I don't believe in a lock at winning anything, You have to earn it. So basically my answer is a big fat NO!
If the Rockets don't make any moves, there is a much stronger argument for the Spurs than the Rockets next season in their division. Unless T-Mac magically comes back from 2004.
He can't, not anymore. He used to be able to give Yao problems, but lately that matchup has turned decidedly in Yao's favor, as Yao's improved footwork has repeatedly given Duncan fits in the post. And Duncan's aging legs aren't helping matters either. He's still smaller and weaker than Artest. Artest is generally his own worst enemy when he tries to do too much, but in that same Portland series we saw how deadly he can be when he is under control and making the correct plays. Not saying he's a world beater though -- the point is that with Battier & Artest (and perhaps McGrady depending on how the offseason turns out), I don't see how Jefferson improves their matchups at the swing positions against Houston. And I think a lot of people are completely ignoring the front court depth they gave up to get him, especially Kurt Thomas. I guess this is a general point of contention on the BBS, but I do think that this Rockets team was rather underrated too. They finished just behind the Spurs, but they were clearly the better team at the end of the season. I'm not going to say the Spurs didn't make a big move here -- they certainly did, but I'm saying that they did not improve their matchup against Houston, and adding Jefferson to that roster does not really bother me as a Rockets fan.
My Rankings as it stand now. 1. Lakers 2. San Antonio 3. Cleveland 4. Boston 5. Houston 6. Orlando 7. Portland 8. Denver. 9. Utah 10. Dallas/New Orleans. Will change though if more trades happen. Also my standings were based if everyone on every team was healthy.
If every team was healthy it should be. 1. Boston 2. Rockets 3. Lakers 4. Cleveland (with Shaq) 5. San Antonio 6. Orlando 7. Portland 8. Denver. 9. Utah 10. Dallas/New Orleans. Healthy Yao,Mac,Ron is gonna be crazy no doubt. But we all know that's unlikely.
I love your optimsim but what about team chemistry. They haven't proven yet anything. On paper Yeah it looks good but T-mac, Yao, Artest on the same floor is yet to be seen.
In my opinion, San Antonio is just as good as LA right now. But neither team is as good as a healthy Orlando, Boston or Cleveland at this point.
What are you talking about? Celtic's ship has already sailed, even with KG healthy. They lack depth at basically every position, they wouldn't even have won it all last last year if it weren't for Posey and that forward who retired (Davis?) raising their games to another level. Those two are gone now, and the Celt's bench is paper thin. Orlando has proven they're not that strong even at full strength. Nelson coming back is good but they won't be able to keep both Gortat and Hedo, one of those guys would be gone. Again another squad without any bench. Cavs have so many holes getting old Shaq isn't enough. With LBJ improving yet again they'll prbably dominate the regular season once again, but playoffs will expose all their flaws all over again just like the last few seasons. The league's best team is definitely the Lakers, with a healthy Spurs squad not far behind. I thought that was obvious to everyone, no one can keep up with a healthy Bynum, Kobe, Gasol and Odom.
