Was that just written? I don't think Phoenix will finish with such a decent record thanks to Marbury's injuries, Penny's recurring injuries/attitude, Googs being held together by scotch tape, Joe Johnson's development, et al. I agree with 1-8, to a degree. From 6 through 11 could go in so many directions. It's tough to count out Utah even though you know they're due to slide. The Clippers have major injuries and rookie contracts that will not be extended. Seattle, I think, will have problems because they lack bulk.
I sure hope these predictions will come true b/c i can't truly wait to see the first round of the playoffs when the dallas mavericks will match up w/ us. I m praying these predictions come true cuz I want to see us beat up on dallas and Cuban.
i say bring on the lakers. thats the team i want in the first round. what better way to gain respect and have people take notice than by taking it to the champs. its only a 5 game series. things can happen. they cant match up at point guard with francis. yao will want to go up against shaq. rice will want to kill his old team... that would be a great series.
They dont have anyone to defend Francis, but we dont have anyone to defend Shaq or Kobe. Thats a pretty big edge for the Lakers.
Bibby is having surgery tomorrow and is out for two months with a broken foot. http://www.nba.com/kings/news/BIBBY_TO_UNDERGO_SURGERY.html
i just want the rocks in the playoffs. i think the mavericks would be the best matchup but i say bring it to the lakers as well.
Good call Holden I think Ming is the next, better Vlade and Vlade has been as good as it gets guarding Shaq. Ming will pull the big guy out of the paint with that high percentage jumper, opening lanes for Francis and Mobley. Kenny Thomas would destroy George inside Griffin and Horry are scary similar as of now... sure, Kobe is hard to stop, but Fisher and Kobe vs Francis and Mobley is pretty even to me... not to mention the Lakers will probably be looking past the Rockets, being a lotto team last season of course, this is all assuming we've picked up that "Defense" thing
It's unbelieveable that the Rocks got positive press on the insider. Oh sh@t! Glaus just homered! 2-1 Anaheim. Gotta take a shot, post later...
Very interesting read, thanks. I like Holden's take as well. Bring on the Lakers if it plays out that way. What's fascinating to me is that no other team even remotely improves their record as much as the Rockets do in this prediction. Many of us (myself included) think the Rocks will have 50 wins or better. I'm on the record at 52-30... they have us at the same record as 2 seasons ago and I think we're a better team this year. If only we can avoid any serious injuries (please!!), no one is going to want to draw us in the playoffs. By then we'll be rolling. In my opinion. It IS weird to read any positive press about the Rockets... even if it is ESPN.
Isn't the NBA switching the first round to 7 games this year? Sorry, I don't want the Lakers in 7 games!
You know what? I heard that somewhere too. Might be just a rumor though. Lakers have proven no one can handle them in 7 games or 5 games. I dont think we are much of a threat to them at this point. I wish we could just set some realistic goals that will help us develop rather than talking about challenging the throne.
Anyone know if it's 5 or 7 games? Codell, you can set all the realistic goals that you want. I'm just salivating at the thought of us playing the Lakers in the playoffs. 1986 showed me that it's foolish to go in thinking that "realistically" you have no chance. In '86 our dear friend Fran Blinebury said the Lakers would be champs. Nothing is impossible if your given the chance.
Of course anything is possible. '86 proves that. But Id rather play the other 6 teams in the playoffs before the Lakers. In fact, i would want to stay away from them, the Kings and Spurs in the first round. Our best bet is a #5 seed against a team that we match up better with and then take our chances on an upset in the later rounds assuming we can get out of the first round. That being said, its no where near a given that we are good enough to be seeded that high or make the playoffs entirely.
Maybe top to bottom, but we don't starting 5 wise. There's a reason why this team leads the league in scoring. I'd want to play the Mavs or Blazers in the playoffs; we have a better chance to upset these 2 teams than anyone else. Some college teams could put up 90+ points against the defenseless Mavs and the Blazers are perennial enigmas. I agree with your previous point about not wanting to face the Lakers. Shaq's verbal jabs at Yao are quite ridiculous- does he feel that threatened? I don't want Yao to get killed out there.
I agree with you there, although Dallas had a good showing in the playoffs for not having played there in a long time. I wouldnt necessarily think we have much of a shot at them. They are young too and playoff experienced. They can run with anyone, including us. If we do make it, I want no part of the Lakers, Spurs or Kings. We have a better shot at the 2nd tier teams like you said. That whole Shaq-Yao thing is just weird to me. Shaq is really making it personal. I wouldnt want to play Shaq when hes being passive and I definately dont want to play Shaq when he has a chip on his shoulder. I think hell try to just physically dominate him, more so than he does to everyone else. Regardless, there is no way that Rudy will let Yao defend Shaq one on one. Hell have plenty of help on doubles and triples.
Oh I agree, I wouldn't bet my money on us beating the Mavs in a playoff series next year. I just see us as having a much better chance of beating them or the Blazers than the aforementioned, Lakers, Spurs, or Kings. We won't be a high enough seed to get the Timberwolves, Jazz, or Sonics if they make it. Shaq is getting quite childish with his verbal jabs at Yao. It's getting into making fun of Asians, with the accent and karate bs on the Best Damn Sports Show Period and the latest Godzilla reference. I think he is really feeling threatened (maybe by Yao taking the WC starting spot, since it's determined by votes?).
I dont think its that he feels threatened. I just dont think he believes the hype and this is his way of showing it.
