We are the only team really upgrade 3 pressing areas: PF, PG, bench. We can have so many different looks on the floor and match up good against any team. There is no doubt, now Rockets has a fully regenerated body (like in the movie the Mummy ). On the other hand, the rest of the West pretty much sits still: Spurs: They did not make much move, their team is aging... Mavs: Not significant move either. Suns: Traded away Kurt Thomas, who always gave Yao more problem that Amare. Portland: loaded, but inexperienced; Seatle: in the same boat. Denver: They will improve if they keep Camby -- more time for AI and Melo to gel. Jazz: Fisher was a key loss... GSW: One year wonder only, like Clipper the year before. Rest: etc.
West didn't get weak, Rockets just had some magic offseason dealings. If the trades work out, then yes, compared to the Rockets the West will get weaker. But still much better than the East.
the thing is that the top 3 teams were pretty stacked before this offseason anyway. the only other team i would considered that was on the same level as the rockets before this offseason or just slightly better were the jazz who have really done too much outside of getting morris almond and jason hart(?) i believe while the rockets have been the most active playoff team this offseason. phoenix will regret losing thomas but in terms of their regular success he wasnt too integral, come playoff time they'll have problems against the duncans,boozers and yaos.
The west getting weak doesn't just help us, it helps the Mavs as well. The past two seasons they lost out on a trophy on freak accidents. By accidents, I mean Dirk choking and Nelson knowing his old team better than they knew themselves. Lets say that Nash loses a step, Melo and AI don't gel as well, and the Spurs start to feel their age; the rockets big competition is still the Mavericks. I do think, however, that we match up pretty well against them now. Yao kills everyone that they can throw at him Scola, Battier, and Tmac can take turns guarding Dirk. Francis, MJ, and Brooks will make Terry work. Bonzi (hopefully) negates Stackhouse. Our coach will bring a offense that will be able to keep up with them. If we get one of the top 3 spots, we will make it to the conference finals, at least.
Agree, but Mavs did not feel the hole they have at PG, and Fisher is a big loss to Jazz. Like you said losing Thomas will show when Phonix plays us, but I think it will show even in the regular season games. Since KT was more effective at guarding Yao than Amare.
The West will be as strong as ever this upcoming season. Don't view it as others getting weaker..but the Rockets getting much stronger. What we've done this offseason is equalize the talent discrepency that divides us from the top tier.
phoenix still scares me. yeah they got rid of kurt thomas, but they picked up grant hill, who they will be able to run their offense through when nash is out. this will also give nash more rest throughout the season. i say phoenix or us out of the west this year.
terry is more a two guard. harris's outside shooting is very questionable. So ya, that's a hole for them.
Sounds like a poor man's Steve Francis to me. So if you're claiming that's a hole for them..then so too for us.
Rockets look great on paper and there's still moves to make. I say we can challenge the best in the west if we stay healthy and if Scola turns out to be the real deal. The Rockets could be make the a big jump to contenders next season. We still have to go out and prove we're an elite team. The Mavs, Spurs, Suns, and even Utah to a lesser extent are battle tested teams and they're not going to read our new roster and roll over for us come playoff time.
What are you smoking? Wait until the Rox Actually getting out of the first round first, unrestrained enthusiasm are premature to say the least; the Rox still have not proven anythings yet. Off-season moves only look good on paper, not field tested. Here's the realities facing the Rox: San Antonio: Champion Dallas: WCF contender Phoenix: WCF contender Utah: WCF contender Rox: Uh...needed to get to the 2nd round...
lakers will be better, phx will be better, gsw in no way is a one year wonder. they got heart! clippers will be better
how exactly will the lakers be better? they got fisher and hopefully a healthy mihm now, i do likes javaris as a pickup but after the crap kobe pulled this summer of "we dont have talent etc" and throwing the entire team under the bus there are going to be some major chemistry/lockerroom issues over there. phoenix i still them being the same, damn good but probably will lose to 'traditional' basketball come playoff time. losing thomas is going to hurt, but hill will be a good pickup. gsw got a great talent in wright but gave up richardson who was huge in their run (dont get me right it was the RIGHT move by gsw) but that along with teams preparing more for them i dont think they'll creep up on anyway. plus they played well in the end of the season and fell into a perfect situation of facing dallas...you saw how they did with the jazz afterwards. i see the warriors fighting again for a 8th spot. clippers will not be better unfortunately (they my quite distant 2nd fav team) they havent really addressed their PG at all. cassell cannot play a full season for them efficiently anymore and there is no backup if anything happens to cassell. hart, a nice pickup for them has left for the jazz and while they had a chance to get a pg (like javaris) they went with thorton who plays the same positions as their best two players. unless the clips make a move sometime between now and training camp i just cant see them being better than #8. i do see portland creeping up the standings, but inexperience will be their biggest foe. the teams that i feel that have gotten more than a bit better are the hornets whose problem last year was injuries more so than anything else. The same with the grizzlies, they have some decent talent and now with conley they'll be contending for a spot again. spots 6-8 is going to be a dogfight between the lakers,clippers,nuggets,gsw,hornets,grizzlies and possibly the blazers.
Even I excited about all the moves this offseason, but, folks, too early to say anything yet! Let the season make the talk.
Yoyo pretty much nailed it. I also want to add a bit more on GSW. Remember, it is not certain they may not get Barnes and Pietrus back. As good a perspect as Wright is, he is not going to contribute much next season.
