http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=12711 Brian (Fort Worth): How would you rank your Top 10 teams going into next season? John Hollinger: I haven't gotten that far yet -- there's still a lot of players out there who could tip the scales. I will say this -- the West is shaping as the big 3 and the little 12 right now, with only Houston having a shot of breaking through to join the Spurs-Suns-Mavs triumvirate. ----- miami, fl: Hey John, where do you see Houston this year? John Hollinger: In southeast Texas, about three hours by car from Austin .... Oh, you mean the Rockets. So much depends on McGrady's back. If he plays 80 games like an All-Star, then the Rockets' other moves should make them a top-four team in the West. But I don't think he'll do that. ----- Daniel Ursache (Edison, NJ): Did you initially believe that Battier vs Bowen was a good decision ? You think that Battier will keep playing great defense, especially against Nowitzki ? How would you rate this USA team vs the Dream team and the USA team from the Olympics 2004 ? Thanks John Hollinger: I think it was the right choice. Bowen is at his best against guys who are looking to go one-on-one off the dribble, a profile which fits exactly nobody in the international game. Battier matches up better against Dirk and Gasol, and he'll help a lot more on the boards. ----- Anthony (chicago): John, has Wade been America's best defender so far? John Hollinger: No, Shane Battier has. Wade gambled too much in the early games but has toned it down of late. Chris Bosh also was very good in the Australia game.
wow, they actually answered a rocket question, that's like the first time in forever they've done that. at least espn thinks we've got a chance with the battier power foreward thing. CH
Interesting comments. I also think that Battier will do well against the power forwards who like to face up and shoot a lot, and it'll be good to see him go up against the two guys mentioned in the chat during the WBC. Battier isn't a huge slouch at defending against the dribble, either. If he can do a good job against Dirk, I think we have cause to get excited about this guy. Sure, he's likely not the ideal man to defend against the post, but it's nice to know we have Yao and Hayes to help him out in that respect. Oh yeah, plus Howard has 6 fouls to give.
How can you see the Suns as a team that matches up with the Spurs/Mavericks. (They were the #3 team last year) but not in the same league as the Mavs/Spurs. People will say they are getting Amare back, but his chance of being back for 80 games with all the Athleticism that he requires on those knees is WAY LESS than TMac's chance in my opinion. And IF TMac is healthy + Amare isnt the Rockets are very easily top 3 (maybe not in Season Record, but they are built for playoffs) and have as good a chance as any to win it all. Just random:Ryan Bowen needs to be cut because they guy is dead weight, pay him whatever and take that roster spot so you can easily sign 1 more USEFUL player.
I was surprised, and blasted pleased, that the Rox got some love there. I have been one of the doomthinkers on this Board and would love Hollinger to be right, right on and me wrong!
Always interesting to me that the positive 'finds' draw yawns and the negative ones go for pages and pages.
