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

The huge huge keys to the rockets success this coming playoffs is Jet, Prigs and Johnson knocking down their open 3s and team Defense period. If the PGs can hit the long ball at a decent to good clip the rockets can beat just about anybody not named the Warriors IMO. Losing Beverly is a big blow to the team.

 

SS: Rockets, the #2 seed, but aren't considered true contenders. Why?

Collins: James Harden, as good as he's been, was not best player in the playoffs last year. He has to play like he does in the regular season. Howard has to come back and do what he does defensively. Look at the PGs in the West. Beverley is their best defender. Harden is their PG offensively but Beverley guarded the best player. They're gonna miss his defense.

Rose: Championship level teams have 3 guys playing at all-star level. Contenders have 2. The Rockets have one. They'll need Dwight Howard. If he could mirror anything from last year in the playoffs, that vaults Houston past the first round. If he's still on a minute restriction and we're seeing the player we're seeing now, they'll get bounced in the first round.

Collins: Make no mistake, they're better with Howard.

 

Stupid haters. They live miserable life's. Let me send them some nasty comments

 

lol they gave scenarios why they could go out in the first round.

Your sternly believe no matter what we will lose.

There is a difference.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Attack Harden on the DEF end, harass him when he’s bringing the ball up / give him several diff looks, defenders on D he’ll wear down</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584784558194733056">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/JonesOnTheNBA">@JonesOnTheNBA</a> They don’t have a PG, smart teams will wear down Harden. Can’t have him handling the ball 85% of the game</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584784090768900097">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Spurs aren’t worried about Houston at all, Spurs offense requires effort from all 5 defenders. Harden will fade in 4q vs a team like Spurs</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584785431054553090">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Harden brings the ball up the court what 80% + of the time he’s on the court. Playoff teams should punish them for that.</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584786796237598720">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Its the same thing Dallas did to LeBron in 2011, big reason LeBron wore down in 4q in nearly every game in that series.</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584786901422342144">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I’m not saying Harden isn’t a fantastic player (he is) I just think its easier to stop him in playoffs late in games when game bogs down.</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584787376880259072">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>2 seed and a matchup with Dallas is huge for Rox, I don’t see them going through Spurs, Memphis and then having to face GSW.</p>&mdash; Haralabos Voulgaris (@haralabob) <a href="https://twitter.com/haralabob/status/584787981627592704">April 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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And FT shooting...
...and 3 PT shooting

 

With injuries nagging key teams like Cleveland and maybe other teams....Houston is going to be a player in this

Hope so.