6th seed: Sacramento Mavericks Lakers Spurs (tied with Lakers, but lose regular season series) Blazers Rockets Clippers Minnesotta Unfortunately, the Lakers will sweep our ass out of the playoffs, IMO. That is, unless Ming improves DRAMATICALLY over the season, and actually keeps Shaq busy sometimes. But I just can't see us scoring much on their defense.
I'm wit it. I hope it happens. We need to let those 500 million that are supposed to watch the first game know they can vote on line.
I think the Rockets will finish 10th and miss the playoffs. They just don't have it. Francis still doesn't have the passing abilities of other top point guards, and as has been demonstrated time and time again...a team needs someone to distribute the ball unless you got a guy named Shaq. NJ was turned into a contender with Jason Kidd. Mike Bibby turned Sacromento from playoff team to championship contender. Cassell made the Bucks a division contender. Nash has made Dallas one of the most offensive teams in the league. Francis, as good as he is, still doesn't have the court vision and ability to find team mates like great point guards are suppose to. That's a problem. The Rockets ball pressure (read defense) is also weak, and the Rockets had the worst Scoring to Points Yielded in the league last year, as well as forcing the fewest number of turnovers in the league last year. Yao Ming will be a contributor, but the rookie of the year canidate seems to be in Memphis at this point. Compare this team to the Rockets Championship team. Sam Cassell vs. Francis. I say even at this point. Statistically, Francis is ranked #4 in the league, and Cassell is #5 for pgs. But per 48 minutes and Cassell gets the advantage. Clyde/Maxwell vs Cat: Goes to Clyde Hands Down. Cat ranks #20 in the league statistically, and not even in that range per 48. I would say that Cat is an offensive upgrade over Vernon Maxwell, but overall I give the nod to Maxwell who despite being psycho played some incredible defense. Hakeem vs Ming: Hakeem...need I say anything? Robert Horry vs G Rice/KT: I'd take Horry in an Instant Chucky B/OT vs Mo T. Rebounding goes to OT/Brown, but offensive skills definitely to Mo Taylor. Overall, I rather have Otis Thorpe then Bown or Mo Taylor, but Chucky was horrible, so I'll have to call this one a draw. When you do this comparison, you see the Rockets have a long way to improve before they get back to the level they were once at. Maybe in a few years, with maturity, getting to know one another, and finally the desire to win over looking cool will make these guy reach their potential. For now: 41-41 which is still pretty good for a team that won 28 games last year, that's +13, pretty optimistic. They play in a conference where the only trully crappy team is now Golden State and Denver. Every team is better. Even Memphis looks like a better team. Don't think Utah is going to be roled over by the Rockets...Utah plans to make it for one more year. The Clippers have a true point guard now, and lamar odom is back, so a lot of people are picking them to make the playoffs. Seattle will be better without Vin Baker, and Payton is too good for that team not to be competitive. Portland and Phoenix have some new blood and are expected to make the playoffs as well. Minnesota will also make the playoffs. Throw in Dallas, San Antonio, L.A., and Sac-town, and already there's not enough slots for a lot of teams expected to finish above .500. Here's how I predict it will come down: 1. Sac-town 60-22 2. L.A. 58-24 3. S.A. 57-25 4. Big D 54-28 5. Portland 50-32 6. Clips 46-36 7. Minnie 46-36 8. Suns 44-38 9. Jazz 42-40 10. Rocks 41-41 11. Sonics 38-44 12. Grizz 30-52 13. Denver 27-55 14. G.S 13-69 Of course, it's hard to know for sure, but with some upgrade in defense and better passing, I think the Rockets could squeak their way in...I just don't see it happening - this year.
I predict we will be close to 50-60 wins. Steve and Cuttino should definately make the all-star team and maybe both will start. Yao Ming should be a rookie of the year canditate and will only get better as time goes by. Hopefully we can at least get to the conference finals and make some noise againt the Lakers or Kings.
47-35 for the #6 seed. Rockets struggle for the first half of the season but get it together after the all-star break and have really come together by playoff time. Rockets beat the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs!!! Rockets beat the Spurs in the second round. Rockets lose to the Kings in the Western Conference Finals.
New Yorker: Your predictions have some ring to them and you make decent points. Having seen them play I think you are off on the wins. Once Yao Ming gets going, and with Rice (who looks way better than he has since LA) & Taylor that's three big additions to a depleted line up last year. That doesn't include the extra games Steve will play or the fact EG has really improved his O and he has been monstrous defensively. Or the fact Mooch came in late last yeat 20 pounds overweight. Or the luxury of playing KT at the 3 or 4 and TMo really looking much improved. I'd say with health they'll be closer to 50 wins.
44-38 This team will struggle in the first half and lose some close games. It's still a young team, and adjusting to a big dude in the middle. The Rockets will catch fire in the 2nd half of the season, and start blowing out teams.
55W-27L Yao will be ROY certainly and all-star! NBA need this! Francis will be all-star again! Bet it!
48-34 Cat will not make it to the all-star. Steve will, but may not be a starter. Rice will complain about not getting enough touches. Yao will be the most consistent contributor. Eddie will have occasional outbursts, but FG% remains pathetic.
48-34. Yao Ming is the starter on the Rookies versus Sophomores team. He's also ROY. EG will be the starter on the Sophomores team.
I just don't see (exept in case of injuries) how this team could be worse than the 45 win team two years ago. This team is far more talented. Of course, Hakeem had a lot to do with the record in 2001, but I think Yao could at least match his statistics.
I think we will get to 45-37 if we have an above average year. I think while return from injuries helps us a bit, the issue is we feasted on Central Division that year. Its unlikely that we will have the same feast again. SO the loss of games versus Central Division will be about nullified by the improvement in results versus the teams from other Divisions. So I say 45-37 and I will still be proud about it. Next year on we will be a 50+ win team.
72-10 Once I make my return. Along with myself, I shall bring the following to make this record possible: Christ Jent Richard Petruska Scottie Brooks Carl Herrera and Eric Riley Watch out one and all!
No disrespect, but I can't take a post seriously that has the Suns winning 44 games and making the playoffs. The Suns have less talent then the Rockets, and less time together as a team. They also have as much pressure, if not more to make the playoffs because of Marbury and the coaching staff missing the playoffs last year. Past Suns teams don't count because this is a completely different Suns team. So tell me, compare the Suns and Rockets and tell me why they are better then the Rockets? And before you say Stoudemire, I will say Griffin. Same goes for the Clippers who you listed as a #6 seed.
