I don't think Indiana is overrated. What you do in April and May counts. Regular season is only for show and to build team chemistry, try different tactics... Clippers shined in regular season, but noone is calling their season a success. Indiana on other hand...
To be fair, a lot of these analysts got burned by rating last year's Lakers as the #1 team in the league. I think they don't want to make the mistake again. That-being-said, I can't agree with their assessment. I also absolutely do not agree about The Lakers' collapse being Dwight's fault (their record improved when Kobe got injured at the end of the season and Dwight was the alpha dog)... ... however I think that these analysts believe Dwight had something to do with it and are letting this bias their ranking of the rockets.
Agreed especially since dude has the Warriors at # 6. Didnt we beat them 3 out of for games last season. And all three were blowouts. AI doens't make them that freaking good, plus losing out on Jack and another major contributor off their bench. SMH
Man this joker has the Warriors at #6..LOL are you kidding me, like for real, come on man. AI doesn't make the Warriors better than the Rockets especially since we added Howard.
They have a great defense, like I said - and they have one guy that can defend LeBron, Durant, Kobe and Harden and that is a huge plus. They had a great season last year - and they will again this year. I am not saying they have a bad team - I am saying putting them in the top 3 preseason ranking is a bit mature. Their only real star is one, that plays better off the ball, and this can be a problem going forward. I would be shocked if they win a championship this season - but I totally expect them to go far in the playoffs.
I'd rank them: 1. Heat 2. Spurs 3. Pacers 4. Thunder 5. Clippers 6. Nets 7. Grizz 8. Rockets 9. Warriors 10. Knicks
Well I think you are underrating Roy Hibbert a bit. True he was 11/7 guy during regular season, but he stepped up in playoffs (14.4/9.9/2.3) and is probably going to improve this year. He will probably not going to score much against Dwight, but neither will Dwight make his usual 25/13. So against teams with great centers Hibbert is more defensive, while against Heat gets more offensive. I don't think putting them 3rd is premature. Spurs are maybe the only team that can exploit their weakness (low off. output) since they have great defense AND offense. But other than Miami and SA, who can top Indiana in 7 game series?
Off the top of my head I´d say OKC has a very good chance, so does LAC - CHI might have a thing to say about it. GSW, HOU... Several teams have a good shot against them and might even be considered the favorite. I am not saying all of these teams are better than the Pacers - but I´d say they are all in the same conversation with each of them having a shot of being better than them.
I think they really don't understand how good this team outside of Harden and Dwight. I know DA didn't say it, but I hear a lot of folks say "Who else do they really have?" Well, they didn't get many Natl games on TV last year. Lin, Parsons, Asik I think are going to show they are some really really good role players. At times borderline all-star players. You add that to the consistency of dominance that a superstar brings in Harden and Dwight and It hink they are top 5 team and contending this year.
Well let's see: vs. OKC: Paul George shuts down Durant as much as possible (under 20 ppg is already a success) and Westbrook is all that's left, and he's not enough. Ibaka could do some damage against West with his jumpers, but he's inconsistent as hell. vs. CHI: P.George limits Rose as much as possible and Hibbert shuts down Noah. Deng is banged up, Boozer a liability (although he had a great postseason this year) and who's left? Gibson and Butler? Although I guess CHI could give Indiana fits. vs. LAC: With only Paul and Griffin able to score in bunches (and Crawford to lesser extent), they are too easy to shut down. LAC has a nice bench, but so does IND- vs HOU: As much as I love Houston, I doubt they are ready to take on Indiana this year. P.George shuts down Harden, same for Hibbert and Dwight. And who is going to defend David West? vs GSW: Shooting gets you only so far and if they improve defensively over the season, I could see them competing against Indiana. A big IF though. I don't follow other teams as much as Rockets, so I may be wrong here or there. But I feel like these are right assessments.
I don't necessarily have a problem with the ranking, because I'm just not that guy, but I do have a problem with making it sound like we only wanted Dwight here JUST to spurn the Lakers. IDGAF about the Lakers, personally.
Rockets will have a top 5 record behind Heat,Spurs,Clippers,Pacers,and Rockets edging out Thunder and Bulls for that 5th best record. As far as ranking Rockets need to be 7th until proven otherwise. My only question for Rockets is Pf and might be one player away from beating Heat. Hope Im wrong but I have hop TJones turns into a STUD.
Other than the Knicks anyone of these teams can win the championship. There is a big drop off after the top 9 teams in the NBA.
