I'd still take T Jones over Ppat. At least Terrence actually knows how to rebound and has some post movies. Patterson is better at him at shooting, but when you're 6'9, there are more important things.
"Quietly" 35-26, 3rd in the East. Have won 3 in a row, 8 of their last 10. If the playoffs started today, they'd face Brooklyn. Quietly good.
Food for thought -- they're third in the East after a hot streak, and would be 10th in the West. Pretty mindblowing.
I wanted Dwane Casey for the Rockets ocapver McHale. He's proving what he can do when given some talent.
While we sit here and bask in the Rockets' amazing season, it's been pretty fun to watch what other Morey "assets" have been able to achieve in Toronto and Phoenix. The Raptors have Kyle Lowry, Steve Novak and Chuck Hayes and the Suns have got Goran Dragic and Marcus Morris (playing well). The pieces may not have fit in Houston, but they appear to be coming into their own in Toronto and Phoenix.
Raptors getting carried by ex Rockets Literally every Rocket, current and former is beasting, Dragic, Lowry, Lin, Harden
With the Pacers coming back down to earth, I'm not sure a conference finals appearance is out of the question, which would have been unthinkable a month ago. Paul George after his hot start, is only shooting 41% over the last 40 games, the Pacers really don't have a go-to offensive weapon. They would certainly still be the favorite though.
The Pacers seem like a team built for a 7-game series. I think their depth and general mastery on defense would shut down a team like Toronto in 7 games. The Raptors will go as far as their match-ups allow; I like them over both Brooklyn and Washington, especially if Nenê is rusty.
Pretty easy argument to make when right now they're 3rd in the East when they'd be 10th in the West, probably lower since their record would be lower playing better competition.
On the other hand, they have a winning record vs. West. Since the Gay trade they are actually 11-7 vs. West, with wins vs. OKC, Dallas (twice), GSW, Sota (twice). They've been playing pretty impressive basketball since that trade, East or not.
Chicago. And it is not even close. With Coach Thib they cannot tank even when trying to. Who trades away Deng for nothing?
Reality check. Even if George was out Toronto would have just this side of 0 chance versus IND in a seven game series.
Memphis down now. Lowry with 22-7-12. This team is impressive. Good defense, good offense. And they can add a max free agent in 2015. Or even this year with some cap clearing moves. Bosh would be a perfect fit by the way.
