Are we the team all other Western Conference teams want to play?

pretty sure everyone want OKC first
then NOP
then Dallas
then us

 

The only teams no one wants are the Warriors and Spurs. If I am the Rockets, the teams I would want are the Clippers or Mavs followed by the Grizz. I still think Portland has too much size that can also shoot effectively plus Lilliard is too hard to contain even for Ariza or Brewer.

Before the Rockets lost DMo and Pat, my thoughts were just get Howard back healthy and the seeding didn't matter. Now being two starters down, the Rockets need that second seed to really have a shot at making a run. Homecourt can be the extra edge they would have if fully healthy.

 

GS is giving Grizz a pounding... lolz its a joke.

 

Teams should rather face NOP/OKC, then the Mavs, then Portland before us. Maybe Memphis too given how poorly they've played lately.

 

/thread

 

That's a good list. I'd personally switch Houston and Memphis, but 4/5 is usually a toss-up.

 

My take on the order of 'Avoid at all costs' I'd say we're on the lower end of the power
spectrum.


1. San Antonio Spurs - Playoffs is all about coaching and X's and O's - Pop over Kurt
2. Golden State Warriors - reg season means nothing in playoffs and Spurs has the momentum right now and they are downright scary - defending champ anyone? Not to mention Spurs players are very fresh.

3. Los Angeles Clippers - CP3 and Doc plus their front court.
4. Memphis Grizzlies - Conly's injury a tough call
5. Houston Rockets - we lost Beverly at the Point defense and more importantly we lost D'Mo 3 pts to keep the defense honest. Harden playing lots of mins worries me.

6. Portland Trailblazers - LA's healthy could be a factor in the second round.
7. Dallas Mavericks - I think only the Spurs would try to avoid them if possible.
8. New Orleans Pelicans/OKC Thunder - cherry picks

 

just win every series and it won't matter who we face

the confidence on this forum should be a lot higher than it is

 

All the teams in the WC second tier (3-7) are more or less equal, which is why they all have the same record. Debatable whether or not Dallas is included, but they are somewhat healthier, even though they all apparently hate each other.

They all have strengths, and through injury or whatever, definite weaknesses.

 

What's with all this talk that Lillard "lives for the playoffs"? He went up against a team whose main weakness was at the point guard spot and did what any other good point guard would have done. Then he ran into a team that actually played good team defense and could barely shoot over 40% the entire series.

Our lack of talent at point guard + his buzzer beater shot makes him look better than he really is.

If we were to play Portland again would he have great nights again? Against Jason Terry and Nick Johnson? Of course but it's more a case of "lives to play the Rockets" than "lives for the playoffs"

 

Our offensive and defensive rating against other playoff teams:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>ZILLER PLAYOFF CHARTS ARE HERE <a href="http://t.co/4IMFuL4YDP">http://t.co/4IMFuL4YDP</a> <a href="http://t.co/2Ik2a1GgIf">pic.twitter.com/2Ik2a1GgIf</a></p>&mdash; Mike Prada (@MikePradaSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikePradaSBN/status/587983490198740992">April 14, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

I dare them I double dare them say you want us in the first round one more gotdamn time

 

The Rockets team without Beverley is like a dinosaur without teeth.

 

I only have one thing to say to those teams that think they want to play us . . . . .. .


Rocket River
Nuff Said

 

i didnt know we were called the mavericks. Thought we were the Rockets

 

I'd say that nobody's scared of us so probably yeah..

 

The key here is we will finally have a roster consisting of Harden, DH, Jones, Smith consistently in the playoffs.

I really think/feel that a lot of the "fans" on here are severely discounting the significance of having H2H back together and healthy for the post-run.

I've said before in another thread that there is absolutely no reason why H2H can't tear it up with the Pick and Roll and letting Harden create and dish etc.

That game plan hasn't really worked out consistently this season because Howard's been out for a good chunk. Jones will be fine I am thinking. They may be "limiting" his minutes now but he will/should be impactful when the playoffs start.

Harden/Howard should not be neutralized and should advance. If they don't, then it will be "on them". Now is the time to WILL the team to victories. They have to get it done.

David

 

Playoffs are all about coaching and adjustments. Unless our whole coaching staff can prove they're capable, our ceiling is the 1st round. Unless we get OKC/Pels which is impossible.

 

I don't think Howard qualifies as healthy. They are talking about Howard playing 32 minutes in the playoffs. If he was healthy, he would be playing 38-40.

 

1 and 2 for sure. If SA wasn't so hot ending the regular season, I'd saw GS is the team to fear the most. But the Spurs gon' Spur (and they did!)

And no coach wants to go up against Pop unless they have to. I think Kerr gets a liiiiitle too much credit.