4. Which dark horse has a legitimate shot at surprising us and winning it all? Anthony: Several teams fall into this category -- Houston, Denver, even the struggling Cavs. But the team I think is the most dangerous is the Lakers. (By the way, I spoke to at least a half dozen GMs and head coaches in the West and they agreed.) Best player + best coach = a legit chance to win it all. Broussard: I'm torn on this one between Houston, Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers. I would say Houston if I had confidence in its health. Denver can upset anyone, but I'm not sure it can win three WC series just yet. So I'll go with the Lakers because of Kobe and Phil Jackson. Bucher: Lakers. They have the league's best player in the clutch not named Steve Nash and they believe in their system and their coach. Hollinger: Denver is a popular answer, and a good one, but I think folks are sleeping on Houston. Even with Tracy and Yao missing long stretches, the Rocks are 26-16 and ranked No. 1 in Defensive Efficiency. If both are healthy come April, they have the pieces to make a run. Sheridan: The Houston Rockets, because despite the absence of Yao Ming and the never-ending problems with Tracy McGrady's back, Jeff Van Gundy has them playing sustained winning basketball -- 10 games over .500, including a winning road record. Watch out when Yao gets back. Stein: Don't see one. I'm quite sure that the champion is coming from the power trio of Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio -- not ready here to write the Spurs off just yet -- but I'd pick Miami to repeat before I start trying to dream up dark horses. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=roundup-midseason
It's not going to be the Spurs (not since JVG has shown the league how to defend them...boy he's got Popovich's number this whole season)...so unless you wanna just give it to Dallas at this point...Houston and Denver are the ones to do it. The Suns won't beat Dallas, imo, but they can win it if Dallas goes before the WCF, which is possible. I could definitely see Denver beating Dallas.
good to see the smarter espn analysts giving props to the rockets, and the lesser (stein) not even considering us.
Good post. I am not suprised that someone has picked the Lakers. I am not sure how they keep winning games, but they are. I hate the Lakers
i would rather they underestimate us, so when we do win they are gonna pretend that they thought we were contenders. most of these analysts are idiots that go for the flavor of the month teams, i.e. jazz hornets magic at the beginning of the year, mavs and suns now. the only thing regular season play does is position you in the playoffs, it doesnt translate how you play in the post season.
Lakers and Rockets are the only legitimate dark horse candidates. The question is, can either last in a seven game series vs. Mavs, Suns, or Spurs?
I don't get how they can call Phil Jackson the best coach in the game. He's very good, but he won championships on the backs of Michael Jordan and Shaq. Both in their prime. Riley is a better coach, Jerry Sloan, Popavich and Avery Johnson are better coaches than Phil Jackson. The man won a bunch, but given less than the best and he's less than the best. Give the rest of these guys poor talent and they'll push the team to the playoffs.
Stein is a nincom**** and thank god for it. The Lakers are a first round appetizer. I certainly wouldn't have a problem facing them early on. In addition, I feel if we draw Utah or San Antonio in the first round we'll do fine. Provided we are healthy.
i think he's doing pretty well with his team right now. i dont think they have any business being a top 5 seed, and yet they are. his triangle offense and coaching skills, along with kobe of course, are pushing the lakers to win. i can't believe he even got them to win this many games thus far in the season. to me, he's a spectacular coach.
Problem with this statement is our opponents know better than to underestimate us (or any opponent for that matter), so it's only fans and writers...so it matters little. It is still up to the guys on the floor and sidelines.
Fat Stein should pick the Mavs as the darkhorse because we are gonna whoop their ass if we play them in the Playoffs. My dream senario, Rockets 6th seed beat Spurs 3rd seed Rockets 6th seed beat Mavs 2nd seed WCF Rockets vs Suns Too bad we are gonna end up getting the 4th or 5th seed and play the Suns in the second round. Winner gets either little d or san antonio
Hate Stein all you want for not talking up our team, but he's one of the best there is in the industry at scooping, analyzing, and not BSing. He and Ric Bucher are underappreciated. Evan
Outside of the Big 3 (actually Big 2 IMO), I think it's between the Lakers and Rockets. The Lakers problem revolves around how well Odom integrates back into their offense. It's too bad for them he and Kobe were finally looking like they could play well at the same time. If they can pick up where they left off after he rounds back into shape, the Lakers will be very tough. Kwame coming back and fighting Bynum for minutes will help their intensity at center. Just like us, they have a big weakness at PG. To answer someone's question, I can definitely see them beating the Suns or Mavs in a 7 game series. Against the Spurs, I would make a healthy Laker team the favorite.
come on, Jordan and Shaq never won a championship before PJ becomes their coach, he is the best, the rings on his finger doesn't lie. I think either us (rox) or lakers are the decent dark horse candidates ... the worst case is to face Lakers in the first round (either they or us got into first 4 seeds), and match up with sun and mavs in the west semi-final and final.
If................................... 1. Yao gets healthy and stays healthy. 2. McGrady stays healthy enough to continue doing what he is doing. 3. No further injuries to the rotation. 4. Bonzi rounds into form and becomes effective and efficient. 5. Rafer's shooting woes improve some. 6. We are able to make a trade to acquire one more rotation player that will aid our shooting and defense. ..............then we WILL win it all. No darkhorse, we will win it all. We are a darkhorse right now along with the Lakers. We get healthy, stay healthy, and add one more solid, veteran, contributing piece and we aren't a darkhorse. We're a contender.
Per A3P0: "Outside of the Big 3 (actually Big 2 IMO), I think it's between the Lakers and Rockets. The Lakers problem revolves around how well Odom integrates back into their offense. It's too bad for them he and Kobe were finally looking like they could play well at the same time. If they can pick up where they left off after he rounds back into shape, the Lakers will be very tough. Kwame coming back and fighting Bynum for minutes will help their intensity at center. Just like us, they have a big weakness at PG. To answer someone's question, I can definitely see them beating the Suns or Mavs in a 7 game series. Against the Spurs, I would make a healthy Laker team the favorite" Excellent analysis. I agree.
according to vg, more likely a frontcourt than backcourt player. so as far as PG or shooting help, this will be it unless morey disagrees with vg's assessment. we'll see, it will be interesting until all star break.
