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[Rockets.com Sneak Preview] Rockets in Toughest Division?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Rockets34Legend, Sep 19, 2006.

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  1. Rockets34Legend

    Rockets34Legend Contributing Member

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    http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Sneak_Preview_Southwest_has_p-189248-34.html

    Southwest has potential to be NBA's toughest division

    HOUSTON -- The Southwest Division is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing divisions in the NBA.

    Besides returning the reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks, the division’s five teams made significant moves this summer and each club can make a case that it will be in the playoffs next spring.

    What will the teams have heading into next season?

    The Rockets get a healthy Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming back and traded for Shane Battier. The Hornets picked up Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson and Tyson Chandler. The Grizzlies have retooled with rookies Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry. The Spurs and Mavericks -- the teams with the two best records in the West last season -- are both returning the core of postseason-experienced teams.

    Could this be the toughest division in the NBA? Only the Central Division of the Eastern Conference can compare. The Central sent all five of its team to the playoffs last season, a feat that the Southwest could match this April.

    Rockets.com takes a closer look at the Southwest Division:

    Houston Rockets
    Last season’s record: 34-48

    Quick Take: Since Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are back on the floor, the Rockets once again have high expectations coming into the season. The dynamic duo should lead Houston back to the playoffs if they remain healthy. The addition of Shane Battier only helps. The Rockets will spend training camp building depth and finding answers in the backcourt.

    Will make the playoffs, if: Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming remain healthy.

    Player to Watch: F Tracy McGrady. McGrady is returning after missing the final 20 games with a back injury.

    Significant Additions: F Shane Battier, G John Lucas III, F Steve Novak, G Kirk Snyder, and G Vassilis Spanoulis.

    Significant Losses: F Stromile Swift and G David Wesley.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dallas Mavericks
    Last season’s record: 60-22 (Reached NBA Finals)

    Quick Take: What’s next for the Western Conference champs? The Mavericks return essentially the same group that went to last season’s NBA Finals and certainly expect to be back. The roster is once again deep for such a run.

    Will make the playoffs, if: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry continue their solid play from last season.

    Player to Watch: F Dirk Nowitzki. The forward had an MVP-like season in 2005-06 and could be on the cusp to leading the Mavs to a title.

    Significant Additions: G Maurice Ager, F Austin Croshere and G/F Devean George.

    Significant Losses: G Darrell Armstrong and G Marquis Daniels.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Memphis Grizzlies
    Last season’s record: 49-33 (Reached Playoffs)

    Quick Take: After another disappointing postseason, Memphis retooled by trading Shane Battier and bringing some younger players to the roster. The foot injury to forward Pau Gasol, however, could prove costly. The Grizzlies also lost Bobby Jackson and Lorenzen Wright.

    Will make the playoffs, if: Pau Gasol is the same after returning from injury and his team hasn't sunk in his absence.

    Player to Watch: F Pau Gasol. Gasol will miss the next four months – two months of the season – after having foot surgery.

    Significant Additions: F Rudy Gay, F Alexander Johnson, G Kyle Lowry and F Stromile Swift.

    Significant Losses: F Shane Battier, G Bobby Jackson and F Lorenzen Wright.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
    Last season’s record: 38-44

    Quick Take: After riding Chris Paul to a 38-win season, the Hornets were the busiest club in the division during the off-season. The Hornets picked up sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic, big man and defensive stopper Tyson Chandler and veteran Bobby Jackson. With those moves, the Hornets expect to be in the playoffs.

    Will make the playoffs, if: Their new talent meshes.

    Player to Watch: G Chris Paul. The Hornets’ star point guard has more passing options with the addition of Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic.

    Significant Additions: F/C Hilton Armstrong, F/C Tyson Chandler, G Bobby Jackson, F Cedric Simmons and F Peja Stojakovic.

    Significant Losses: F P.J. Brown, G Speedy Claxton, C Jamaal Magloire and G Kirk Snyder.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    San Antonio Spurs
    Last season’s record: 63-19 (Reached Playoffs)

    Quick Take: Since the Spurs have won two of the past four NBA titles, San Antonio certainly remains a title threat. Tony Parker has developed into one of the league’s top point guards and Manu Ginobli remains a matchup nightmare on the wing. But let’s not kid ourselves. This is still Tim Duncan’s team and they’ll go as far as he takes them.

    Will make the playoffs, if: Their aging veterans stay healthy.

    Player to Watch: F Tim Duncan. Duncan has dealt with recurring ankle problems, but remains one of the best low post players in the NBA.

    Significant Additions: F Matt Bonner and F Eric Williams

    Significant Losses: C Nazr Mohammed and C Rasho Nesterovic.
     
