If I remember Hollinger's notes from when the trade first went down, this was the original information he received from his source. Perhaps he hasn't heard any updated information, and assumed all things were to remain the same...but Adelman (actually it was Morey quoting Rick) has gone on the record to say he would prefer to keep the same starting 5 and have Artest come off the bench. At least to start the season that is... Utah topped Hollinger's rankings at the end of last year, and if nothing else the man is consistant. I was actually anticipating the Jazz to start on top...
I'd rather see Artest off the bench, with Scola and Battier starting. Now that Battier is down, I'm sure Artest will start, but Artest would bring so much more off the bench than Battier would. I prefer flying under the radar ... I'd prefer everyone not even think we have a chance.
you also realize that the Hornets had practically ZERO injuries. let me see CP3 miss 5-10 games this season.........Hornets might be a 6th seed.
some Rocket fans shouldn't follow the national media types unless they're willing to endure the recurring themes. our biggest opponent is injuries. Fact Tracy's never been out of the first round. Fact Rockets haven't been out of the 1st round since Eve conned Adam. (not really fact but ...) Artest is mercurial, his inevitable explosion will doom the team to eternal damnation. (not really again but yah get the gist) etc, etc, etc considering what some clutch"fans" have to say that's tame stuff. everyone knows what really counts. time to put up.
Only player on the Jazz that actually improved was D. Williams last year. Boozer totally crumbled in the playoffs last year. I don't know if they've made any additions in the offseason but if they're nearly identical like last year, I expect them to actually get slightly worse. Jazz are a notoriously horrible road team, but a better home team. I don't expect that to change at all. Boozer will most likely be worse, so I expect them to be worse.
To be honest, Artest aside, just adding Brent Barry makes us much better than last years team. He is so much better than Head. I'm predicting so many wide open threes this year. Gonna be sweet!
I do agree that Brent Barry makes us a good enough team to win a playoff series, but is he really that much better than Head?
If healthy? Oh yes, emphatic YES. The man at 36 yrs. old is still much better than Head ever will be.
You wouldn't think so especially from a numbers standpoint. But if you look at what Barry brings to the table over Head. He can shoot just as good if not better, he can dribble, he'll be arguably the 2nd best passer on the team, better court vision, smarter team defender, better decision making, and most importantly...... he won't lay a 7% stinkbomb in the playoffs. How many times have you cringed when Head makes a bounce pass, or any pass in general.
Who's this source that's telling Hollinger the plan is to start Ron at the 4? He's been saying this since the trade went down - we haven't even begun training camp or preseason. It's too early to tell that.
"John Hollinger: (3:58 PM ET ) Extreme shorthand version: They didn't have Artest last year and the Hornets only beat them by a game. " I love him for this comment.
the curse of Hollinger. He pick rox to shine the last 2 seasons, and both ended up in first round exist to jazz. This time he picked jazz, so it will ended up with rox beating them in the first round.
What's more is that they lost in the post-season with the exact same team they have now while every other team that they are going to potentially face is significantly better. Oh well.
Which one? Seriously guys, we haven't proven anything yet. We have to earn respect in order to receive respect. No matter how you slice it, the Spurs, Jazz, Lakers and Hornets are all very good teams that have proven more than we have. Honestly, I think we look better on paper than all of those teams, but that doesn't mean we will be. Wait until the games are played before you demand respect.
I think you WANT us to play the Jizzholes...I certainly do How about... 2. Rockets v. 7. j*zz I like that better
