http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/9799836 Team of the Week The Rockets are on the verge of becoming the league's most hyped squad. Boy, will Jeff Van Gundy just looove that. Van Gundy would much prefer to take things on a game-by-game approach, but talk of the Rockets having arrived is ripe to blossom following the sound beating they gave the Heat on Sunday night. Yes, someone will soon wonder aloud if the Ming Dynasty has arrived. You just know it. The funny part about the Rockets' 94-72 handling of the Heat was that they didn't really play all that well. Defensively, they were sound, but Tracy McGrady couldn't find his jumper and the offense consistently bogged down, resulting in multiple 24-second violations. Bonzi Wells, still not in game shape, didn't play, and yet they had more than enough to school the defending champs in front of their own fans. This week, the Rockets play host to San Antonio and Chicago before a visit to Detroit on Saturday night. That means Yao will cross paths with Tim Duncan and Ben Wallace, and will have encountered almost every member of the NBA's last three champions in less than a week's time. If he can continue his steady play and keep the Rockets surging, the league will have a brand new buzz team.
as optimistic as I am i dont think the rockets can win out the week, the spurs are really tough and without hayes we are even more depleted at the 4 spot. going 2-1 would be awesome, 3-0 a dream. both the bulls and pistons have been enigmatic, great one night not so good another night. if they win all 3 the league will take notice. hopefully that would mean more games on tnt (only 2 this year!)
San Antonio will be tough, but we should be able to handle the Bulls and Pistons. For the Bulls, Wallace will have a tough time challenging Yao if Yao's short jumpshot is working. We just need to concentrated on our perimter D from there. The Bulls have plenty of slashers and outside threats. The Pistons so far have been struggling. But still, Yao should be able to take it down low against Sheed and McDyess. He's too powerful for them. Battier can guard McDyess, or at least match up well with him. We may need Snyder to keep with Hamilton. Billups could be a problem if his shot is on.
guarding Mcdyess? Pshhhh, we can leave him open all night and let him try to hit the jumper. Battier should worry about Rip's screen jumping, and we as a team should worry about their guards in general: very very quick. BTW, no way JHow stays with Tayshawn. Hayes would have been great against him.
Going to be a tough week, but I'm optimistic about a 2-1 mark. 3-0 would be simply incredible. I think more and more that we're really going to miss Chuck Hayes. Tonight's crowd and the crowd on Thursday really need to give the guys something to feed off of.
