Why do some people assume we will be out in first round again?

Right. These are the facts. It's known as reality. They haven't done squat in the playoffs for years and no amount of polyanna rationalization can erase or excuse their record. Now, you want to change the narrative? Simple: WIN! Get OUT the first round and WIN the second round to make it to the WCF and we won't be having this discussion.

 

Probably not, although that's not really the issue. The Western Conference in most(if not all) of those years wasn't as dominant as this year. You can't just compare the Rockets to their predecessors. You have to compare the quality of the opponents. But regarding past Rockets teams who lost in the first round:

2005's team was pretty good, although they were up against a superior Mavs team and without homecourt. The reason that loss still stings is that you shouldn't lose a series when you're returning home up 2-0.

2014's team wasn't as good as this year's, but they were better than last year's Blazers IMO. They shouldn't have lost that series.

2007 was a tossup. The Jazz had more depth, but T-Mac and Yao(even coming off the leg injury) were a better duo than Williams and Boozer. Plus the Rockets had homecourt. The problem was Yao couldn't guard Boozer and got manhandled on the boards(it cost us Game 7), while T-Mac far too often settled for jumpers instead of attacking the Jazz inside.

 

Why do people think that a meth addict will do meth again?

The Rockets have a long history of exiting in the first round.

Why are you upset at people making projections based on available data?

 

On a positive note, Bickerstaff will be there unlike Sampson leaving pre-playoffs.

The defense really fell off last season when he left.

 

Stotts? Or back 2 back 40 point nights from Aldridge right out the gates

 

Ranny, how long have you been following the Rockets?? I want them to advance as much as any positive fan, but it gets tough when a team you have been following has only got out of the first round once since 97 playoffs (Yes that's unfair to current players, but the FO has proven year in/out that regular season accolades are important, just look at MVP campaign). I watch most of the Rockets games regsrdless but it does get tough when the post season just ends abruptly in April (start of may). I really want this year to be different, but man the Western Conference is so stacked, I think harden is MVP but I hope he changes up his game, since it playoffs refs call it different.

 

So you think Stotts had no game plan to stop Harden or at least limit the damage? There was a clear plan...

Likewise McHale sat there while watching LMA drain jumper after jumper before going the Howard / Asik route.

Until the Rockets prove the can get past the 1st round, people will always be skeptical.

 

What sets me off is the amount of arrogance that flows around here. Self entitled with nothing to back it off. We got the best this and that. With greatness comes great responsibility but not with us. Ive never seen a humble GM pick so many fights thru social media.

There needs be a balance of reality, homerism and humbleism

 

I have less confidence this season than last year about getting out of the first round.

Judging by the results last season, that isn't the best sign.

 

But our teams and opponents are always changing. Other than last year I don't see what any of the other previous years have to do with THIS particular Rockets team and season.

It's like when they show those useless stats of a pitcher or quarterbacks record against one specific team over their career. It says absolutely nothing about the game that is currently being played because who they beat 10 years ago or 5 years ago isn't who they are playing against today.

 

same reason people assume the Spurs have a good shot of making it to the Finals this year even earlier in the season when they looked bad.

History.

 

But that isn't the same at all.

The Spurs have had Pop, Duncan, Parker and Ginobili for years upon years and have proven themselves.

We haven't had McHale, Harden, Dwight and the like for years upon years losing over and over.

It's been different guys losing in the past. What does McGradys inability to advance have to do with what Harden is capable of doing?

 

I've wondered about the gross negativity towards the Rockets on this forum...and frankly I just don't understand it.

There are long running threads calling to fire Morey, to fire McHale, and individual threads disparaging each player on the roster. People here actually accused D12 of faking his injury to avoid facing the press. People here actually accused James, more than once, of not trying to win games.

Yes, often it is the same posters piling on each time they perceive an opportunity for negative posts. What are their motives? I don't know...but thankfully there are enough intelligent posters on here who can provide good insight into the team and what's happening.

Clearly many of the chronic negative posters are hoping for a first round loss...and the chance to say I told you so.

Screw you, I refuse to let your negativity impact my enjoyment of this team and this season.

Thank you DM and front office, thank you Coach McHale and staff, and thank you to each player for providing one of the most enjoyable seasons in Rockets history...and I've seen them all.

 

I say it's where we rank in terms of point differential + who's starting at PG. We also haven't proven anything in the playoffs. Nobody believes until it happens.

 

I've been following them since 1992-93. Looks like we both got on board at just the right time.:grin:

But something I keep harping on that people can't forget is that the Rockets of today have to deal with a Western Conference far more brutal than back in the 90's. Remember the last time the Rockets made a deep playoff run? It was in 1996-97. We won 57 games that season and were the 3rd seed(although we had the 2nd best record in the West over Seattle).

Our first round opponent that year was a very young Minnesota Timberwolves team with a rookie Stephon and a 2nd year KG. They were 40-42. Think about that. The 6th seed in the West was 40-42. So were the 7th seed Phoenix Suns(who some of you will recall started the year 0-8 while adjusting to the post-Barkley era). And the 8th seeded Clippers were 36-46. This year, the 6th seed in the Western Conference could be the defending champion Spurs who are currently playing their best ball of the season. And the 8th seed will be a Thunder team who are only that low in the standings because the reigning MVP has a foot injury and their star PF had knee surgery.

 

More than this, the Rockets are a 3 game losing streak from falling to the 6th seed... in which case it wouldn't be an upset.

The point is, that if they continue to hold a home court advantage top 4 seed at season's end, the difference between them and who they're playing will be so so so small.

Just like last year, where they had the EXACT SAME record as the Trailblazers.

The "upset" narrative is that home court advantage should mean something. And I'd say it normally does mean something, so the narrative was even stronger last year given they lost the first 2 games.

If anyone other than the Warriors lose in the first round, it is not an upset. It just isn't. 3 games can be swung in a given season depending on scheduling difficulty, injuries, trades, refs, whatever. Home court helps, obviously, but doesn't make one team better than the other.

The things I look to as positives:

1. It'd be downright CRAZY to go 0-2 the first two games, at home, again. Obviously, 2-0 is preferred, but even 1-1 will be an improvement for this James Harden led squad.

2. I think they'll be "ready to play". That's cliche, I know, but experience helps. If they're not "ready to play", there's a fundamental flaw - Harden, Howard, Morey or McHale... just no working.

3. Assuming health to all EXCEPT PBev, the team will be at its strongest at the end of the season.

4. Assuming health to all EXCEPT Pbev, it is the most talented team the Rockets have had in forever.

5. Nobody "wants" to play San Antonio... BUT, I think a match-up with either the Spurs or Mavs is favorable to the Rockets. It is local, which cuts down on travel. It isn't the Clippers (not the best matchup) or the Blazers (also not the best matchup, though revenge would be sweet). That's assuming we get that matchup.

The ability to finish the season as the 2/3 seed is pretty important here. The 4th seed I suspect gets you a matchup with the Blazers or Clippers... or Spurs, which isn't horrible.. but obviously the Mavs matchup is the best. As importantly, I'm going to be optimistic and say the get past the first round. The Grizzlies matchup in the second round is also good.

I'm optimistic.
I'm always optimistic at this stage, with a team that seems to be good.
I expect a DEEP playoff run.
I will DEFINITELY be disappointed with a first round loss... and a second round loss... and a third round loss.