Next year ? The media, and most of us here at clutchcity believe the rockets will make the playoffs next year (including myself). But in the deep western conference, who is out next year ? Easy pick would be seattle. arent they losing vin baker (if taht is a loss), and might they lose lewis ? Another team is Sacramento. everyone says how they are a young and upcoming team, but they really havent improved over the last year. Or how about portland or utah ? no chance of that happening, but a man can dream can't he ? ------------------ "Don't they get cable in Canada ?" Keith olbermann, after watching hakeem block terry catledge's shot 5 times.
Next year: Rockets and Mavs in the playoffs Seattle and San Antonio OUT!! ------------------ Does anybody have a cool idea for a signature??
Baker's locked up to a big long term deal. Strange how both he and Kemp have declined so greatly in such a short time.
I don't think Seattle will lose Baker (he is signed like 5 more years), not that Baker has contributed that much the last 2 years. I agree that Lewis is important, that guy was balling last night. I was very, very impressed with his game. It's hard to believe we did not snatch up the local-kid-that-does-good so to speak when you see how much talent he has. Seattle is a possibility--though I don't think we will quite catch them next year, but the team I really think will most be on the bubble next year is Sacremento. Last year they got a career year from Divac, among other things that raised their expectations. While this year they got a career year from Webber, they still can't play defense, and do not maintain their poise in close games. Barring catostrophic injuries you can count on the Lakers, Suns, Blazers, Wolves, and Jazz being in the post-season next year (in that order). Spurs in the top 4 too if Duncan stays, they are long gone if he doesn't. If the Rockets can address their own needs (add 2 more quality front-line people either via draft, FA or trade) and stay healthy, I would like their chances for being as high as a 7 seed next year, 6 if Duncan goes to Orlando. While Dallas, Denver & Vancouver at times look like they are close to the Rockets in progress (at least Vanc have a talented core of players), I don't think they are as a team. None of those teams could have finished the season with as many road W's against quality opponents. We really do have a back-court from H*ll that can win a lot of games by themselves. I don't see any of the non-playoff teams other than the Rockets in the west fighting for the playoffs. [This message has been edited by sir scarvajal (edited April 19, 2000).]
I hate to say this, but the Mav's resurgence is every bit as convincing as ours if not more. They have won tons of huge games recently, except against the Rocks . They have an all-star to build around also. ------------------
I agree the Mav's are improved, but I don't see them progressing like we will. We have a leader who is a rookie point guard, a 2nd year guard who is our #2 scorer, and a new player who is our #3 scorer and best defender. While Nit-Wit-Ski should improve rather quickly for the Mavs, Finley and Strickland are pretty much in their prime and Ceballos is going downhill. Not that we are terrible now, but our room for natural and rapid improvement is much greater than the Mavs--let alone if we get some front line help. The Mavs might make significant improvement such as ending the 3 or 4 games above .500 next year, but like this year the best that would earn them is a 9th place finish in the west. ------------------
i agree that the rocks and mavs are moving into the playoffs. the only thing that makes me question the mavs is the long string of bad luck they've had over the past ten years or so. in about 96 they were supposed to be the up and coming team of the 90's with the three j's, but we all remember what happened to that. but i think barring injuries, they will definitly replace the sonics and then one of the other teams. probably someone like san antonio or sacramento has an injury and that takes them out. at least that's the way i see it. ------------------ "When the mind is thinking, it is talking to itself." .... Plato
it's all about chem-i-stry. it looks like the mavs won't have the continuity (if nellie leaves) that the Rockets will (provided they can keep Cuttino). With Jeff Hornacek leaving the Jazz and the Spurs old backcourt, I think that the lower four are up for grabs. Incidentally, there's no reason for us to not be in the 3~ spot. ------------------
