I'm really excited about Jackson he is the a good solution to our problems, but almost every team in the west got much better , Clippers got Brand and they are loaded with talent, Minnesota brought Woods and Joe Smith, Phoenix also improved with Stephan and Penny is now healthy with great conditions even teams like Golden State and Denver are contenders to the playoffs , Denver got Rider and Ceballos and Golden State got 3 amazing rookies and all of them are healthy including Fortson .Our main problem , is that all the tall athletic Sf/Sg are going to kill Rice and Cat , their defensive ability are not good , Griffin is an amazing defensive stopper but he is not fast enough to guard guys like Kobe and T-Mac . To Secure are our playoff spot we have to sign a defensive Forward/Guard like Patterson. Right now our chance to get into the playoff is not too good. Our cap situation is bad for the next 3-5 years so it wouldn’t matter if we would sign somebody expensive.
F_R, I understand your concerns, but I can't agree with you. The Rockets will be quick and agile this year. I think we have an excellent chance to not only make the playoffs but advance as well. There's a lot to be said for team chemistry. I think we have shotblocking and rebounding if Cato finds a heart, and Jackson will dominate backup centers. I'm out on a limb here, but I think Collier will give us strength and shooting ability at PF, not center. I'd prefer to see the Griffin start because he is has the shot-blocking, rebounding and shooting skills we need at SF. I know. I know. Why did we get Rice? Rice will dominate as the sixth man and could easily win the Sixth Man Award. Also, fewer minutes will be easier on his fragile feet. Francis will rule, and Moochie will be back as back-up. As for the Cat, don't worry. He will find a way to win. He has the nerve and he has the heart. As for the bench, I like 'em all -- especially Morris and Langhi. Don't count them out. I also like KT and Walt. However, my crystal ball just doesn't paint them in as future Rockets. Pity. All we need to get us into the championship ring is to swing a way to get a big, mobile center next year (Yao Ming or Chris Marcus?). CD and Rudy have pulled off such miracles that I don't think it is impossible.
Clippers got Brand and they are loaded with talent They're also loaded with inexperience. Minnesota brought Woods and Joe Smith They also lost Laphonso Ellis, who had the same or better contributions than Joe Smith did in his last season there. Woods may have been a good pick that late, but I haven't seen many 2nd rounders come in and immediately be the difference-maker. also improved with Stephan and Penny I don't think there's anyone in the NBA who would consider trading your franchise player and trading Cliff Robinson for peanuts as improvement. The Cliff Robinson trade was made for salary cap purposes, and the Kidd trade to get younger. I don't think having a better team next season was the primary reason in either of those two trades. They are looking to the future. Denver got Rider and Ceballos Oh goodness, not Isaiah Rider. That same guy who couldn't get off the bench and show discipline under the supposedly great Phil Jackson? If he couldn't stay under control under Phil Jackson, just imagine this guy with Dan Issel. The Nuggets have a good young team, and actually you might could make a case for them having a good season next year, but Isaiah Rider is certainly not a part of it. And neither is Cedric Ceballos. Golden State got 3 amazing rookies and all of them are healthy including Fortson . 3 amazing rookies? Murphy and Arenas won't even come close to starting unless there are injuries, and I've never heard them referred to as amazing. Richardson could start and has talent, but when's the last time a college sophomore who struggled with the fundamentals of basic things like shooting came in and lit up the NBA in his first year? Our main problem , is that all the tall athletic Sf/Sg are going to kill Rice and Cat , their defensive ability are not good , Griffin is an amazing defensive stopper but he is not fast enough to guard guys like Kobe and T-Mac . Did we not have this problem last year? Don't tell me Shandon was big enough and good enough to guard these players, cause he wasn't. We were 45-37 last year, and if you watched the games, you'd realize our problem was needing more interior defense, not on the perimeter. Actually, opposing point guards did better than opposing shooting guards (compared to their averages) against us, but considering Steve can do no wrong around here that seems not to matter. Right now our chance to get into the playoff is not too good. I can only think of 3 teams in the West that are definitely better than we are... I'd say in that case, you have a pretty good shot. (Notice: I'm not saying we are the 4th best team in the West, just saying that there are only three that are clearly better before the season begins)
Gee, Cat, you're always stalking the board waiting to pounce with solid analysis. What do you think about starting Collier as the PF, starting the Griffin as SF, and bringing Rice in as the sixth man?
Teams better than Houston: L.A Portland Sacramento L.A Clippers Utah Minnesota(KG, Brandon and Szcerbiak) San Antonio
WRONG. I have to agree with Cat. There are three, maybe 4, that are better. LA, Sac, SA. Portland is very beatable. Utah keeps getting older and has to implode any day now. Clips don't have any experience so to say they are definately a lock to have a better record is ridiculous. Minnesota definately isn't a lock for a better record. I can imagine a scenario, albeit highly unlikely, that the Rocks could have better records then each of those teams mentioned above. More realistic is 6th or 7th seed, however. -krosfyah
BTM: We all know you are just trying to jack with the board so please don't waste the space. There is a place for those of us who are not as well informed as Clutch, Jeff, The Cat, Oeilpierre, Crispee, et al, but stupidity is not a strong need here. Please post in the Jazz board -- they are bored there, I'm sure.
