Playing back to back days with the second game on the road. It's almost a guranteed loss no matter who you play. Especially if it's the spurs. You can't really count that game. Most teams will get blown out in that situation. It would have been a tough win for anyone. Even Dallas. I think they will pull it back together. It's been a tough stretch and we're only 1/2 game back. Not too bad.
Personally, I think Golden State is more deserving of the playoff spot than the Rockets or the Suns. None of them seem to want it much as we keep making mental mistakes down the stretch (we got lucky during the Clipper game in Houston) while the teams are tough, we had our chances. Yao Ming has gone under the weather these past two games and just isn't hussling out there. I mean, the Rockets not having a single free throw in a WHOLE half was indicative that the team just wasn't driving to the basket and the long misses lead to easy fast break points for the Spurs. They were probably happy that their beating was eventually over and the only happy driving they did was back to Houston. I know we have the tie-breaker over both the Suns and Warriors, but how many games are we up on the Warriors, they've been winning once again. Anyway, I think if the right team comes to play during the last 3 week stretch, then I think we'll take one of the MIL, PHL, NJ games, beat three or four out of the five games at home (POR, DEN, SEA, MEM, ORL) and our record will be 6-4 or 5-5. I wouldn't count on the Suns to crater all that much either despite their schedule. They'll have tough games at Detroit and Indiana, but they've dominated SA and POR so far this season and if they're place is solidified (since they play them the last few games of April), then they might just play out their bench and the suns would have an increased chance of winning. Even the Mavs could lose to the suns IN Phoenix if their homecourt is wrapped up (looks like a certainty at this point). Any playoff experience would be a benefit to Yao Ming. Maybe that'll force him to be a lot more agressive on the boards next season against decent centers. He's just going though the motions.
Yeah... thanks! Does anyone know the address of the Suns' BBS Forum? Maybe there are some TRUE Rockets' fans there...
That YOU cheer for? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAH!! Good one. Nice 0-5 road trip you 'called'. You're becoming a fraud Gilmore.
I say Houston wins the 8th seed by the tie breaker, possibly by a game. Remaining schedules: Phoenix 37-34 8th seed I can't see Phoenix going any better than 6-5, if that. Tough schedule especially their last 5. So 43-39 final record. 3/28 - @Detroit 3/30 - @Indiana 4/01 - Denver 4/05 - Minnesota 4/06 - @LA Lakers 4/08 - @Denver 4/09 - Dallas 4/11 - Golden State 4/13 - San Antonio 4/15 - @Portland 4/16 - @Seattle Houston 37-35 9th seed - .5 games behind Houston should go at least 6-4. Beating Denver and Milwaukee on the road and beating Denver, Orlando, Seattle and Memphis at home. They should win their last 3 of the year. So 43-39 final record. 3/29 - Denver 3/31 - @New Jersey 4/02 - @Milwaukee 4/04 - @Philadelphia 4/06 - Orlando 4/08 - Portland 4/09 - @Utah 4/12 - Seattle 4/15 - Memphis 4/16 - @Denver Golden State 35-37 10th seed - 2.5 games behind Their season is shot, tough schedule. I can't see them winning more than 3 games. So they finish 38-44. 3/28 - @Philadelphia 3/29 - @New Jersey 4/01 - @Portland 4/04 - Portland 4/06 - Denver 4/08 - Utah 4/11 - @Phoenix 4/12 - @Dallas 4/14 - LA Clippers 4/16 - LA Lakers
I don't think we will make the playoffs. Everyone is tired physically and mentally. They've got to be thinking about Rudy T. and Tito Maddox. They are probably wondering about what is going to happen in the offseason. Mobley is too busy worrying about his points and shots taken per game. If the Rockets can beat the Nets, then maybe I will change my mind.
you're gonna tell me that if you dont want to go to war you're not a real rockets fan? wow. you're a moron.
3/29 - Denver W 3/31 - @New Jersey W 4/02 - @Milwaukee L 4/04 - @Philadelphia W 4/06 - Orlando L 4/08 - Portland L 4/09 - @Utah W 4/12 - Seattle W 4/15 - Memphis W 4/16 - @Denver W I'm more optimistic about this team then most of you guys. I think the teams we'll have trouble with are the teams with good inside presence, and a good perimeter offense. That pretty much leaves Portland, Utah, Seattle, and Jersey if Mutombo is back. I think he is back, but I don't keep up much with them. Philadelphia I'm not too concerned about. They've been hot lately but Yao caused AI to be almost a non factor last game simply because of his inside presence on D, so that forced AI to shoot tough perimeter buckets. Denver we should beat twice, Memphis we should beat, and Jersey we should beat if Yao can keep JKidd with settling for long perimeter jumpers. That's 5 wins. Seattle despite beating us twice the past couple of times we faced, I think we'll win at home. Milwaulkee we can beat, all depending on how effective Milwaulkee is that night. There are nights where they can beat anybody because they just can't miss from the perimeter and other nights where they lose to the likes of Denver twice. Just to be fair though, I'll say Milwaulkee gets hot and beats us, although we could very well dominate that game. The only sure losses I think we'll have are Portland, and maybe Orlando, and Utah. Only because we play Utah at their stadium, and I don't think we'll be able to wipe the floor with them like we did last time winning by 20 there. Utah will have fire in their eyes and we'll probably lose to them. Orlando has been hot lately since the trade, and only because Tracy McGrady on any given night can outright carry his team to victory, I'll go with Orlando to win that one as well. Orlando we could very beat as well though, depending on how effective McGrady is that night. The only sleeper team I'm worried about is Memphis, because of their recent tear and former win streak. But we've been consistent in beating Memphis and I think we'll finish our season strong and we'll beat them handily.
I don't care if the team has to lather themselves up with Vaseline to slip into the playoffs... they need to get the 8th seed. They need the experience. WE need the experience. I hate the idea of having gone through this season, aged beyond my years by this borderline psychotic team, without a payoff. There is no first round pick to ponder and argue over this summer. Moral victories are fine in the movies and anathema for BBS sanity in the offseason. I would much rather argue over what we need for the team to get out of the first round NEXT season. Not over what we screwed up to blow it THIS year. And who knows... we might win a game or two.
If we don't get in, I will be really PO'd... But I just can't see it right now... They have played like total crap, just lollly gagging around the court... Don't get me wrong, I really want them in and lose in the 1st round, but just stick a fork in us...We're done...
This very undisciplined, disorganized, and dysfunctional team will not make the playoffs. They will limp into the offseason, and by next year, if we have the same guards, will be no better. This team lacks many things, but, mainly, it lacks "character."
We make the playoffs. We upset Dallas. We lose in the second round... (just as long as Cuban's team doesn't get a ring I don't care... but that's just a scar in my mind from the old "at least we have a championship" arguement that the Cowboys' fans always gave the Oilers' fans grief over in the past... I'd like for at least Dallas to never have an NBA ring since SA already does.) It could happen... remember the Nuggets of old with Motumbo?
