Consider this... The Rockets three man guard rotation will average at least 50 points per game. 2000-2001 Stats: Francis - 21.7 ppg Mobley - 21.6 ppg Norris - 8.8 ppg The three man power forward rotation is capable of scoring 30 points per game. 2000-2001 Stats: Thomas - 14.2 ppg Griffin - 8.8 ppg Taylor's 1999-2000 stats - appox. 14 ppg The unknown is suredly small forward and center. But I feel reasonably confident that we can garner 15 ppg from the small forward position and at least 10 points from the center position, and that is a conservative estimate. I really think Yao will surpise with his offensive game. He will be an instant step up from Cato, thats for sure, and Cato averaged 6.6 ppg last year. Anyway, put all those estimates together and the Rockets will average 100 ppg next year, more than every team save Dallas, LA, Orlando and Sacramento. Last year's bad defensive team gave up an average of 97.1 ppg. This year's interior defense should be markedly improved and our ppg allowed should decrease. But even if it doesn't, the stats say we probably will win about 52 games. Every team that averaged 3 points more than it gave up won more than 52 games. Things are looking rosy for the Rockets. Now if just get rid of the pajamas....
I got so excited...I thought I was going to read about how we dumped Mo T. I think we can definitely win 52 games...as long as we stay healthy.
LMAO...No, MoT is still on the team. I think we need him actually. He fits right in with Rudy's system. Deadly mid-range shooter, strong post game, good passer. MoT is inportant to our success this season.
why we will win 52 games... 2 yrs ago we won 45. since then we have gotten rid of an aging walt for a younger boki. we have done the same by trading dream and drafting yao. this puts everyone on the same page. yao and boki, combined, will win us about 3 games next year. to make that sound better, they will be the player of the game 3 times next year, combined. that brings us to 48 wins. we trade shandon anderson who didnt fit in here for a real sized sf who can hit the 3, glen rice. rices aging offence can still win us 1 game next year (lets say he gets hot and hits 6 3's in a comeback win). that makes our win count 49. add griffin, he alone will win us 3 games. we have reached 52 wins...i'll see ya in the playoffs!
i hope we win that many. KT 14 ppg.lmao. This time we have good palyers at PF and we don't have to give KT all that PT
I sincerely have the feeling that if not next year, then the year after we will be a team like New Jersey that came out of no where and started dominating. Bear in mind our veterans are guys like Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley who are 25 and under and have only begun to come into their prime. It will be interesting to see where we stand in the pre season power rankings.
I would be the happiest man on the planet if we won 52 games. God its been a long time since weve had a playoff game.
Boy I really hope that we do win 52 games, that would be real nice. I hope that Franchise can return to form fg% wise, and that he doesn't have to do too much again. Our core is young and I agree with all of you that it will soon be primed to make a serious push for the championship all the better if that push started this year.
52 wins based upon adding Yao, Nachbar and Rice and subtracting Walt is a big stretch. I don't have time to verify this but my recollection of the 45 win season was: 1) The Rockets went undefeated against the Central Division - a rare feat not likely to be repeated. 2) Walt was on fire the last 20 games or so. 3) Dream started to play solidly about the same time as Walt. 4) Shandon Anderson was adding some D. 5) The Rocks were torrid against the East and horrid against the West. IMHO, a repeat of the 45 win season is more likely than 52 wins.
52 wins based upon adding Yao, Nachbar and Rice and subtracting Walt is a big stretch. I don't have time to verify this but my recollection of the 45 win season was: 1) The Rockets went undefeated against the Central Division - a rare feat not likely to be repeated. 2) Walt was on fire the last 20 games or so. 3) Dream started to play solidly about the same time as Walt. 4) Shandon Anderson was adding some D. 5) The Rocks were torrid against the East and horrid against the West. IMHO, a repeat of the 45 win season is more likely than 52 wins. __________________ I am not referring to the 45 win season at all Gater. Look at the first post. points scored VS. points allowed. Thats what its all about baby. The Rockets biggest problem the last few years, IMO, has been their inability to get easy shots in the flow of the offense combined with their inability to play good, consistent defense. Both of these areas should be improved this year. Once they show improvement in these areas, many will be suprised at the Rockets overall skill level. They will win 52 games or more and become a team to rcon with. We are gonna give Dallas and LA fits. Mark my words.
52 wins may be a bit to ambitious. I personally expect between 45-50 wins. The west is so tough that they will have trouble with alot of teams. I do feel that with the addition of Ming, Boki, and a healthy MoT & Rice, we should be able to hold our own. 52 wins is not completely unattainable but may require some breaks to go our way.
