To make the playoffs, the Rockets have to hop over one of the eight incumbent teams: San Antonio Spurs: a lock, even if they hadn't re-signed Tim Duncan (which they did). Oklahoma City Thunder: a lock with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and James Harden all still on the roster. Los Angeles Lakers: a lock, especially after adding Steve Nash. Memphis Grizzlies: a lock, as the team is only going to improve with the sole loss being O.J. Mayo (that might not be a loss). Los Angeles Clippers: a lock, since Blake Griffin is only getting better and the management keeps adding pieces. Denver Nuggets: a lock, since the myriad young players are only improving. Dallas Mavericks: not quite a lock, but chances are good following the acquisitions of Darren Collison, Elton Brand and Chris Kaman. Utah Jazz: not a lock, but a good bet with the expected maturation of Alec Burks, Enes Kanter, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors, as well as the addition of Mo and Marvin Williams. On top of that, the Rockets have to avoid being hopped over by the other lottery teams from the Western Conference: Phoenix Suns: improved despite the loss of Steve Nash, thanks to the additions of Michael Beasley, Goran Dragic and Luis Scola. Portland Trail Blazers: luck can't get any worse for this team. Minnesota Timberwolves: poised to make a BIG leap, health pending. Golden State Warriors: see Timberwolves, Minnesota. Sacramento Kings: going to improve, given how many good, young players are on the roster. New Orleans Hornets: unibrow fever, healthy Eric Gordon and a bevy of new players will lead to a big improvement. And pretty much every team got better point guard than Lin. Spurs - Parker OKC - Westbrook Lakers- Nash Memphis - Conley Clippers - Paul Nuggets - Lawson Mavericks - Collison Utah - Williams Phoenix - Dragic Portland - Lillard Minnesota - Rubio Golden state - Curry Sacramento - Brooks Hornets - Rivers/Gordon Lin is going to be outplayed on a daily basis. This isn't East.
It was Jeremy Lin we signed right? Good move but some of us making it sound like we stole Melo from NYK. Until we land DH or a real superstar lets not get ate undies all wet.
That means Howard could be a Rocket by Saturday, 7/21 -- my birthday! Thanks for the present, Daryl. :grin:
Let's hope that no one from CF goes and trolls Knicks' boards or blogs. I see no reason to rub it in.
See portland. Hey I don't think it's cool that people are attacking you. Lin could suck, and Lin could be serviceable or even decent. He can't go left you say ,and I appreciate your analysis. Truth of the matter is he did play well at times too, and it will be fun to say the least. We don't know all the way yet, so try to not pee on it too much.
What I expected. Just because the Rockets don't scream every deal from the rooftops doesnt mean they aren't active. My guess is the deal for Howard has already been "made". Houston put forward 3 offers based on 3 potential outcomes (Both Lin and Asik, one of Lin or Asik, neither Lin or Asik). Orlando has conditionally accepted those offers, but is looking to see if they can find something better (unlikely). As to the structure of those offers, i think there is an inverse relationship between prospects given up and bad contracts taken on. If we sign both Asik and Lin, expect us to give up more prospects to Orlando. If we only sign one, expect us to give up less prospects, but take on more contracts from Orlando.
Question: If N.Y. matches can they then trade the contract to a team that is not facing such a cap space problem? In other words, can they match the Rocket's offer then trade Linn to another team where the third year of the contract won't be such a disaster? If so, that is exactly what they are likely to do. For them, the best of both worlds; they stick it to the Rockets but bail out of a bad contract and maybe get something in return.
I still think they're going to match it, no way they just let this information out hours before the deadline.
Now it's almost official, we can wait and see whether Lin gets outplayed on a daily basis, instead of fantasizing it.
Hah i started reading this and then realized it was Sigmund Fraud posting ... my bad... nothing to see here folks
