I wasn't surprised to read this at ESPN.com: <quote>Anyone tired of hearing how Houston would be a playoff team in the East? You know, quite a few West teams would be playoff bound in the East, wouldn't they? You know what? It doesn't matter, because Houston plays in the West. And if the Rockets wanted to be a playoff team, they'd work on that brutal conference record. The Mavs and Suns have managed to hold their own out West. So has Denver and Seattle. Houston has not. The Rockets have the same West record as the Clippers do. Look in the mirror, fellas.</quote> http://espn.go.com/nba/nbarim/index.html ------------------
While I suppose I SHOULD be offended at this, I'm not. The guy's right. Cruel, but right. We're in the West--it would be cool if we weren't, but we are--we're just going to have to deal with it. But man, sounds a little bitter, there, buddy--tired of receiving e-mails from Rockets fans saying that we deserve a higher ranking??? ------------------ Jazzkiller
Heck ya he is right, and this is precisely why I think we are still a year away. That and the fact that we are 4 games out with about 22 or so to play. Too little too late. DaDakota ------------------ Go Jazz * http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011403.html
Yes, he's correct. But we have played much of this season with a depleted front line and only lost to Dallas because two of our top three scorers were out (one played at the beginning). But these, ultimately, are excuses. Usually it's the media that brings up this East-team-dominance thing. After Miami b****-slapped the Rox, our young punks have been more restrained in their comments to the press. I think. Truth is, we need a dominant power forward if we are to contend. Next year get Webber or, if remotely possible, get Brand (I know, I know, Krause is stuck on the guy, can't blame him). ------------------
Anyone tired of hearing how ESPN continually tries to pass itself off as a legitimate, objective sports news source? The fact that the Rockets and others could be a playoff team in the East says less about the Rockets and more about the pitiful level of play in that conference. So while ESPN seems to enjoy putting up the occasional illogical ranking orders and continually putting the Rockets in their place, it is depleting its own credibility. In one sense, ESPN has a point. But I think the rockets' pitiful record in the west only underlines the lack of equality of the conferences. IS that the Rockets fault? When the Rockets are finished looking in the mirror perhaps they could pass it along to ESPN. ------------------ "Segregation is an absolutely horrid practice - except when it comes to numbers and letters. I just don't think they should be mixed." - P. Mesku on his dislike of algebra
So while ESPN seems to enjoy putting up the occasional illogical ranking orders and continually putting the Rockets in their place, it is depleting its own credibility. In one sense, ESPN has a point. But I think the rockets' pitiful record in the west only underlines the lack of equality of the conferences. IS that the Rockets fault? This is just silly. If our record is just a reflection of the toughness of the conferences, explain how the Rockets and Clippers have the same record against the West? Explain why the Rockets have a better record against the East than the Nuggets, but a worse record against the West? Everyone knows the East is weak -- that's not relevent here. Denver and Seattle aren't b****ing that they should would be playoff teams in the East, even though they probably would too. Mo Taylor and Steve Francis are. That's why they get picked on. (Yes, both of these guys have said things to this effect in the past two weeks or so) His point is simple: The Rockets are in the West. Stop complaining about it or whining about how great they would be if they were in the East. If they want to make the playoffs, they should do what all the other WESTERN conference teams are doing to make the playoffs: beat the teams in the West. Personally, I think he's dead on. ------------------ http://www.swirve.com ... more fun than a barrel full of monkeys and midgets.
I agree! The Rockets should concentrate on their own conference. I realize that Steve and Mo may have mentioned the FACT that if the Rockets were in the Eastern conference they would be in the play-off fold. But to be quite honest, I've heard that a lot more from the press than I have from the Rockets. I do recall members of the team saying it though. I also agree that it is irrelavent as far as the playoffs go. And I understand what the ESPN guy was saying. Still, that doesnt extinguish the fact that the west is stronger than the East - and that the East perhaps should endure a little razzing because of it (this was my point). ESPN's attempts (through power ranking or whatever) to put the EAst on equal ground with the West is, to me anyway, even more ridiculous than rockets pointing out some statistical (and I agree they are moot) facts . Now, I never said the Rockets shouldn't improve on their terrible record against the west. ESPN mentioned the Clippers have the same conference record as the Rockets. That's absolutely horrible, I agree. But the Clippers are also better against the East than they are against West (not by much, but a little). The Suns, another team they mentioned, are a lot better against East than the West. Admittedly, the Sonics are about the same or slightly worse against the East. Anyway, ESPN's ------------------ "Segregation is an absolutely horrid practice - except when it comes to numbers and letters. I just don't think they should be mixed." - P. Mesku on his dislike of algebra
When the press continuously tells them about their dominance of the East, they can't help but wonder what their record would be if they were in that conference.They aren't "complaining", they are stating the truth, that they would be a playoff team in the east. Also, they get asked about the east more than any team ,since they own the east, which means you're probably gonna hear them talk about it more than any other team. ------------------ [This message has been edited by tacoma park legend (edited March 05, 2001).]
