Nothing is a lock at this stage, but I like the direction of the team. I would like to see us break into the top five seeds. 50+ wins and scaring a team or two in the playoffs would make me a happy fan.
We aren't a lock for the playoffs. We need to keep on improving. Our lack of depth and potential injuries are disturbing.
Since falling to a 6-11 record december 2, 2004 we have gone a whopping 25-10 since then i.e. 0.714 ball since December 4 2004 (35 games). I believe that number is only behind San Antonio Spurs, Sonic and the Suns. Now that is impressive folks. We have gone 16-6 this year so far (since the 1st of January) i.e. 0.727 ball. That is the best in all of NBA bastketball (tied with San Antonio @ 16-6 as well). Impressive stuff.
good stats Fegwu.. also, in the last 7 games, we have an incredible 100% winning record which is tops in the league!
LOL I must say it's a lot of fun now to go to the Rockets games. I went Wed and Today...and it was great. Tonight was pretty packed and the game went down to the wire. Of course, its fun cause we won. I figure we can stretch this thing a couple of more games. Anything more than that is just gravy. Loving it right now...GO ROCKETS
Like most people have said, we're in good shape right now. But if something happens to TMac, who has been banged up, we're in trouble, obviously. And we do play a schedule with the highest opponents' win percentage (Lakers have the second worst). Given that Minnesota and Denver have so much talent, it's not a done deal. But I feel better than I did two months ago.
If the Rockets somehow lose six straight games, and the Minnesota Timberwolves win six straight games, it is still possible. A game on March 20 at Minnesota should be a milestone. As long no injuries to McGrady, Yao, Sura, Howard and Wesley occur, the Rockets should be seeded sixth in the West.
Given what the new look Rockets have done of late, I'd be disappointed if we finished out the last thirty games at less than 2 out of 3. And I actually think we can do better than that. We shouldn't be thinking about making the playoffs at this point. That would be resting on our laurels (something that never works for Houston teams). We should be thinking about home court advantage and how, if we want it, we can't afford to lose again this season. We can get home court if we beat the odds the rest of the year and the Mavs and Kings play like humans. That's how the last couple weeks have gone after all. Let's keep it going. I'm counting on a 10-0 February.
Oh yeah, even better. Give me Seattle in a 7 game series. Not easy, but I'd really like our chances. I take that over the 1 extra home game of a 4 seed having to play Dallas or Sac and most probably playing SA next round if we did win. I really think Seattle might be the most exploitable of all WC playoff teams through the top 7 seeds, and they are close to a lock on the #3 spot because Minny is so far down in their division. Barring collapses, us and Memphis will fight it out for #6. Better spot than #7 (Phx or SA would be tough) and MUCH better than #5 (at Dal or at Sac with the #1 seed waiting if we get through).
Definitely.... I could see us taking Seattle in a 7 game series... I fear only SA and the Kings...Dallas can be scary, but they always seem to fall off in the playoffs... Im still not sure about the Suns...sure, they are doing fine in the regular season...but Im curious if the old maxim about their style in the playoffs will catch up to them.. Amare claims that it isnt necessarily true in their case since the Showtime Lakers succeeded running and gunning, but I dont think they are as good as the Lakers were..and the competition is stronger these days imo.. It will most definitely be a interesting playoff this year, that is for sure.. I just hope the Rockets can continue to strengthen their team game and be ready to use that veteran experience to their advantage.
I think we might actually have better chances in the playoffs against San Antonio since we have beat them twice this season and we can match-up with them speed wise and scoring wise.
It wasn't last year but they didn't have this new tv deal they have now. I wonder if the playoff games will be on local TV (ch51) too. Can Tim's replacement or someone in the know fill us in please?
If someone checks I think if we go .500 the rest of the way the next team that could knock us out of the playoffs would have to go 21-9????
We are currently in 6th place with a record of 31-21. Minny is in 9th place with a record of 25-27. LA Clipper are in 10th place with a record of 23-28 And Denver in 11th place with a record of 23-28 as well. If we go 15-15 in our remain 30 games, Minny will have to go 21-9 (0.700 ball) in order to tie us up at 46-36. In the same breath, the Clip Crew and Nugs will have to go 23-8 (0.742 ball in their remain 31 games) in order to tie us up at 46-36. There you have it.
The Suns Achilles heel is defense. They will beat-down Dallas or maybe even Seattle. But they will struggle vs the Spurs.
so...when we are at the top of our game defensively...we are real close to the Spers as far as D goes imo... .do you feel that if we are playing defense like we know they can, that they have a better than even chance to stop the Suns running attack in a 7 game series? Im not in total awe of Stoudamire like alot of posters...but I do still fear the Suns team as a whole....Im just very hopeful that they cant continue to dictate the pace of games once they reach the playoffs....if the Rockets can slow their transition game and make them play the game our way....we have a real chance of beating them...
Well, I worry about our athletic ability. Because we will be chasing them around the court and it will have a negative effect on our ability to "stop them." But I do feel that our over-all defense will throttle them back a bit. As long as we play team-position defense we should give them a run for their money. Another thing I noticed is that Nash must be cut off from his passing lanes. You can't stop him because he's soooooo deceiving. But you can learn where he likes to pass. And when you take away those passing lanes you can frustrate that team. Oh, and back when we played Dallas. One of the keys to beating them was "take away the 3." We can't let them drain 3 after 3, while we hit 2 after 2. So, to recap. 1) Make them play half-court 2) Defend the passing lanes 3) Defend the 3 4) Double Nash sometimes 5) Make them "think" not just free-style it It's funny. When Nash passes out of a double team. Watch the other player on his team. They don't know what to do with the ball. Then Nash comes running up to them to take the ball back kinda like, "It's ok, mommy is here."
