Analyzing and assessing our championship aspirations

As the Rockets stand they're looking like a third tier team in the WC. This is how I'd rank the contenders and pretenders in the west.

Tier 1:
Lakers

Tier 2:
Denver
Mavs
Spurs

Tier 3:
Blazers
Hornets
Houston
OKC

 

I voted 2nd round minimum. Truth is we have no idea, Yao may return and be phenomenal, he may never play a full season again, we won't know for months. Plus, with our team I feel chemistry has allowed us to transcend all expectations. If Yao returns to decent form, and Martin and Brooks continue to destroy the backcourt, with a mix of both young talent, and veteran leadership, I think this team could really do well next year, and if they were to find an upgrade opportunity I think we certainly would be championship contenders. We'll have to wait and see...

 

I expect at least 2nd round, since that was how far the Rockets went with Yao in 2009. But we have a good chance of making the WCF if everyone remains healthy and the team gels particularly well.

 

Hmm I'd rank it like this:

Tier 1:
Lakers

Tier 2:
Spurs
Mavs
Rox
OKC

Tier 3(also rans):
Denver
Blazers
Hornets

Basically the only ones who have a remote possibility of upsetting the Lakers belong in tier 2, tier 3 teams will be just cannon fodder. Denver IMHO has already peaked and will never seriously challenge anyone, ditto for the Blazers. The Hornets are like the Cavs last year-lottery team without CP3. OKC will improve tremendously with Cole Aldrich providing the D and rebs they need and they along with us will be the wild cards. The Spurs look ready for another run, and the Mavs are always competitive.

 

Right now I have no idea since it's hard to know what kind of player Yao will be over the course of the year. He hasn't played basketball in over a year - nearly 18 months by the time the season starts.

Plus not sure how much improvement we'll see from Chase. How much PP will contribute and if Hill continue to improve of if he is about to fade.

All in all - I think we'll make the playoffs but that's about all I can say.

 

Willing to make a bet on this prediction? I am. A sig bet maybe a name change? If Yao stays plays through the playoffs that is.

 

Thats what i'm talking about DD!! If we were to get a suitable backup to Yao, that would allow him to more than likely last throughout the entire season.

 

what I dont understand is why OKC wont pick up a legit bigman, tey'd be serious contenders if so

 

I think we are moving closer to the Western Conference Finals, and appearance, and possible Finals range. One more big move puts us over the top I believe. One piece away.

 

I think we would go farther with yao. There's no way we would acquire howard anyways but Yao has a bigger impact on the game. People can't back off on him because he will just hit a jumper. If they double him, he will pass for an open three. With Howard I say second round at the latest. Yao can also play pretty solid D so IMO Yao can lead us farther and have a bigger impact.