I don't know why everybody is giving up on the season already. Have you seen Minnesota's schedule? They play of stretch of something like 7 of their 8 games against elite teams like the Lakers, Blazers twice, Dallas, San Antonio, EVERYBODY! It is far from over, don't know why people are giving up. As for their statement of "They would be in the playoffs if they were in the East", if I owned the Rockets I would be a multi-millionaire. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. ESPN is annoying. ------------------ Rocks2001 in disguise. . .
That's the point, nobody is bringing it up but places like ESPN and other networks. They are the ones bringing it up every time they have one of their useless "Power Polls" and articles DAY IN AND DAY OUT! We're worried about getting to the playoffs IN THE WEST! As for having the same record as the Clippers versus the West, like I said in another thread, when quality wins count towards getting to the NBA playoffs like it does in the NCAA then call me. I don't care if the Rocks are 1-25 against the West, if we get into the playoffs it doesn't matter because it's a brand new ballgame in there. I suggest that ESPN writers, instead of whining about a few people telling them that the Rockets would make the playoffs in the East, actually concentrate on the PLAYOFF RACES! ------------------ Rocks2001 in disguise. . . [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited March 05, 2001).]
In the immortal words of our favorite homer sportscaster, "AMEN my brother". I havent given up on them. As a matter of fact I still think we can catch Phoenix as well. We will be able to say I told you so when it is all said and done Rocksmillenium. ------------------ Rockets Season Ticket Holder
I'm rooting for them to make the playoffs, but I don't think they will get there. DaDakota ------------------ Go Jazz * http://bbs.clutchcity.net/ubb/Forum3/HTML/011403.html
I DO believe. I really do. I believe that almost all Rockets fans have that "belief" deep down--it's what separates us. None of us can forget 1995, nor would we want to. While conventional thinking tells me we won't make the playoffs, I believe we will. WHEN we do make the playoffs, conventional thinking will tell me that we don't stand a chance against whoever we will play in the first round. But in my heart, I will know better. I am a ROCKETS fan. It's in my blood. I don't think any of us are giving up on the season...but I think the best post on this matter was Shanna's. GREAT point that WE are the ones complaining that we would be in the playoffs had we been in the East, but, with any luck at all, I can imagine nearly EVERY team in the West could make the playoffs in the East. Look at Indiana--the team is like 8 games under .500 or something, playing a LARGE number of their games against weaker Eastern Conference teams--and they STILL can't muster a .500 record. But Seattle, Denver, none of them are complaining but us, at least not that I've heard about. I need to add Shanna to my list of "Your favorite Posters" just for her post here. SHE is "dead on." ------------------ Jazzkiller
SCREW YOUR ASS! SCREW YOUR ASS! SCREW YOUR FAT PRINGLE EATING HAPPY MEAL SWIPING 2.6 ON THE RICHTER SCALE ASS! ------------------ Church-Going-Foul-mouthed-Pig-Loving Rocket-Fan extrodinaire.
I'm sensing some rage from the tavern. ------------------ Cause I'm a twenty first century digital boy. I don't know how to read, but I got a lot of toys. My daddy's a lazy middle class intellectual. My mommy's on valium, so ineffectual. Oh Oh, ain't life a mystery?
Hey Espn Page two gets my props ------------------ Church-Going-Foul-mouthed-Pig-Loving Rocket-Fan extrodinaire. [This message has been edited by moestavern19 (edited March 06, 2001).]
I don't mind going on record and saying that Around the Rim is the worst piece of crap you could ever click to. Nothing worse than forced irreverence. The guy sounds like Kenny Banya. Rockets, have you seen these things? What's the deal with the playoffs? ------------------
