I doubt it. LA and Portland will get better, Utah is playing above their heads and Minnesota had lost some chemistry but should be there. The Rockets will have to get at least 5-8 games above to make the playoffs. ------------------ Only in America....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
I agree with Pimp. .500 this year in the extremely loaded Western Conference wont translate into a playoff berth. However, if the Rockets do go .500 considering how stiff the competition is, I would still consider it a successful season even though they would likely be headed to the lottery. For a team so young to be .500 in such a tough yr is an accomplishment. I expect people to be calling for everyone's head starting with the guards if the Rockets arent in the playoffs tho. I have come to expect that kind of impatience out of some of the posters on this board. ------------------ Check out the Best Source for Draft Info Draftsource.net
not a chance! The west will rape the east and pile on the wins. So the talent loaded west will still get their 50 and 60 game winners. Oh and the number 8 team will win 48 games. Stacked. ------------------ The guns are cocked and the soldiers are in place, it's time to march and let the battles decide the war.
having a stacked conference can also mean that it lowers records for borderline playoff teams. i say 45 games gets the 8th seed into the playoffs.
Sorry, but I relly doubt we do better than 42-40.....I say that's really great though, this team will have learned a lot by next year, we could pickup a really good piece in next year's draft.....BUT, we might lose Mo for nothing.... ------------------
I see two teams we have to beat for #8: Dallas and Minnesota. If the Mavs don't slow down, we won't even be in their range. (But they will slow down, if for no other reason than we WILL them to...) Minnesota is still handicapped. We have a pretty good chance if we can learn to beat these two teams. Fast. (meaning, get someone who can grab an offensive board - or get someone we already have to go after them, hopefully) Beyond that we're a wildcard (can beat LAL, Portland, maybe Phoenix)... ------------------
One other thing - I want to see a road win! Defending home court is fine and all, but to get a playoff spot the guys need to learn how to win on the road. Win 25% of the road games, AND protect home court, then you'll be fine. No playoff team (Western, at least) this season will do any less. ------------------
IMO, 41-41 will NOT get it done. The Kings were #8 last year at 44-38 and the whole conference is stronger. I don't know about anyone else, but I feel the Rockets season would be a huge success to get 41 wins or better. 42-40 might not make the playoffs, but it is a big step in the right direction AND puts the Rocks in the Lottery. Let's be realistic. The Western Conference is unusually strong and just being competitive on a nightly basis is noteworthy for the young Rockets. ------------------ GATER
Yeah, but why settle? I think that they have a decent chance at breaking .500. Maybe not 47-35 (what I guesstimated a few months ago), but 43-39 wouldn't be too bad... I don't expect this team to roll over. ------------------
