1. Thunder 2. Spurs 3. Blazers 4. Clippers 5. Warriors 6. Rockets 7. Suns/Grizzlies/Mavs/Nuggets 8. Suns/Grizzlies/Mavs/Nuggets We're now 5-1 vs the Spurs and Blazers. Omer Asik returning healthy and being able to contain Aldridge means we could sweep Portland in a series and we're now 3-0 vs the Spurs. The Spurs just don't have the size to stop our offense well enough, and we just beat them even without Harden because they have no one to contain Lin. We can win despite shooting under 30% from three and missing 21 free throws! I'm certainly not calling the Rockets title contenders this year, but the scenario above absolutely gives us a chance to sneak into the WCF, which I would consider an over-achievement and would further help us recruit a 3rd star in the off-season. On the other hand, if we stay locked with the Clippers in the 4/5 matchup, I don't see that ending very well.
Aren't we ahead of the Warriors? To answer your question, best-case for any fringe-contender is a championship. Win or go home baby.
LOL typical clutchfans. We lose a couple = we will get swept in the first round, win one against a top team the very next game = we will sweep the blazers/spurs.
Yeah we've been the 5 seed forever. What I posted in the OP was an ideal playoff scenario. We need the Warriors to catch us so they can face the Clippers in the 4/5 matchup.
Basketball has always been a rock/paper/scissors game. The Rockets success over the Spurs and Blazers is a clear trend to notice. The 93/94 and 94/95 Rockets won the championship because they were able to avoid the Sonics and then got SWEPT by them in 95-96.
I would rather it be: 1. Spurs 2. Thunder 3. Clippers 4. Rockets 5. Blazers 6. Warriors 7-8. Whomever This is the only way we are getting to the WCF IMO.
^^^ To add to that last post, we could also go with: 1. Thunder 2. Spurs 3. Rockets 4. Clippers 5. Blazers 6. Warriors 7-8. Whomever But I doubt we can get the 3 seed. Honestly HCA is looking unlikely at this point, but I'm hoping we can make a run.
I don't know what yall are smoking but Asik never defended LMA well last year. That being said, POR & SA are definitely the two top (4) seeds that the Rockets have the best chance of beating.
i only fear the Thunder Oh and the spurs. Ok the clippers too. And those pesky Mavs, you know dirk could get 40 every night.
This minus the spurs. I'm super scared against the Clippers. We've been blown out by them twice already
I would like to have homecourt but if we don't i think 7 and or 6 is better. I think the Clippers will stay 4th unless Portland tumbles and loses some then we might get 4th and clips 3rd if we get HomeCourt i will be okay w Warrios/ Mem/ Suns if they get 5th and we get 4th if we dont have HC then i'll like blazers / spurs / clippers / thunder
The only two teams we can beat out of the top 8 teams in the West are Portland and San Antonio. Even the Mavs have our number.
This. I'm glad this thread was started cause I was going to start one asking the same question, but wanted to wait until after trade deadline. I also wanted to know who would you want to play from greatest to least. My list 1) Suns - I know we gave trouble against them but feel playoff would be different 2) Blazers - Young team so put them ahead of Spurs 3) Spurs - Scary in playoffs, but we matchup well against them than the other top teams 4) Warriors - They can get hot, but we have their number 5) Mavericks - Dirk, Ellis and all the other old men. Plus the coach will eat ours alive 6) Clippers - Chris Paul and the refs 7) Thunder - We might have better chance against them than we do Clippers but Durant is a beast If Grizzlies are in, they would fall in Mavericks spot.
Why do people think the Clippers will stay in the 4th spot. They are WITHOUT A DOUBT passing the Blazers.
