Do you feel the Rockets are a better team entering the Playoffs compared to last year

Yes we are better because we have a healthy Yao....

But 5th seed is not a good place to be.

DD

 

We've had basically the same lineup for the entire second half of the season. We are deeper. Scola has developed into a consistent force at the PF spot, we have a little more scoring punch off the bench and I feel like we have been overall much more consistent in our play.

The Rockets have also consistently been better against the good teams this year, in my opinion, knocking off some impressive wins against quality opponents.

I would say Houston is much better going into the playoffs this year than they were last year, I think they can beat anybody in a 7 game series (maybe not the Lakers, but we'll see).

 

I honestly believe we're in a better position to win. Last year's team was showing wear and tear before the playoffs even started. They even lost their starting point guard for several games.

This team is a lot healthier and despite the bad loss against the Mavs, they're peaking at the right time. They just have to put the Dallas game behind them and get the job done.

 

I definately feel more confident this year than last year.

 

i say that most of the team is better, yes. talent wise, definitely. bench, definitely.

but the simple fact remains that for as long as Yao can be taken out of the game completely on the offensive end, and cant guard the pick and roll on the defensive end, the team won't succeed.

so while its a better team, i think this team is consistently beatable according to that formula. the rockets have to hope that the other team does not execute properly to win. last years rockets were more versatile, and beating them was much less formulaic.

so yes, and no. i don't think the rockets will get out of the first round though. i honestly don't even see the portland series being very competitive.

 

We're definitely better off. More healthy. A better matchup. More depth.

 

Well I was a great deal more confident before the Rockets **** the bed last night, but yeah, I think we've got a better chance of getting out of the first round than last year. Of course, the team's chances of winning a championship remain at zero a year later.

 

Actually, I think if we didn't have the HCA last year, it would be better. Alston injured and didn't play in the first two game and our young players (Landry and Brooks) had no idea of playoff games. We just wasted the first two games on the home court.

 

I think we are a better team this year compared to last year, mainly because we have a healthy Yao and we don't have to worry about McGrady and his constant damn drama. Unfortunately, not having HCA is huge, in my mind and we are playing arguably the hottest team in the West, maybe in the whole league in Portland. With that being said, I do think we matchup well with them - better than a lot of the other teams in the west. Obviously, we have to find some way to win at least 1 game in Portland and hold serve at the Toyota Center. If the Rockets can gameplan effectively when Yao gets fronted (which has been a constant problem all season) and keep Artest Wolf under control, then I think they can win the series. And getting out of the first round could do wonders to their confidence, and stranger things have happened. Who knows - maybe we match up with the Jazz after all in the second round.

Yet that seems to be a lot of "ifs" for us to get out of the first round. I like to think I am wrong and just a pessimistic person in general, but we will find out in the next week or so.

 

ummm.. yes

tmac was injured, shane was injured, rafer was injured and miss 2.5 games, and yao was out for the entire series.

what do you think?

if healthy, i think last year's team is still more dangerous b/c we were such a great road team last yr. this year's team is so mediocre on the road.

 

it's more health and the matchup. the west is weaker this year and injuries are happening to a lot of teams at inopportune times. that's why if we got the #2 seed, the WCF is basically given on a platter for us.

 

I don't think the West is weaker, but I do think 2-7 are about equal.

DD

 

this..

 

Yes we are better.

We lost Yao last year and you can't really replace what he gives you at all offensively.

We lost T-mac this year but Artest can do some of what he does and he's a better defender.

We are deeper this year than last year.

Also we matchup better against The Blazers than we did the Jazz last year.

 

We are healthier, more athletic, and deeper this year. We also have Yao back, which makes a HUGE difference. We have an inside game, instead of having to do everything from the perimeter.

However, as good and efficient as Yao is, we don't have the playmaker to counter the fronting defenses teams are going to play vs. us. Tmac will be missed in the playoffs. Artest, Scola, Landry, Wafer, Brooks, and Lowery all have the ability to attack the fronting defense, but the question is can they finish through harder playoff fouls and non calls.

Brooks will have to be consistent offensively or else we are in trouble. Artest has to stop jacking up 3's and contested jumpers and play within in the offense. I also feel that vs. Roy, Battier should post up occasionally, make him play some defense.

Roy is gonna have to do most of the playmaking for the Blazers, and we have to make it tough on him to do so for an entire series. Make Aldridge, Outlaw, Blake, Rudy, and Sergio beat us. Make them have to make plays.

Thats what Utah did to Tmac last year. They doubled him and made him play either Korver or Harpring on D, and they prevailed because we had no other playmakers. We can do the same to Roy.

We also have to utilize Yao and get him atleast 15-20 shots per game, if not more. He will be doubled and fronted so that will be unlikely, but we have to look for him when he's available.

Although this team is better, we really could use that playmaker/finisher in Tmac, but we will have to find another way. I think we should be okay for round 1...

 

I think our team is better because Yao is playing and we have had some guys step up from last season. Specifically Scola, Landry, and Brooks. The addition of Lowry, Artest, and Von Wafer have been huge as well. Just because we are in the 5 seed doesn't necessarily mean the sky is falling. Anything can happen in the playoffs.

 

yes...

 

Of course we're better. We have a post presence this time around.

I think you guys are overestimating the value of home court for the rockets. we get to play the blazers, who i would have handpicked anyway. we wouldnt have had HC in the 2nd round, so its kind of moot. playing the lakers in the 2nd is just unfortunate, but if we get past them, i think we give the cavs a run for their money in the finals.