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[ESPN] Rockets, "the team every other team at the top of the West fears to play"

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by ds888, Feb 28, 2007.

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ds888 Contributing Member

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dailydime-070228

Tim Legler giving us some props. Still not used to them saying anything good about us.

With just over six weeks left in the season, here's how I see the West's playoff bracket shaping up, one through eight.

1. Dallas Mavericks (48-9) -- Best all-around team in the game, now working on a their latest win streak, currently at 13 games with the win over the Timberwolves. I think they caught a break when Steve Nash went down for five games … the Mavs' lead went from 1 to 4 games. The pace they're playing now is too much for Suns to catch them.

2. Phoenix Suns (44-13) -- Unstoppable offensively. Amare Stoudemire's playing at a level like the guy who dominated the playoffs two years ago. Latest example comes with 23 points and 18 rebounds in a 103-92 win over the Pacers. His play is what separates them from the other contenders and makes them a team that can win it all.

3. Utah Jazz (37-19) -- The smartest team in the game. They have more athleticism and depth than given credit for. Emergence of Deron Williams as top-10 point guard in this league gives them a chance to beat anyone on a given night.

4. San Antonio Spurs (39-18) -- Not as deep as they've been in past, a little older, but starting to play their best basketball at the same time they do every season. You can tell that we getting along in the season because they're closing teams out and winning games in methodical fashion like we're used to seeing.

5. Houston Rockets (35-21) -- The team that every other team at the top of the West fears to play. Best defensive team in the NBA. Tracy McGrady is playing a superstar level again, closing out games. If Yao comes back in a month, they could be scary in the playoffs.

6. Los Angeles Lakers (33-25) -- Kobe Bryant's leadership has allowed a young team to play ahead of the curve. A team that has surpassed expectations. I think Kobe's at 85-90 percent physically -- doesn't have quite that "blow-by" ability. What he does have is the ability to make the difficult shots -- it's what separates him from LeBron James. He's making that tough shot when defended in the midrange by a guy hanging on him. LeBron's points tend to come mostly at the rim and from 3, not the tough in-between area.

7. New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (27-30) -- When you put them in a category with the other teams contending for these last two spots -- they play harder than any of those teams. This was a team that was decimated by injuries, so it's a miracle that they're sniffing .500 -- give Byron Scott a lot of credit. Tyson Chandler is doing all the things he got paid for by Chicago -- putting in misses, being a deterrent at the rim and rebounding strongly.

8. Denver Nuggets (27-28) -- Gets the final spot by default. I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt because they have the biggest margin for improvement -- they haven't had all pieces together very long.

Don't like any of the other contenders here. Clippers lost Shaun Livingston, a huge blow. The Warriors can't play defense. The Kings are up and down like a seismograph -- and Ron Artest is a big distraction. And Minnesota doesn't have enough talent.

The Suns of course remain my pick to win it all. I believe they can beat the Mavs. The margin for error for the Mavs is smaller than it's ever been going up against their likely opponents. If Dirk Nowitzki goes into a three-game slump in the playoffs, they're out.
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#1 ds888, Feb 28, 2007

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Wow, the media is really paying attention to the rockets this season. Nice to know the rockets are finally getting recognition for their efforts. Now what's left for the rockets is to prove Tim Legler correct by making some serious noise in the playoffs.

#2 vmac, Feb 28, 2007
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that's just tim legler though, he's been harping about our performance without Yao for awhile, there are still ESPN haters out there.

I kinda feel uncomfortable with the praises now, especially with the last game still lingering.

#3 v3.0, Feb 28, 2007
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It's nice to be praised, but the fifth seed in Legler's bracket would be the nightmare spot for the Rockets. That would mean they would probably have to play the Spurs, Mavs AND the Suns in order to reach the finals. Yikes.

#4 blender, Feb 28, 2007
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blender said:

It's nice to be praised, but the fifth seed in Legler's bracket would be the nightmare spot for the Rockets. That would mean they would probably have to play the Spurs, Mavs AND the Suns in order to reach the finals. Yikes.
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I wouldn't want it any other way. The cherry on top would be the Pistons or a fully healthy Miami. This way, when we ask the other fans in the off-season: "Who's your daddy?”, they will promptly bow there heads and pretend they have somewhere urgent they need to get to.

#5 BrotherFish, Feb 28, 2007
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blender said:

It's nice to be praised, but the fifth seed in Legler's bracket would be the nightmare spot for the Rockets. That would mean they would probably have to play the Spurs, Mavs AND the Suns in order to reach the finals. Yikes.
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It would be BEST POSSIBLE format for the Rockets (besides getting Utah in 1st round). They match up VERY WELL, with everyone EXCEPT suns. So having Utah/SA, Lakers on other side to try and take out suns would not disappoint me thats for sure. If we can just make it to playoffs with a 4 or 5 seed and fully healthy I see NO REASON, we shouldn't at least make it to WCF, I think Utah/Dallas/SA are all up our alley to beat, we have built a team that can beat any of those teams!

