http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/powerranking?season=2005&week=-1 7 (12) Rockets 45-37 - As with Denver, some will say this is too steep a climb, especially since Rockets have PG issues. But we like the T-Mac move (and the throw-in Juwan Howard bonus) that much. --------------------- They have Denver, Miami, and the Pacers ranked higher than us. We're ranked higher than the Mavs, Grizzlies, Lakers, and the Kings.
Im glad we're getting recognised as one of the top teams in the NBA but they have Miami at #3? Thats a little to high if u ask me.
Seems like a pretty fair position. But I really wonder about the Nugs. We'll see if Kmart is worth a max deal. And this whole suckerpunch incident couldn't have helped things.
The Rockets will prove they are better than 7 before long. The Heat are overrated there, Shaq will dominate, but still. Their record will be inflated because they are in the East, but a team will a few less wins, say the Rockets, will be better. Jerry Sloan is a good coach, but I think they're jumping the gun ranking Utah at 9, Okur and Boozer aren't THAT good. Okur is a nice talent, but I don't believe he's proved much yet. The Nuggets are not better than the Rockets.
People think Shaq is motivated and has someting to prove. The fact is that he's getting older and much slower. Shaq alone puts Miami at #3 is ridiculous.
Im saying it now and i have said it before and i know everyone will see it eventually, that J Howard is going to be our MVP and be this years JJ and really make us all realize what a good player he is. He will help the team in ways others dont. Only reason he got so much flack is becuase of the contract he recieved. If he didnt have that, he would easily be one of the best role players in the league, which he is now but isn't considered cause of his Star level salary.
Agreed. Howard is very underrated. He was hated in Washington because of the contract, but then played big for Dallas during their stretch run. He played very well in Denver and was sought after by many teams during free agency just last summer. Then after Orlando was so miserable last season, he fell back into everyone's sh*t list. People just think about the old contract and now, last year's team success. I mean come on, this is a guy with career averages of 17.8ppg and 7.4rpg. Sure, he's not the 20 year old, athletic shotblocker that everyone wants next to Yao, but let's be realistic - Howard is a really good 3rd option and had he never had that contract would be viewed as one of the biggest steals in the league.
My top ten: 1. SA 2. Minny 3. Detroit 4. Indy 5. Sac Town 6. Houston 7. Miami 8. Denver 9. Memphis 10. Dallas
I will predict that by game 15 most will want Cato back because Juwanna is getting fricked on the defensive end.
What's with this absurd love affair with Denver that has existed in the basketball press the last few months? Denver? I'm sorry, but if the Rockets are ranked behind Denver, then this offseason has been a failure beyond reckoning. I'm disgusted.