What do you think about starting Collier as the PF, starting the Griffin as SF, and bringing Rice in as the sixth man The Griffin? Anyway, I think Eddie may be better suited for the second unit. He has a lot of talent, but right now defensively I'm not sure if he's ready to cover the athletic wingmen of the NBA. I think he will be if you give him time, but I don't think we should force him to learn NBA perimeter defense right away. There's a lot of things we have to show him, and I think there's some other priorities I'd teach him before that. If Rice is still out it may become necessary, but assuming Glen is healthy, I doubt Eddie will start at SF. (unless there is someone at PF capable of guarding the wing, which I don't think will happen). I wouldn't be against Eddie starting at PF, although I think KT has earned the opportunity, at least at the beginning. You know I like Collier, but I think of him more as a change of pace than a starter. He's one of those energy guys you can count on to come off the bench and score some points, set picks, etc. I think he could start if necessary, but I don't think that's Rudy's plan. Everyone needs a player who can come off the bench and get quick points, and Collier may fit into that role long-term.
Eddie needs a good nickname, and in mythology the griffin is commonly depicted as having the head, forelegs and wings of an eagle, and the hindquarters, tail and occasionally ears of a lion. They have been known for centuries as symbols of strength and vigilance, and have been called "The Hounds of Zeus". In some mythologies, they represent the wealth of the sun. In others, they are said to have hoardes of fabulous treasure, which they guard endlessly. The Dictionary of Symbolism offers the following interpretation of this fabulous animal: Griffins are portrayed with a lion's body, an eagle's head, long ears, and an eagle's claws, to indicate that one must combine intelligence and strength. Hence, the Griffin.
Teams that are clearly better than Houston: L.A. Lakers- Probably for a year or two more. Portland Trailblazers- Have the talent to challenge for the ring, but could falter if their chemistry problems start up again. Sacramento Kings- Rockets should be right with them in the 2002-03 season, just a little behind this year. Teams that are on par with Houston: Dallas Mavericks- Very similar to Houston, based entirely around offense. Talent wise, Dirk, Mike, and Howard are about equal to Francis, Mobley, and Rice, plus the Rockets have Griffin and Jackson. San Antonio Spurs- Got much, much worse this offseason. Will probably get the edge because of Duncan, but talent-wise, the Rockets are completely superior. It's a one-man show in San Antonio. Teams that are worse than Houston: Utah Jazz- They are done. They will be too old and too slow to keep up with this team. This is their year to finally win under 50 games. If Houston doesn't get a better record than this team, they don't deserve to make the playoffs. Los Angeles Clippers- Everyone seems to forget that this team can not shoot. The zone will hurt them. They have athletic scorers, but probably won't make the playoffs until they can consistently put the rock in the basket from outside. Phoenix- Talent-wise, they are about even. However, after completely switching point guards, and losing the consistent offense of Cliff Robisnson, they will struggle this year. Penny hasn't played well in years. It will take him a while to find his groove. Minnesota- Yes, Garnett is better than Francis or Mobley, but not by that much. And I have a feeling that Griffin will do a solid job on him. Rice is a better version of Szczerbiak. Francis is clearly better than Brandon, and the Wolves have no one that can challenge Mobley. I haven't even mentioned Jackson yet, who will kill Nesterovic. Seattle- They have become my second favorite team. That automatically means that they won't be making the playoffs. Plus, they lost Ewing and Patterson, gaining only that Euro-rook (can't remember his name), and Calvin Booth. They have dropped off since last year. THE ROCKETS HAVE GOT TO TAKE TWO IN KEY ARENA!!!!! Denver Nuggets- I wouldn't be surprised to see them join Houston in overtaking Minny, Utah, or Phoenix for a playoff spot. I like the Rider signing. Hopefully for them, it won't backfire. Golden State Warriors- Will likely struggle to blend in rookies. Needs another year before they can be taken seriously. Memphis Grizzlies- Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!! This team will be lucky to get a better record than the Bulls. They have gotten worse this offseason, by pulling off perhaps the worst trade in NBA History. Trading Mike Bibby for Jason Williams is like trading Shaquille O'neal for Bryant Reeves. They are doomed, I tell you. Doomed. Poor Memphis. The Rockets are better than a lot of teams in the west. They will make the playoffs if they put their best effort into every single game. If they get ripped by the west again, and destroyed by crappy teams, they will fail yet again.
I find ZRB's analysis of other teams in the conference most insightful. Unlike a few others, I believe he adds value to the board and should not be deterred from posting his opinions here
Western Conference Playoffs: 1. LA Lakers: Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, 2. SA Spurs: I may be wrong, but I would put my money on Duncan's Spurs for seed #2. Daniels will step up, believe me. 3. Sac Kings: As much as I hate hate hate hate hate hate to say it, the Kings will be numero tres. But webb will choke........AGAIN. 4. Mavs: Lots of talent, lots of money, lots of luck will get them farther than the second round. 5. Jailblazers: no comment. 6. Jazz: Ew. I don't know if I can stand two more years of Stocky's shorts riding up his ass. 7. Rockets: Yay!!! And we'll beat San Antonio in the first round. Don't believe me? One story by me and youwill believe it. 8. Nuggets: Yes, the Nugs. They're good. I hate the Suns. And Nugzfan and Nuggets4 are kewl.
