Rockets are number two on his list, after the (*gulp*) Jazz. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090121 [rquoter] 1. Utah Jazz ... 2. Houston Rockets: Will they? Probably not. But could they? Absolutely. The Rockets are 26-16, 11th in the Power Rankings and projected for 49 wins by today's Playoff Odds … without having their top six players healthy at the same time at any point this season. While doubts linger over whether Tracy McGrady can come back -- and if so, what he can provide -- there remains a healthy respect for his ability to break down defenses and create shots. Moreover, one can't as easily dismiss the likelihood of Ron Artest's making a healthy return, joining the newly returned Shane Battier and Brent Barry to fortify Houston's wing rotation. With the way Yao Ming and their role players are playing, the Rockets don't need that huge a boost from their injured wings to make the leap to elite status. 3. San Antonio Spurs: ... 4. Denver Nuggets: ... 5. Philadelphia 76ers: ... [/rquoter] Philadelphia is an interesting choice. They were a popular pick in the preseason, but I think most of us have written them off. They've gone back to their small-ball, fast break style that they were successful with last year, and now they're back to winning.
I think there are four teams which have clearly separated themselves at this stage -- Lakers, Celtics, Cavs, and Magic. He's listing the 5 teams that he thinks has the best chance of elevating to that tier.
With the pieces (and injuries) that New Orleans has, I'm interested in knowing how they wouldn't be top 3 in this list of "could-be" elites.
Underdog Status = SWEEEEET! I want to go on record as saying Houston will be mentioned amongst the NBA elite by the end of the season. Hands Down. From here on out we stay healthy and we get better each and every day! The NBA needs Von Wafer and that mohawk of his hoisting the Championship Trophy while perched on Yao's shoulders, Adelman may also want to experiment with how effective we can be if Yao and Von play as one entity on the court. Are there any rules in place that would not allow such an act? Say there is .5 seconds on the clock, and they intend to throw a pass for a tip slam. WE MUST PROTECT THIS HOUSE!!
No ****. With essentially the same players that came within a couple minutes of the Western Conference Finals, I don't see how they aren't included. You can't really count on ESPN for any sort of unbiased sports commentary IMO.
Well I was basically bringing up the Spurs because that means he has the Hornets elite over the Spurs. Which you could make a case but I think the Hornets should be on the list too.
When healthy, the Jazz have so many quality players. It is like everyone off their bench can sky and shoot. The have size, skill, toughness, and Jerry Sloan. AND, they have beaten the Rockets two playoff series in a row without home court. Any other questions?
if this was t-mac's first big injury, we'd be ahead of the jazz, but banking on him to comeback and fully impact this team based on his history is foolish. boozer, i don't believe has a similar track record when it comes to injuries. add him on top of millsap and okur, that's a pretty daunting frontline.
Last season doesn't count. We didn't have arguably our best player, the one who provides so many open lanes and shots if you don't double, or even triple team him. Yao is our franchise player. Not our most talented player, but putting height into basketball perspective isn't fair. Olajuwon would NOT have been in the conversation of the best player ever had he been 4 inches shorter.
Are you saying that beating Houston without their best player and their starting PG, and T-Mac and Battier injured, took them 6 games and need help from Tony Brothers to help them defeat Houston in one of them? What they have done? They got lucky that GS beat Dallas otherwise they would never pass to the Conference finals. And last year they got their Jazzholes owns by Lakers. The only elite Jazz have over Houston is their flopping who is top 3 if not the best in the NBA.
Boozer have a worst track record that T-Mac. He stole two years of Jazz money and this is his 3rd out 5 with the Jazz.
LMAO, I can just imagine Yao with Von on his shoulders running up the court and Von dunks it. I seriously wonder what would happen if they did that. It can't be a foul..
Good list and analysis, however it should have been just a "Top 3" list since we all know Denver and Philly aren't serious threats. You can quote me on that too.
