If the rockets defense is so stellar, how come they can't hold big leads. The reason is pt guard position. And that position will continue to be exploited. I'm just not convinced they can get out of the first round, unless they're playing the blazers or the nuggets.
that IS the only way we're going to get out of teh first round. and i'm optimistic we'll be facing denver or portland if we get the 2/3 seed.
What are the elite teams in the league right now? Celtics, Cavs, Lakers, Orlando, and the Spurs? Honestly, we're as good if not better than the Cavs, Magic, and the Spurs. The only teams that would tear us up in a 7 game series are the Lakers and the Celtics.
Chronicle sports writers are complete crap. I still have no idea how Franny Blindberry got his own blog for NBA.com.
I think the Rockets blow big leads for one of 2 reasons: 1) They coast against an inferior team (most likely) 2) Fatigue catches up to them on the road on the 2nd night of a back to back (Denver) In the playoffs, teams don't play back to backs, so for the most part, the energy and urgency will be there esp in the 4th quarter. The Rockets blowing leads have been more about their own doing than the opponents suddenly becoming an unstoppable force.
How would they "tear" up the Rockets in a 7 game series exactly? You're letting the regular season records distort your views about the Rockets. The Rockets are very capable of beating the Lakers or Celtics in a 7 game series.
Everyone is starting to overlook the Blazers. I think they are going to surprise a lot of people in the playoffs.
Are you anticipating an "I told you so moment" in the near future or are you genuinely accepting my opinion? Kinda hard to tell in text....
The team got better once McGrady was gone. No doubt about that. There is, however, a debate about whether or not the team would be better if it had McGrady at 100% but that is being covered in the other thread. Regarding Alston, I don't think anyone can argue that the team is not better with him gone and Brooks and Lowry running the team. No offense to Jerome but if you're going to tell us the team is better but not for the obvious reasons then please tell us the real reasons. It isn't just the schedule either. This team had forged an identity around losing to bad teams earlier in the season. I seriously doubt it's Ron or Shane just feeling better all of the sudden either. Guys don't just get healthy at the exact same time 40% of the starting lineup is removed and replaced on the roster. A major chemistry issue was solved and the solution was not health or an easy schedule. Watch the games and you will understand. Isn't that your job anyway? I know you're a contrarian, Jerome but arguing against common sense is dumb.
All I know is that when people write articles or blogs or whatever, and they separate every sentence as though it is a paragraph, I find it hard to stay interested long enough to read.
I know what you mean. The dude does it all the time. He writes every thought as if its a new paragraph, not realizing its all connected and should be together. You would think a professional journalist would know better. I guess not.
Solomon is crap. He's like the writer version of Clyde Drexler, except that Clyde actually did something for this team, while Solomon just sits in his blog and types whatever he's thinking of at the moment, hits spellcheck and then sends it out. AB-Lowry not an improvement or a very slight improvement over Alston-AB? Whatever dude
Elite? No. But I like the make up of the team right now. They hustle and they care. That's better than an "elite" player who was playing for us.
"A Rockets win tonight would not be a surprise, but it wouldn't mean the Rockets can play with the big boys." I don't understand this quote..so what if we lose it's because we suck, but if we win its' because we got lucky?
And the "NBA's elite" club is exactly what? Umm...two teams?! (Celtics and Lakers) I concur with Solomon, but it is not like the NBA has any more "great" teams per se. There is depth in the league now but there is no longer quality depth that could compare to teams of the great eras. And don't tell me the Magic and Cavs are "elite", I guarantee you they are not. Don't be fooled by their inflated regular season records.
Do you still think they can get to the WCF now? I knew I would get back to you. The only chance the rockets have in getting out of the first round is against the blazers or the nuggets. And that's not going to happen. The rockets will finish no better than a sixth seed.
Solomon is once again correct. Do we need anymore proof? We're a very good team, but we're not elite. Elite teams win this game.
