I was reviewing our conference position in the standings today and noticed a disturbing trend. The Rockets are only 21-20 against the Western Conference and 24-6 against the East. So what you say? Well, we are done playing the EC and all 11 of our games are against the West. And, being that we have to play the Western conference in the playoffs, it does not bode well for our chances. If our trend continues, the Rockets would go 6-5 or 5-6 over the last 11 games giving them a good but not great record. This team has got to go into the playoffs on fire, their biggest issue is their lack of confidence when tested. Right now, I believe they only HOPE to win instead of believe they can win. And that will kill them in the playoffs. How they finish in these last 11 games will tell a lot about whether or not this team is a TRUE darkhorse, or just feasted on inferior competition. Do you guys think it is an aberation, or an omen of things to come? DD
Good points. I also believe the Rockets must step up or shut up in last 11 games. They need to gain a swagger about their game that is not currently present. This road trip could change all of that if they can win both games.
I agree, it will tell a lot. Put up or shut up. The team has a long way to go before it is honestly a championship contender, they lose direction far too often. If they can finish strongly....8-3 or better, I will feel a lot better, but if they stumble.....it will probably signal another first round exit. DD
They will turn it around....I don't see them losing in the first round....They need to get both of these wins in LA
I'm not a big Suns fan, but We need a pro to make a video like this to boost the confidence of the ROX and ROX fans. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Z9pUNc95mo"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Z9pUNc95mo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Much of it was the disastrous Dec West Coast trip (12/12-12/20, 1-4) where we were without McGrady, Bonzi was making a klutz-filled attempt at meshing with the team, and the team as a whole was really flagging (Yao aside). The losses to the Warriors and Blazers never should have happened. Then there was the loss to the Clippers when we lost Yao. Take those 3 aberrations out of consideration and we're a more understandable 21-17 in the West. We've got some ways to go - I don't personally believe Yao and McGrady have fully learned how to mesh their games and make each other more effective (if anything, they both start to defer too much when together). The only games I'm seriously interested in watching closely and judging them on are the two Utah previews we're going to get. Evan
I'm not too worried. The only thing that matters is that we win the first round. What our record is against the west means jack IMO, the only record I care about is the post season. Now, if we blow both of our games against Utah, then I'll be worried.
Well, this shows JVG is still an EC coach (some say he is still an assistant coach, but I digress) who has no answers for the tough WC but relishes the ugly, late-90's New York Knick ball.
The rockets are 0-6 vs. the Suns and NOK. If you take these 2 teams out of the equation, they have a 21-14 conference record.
No, it just tells you the East is weaker and we took advantage. I don't think you can trust these numbers considering we lost a lot of games on the western confrence when Tmac was injured by only like 2-3 points. There was the Golden State game where Baron hit the last second 3. Then there was the 2 Lakers games we barely lost. Then of course the Clippers game that Yao got injured.
yeah, i guess rockets might as well give up and all us fans better stop watching...see yall next year.
But you can't take them out, and they may both be in the playoffs, at least the Suns are..... The Rockets have to beat good teams to win it all... What is their record against opponents .500 or better? DD
Being a .500 team out West is not gonna get it done. But most of it came when Mac was out. We could've easily been 26-15. I won't look into that record a whole lot.
You only worrying about the first round. The Rockets traded away their future to win a championship. Anything less would be uncivilized.
Even if the NOK makes the playoffs, the rockets aren't likely to play them. If we play the suns in the playoffs (if the current standings don't change) that means the western conference finals. If the rockets make it to the WCF, i'll take my chances against the suns!!
What is their record against Western teams with .500+ record? What is their record against the current big 4 in the west?
