Today I had a chance to talk with Marc Stein today with ESPN. Here's what he had to say about our Rockets: Steve (Houston): Marc, As it seems, Houston and Utah are looking to be a deadlock for the first round of the playoffs. Do you think this is the year that Yao and Tracy get out of the first round? This will probably be the best matchup for the first round of the playoffs. Marc Stein: (11:11 AM ET ) I haven't given playoff matchups huge consideration yet. But I suspect that I'll be leaning toward Houston in the first round, even if Utah has the home-court edge. Reason being: Experience. T-Mac and Yao haven't been to the second round yet -- ditto for my man Shane Battier -- but this Jazz has no collective post-season experience. I could be overrating that as a factor, but I don't so. Marc Stein: (11:11 AM ET ) Also had a front-row seat for that Mavs-Rockets series two years ago that went seven and I think Houston is better team now than it was then.
Houston IS a better team now than it was then. That is of no question. I'd love for us to have home court this year in the first round. It gives us even a bigger edge against the Jazz.
A maturer Yao, more complete team with good role players that know their roles, Battier and Hayes particular. Only thing is that our backcourt is probably weaker than 2 years ago.
The only thing though T-Mac will most likely be running the offense during the crunch times. I know we aren't as good at the point, but I don't it will be a big factor. The outside shooting will be a the biggest concern because if those long bombs aren't falling, we'll be falling. I have a good feeling for this first round. After that, we'll have to wait and see.
Um... I don't want that... Why would you want Suns in 2nd round? We matchup TERRIBLY versus them... Let the Spurs have 3rd seed and take out Suns for us in the 2nd round .
I'd have to say I'm not so sure I'd want that. It'd be nice to have homecourt the first round, but I like how our path would shape up: Utah --> Dallas & No-Nuts-Nowitzki -->Suns as opposed to Lakers --> Suns --> Mavs (or Spurs) If I fear anyone, it's the Suns. Also, even though they look weak at the moment, I'd rather not have to deal with Kobe and Phil. Still, in the end, I figure it's best that we just keep our heads down, plow through the remaining month of games, and face who we face. Evan
Well from that, we have to face both the Suns and Mavs either way, just in different rounds. I'd rather play the Lakers than the Jazz. Lakers suck.
I think having Hayes alone would have won that series for us. His hustle makes Ryan Bowen jealous. Add Juwan in there too and it only goes 6 games, tops. Of course that doesn't matter now, but I still think it's true.
I believe that even though the Rockets have not faired well with the Suns in the regular season that the Rockets can beat them the playoffs. The games seem to slow down and Suns are not as efficient.
i think to beat the jazz, yao and tmac have to play well. this is the series where we don't need our role players to play their best i believe. it helps but we can beat them if just yao and tmac play their game. jazz played fairly well in the 2nd game (shot well) but tmac's 44 pts beat them. however to beat the suns, spurs, dallas, we need the role players for sure. man i'm so pumped. can't wait for yao to dominate the playoffs for the first time. can't wait for tmac to continue his playoff play but now advancing. i'm serious, i really want to know how tmac will play beyond the first round? does he have another level?
This guy is paid to think about basketball and he hasn't thought about the playoff matchups yet? idiot.
Nice job Cheez. I like our chances in the playoffs, but I dont want to play the Suns - only team that scares me.
Tough call. I think playoff basketball will emphasize the halcourt a lot more and negate a lot of the Suns regular season advantage over us. I am also not overly excited about running into a high-60s win Dallas team in round 2 that will probably have swept (or some close) their round 1 opponent and will be waiting for us ( I am assuming we will have a tougher time with the Spazz). Given season before last, we won't sneak up on them and given last season, they are absolutely locked in on a focused on a ring. I guess this is a nice "problem" to ponder.
