can houston really make the playoffs? everyone is taking for granted that they will make the playoffs even if it is only 7th or 8th seed, but remember that the league format has now changed, and the rockets are in the toughest division. the south west division consists of: Dallas Mavz Houston Rockz Memphis Griz NO Hornets SA Spurs that is a very hard division where all teams made the playoffs last yr (providing that the hornets were in the east last yr). since the winner of each division takes the 1st 3 seeds, that leaves 4 positions left to the rest of the teams in the west. IMO, the best scenario for the rockets wud leave them with a western conf playoffs like this: 1. MIN 2. SA 3. SAC 4. MEM 5. LAL 6. DEN 7. HOU 8. UTA Notice that there are some very good teams that still wudn't make the playoff in this scenario (ie. Dallas and Phoenix).. so theres a good chance that the rockets might not make the playoffs. if we can fill our PG and backup C positions, thenwe cud make 4th seed IMO, but highly unlikely.. wat dyu guys think?
Yeah I think we can make the playoff but I doubt we will get pass the first round. We need time and a better supporting cast to be one of the greatest team in the league.
Memphis is overrated. I hardly think that they can repeat their magic of last season. The Lakers will find it hard to get a top 6 finish in the West, since their dominant big man is now gone and Divac is on his decline. Sacramento also looks to finish worse than they have finished in the past since they lost Divac and Peeler, and their depth of old is now pretty much all gone as they step into a rebuilding process. So, with my breakdown, I'd say that the Rockets will finish 4-6 in the West and face a second-round exit.
the lakers can still get a gud seed, if u check out their division, it is very weak for a western division. im just concerned with the rockets now that the texas triangle is the strongest its ever been, meaning that its a really hard division now. even if my prediction about memphis is wrong, dallas cud easily fit that spot.
The rockets will probable get a very high seed imo. They will either get the 4th overall seed or the 6th. There division is hard with the spurs in it, but they have a good team and can put up a good record. Yao and Tmac combo will be good enough if they get a point guard to get them at least 50 wins imo. Memphis will do good next season, but not furth seed good I believe they will get the 7th or 8th seed. I dont know why the rockets would be 7th seed they havea good enough team this year with enough of talent to be higher. They may even win there division since everyone is only talking about the tmac Yao combo they forget that tmac and howard were the second highest scoring duo in the league last year so added with yao may be one of the highest scoring trio here is how I see the playoffs shaping up out west. 1. Spurs 2. Wolves 3. Kings or Suns 4. Rockets 5. Lakers 6. Nuggets 7. Suns or Kings 8. memphis grizzle
I don't even think the Suns could make the playoffs, let alone get the third seed, as someone claimed they would. Phoenix is still a big man away from the playoffs, and let's get this straight. Getting a 30-year old PG and an inconsistent shooter is not the formula to success. The Suns have not made any moves towards big men in this year's trade and free agent market. They are still rebuilding, like it or not, and they will not make the playoffs, at least not this year.
Yes Houston will make the playoffs...they're a better team than last year, and last years team placed 7th...I even think the Rockets will contend for home-court advantage in the playoffs...I see either Daniels or Jones as our PG, and that'll only be a plus...Throw in our stifling defense, and we've got the makings of a Western conference powerhouse...
Hey!Our defense's name's were Cuttino,Kato and Francis.Their are about 9 teams better or can compete with us in the WILD,WILD WEST.Better teams: SAC,SAN,MIN,LAL AND DEN.Teams that we can competeHO,DAL(THEY LOST THEIR HEART ON NASH)MEN AND POR.We can win games over the better teams but i doubt a playoff series with our ACTUALL ROSTER.We may not need to much to be there but we defenily are not there YET.
