http://www.nba.com/powerrankings/2017-18-week-1#/ 2. Houston Rockets 2016-17: 55-27 Pace: 102.5 (3) OffRtg: 111.8 (2) DefRtg: 106.4 (18) NetRtg:+5.4 (3) Not breaking news: The Rockets are going to shoot a lot of 3-pointers. After setting another record for 3-point attempts (527 more than any other team has ever taken) in 2016-17, Houston saw the league's third biggest increase in the percentage of their shots that came from beyond the arc from last season (46 percent) to this preseason (61 percent!). Even Chris Paul got into the act, taking 20 threes and not a single shot from mid-range in his three preseason games. Opening night in Oakland gives Mike D'Antoni an early opportunity to try out his new roster's versatility. ~~~~ Their top 10 pretty much matches my own: 1. Warriors 2. Rockets 3. Spurs 4. Cavs 5. Celtics 6. Thunder 7. Wizards 8. Raptors 9. T-Wolves 10. Clippers The only change I'd make there is bumping the Clips out in favor of the Bucks.
I feel like ESPN is trying to set us up. Thunder has been low in all these projections. OKC could easily do better than expectations and then media will point to that as an achievement despite having 3 "super stars".
Also on NBA.com, in their "Answering 24 deep questions as 2017-18 NBA season approaches" article: 3. Did not getting Anthony hurt Houston or nah? The Rockets -- okay, Chris Paul -- wanted this done bad. It won’t hurt Houston in the regular season, when Paul and James Harden will dominate. And while Harden didn’t like Kevin McHale’s critique of his leadership, Mac was spot on. That doesn’t make “The Beard” a bad guy or teammate -- people gravitate to their comfortable roles in life, and CP3 is a natural-born leader. Harden will, one thinks, be more comfortable with slightly less light on him. They’ll do fine playing together and off one another. But the shadow of the Rockets’ implosion from deep -- 29 of 88 on 3-pointers the last two games against the Spurs in their Western Conference semifinals series -- still hangs over them. Ryan Anderson was negated in the postseason. There’s a reason CP3 pushed for ‘Melo so hard. The Rockets will need unexpected consistent offense from a P.J. Tucker or Luc Mbah a Moute in May if they have any hopes of playing in June. 21. So, how will the playoffs go this season? Eastern Conference (seeds No. 1-8): Cleveland, Boston, Washington, Toronto, Milwaukee, Miami, Detroit, Philadelphia Western Conference (seeds No. 1-8): Golden State, Houston, Oklahoma City, Portland, San Antonio, Memphis, Utah, Minnesota Eastern Conference semifinalists: Cleveland, Boston, Washington, Milwaukee Western Conference semifinalists: Golden State, Houston, OKC, San Antonio Eastern Conference finals: Cleveland over Boston Western Conference finals: Golden State over OKC (you heard me) NBA Finals: Golden State over Cleveland (in seven games)
Lol we're still getting picked to finish #2 more than any team but the second any journalist or station disagrees they'll be idiots and bias
I thought Melo wasn't a super star anymore according to us reasonable, non emotional Clutchfans posters?
Announcer 1: "Coming into this season, many of us believed Houston would challenge Golden State atop the Western Conference, but boy were those predictions off. Tell us what went wrong, Announcer 2." Announcer 2: "LOOK, I BEEN TELLING FOLKS ALL YEAR, THE ROCKETS DON'T GOT ENOUGH BALLS... TO SHARE." Announcer 3: "Back in my days, we passed the ball around like a lot, Cassell and I. It was a beautiful. So it can be done and has been done in a Rockets uniform before."
Excuse me? Do you think @Os Trigonum has time to "read" whole articles when the whole goal is to post "media conspiracy" before anyone else replies? He has a reputation to uphold on this website. His quickness takes precise skill and no where is reading a required skill. Maybe skimming the title of the post, but certainly not 'reading'. However, you got a point on those other guys.
I totally understand the thinking in picking okc over Houston in the playoffs. Stars shine in the playoffs. I hope we get another all star level performer during the season.
Uh oh. ESPN just ranked the Rockets #1. I hope that doesn't jinx them going into tonight's game against Memphis. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ings-our-expert-panel-unveils-rankings-week-2
Media conspiracy! BSPN is just trying to jinx us into a losing streak. It won't work because we are on to them and their antics, occasionally praising the Rockets while overall crapping on them. It won't work, like...non.
