Just need to get everyone healthy and regroup. Maybe Morey has a trade up his sleeve. Right now the team is like a baseball team - different pitchers and people taking games off, etc.
GMAC, You have good intentions, but I don't want to chill. I have a reason to be negative. The Rockets have not won a playoff series since 1997. There are only two other teams in the NBA that have not won a playoff series during that time and that’s Memphis and Denver. Twenty-seven out of thirty teams did something that the Rockets could not do. Considering that the Rockets play in a league where more than half the teams make the playoffs, it is very hard not to have a playoff series win in that time frame. Even the Clippers, who some consider the worst franchise in sports, went to the second round in 2006. I don't think that our big three have good chemistry. If the Rockets are going to get past the second round, they are going to have to make some major trades.
I feel like this, the rockets can beat anyone in the west except La. I think Utah still poses some problems, but they're struggling also. That being said, why do I care what seed they get? Home court means nothing if you're better than the other team. Styles make fights. NO had homecourt and lost to Sa. Houston had homecourt 2 times and lost. Phoenix had homecourt over Sa and lost 2 times. Get to the dance, avoid La in the 1st rd and everything will be cool.
I would have to strongly disagree you. Home-court advantage is extremely important. Last year the home teams won 60 out of the 80 contested games.
Do you really think our "home" gives us an advantage? We tend to play better on the road. As least the crowds are energized. The lower bowl of Toyota Center is always half empty at the start and end of games.
Lee, how do you think a healthy rocket team would do going up against a healthy San Antonio team? LA and SA are the only teams I personally worry about if this current rocket team is healthy.
I'd still rather have home court advantage. If you're the visitor the crowds are going to be energized but they're going to be booing you.
I see both sides of this, I think overall the biggest complaint about Artest is his injuries...but other than that he brings everything i thought he would bring. The bad shot selection, fade away jumpers is something he always has done and i expected these wild shots from him, and i also expected him to make some cluth shots, carry the team when we need him and make very good defensive plays and he has done that despite a few bad games. Tmac has been dissapointment obviously and there is reason for concern but I'm still hopeful and confident this team will get it together and still make it past the 1st round, this team just has too much talent.
Last year the home team won 75% of their playoff games. I remember reading once that 80% of all NBA game 7s were won by the home team. Do I think that the Rockets would have the advantage at home? When you start delving into the actual percentages and odds, it would be foolish not to think so. Remember there is more to home court advantage than crowd noise. 1. Crowd 2. Familiarity with space. 3. Rest (You don’t get the same rest in a hotel compared to your own bed) 4. Refereeing (NBA is a business, must keep the paying fans happy.
Were you in a coma the last couple of Aprils? Postseason vs Utah: Home: 4-3, averaged 91 (us) to 87 (them) Away: 1-5, averaged 83 to 94
We lost our Game 7 at home, might I remind you. 1. Crowd? What crowd. All I see is empty seats. A disgrace towards the Rockets whenever the team is on national TV. 2. Familiarity - I'll give you that, but it doesnt prevent bricklaying 3. Rest - I concur 4. Refs - we get screwed regardless of where we play. That's a fact. The league has painted a target on Yao's back every since the moment we set foot on the court. We are either fairly officiated or complete hosed. I cant remember the last time we got the lion's share of biased, home-cooking, lopsided calls.
Thanks for bringing up Utah, which is one of the toughest arenas to win in, because of the CROWD. If you research the home win percentages of other top contenders, I'm sure they have a markedly higher win percentage that our Houston Rockets. Heck, the Cavs are undefeated at home thus far. That'll never happen with the Toyota Center "home court".
not neccessary. What's seed # of houston 's last NBA champion? Actually the most tough matchup for rockets will be Jazz. They can beat anybody if they are health and have some chemistry.
