1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Compared to last years Kings: Are the Rockets better equipped to Beat the Spurs?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by thewaterox, Oct 2, 2006.

  1. thewaterox

    thewaterox Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2005
    Messages:
    1,484
    Likes Received:
    5
    Last year the Kings had three major players: Wells, Artest, and Bibby. They had a nice supporting cast with Brad Miller at center and Rahim at PF. Even Kevin Martin stepped up his game and gave them good production. As good as the Kings where they still couldn't get past the Spurs.

    I did watch the series and it was closer than it looks on paper because Artest went down with an ankle injury and Bibby wasn't his normal self either.

    Would the Rockets be in a better position to beat the Spurs with the addition of Wells? There are more question marks on the Rockets team, but we do have three strong players surrounded by a nice supporting cast.

    Our team focus is defense opposed to the Kings offensive focus. For this reason I'd give the Rockets a slightly better chance of beating the Spurs. Artest joined the Kings and gave them one of the best defensive players in the league, as Ginoboli found out, but I still feel the Rockets have a better defensive team.

    What do you guys think our we better equipped to beat the likes of the Spurs compared to last years Kings squad?
     
    #1 thewaterox, Oct 2, 2006
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2006
  2. Sherlock

    Sherlock Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 1999
    Messages:
    1,886
    Likes Received:
    19
    Both McGrady and Yao are in a whole other category than any players on the Kings ...
     
  3. joeguo

    joeguo Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2002
    Messages:
    216
    Likes Received:
    2
    What are you talking about? Are you comparing Bibby and Artest with McGrady and Yao?
     
  4. thewaterox

    thewaterox Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2005
    Messages:
    1,484
    Likes Received:
    5
    No I'm comparing our three headed monster to the one the kings took to the playoffs and lost with last year. Keep in mind one of our heads is the same head: Bonzi Wells.
     
  5. JeopardE

    JeopardE Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    7,418
    Likes Received:
    246
    In today's edition of "Things that make you go hmmmm", we feature the question:

    Is New York City bigger than Pearland?
     
  6. Chuck 4

    Chuck 4 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 1999
    Messages:
    5,550
    Likes Received:
    120
    Agreed. Artest, Bibby aren't in the same class With (healthy) Tracy and Yao. Just My Opinion.
     
  7. vlaurelio

    vlaurelio Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    Messages:
    21,310
    Likes Received:
    11,755
    poll is confusing.. what are you really asking?

    is the question is rox better than last years kings?

    or

    can rox beat spurs in the playoffs this year?

    rox can be better than last years kings but dos not assure that they can beat spurs in the playoffs..

    also rox can be beaten by the spurs in the playoffs but still be better than last year's kings..
     
  8. johnkamla

    johnkamla Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2002
    Messages:
    320
    Likes Received:
    4
    Slam dunk yes. Yao-McGrady are the best inside-outside combo bar none. Artest-Bibby are both perimeter guys. Don't know if that means we can beat the Spurs but it certainly means we're better than the old Kings. Beating the Spurs is a separate issue.
     
  9. ubigred

    ubigred Member

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2005
    Messages:
    7,363
    Likes Received:
    127
    you need to fix your poll....
     
  10. supertruck97

    supertruck97 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2002
    Messages:
    50
    Likes Received:
    0
    Maybe I'm mistaken here, but don't we have a 4 headed monster??

    Yao-Tmac-Wells-Battier

    If you want to go player by player:

    Alston<< Bibby
    Wells=Wells
    TMac=Artest (It's pretty close)
    Battier>SAR
    Yao>>Miller

    So, by my method of Greater thans and Less Thans, it looks like we are better than last year's Kings by 1 Greater Than.....

    What does this all mean? Squat!

    Kings vs Spurs is nto a comparison for how the Rox would do against the Spurs just because there is now 1 player in common.

    Hey, lets compare the Lakers with the Heat back when Shaq and Odom were switched....Or how about the Cavs vs the Rox now that Cleveland has Wesley....

    Seriously, this comparison is way off base...
     
  11. thesaint

    thesaint Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2002
    Messages:
    448
    Likes Received:
    1
    First off I think there are 3 teams that seems better than the Spurs this year including Rox. My order of best teams in West is:

    1) Suns
    2) Rox
    3) Mavs
    4) Spurs
    5) LA Clips

    Im not worried about beating Spurs this year as much as beating the Suns and Mavs.

    Spurs really did not make any major changes this season with their roster. Their bench and center position is still weak.
     
  12. brantonli24

    brantonli24 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2006
    Messages:
    3,236
    Likes Received:
    68

    Don't underestimate the Spurs, or for that, any other team. The New Orleans Hornets gave the league a run for their money, and remember, San Antonio won 63 games last year and was seeded first in the playoffs (but they met a strong Dallas team on the way...) They might not have changed their roster, but don't count them out. Duncan and Ginobili should be healthy this year and with a smarter Tony Parker......many people seemed to have forgotten how dangerous that team is.
     
  13. thewaterox

    thewaterox Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2005
    Messages:
    1,484
    Likes Received:
    5
    I agree NO picked up Peja and added Chandler to an already good team. Chris Paul has turned into one of the best young PGs in the game. They may be the surprise team next year.
     
  14. Xerobull

    Xerobull ...and I'm all out of bubblegum
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2003
    Messages:
    36,887
    Likes Received:
    35,764
    The Spurs' best years are behind them. That's not to say that they aren't championship calibur, but they aren't the force they were 2-3 years ago.
     
  15. pirc1

    pirc1 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2002
    Messages:
    14,137
    Likes Received:
    1,882
    Ya, exactly!
     
  16. Rocketeer

    Rocketeer Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 1999
    Messages:
    3,188
    Likes Received:
    1,626
    Sorry but T-Mac>Artest
     
  17. Omer

    Omer Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2006
    Messages:
    3,933
    Likes Received:
    56
    Yeah, and

    T-Mac + Yao > Artest + Bibby + Bonzi

    T-Mac + Yao + Bonzi > Sacramento Kings
     
  18. GATER

    GATER Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2000
    Messages:
    8,325
    Likes Received:
    78
    You can play the "> <" game all day long but facts are facts.

    Micheal Finley is way better the anyone the Rockets bring off of the bench, Jacque Vaughn is probably steadier than JLIII, Udrih is less of a question mark than VSpan, in spite of their ages, Brent Barry, Horry, and Eric Williams add proven depth where the Rockets are depending on rookies, Padgett and Juwan, and Elson and Jackie Butler were quiet but nice pickups. Although they weren't hit as hard as the Rox, Duncan, Parker and Ginobill were slowed by nagging injuries last season.

    I hate the Spurs as much as the next poster, but they are not going to roll over and play dead. Popovic (like VG) employs a system that keeps the game close until crunch time. They'll be tough to beat. Doable...but not easy at all.
     
  19. RocksMillenium

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2000
    Messages:
    10,018
    Likes Received:
    508
    We have to wait and see with this team because it's new. But if this team is playing like we think they're capable of and they're clicking then not only would they blast last year's Sacramento Kings, they can more then hold their own with the Spurs, and Heats and Suns of the world.
     
  20. solid

    solid Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2001
    Messages:
    21,210
    Likes Received:
    9,034
    BB, before Bonzi, the Rockets needed some young players to grow into near AllStars in the course of the season to become a contender. NOW, AB, after Bonzi, if any of the young players surprise and show significant talent, then the Rockets are running along side the elite teams neck and neck. This combo has to click and it may take months, but I like the talent level much better than BB.
     

Share This Page

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now