    #1 Rockets34Legend, Sep 19, 2006
  2. Seven

    Seven Contributing Member

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    Thanks...but I think we all saw this by now :D .
     
    #2 Seven, Sep 19, 2006
  3. Sextuple Double

    Sextuple Double Rookie

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    This has been the toughest division for several years now.
     
    #3 Sextuple Double, Sep 19, 2006
  4. superden

    superden Contributing Member

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    It def got a lot harder with the Hornets improving.
     
    #4 superden, Sep 19, 2006
  5. c1utchfan925

    c1utchfan925 Contributing Member

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    id have to agree that this is one of the toughest divisions and have been for awhile.
     
    #5 c1utchfan925, Sep 19, 2006
  6. a-rock

    a-rock Member

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    is it just me or are they already making excuses and actually expect the team to fail?
     
    #6 a-rock, Sep 19, 2006
  7. Sofine81

    Sofine81 Member

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    I enjoyed reading thank you.

    Texas is rough road swing for any team. The only reason teams got a break last year was because Yao and Tmac were hurt.
     
    #7 Sofine81, Sep 19, 2006
  8. Joe Joe

    Joe Joe Go Stros!
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    I remember Marc Stein calling the Central the toughest division last preseason and thinking he was crazy. Even with Yao and TMac's injuries, the Southwest still won more games.
     
    #8 Joe Joe, Sep 19, 2006
  9. aussie rocket

    aussie rocket Member

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    nothing new about the Rocks being in a tough division. Its been tough forever...

    can't worry about that though, just gotta dig in an play the games on the schedule.
     
    #9 aussie rocket, Sep 19, 2006
  10. krnxsnoopy

    krnxsnoopy Contributing Member

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    A few years ago during the last year of the "MIDWEST" division, when the Western Conference was only divided into two divisions instead of the current three, Every single team finished the season at .500 or better... Very Impressive. I think at the time Utah was in our division btw.
     
    #10 krnxsnoopy, Sep 19, 2006
  11. A_3PO

    A_3PO Member

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    When your only two "significant losses" are Stromile Swift and David Wesley, things can't be all bad.
     
    #11 A_3PO, Sep 19, 2006
  12. chris_Rocket

    chris_Rocket Member

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    :D :D
     
    #12 chris_Rocket, Sep 19, 2006
  13. Lemarc

    Lemarc Member

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    What a waste of a thread, this was old news when it started like 6 seasons ago.
     
    #13 Lemarc, Sep 20, 2006
  14. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    There's nothing more pointless than divisions in the NBA. Unlike NFL and MLB, there's no unbalanced scheduling within the conference. And Unless one division become horrendously bad, there's no chance that a playoff spot will go to an unworthy because of the automatic berth the division winner gets.

    In another words, in addition to stating the obvious, the title is also pointless.
     
    #14 meh, Sep 20, 2006
  15. Chuck Breezy

    Chuck Breezy Member

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    :confused: SO SO SO SORRY GUYS BUT IS V-SPAN GOING 2 BE ON NBA LIVE 07?? :confused:

    SRRY 2 GO OFF TOPIC BUT IM BOUT 2 BUY IT AND NEED 2 KNO BOUT MY ROCKETS SO PLZ FEEL ME N!
    07 ROCKETS CHAMPIONSHIP YEA I CALLED IT! MARK MY WORDS :eek: :eek: :eek:
     
    #15 Chuck Breezy, Sep 20, 2006
  16. halfbreed

    halfbreed Contributing Member

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    ZomG!! lk RU 4 ReaLZ!>?
     
    #16 halfbreed, Sep 20, 2006
  17. Nick

    Nick Contributing Member

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    Since when does it matter what division you are in? Each conference essentially plays the same schedule.

    The NBA should do away with divisions... they're as fake as the league's "worldwide marketing strategy."
     
    #17 Nick, Sep 20, 2006
  18. AXG

    AXG Member

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    The Southwest Division is definitely the toughest division in the West, with two 60 win clubs in there(Dallas and SA). The WC champ will most likely come from this division, unless Phoenix plays well with Stoudemire's return. I'm not too worried, because the Rockets made huge improvements this offseaon simply with McGrady and Yao returning healthy,and signing some of our FAs. The Rox should make the playoffs if Yao an TMac stay healthy, no matter what the other teams in their division have done.
     
    #18 AXG, Sep 20, 2006
  19. HarmLess168

    HarmLess168 Member

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    Except we never had anything significant to lose in the first place... :D
     
    #19 HarmLess168, Sep 21, 2006
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