If the season began today, then I feel that the Rockets would be the 8th seed in the West with a playoff order of: 1. Lakers 2. Portland 3. Utah 4. San Antonio 5. Sacramento 6. Phoenix 7. Minnesota 8. Houston... maybe Seattle Unfortunately, I think that the Rockets have dug themselves too deep of a hole. I agree with the optimists that we're a playoff caliber team NOW... we just won't have the record after 82 games played. Houston ISNT phenomenal... and it would take that sort of performance to make the cut. [This message has been edited by haven (edited January 18, 2000).]
The thing about this rocket team is that currently they are feeling themselves around the court. Potentially this team can beat anybody. But realistically they need some more experience, not new players. If the rockets can grow some more and depending how much, they can be a lot better than the 8th seed. I still remember the big turnaround in the team that went on to win the championship; soon after Rudy took over the team. I think it was the second season, the rockets were in the midst of a 6 game losing streak, then phoenix came in to play, Smith went for a layup with seconds to play then Charles barkley went up for the block and swatted that ball away right on its way down. The goal tending was not called thus escalating the losing streak to 7. That's as far as it went because the rockets went onto a huge win streak. That win built the character to the core of guys on the team that won the championship(s).
