Players who front Yao are typically smaller (thinner) and more mobile. Pryzbilla types typically try and body him up, but play behind him. Sometimes those guys will try and front, as well, but I don't see Pryzbilla doing it. He's not mobile enough, compared to those who front successfully. Oden may do it some as he's more athletic, but I don't see fronting as an issue this series. Though, Pryzbilla has had success defending Yao his way. See: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=166486 Yao's shooting has been off against them this year (though 3 games isn't much of a sample size), though he's still been very effective. Also, that thread shows, while clearly we have no one that can match Aldridge's length, he doesn't do much of a job guarding Scola himself. Add in Landry (whose only played in that early game against them) compared to the Blazers back-up PF's (Frye....??) and I think the Rockets are actually at an advantage at that position. By position, conservatively, I'd say: PG: Rockets SG: Blazers SF: Even PF: Even C: Rockets Also, I think the Rockets have the better bench (Core of Lowry, Wafer, Landry- Plus Barry, Hayes vs. Core of Outlaw, Oden, Fernandez- Plus Rodriguez, Frye).....though Outlaw and Fernandez get hot potential is scary (but so should Wafer's). I do think the Blazers are a good match-up...BUT, I also think the Blazers are really a very talented team. I wouldn't put money on anyone other than the Lakers representing the West, but after that, I see no reason why the Blazers should be any less of a second choice than Denver, Spurs, Rockets, etc. You don't win 54 games by being bad. So it will be a hard fought series. And I have no confidence in the team winning a Game 7, on the road. My pick is Rockets in 6, as follows: Game 1 - Sat April 18 = Houston Game 2 - Tue April 21 = Portland Game 3 - Fri April 24 = Houston Game 4 - Sun April 26 = Houston Game 5 * Tue April 28 = Portland Game 6 * Thu April 30 = Houston
I say we now forbid any words like 'front' or 'fronting' or hell even words starting with letter F on this board just in case our opponent gets the idea. Keep this secret to ourselves! What do you guys think?
no matchup without home court is a good matchup , and but yeah, having the #2 seed means we play dallas, and we matchup horribly with dallas,lakers,utah....i think id rather face portland with no homecourt... i just wish we didnt have to face the lakers in second round
This was the mistake by JVG and Adelman in years past. Deke didn't play enough when he was so effective against those teams in the regular season.
No. it's not the BEST matchup. That would be the Hornets. We have Ron and Shane to pester Roy and our backcourt is better. if we bring the defense we in good shape.
Basically alot of people got what they wished for...Portland...now even without hca...this is not good..i rather have number 2 or 3 still
Hard to say about this series, both teams are pretty evenly matched. Two teams who can beat just about anybody, yet can lose to any given team. It will be a battle of X's and O's, which is why I sadly have to pick the Trailblazers in 6. The Rockets are far too inconsistent in 4th quarter, they haven't just blown leads against powerhouses, like the Spurs and Lakers.... they've done against weaker teams, like the Bulls, Pacers, Mavs, and Wizards. Mainly, because the guards just shoot one outside jumper after the next . . .combined with their inability to get Yao the ball and get to the paint. It's like when Brooks is cold as ..... you know what ... and he is still in the game hoisting away. Also, Houston's staple defense has a tendency to not be there every night, giving up big leads or letting players hit jump shots from everywhere. I will that Portland would stand a better chance of getting to Finals than the Rockets. The only way the Rockets will get far into playoffs and pass a team, like the Lakers is if you know who comes out and has a series 25+ and 12 rebs, like Dream or Shaq. But, it won't happen.
I mentioned that it was good news they way it played out last night, but what pisses me off is how they lost(fronting)
