I just wanna give props to this Rockets' team as a whole, sometimes certain players get on my nerves like T-Mac missing time for what I think is BS, and Yao being soft in the post at times, but I really do think this team can do something special if they, Artest especially, keep their heads on straight and keep playing team ball. I just can't wait until Artest, Barry, and even the player formerly known as the Franchise come back, we'll be the deepest and most difficult team to match up with in the league. Let's hope we can continue to make the transition...
West compared to East is still tough. Boston and Cleveland are the only teams in east capable of winning consistently against WC playoff teams. No other team in east can do that but I can name several teams in west that can consistently win against EC teams. Therefore WC is still strong. Lakers on the other hand are playing at a higher level and I do believe other teams in west like Rockets, Phx and spurs are capable of playing at that level they just have to catch-up! In Rockets case obviously staying healthy and chemistry is the key.
that was the last team that won a playoff series! I would say the parity began last season with the emergence of the Celtics, Cavs, and Pistons as strong contenders for the title. This season, teams like Dallas, Spurs and Suns have seemed to drop a level in competitive elite teams in the West. The Lakers will come back to Earth, there is absolutely nothing to fear in that soft, defenseless team...
I really don't think Cleveland is as good as their record says they are. They remind me of Portland last year...yes I know they have the best player and basketball but still.
Yeh i'm with you. Some people are talking like they are the top team and both Celtics and Cavs are better than Lakers... im tipping Lakers in 5 games if they played the Cavs. While not losing at home is impressive they havn't beaten anyone on the road(only tough team is Dallas and that was when they were sucking) and they are yet to play anyone decent and win. Only teams with good records they beat were Utah(without Deron), Denver(before Billups).
cavs have faced 3 legit contenders this season -> 0-3. lost to celts, pistons (with iverson mind you), and hornets. so no, i don't even put them in the top 5. they're very focused to beat the bad teams, but until they beat contenders consistently, they're pretenders to me. we can beat the cavs right now with our current team pretty easily even without artest.
-ignorant- their defense is off the charts. if they were winning this consistently because of just an awesome offense and fair defense, I would call their bluff. But when the defense is consistently strong, I do not doubt a team. "easily even without artest..."----it would be a great matchup, no doubt, but def. not anything close to "easy"
Impressive indeed and its so surprising that we were struggling this entire season and still put up a good record and lead the SW. Kudos to the Rockets, can't wait till we're 100% but I doubt this team will be fully in sync with each other until late January or February.