as our current roster stands, a rotation of Yao/Howard/JJ/TMac/Lue/Taylor/Weatherspoon and Pike is still good enough to compete for atleast the 6th seed...consider that either Antonio Daniels or Damon Jones will be a Rocket, and we'll sign a legit backup big man for frontcourt depth... I see the West lookin like this: 1. San Antonio 2. Minnesota 3. Sacramento 4. Houston 5. Denver 6. Dallas 7. Utah 8. Memphis the Lakers/Suns/Blazers will all battle for that 8th spot, but thats how I see the playoff picture looking in the West...at worst, we'll end up 6th; at best perhaps as high as 3 depending on Sacramento and if they make any big moves...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't even think the Suns could make the playoffs, let alone get the third seed, as someone claimed they would. Phoenix is still a big man away from the playoffs, and let's get this straight. Getting a 30-year old PG and an inconsistent shooter is not the formula to success. The Suns have not made any moves towards big men in this year's trade and free agent market. They are still rebuilding, like it or not, and they will not make the playoffs, at least not this year.</div> Sorry I don't buy that at all, Suns do need a center but so do many teams in the NBA. Some act as If the Suns have nothing inside, they have a man beast in Amare Stoudmaire to control the paint who keeps getting better and better in all areas. That so called 30 year old point guard is still one of the best point guards in this league, he is prefect for their system. A pure shooter and a great floor general. Richardson may be inconsistant but that still doesn't change the fact he is very talented and can put up numbers. He is another guy who will love their running game. The two off-season moves they have made is a sign that they are not a rebuilding team. There are many teams who should be worried about facing them. Even If they only manage to get a back-up center with the league min this summer, they will still be a threat to get a top 6-8 seed. They are strong at the 1, 2, 3 and 4 spots. Not having a center won't change the fact they can contend for a playoff seed. Infact I will be shocked If they miss out. Wayy too much talent not to. Honestly the only teams who are CLEARLY better are the Spurs and Minny. Choosing the rest is really difficult.
Our CURRENT ROSTER does not have a back up center and a staring point guard.Thats what i meant,we need more to be championchip contenters.At this moment we are going to win games,we are going to be fun to watch,we are going to beat some of the elite teams, but not in a cosisten basics.We need shotblocks and rebounds,neither Howard or Taylor can provide that.Yao should be blocking 4 blocks per game but he dont.I know he is going to be a better rebounder and his going to score more points but we need at least one more KEY guy on our roster. C-PF OR PG
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tripl3:</div><div class="quote_post"> I see the West lookin like this: 1. San Antonio 2. Minnesota 3. Sacramento 4. Houston 5. Denver 6. Dallas 7. Utah 8. Memphis the Lakers/Suns/Blazers will all battle for that 8th spot, but thats how I see the playoff picture looking in the West...at worst, we'll end up 6th; at best perhaps as high as 3 depending on Sacramento and if they make any big moves...</div> dude, its impossible for HOU to make 3rd seed if Spurs are 1st.. their in the same division remember? i don't see the rockets getting better than 5th seed.. while there is a chance that they won't make the playoffs, most likely they won't do any worst than 7th. im judging this on the CURRENT lineup. with jones or daniels the rockets cud take either 4th or 2nd seed.. most likely 4th w/out a legit backup center.. if the rockets fillout their roster, its gonna be awesome to see them and the spurs battle it out to take the south-west division..
Ok, here goes: 1. San Antonio - Still the most dominant team in the West 2. Minnesota - With Hassel going to Portland, Wally gets some needed minutes.. 3. Sacramento - Vlade is gone, but now Brad Miller can start, Ostertag off the bench. 4. Denver - Though I think K-Mart is highly over-rated, he still can put up big numbers. 5. Houston - As long was we sign a good PG.. Lue + Mo + Boki + others = great bench. 6. LA Lakers - If they resign Malone, they'll have Odom at the 3, where he dominates. 7. Utah - Boozer + AK47 + Memo = Pure shooting big men + 2 great guards = success. 8. Memphis/Phoenix/Dallas - This is up in the air. I dont see the Blazers or the Hornets getting in, they havent given their team a face-lift. Golden State has an outside shot.. I'd rank them 11th. Playoffs (Oh yes, Im going this far..) (1 - 8) San Antonio vs. 8th seed (whoever that is): SA, should have no problem with Dallas or Memphis, But i can see the Suns pull one back.. SA wins 4-0/4-1 (2 - 7) Minnesota vs. Utah: Minny will win, though an upset could happen: If Hudson doesnt recover, Spree' or Sam get injured. Minny 4-2 (3 - 6) Sacramento vs. LA Lakers: This will go to 7.. Whoever plays better defense, and if Odom and Butler step up.. Lakers win 4-3 (4 - 5) Denver vs. Houston: Another series that <u>could</u> go to 7. Not being biased, Houston wins 4-2 I'm not going into the Second Round.. I dont know why I even went THAT far.. I was bored.. I gave you all something to read. But thats the way I see it. I dont see the Rockets in Contention for the title.. At best theyll get to the WCF. If indeed they do make the finals, I'll go ask my brothers to beat the crap outta me. You can Quote me on that too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SHADOW:</div><div class="quote_post">I think LAL will do better than the people espects.They have a more COMPLETE ROSTER than us.</div> C'mon Now there is no way the Lakers have a more complete roster. I'd take yours any day. Run Mark Jackson, T-mac, Jim Jackson(very underated),Mo Taylor(very underated), and The Ming Dynasty. You still have Juwan Howard coming off the bench. I see them coming real close to getting a title. LA will not make the Playoffs.
