, especially considering he'll be behind McGrady, Wells, and Battier. Novak? what a joke. He had an alright summer league. I guess that means Allan Ray will be a contributor for the Celtics. John Lucas is too small, and he doesn't have the skillset to make up for it. Considering you don't even know how to spell that guy's name means he probably won't contribute. Sura is aging and just missed over a year. Even if he comes back he won't do much.</div>When you go from 220 to entering training camp at 235, that is quite a big difference. Considering he has always had a bad back, a chronic back problem, no doubt the weight affected him. Novak has a fanastic jumpshot, and on a team with Yao and T-Mac he will get tons of open looks. Lucas played amazingly in the summer league, and has great promise. Doesn't mean he will be the 3rd best player on the team, but he will be a contributor off the bench. They have Howard, a guy who can still get 10-12PPG a game and grab rebounds, Head who has another year under his belt and had a successful rookie season, Hayes who is a very good rebounder and has shown some signs of a good post game, Mutombo who is still a good rebounder/defender/shotblocker, Snyder who was a huge spark for the Hornets last season and who will be a good backup to Wells/Mac, Padgett who is a good 3pt shooter, and Spanoulis who shows lots of promise. In other words, backing up big minute guys like rafer, Mac, Wells, Battier, and Yao, they have a good, solid bench of specilaists who fit perfectly in for what the Rockets do. They have the 3pt shooters who will get tons of open looks, and they have the rebounders and physical play underneath to backup Yao/Battier/Howard. They also have a proven big spark off bench in Snyder, who can give some good offense off bench. They don't need a true PG to back up Rafer as T-Mac fills those needs.
Novak is not going to be getting alot of minutes. You have guys like Barry, Bowen, and other guys that can shoot the ball but they are not that succesful for the Rockets. Head, Snyder, and Howard are the only somewhat capable bench players IMO. And guess what? Head and Snyder are going to find it awfully hard to find minutes backing up Tracy and Rafer. They wont play that much....Therefor, their bench will not be that successful. And the ONLY reason Hayes even played last year is because he had to because of all of the injuries. He will play like 3 or 4 minutes a game. This team is 100 percent focused on the healthiness of Yao and T-Mac. If they are healthy, they can be as high as the 4th seed in the west, if they arent, they wont sniff the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ballerman2112 @ Oct 11 2006, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Novak is not going to be getting alot of minutes. You have guys like Barry, Bowen, and other guys that can shoot the ball but they are not that succesful for the Rockets. Head, Snyder, and Howard are the only somewhat capable bench players IMO. And guess what? Head and Snyder are going to find it awfully hard to find minutes backing up Tracy and Rafer. They wont play that much....Therefor, their bench will not be that successful. And the ONLY reason Hayes even played last year is because he had to because of all of the injuries. He will play like 3 or 4 minutes a game. This team is 100 percent focused on the healthiness of Yao and T-Mac. If they are healthy, they can be as high as the 4th seed in the west, if they arent, they wont sniff the playoffs.[/I]</div>Are you still looki at their Line-up reason for Bonzi is becuase they know T-Mac is going to miss games so thats when Bonzi comes in and fits his role. Bonzi would start on maybe half of the NBA teams. With Battier also now included in the lin-up they could be dangerous if they are healthy. But if they are not then they would fight for maybe the 8th seed with the Hornets.
Yeah, Bonzi and Battier are good but if T-Mac and Yao miss some time, they dont have a chance. Their is way too much competition in the west now for them to make the playoffs without their big two healthy for 90 percent of the season. Spurs, Mavs, Phoenix, Clips, Hornets, Lakers, Denver, Minnessota, Utah, Sacramento, and the Rockets all have a chance to make the playoffs. AND if Gasol comes back sometime soon, Memphis has a decent shot as well. All I am saying is that without their two main players healthy for the majority of the season, they will not make the playoffs. To much competition.
Well Yao and Tmac both said they wree 100% minus the fact Yao is out for a bit for taking off the nail off his big toe. Think about Tmac and Yao at 100%, together. A mini Shaq and Kobe minus the fued.They picked up a great defender and role player in Battier.Scoring help with WellsAlston is starting to become a great starting PG.The bench is looking alright.
Back Problems just dont go away. Of course he is going to say that he is 100 percent fine. I guarantee you that he will miss at least 10 games this year. And as for Yao, if he is getting injured before the season even starts, that is not a good thing.
TMac isn't having back problems because of weight, that's silly.And yes, you should take Houston seriously. I don't know about championship serious, but they can certainly upset someone and get to the second round.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Oct 11 2006, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>TMac isn't having back problems because of weight, that's silly.And yes, you should take Houston seriously. I don't know about championship serious, but they can certainly upset someone and get to the second round.</div>That's not WHY he's having back problems, but losing weight can severely lessen back problems because it relieves stress from the back.I think he'll miss 10 games too, if only because he seems to do that anyway.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Justice @ Oct 11 2006, 11:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>TMac isn't having back problems because of weight, that's silly.And yes, you should take Houston seriously. I don't know about championship serious, but they can certainly upset someone and get to the second round.</div>When you are used to playing at 220 and come to camp at 235 like he did last year, that's another 15 pounds on an already fragile back. I am sure it helped contribute to his bad season last year. Maybe not totally caused it, but definately helped worsen the situation.
