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Ranking Western Contenders by "Contender Record" So Far

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by napalm06, Jan 1, 2020.

  1. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    I'm ranking Western contenders by their W-L records against other contenders only.
    I'm defining contenders as teams that currently have 20 wins. (This includes the East.)

    Detail on the Rockets: 7-5 against above .500 teams overall, 16-6 against below .500 teams.

    Western power rankings by "Contender Record" so far:
    6.
    Utah 4-8
    5.
    Dallas 6-7
    T-3.
    Denver 5-5, Lakers 7-7
    2.
    Houston 6-5
    1.
    Clippers 9-6

    This doesn't mean much because injuries and small sample size matter, but it will be interesting to watch. I was legitimately surprised.
     
  2. LosPollosHermanos

    LosPollosHermanos Houston only fan
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    I don’t think that would be contender record, playoff teams is a better term. Only 4-5 contenders in the league atm
     
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  3. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Figured someone would say this. But who cares what it's called. It's hard to draw the line at contender when the Rockets won it all at #6. There's a pretty decent divide between the 20-win teams and everyone else at the moment. Real contenders will be defined by the playoffs and this is sort of a way of getting closer to that. I can drop teams in future updates.
     
  4. cdxiong

    cdxiong Contributing Member

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    Freaking Lakers have 0 loss to mediocre/bad teams.
     
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  5. JW86

    JW86 Member

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    I don’t see a clear contender, only surprise is Lakers record and strength, Blazers record and being awful. It’s still anyone’s game which is the only positive league wide this season. For the rest my interest is at an all-time low.
     
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  6. BigM

    BigM Contributing Member

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    West is pretty wide open. Rockets can beat anyone.
     
  7. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    This was my takeaway too. We knew it was going to be a dog fight and this is showing it.
     
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  8. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    I'd much rather watch this than 4-all-stars teaming up to cakewalk.
     
  9. OkayAyeReloaded

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    If the role players and bench can play like they played in New Orleans for the first three quarters consistently, including Gordon rounding into his sixth man/3pt shooting champion form, Hart becoming dominant on both ends and House/McLemore continuing to develop. We are a championship team who can beat any team in the league in a 7 game series and capable of getting the #1 overall seed.
     
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  10. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    how the Rockets play against the top teams is what’s most important...never understand why people are ready to slit wrists or jump off cliffs when the Rockets lose to or don’t blow out some mediocre team...it’s like they just started watching basketball this year with the way they overreact
     
  11. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Still gotta beat the scrubs so you don't have to run the full gauntlet. Minutes and injuries pile up. Seeding mattered big time last year. It could be the difference between going Dallas-LA-LA in the playoffs and getting San Antonio - Portland - LA.
     
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  12. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    Lakers care about seeding and consistency. Rockets could learn a thing or two.
     
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  13. ksny15

    ksny15 Member

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    Gota play D to be a contender
     
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  14. RudyTBag

    RudyTBag Contributing Member
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    We are damn close. Need a stabilizing force ala Trevor Ariza. Or we need the young guys to make more strides.
     
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  15. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    You would never get San Antonio and then Portland.

    By the way the season is going so far you are going to hit a LA team in the second round no matter what.
     
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  16. Lawlruschang

    Lawlruschang Member

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    which won't matter at all in the playoffs
     
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  17. BigM

    BigM Contributing Member

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    The Rockets lost to the Pelicans without Harden, Westbrook and Capela. Proof they aren’t playoff ready. Real Clutchfans take.
     
  18. clutchdabear

    clutchdabear Member

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    nba cares about the lakers’ seeding.

    they had at least 3-4 games where they got clear ref favoritism in games they were losing playing against bad teams. they also had a game where ad got damn near 30 fts bc the other team was breathing on him.
     
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  19. mike2k132

    mike2k132 Member

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    exactly. like i always alot of people on this forum,hell internet are just casual.

    why would i care if i lose againt a couple games agiant the worst teams...if im beating the playoff.


    u dont play none playoff teams u know in the playoff.

    so those teams wont be there if thats ur weakness...not taking bottome feeders serious
     
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  20. D-rock

    D-rock Member

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    That's what she said.
     
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