#6 roflmcwaffles, Feb 28, 2007
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this is nothing new legler always praises the rockets he even picked us to win the dallas series in fact i think he overrates us just a little bit.

i want us to play jazz the most. its so important for us to get the 4th seed b/c i think whoever has home court will win the series. we CANT beat dallas even with yao and we sure as heck wont beat the suns. the spurs would be the next team we'd like to play but even they are starting to get good. all i know is if we stay in the 5th spot we'll leave in the first round again.

#7 rofflesaurus, Feb 28, 2007

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Legz has been giving the Rockets props ever since McGrady's first season here. He likes the Rockets, him and Jon Barry are fans of this team.

And yes, he picked us to beat the Mavs two years ago.

#8 tigermission1, Feb 28, 2007
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tigermission1 said:

Legz has been giving the Rockets props ever since McGrady's first season here. He likes the Rockets, him and Jon Barry are fans of this team.

And yes, he picked us to beat the Mavs two years ago.
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Jon's not a fan, he's a straight up homer. You can hear him grinding his teeth to not say "we" when he talks about the Rox or announces a game on ESPN with us playing.

#9 hotballa, Feb 28, 2007
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It seems McGrady and he's stellar play has put the rockets on the map. this is the McGrady we traded for. a leader and a match winner.

#10 blazer_ben, Feb 28, 2007
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hotballa said:

Jon's not a fan, he's a straight up homer. You can hear him grinding his teeth to not say "we" when he talks about the Rox or announces a game on ESPN with us playing.
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LOL! Yeah, that's true. JB cracks me up, I love watching the ESPN telecasts where he's doing the games. He usually finds a way to sneak a Rockets mention or two in there, probably just to get on Walton's good side.

Seriously though, props to him for not taking it personally and hating JVG/the Rockets organization forever for cutting him in mid season like they did. I am still surprised at how much love he has for JVG, he seems like a fair-minded guy who understands the business and doesn't take anything personally.

#11 tigermission1, Feb 28, 2007
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tigermission1 said:

Seriously though, props to him for not taking it personally and hating JVG/the Rockets organization forever for cutting him in mid season like they did.
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I thought it a mutual decision. Could have sworn JB wanted to retire or why else didn't anybody pick him up?

#12 baller4life315, Feb 28, 2007
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It was not a " Mitual decision". barry had still had alot offer, but he was starting to be considerd a liabelity in Gundy's eyes. he was still puttingup some good numbers prior to being Suddenly cut.

#13 blazer_ben, Feb 28, 2007

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blazer_ben said:

It was not a " Mitual decision". barry had still had alot offer, but he was starting to be considerd a liabelity in Gundy's eyes. he was still puttingup some good numbers prior to being Suddenly cut.
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Thank you, Mr. Mind Reader.

#14 nahmorlah, Feb 28, 2007
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blazer_ben said:

It was not a " Mitual decision". barry had still had alot offer, but he was starting to be considerd a liabelity in Gundy's eyes. he was still puttingup some good numbers prior to being Suddenly cut.
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Of course -- he was putting some great numbers up there in the Martian National League. Too bad we couldn't watch those games.

Oh, I hear those Martians communicate by telepathy too. I for one welcome our new athletic Martian 3-point shooting overlords.

#15 JeopardE, Feb 28, 2007
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JeopardE said:

Oh, I hear those Martians communicate by telepathy too. I for one welcome our new athletic Martian 3-point shooting overlords.
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wow we got Sam Cassell back???

#16 hotballa, Feb 28, 2007
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the rockets have matchup problems with the suns in the regular season. that doesn't necessarily mean they will have the same problems with them in the playoffs.

#17 hashmander, Feb 28, 2007
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hotballa said:

Jon's not a fan, he's a straight up homer. You can hear him grinding his teeth to not say "we" when he talks about the Rox or announces a game on ESPN with us playing.
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what else would you expect from a former roxs ball-boy

#18 Tfor3, Feb 28, 2007

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Legler's pics sound pretty solid. If the Rox can't get homecourt they have a tough road ahead, even if they get the 4th seed they got a tough road. That said I've seen the Rox face a tough road and they still pulled it out.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION!

#19 Sishir Chang, Feb 28, 2007
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wait maybe i got the wrong guy but didnt legler place the rockets to finish 12th in the west in his pre-season picks? please correct me if i am wrong.

you guys bashed him then and now love him?

i hate the guy regardless only person who i have respect for on espn is ric bucher

#20 The_Yoyo, Feb 28, 2007

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