For those of you who don't understand Tracy's value

Yeah, why not? Phoenix just got a lot slower with Shaq. Maybe they got better but I like Yao guarding Shaq rather than Yao guarding Amare. They don't kill us athletically. We just need to find some way to contain Stoudamire.

We don't know how good Dallas will be with JKidd, but they lost a LOT of speed with Harris.

New Orleans has always been a bad team for us but we have more talent now, if we can find a way to stop West, we will be alright. No one stops Chris Paul so it's out of the question. Chandler doesn't really do much except get feeds off Chris Paul. And there's no way he can guard Yao 1 on 1.

I'm just saying it's not like we are that far behind them. 4 games at the most. We had some injury problems but we are back on track, beating up on the East as many teams do, and we have a decent conference record.

 

The Mavericks gave up almost nothing to get Kidd. THEY WILL BE BETTER.

I am not as confident about the Suns.

The Lakers will certainly be lethal when Bynum gets back and if Kobe doesn't go on the shelf. Even if Bynum is half of what he was before the injury, the Lakers will be deadly.

I don't care about records and standings. I just see the Rockets as a notch below the elite teams in the West. We are a good team but we are not on par with the best of the West.

 

Needed to quote this just so everyone can see just how much credibility you have.

 

Easily? No way.

Dallas has seemed to have a very good answer 90% of the time in recent years, including the playoffs.

We lack depth and experience, too. Certainly, in terms of anything beyond the 1st round of the playoffs. Mike James and Dikembe Mutombo don't really count since they aren't playing. At least Bobby Jackson and Peja Stojakovic are part of NO's rotation.

Phoenix has far outperformed the Rockets during the regular season and playoffs over the last few years.

 

Thanks, increase the font next time.

I meant what I said.

Harris was barely a starter. Johnson was trying to prepare for the future and add scoring depth to his bench by making Terry a reserve. Terry was their best PG, even if he is more of a SG.

Two 1st round picks for a team that will have one of the best records in the league and is focused on winning now is not as big of a deal as some see it.

I don't like Cuban but he made a good decision here. The Mavericks just went from great to greater.

 

It certainly didn't matter last year or in other recent years.

NO has the best record in the West and you discounted them which means that you disregarded that "whole wins and losses thing" too.

I agree that the Rockets can beat anyone. I think they are a very good team. I never said otherwise.

I just don't think they are great and on par with the top-tier teams in the West.

 

I agree with you LegendZ3 the heat check BS has got to stop, we need a better shot selection coming from him and what is the deal with the free throw shooting? I have alwasy been a McGreedy basher but i do have to give him credit since he has come back from the injury and lebronitis he has played very well getting the ball moving around. I still believe we cant make it unless we have him, but i wish he would concentrate more on high percentage shots as opposed to 24ft three point attempts. He has the biggest pick in the league in Yao he would have open shots all day!!

 

They gave up a 24 year old (I think) up and coming PG who fit in their system perfectly for a 35 year old PG. They also gave up one of their better big men in Diop. If they don't win now, they're screwed. Not screwed, but that whole deal would be a waste. And sometimes it takes time to mesh.

The Lakers will be good, yes, but Yao will be key in that series. If Bynum guards him, Yao should kill him with his size. If Pau guards him, Yao should kill him every which way. As long as Scola and Landry spread the floor giving him some room, I like those chances. Bynum brings good shotblocking and rebounding but I'm not sure he can check Yao.

The Suns lost a great defender in Marion. He used to bug the heck out of T-Mac. Raja Bell is a good defender too, but he can't guard T-Mac for a whole series. Shaq can't guard Yao. Yao can guard Shaq. We have to contain Stoudamire some how but I think we will be fine.

Don't get me wrong, none of these will be easy, but I still think we are a good team with a good chance to win. If wins and losses don't count, what would make you think we're an elite team? In the regular season?

Obviously if we win a playoff series we're better than the team we played, but what makes an "elite team" in your mind?

 

Once again, read your comment that I was responding to.

You made the statement that "New Orleans lacks experience" and that because of that they wouldn't fair well in the playoffs.

I responded with "neither do the Rockets", especially if you consider anything beyond the 1st round. I added that you shouldn't consider James or Mutombo because they aren't even playing while at least NO has Peja and Bobby J who have plenty of playoff credentials and are actually part of NO's rotation.

Get it?

 

I agree with the OP... except that I don't think McGrady is the only guy that can create when Yao gets doubled. We won't know for sure until the playoffs, but Bonzi and Scola both seem pretty good at creating with the ball. And many, many others are good at creating off the ball when Yao is doubled.

 

Hahaha, aren't you tired of this gimmick yet?

 

I have to agree with the fact that they gave up a useful frontcourt player which is not something Dallas can afford.

However, he was their backup C averaging 3 ppg and 5 rpg over 17 mpg.

We also don't know if Dallas will make another small move or pick up a retired big to address that need.

The bottom line is that Harris was good and Diop was decent but Kidd is great even at his age. I have a feeling that Dallas will find another big to shore up losing Diop. If they don't I think a lack of bigs will be a problem for them.

 

No gimmicks.

 

Kobe rarely penetrates. The only difference is he has a better jumper than T-Mac.

 

Your whole account is a gimmick. I know what you're trying to do. You're just trying to reverse-mojo the Rockets into success. Either that, or you're one incredibly fake "fan".