http://www.nba.com/2009/news/powerrankings/03/02/week18/index.html 5 Houston (8) 38-22 Pace: 89.2 (19), Off: 110.0 (15), Def: 105.6 (4) If they didn't blow a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead in Chicago on Saturday, the Rockets would be on a eight-game winning streak right now. Perhaps long winning streaks spanning February and March only come every other year in Houston. They're now 18-7 without Tracy McGrady, by the way.
Unfortunately it's pretty accurate. As much as I HATE the Jazz, they're playing really well right now and everyone on their team is back and healthy. All the better anyways, the Jazz are always playing as underdogs, maybe they'll choke as they become favorites over most teams. So I hope.
why are people so scared of the Jazz? The past couple of playoff exits vs. the Jazz have no bearing on this year's playoffs. The Rockets are a much different and better team overall. They should be able to advance regardless of who they play.
No Jazz, please! But I agree, this article is pretty accurate. I expect San Antonio to come back top take the 4th spot soon and we'll battle with Magic/Jazz/Blazers for the other spots after. I cannot wait to finish the season in 3-6th seed. We have a chance against anyone not the Spurs or Lakers. I still prefer to avoid the Jazz.
Even with that, they didn't exactly have our number last year. Why do people forget this? Did they not follow the series? I think this is one of those fallacies that has been killing me since last season. We had their number with a fairly healthy team. For all Rafer's faults, his absence was the straw that lost us that series. I hope we do meet them again. Then after we expose them, maybe people will stop acting like they're unbeatable. I want redemption. Hopefully if this happens our team mans up and doesn't see it like some of the posters here.
Huh? It was Yao's absence that lost us that series, and we were down 14 points when Rafer got injured in game 6. DD
Yao was the biggest hole in our lineup but Rafer's presence was sorely missed as well. As much as an inept player you and many others find Rafer, I have no doubt that if he would have played in games 1 and 2 last year, Rockets would have won them BOTH. Rafer has an ugly tear drop and a streaky jumpshot, but I will say that he has come up big many times in clutch situations for the Rockets. He might not be the answer for the Rockets to win a ring, but he certainly played his heart out and gave the team a bit of a swagger. I've always thought that if Rafer had played, we would have won the series. it's no coincidence that they won game 3 and (almost 4) on the Road at Energy Solutions Arena when he returned into the lineup.
Thats funny, we won the games Rafer started. The one he left was in the first half. Thats not exactly a sealed deal. If anything, as much as I hate to admit it, Yao may have broke even against them because of their quicker and more athletic front court. This year's team is solid against them. Especially with Ron and the other guys having more experience.
Have you watched Yao vs. Boozer/Okur/Kirilenko ever in your life? Hint: He is not good. There is a reason why Boozer was on the dream team last summer...guess who that reason is.
I think this team has the capability of going through any team in the playoffs this year. No homerism, just confidence with this roster. Only thing that concerns me is how any team the Rockets face in the playoffs will indoubtedly exploit and neutralize Yao by fronting. Is there anything the Rockets can do, even though they dont' have a goto guy ala kobe/wade/mcgrady? The last few games have shown IMO that they are not able to overcome it.
Yeah I don't understand it. We were talking about this problem in November. Its almost like some teams are toying with us. Let us get a lead and start fronting when they're ready to win. How is this so impossible to overcome?
one poster earlier (I think it was thacabbage?) stated that teams couldn't possibly front the Yao for 48 min because it would be a gamble and be taxing on their energy. But I'm thinking, Yao is probably the lone exception to that rule. I don't think it would be a gamble if it is done on Yao because I dont' see a clear cut counter in the Rockets game plan to adjust. I could be wrong?
Becuase Jazz is a bad match for Yao, and thus the Rockets. I'd rather face Spurs than Jazz becuase I won't get angry due to unable to max our strength. We are not necessarily worse than Jazz. We just can't play to our strength with them.
