Lets look at it like this. If the NBA used a similar format to the MLB IE: Division winners are in + a wild card team. How many times would the Rockets have made the playoffs in the past decade? The answer is they wouldn't have. Why are we even trying to do these comparisons. This thread should be locked. These sports are far to different.
I really don't see how this is a comparison at all. The Rockets seem to have constantly done a good job of acquiring young talent to mix with veterans, whereas the Astros completely let their farm system go down the toilet.
What? No...how are you not understanding that given the EXACT SAME PLAYOFF STRUCTURE AS THE NBA, the Astros would have made the playoffs 7 times in the last 10 seasons?? If you're going to compare them by playoff appearances, you have to account for that...because the playing field isn't level. I'm not trying to discount Rockets playoff years...I'm simply saying the Astros would have made the playoffs more than they actually did given the same structure the Rockets play within. I can answer the first question quickly...YES...In 2008, they finished 86-75. That was the 5th best record in the NL. I don't know about over 15 years..that would take a little time. I do know they have made the playoffs 6 times in the past 15 seasons. I know they had the 3rd best record in all of baseball for an extended period of time...from about 97-07, if I recall correctly. I'd need to find a link for that.
I'm sorry, let me clarify. Jordan played 17 regular season games after previously missing an entire season. Basically missing nearly two years of NBA basketball. And I know about the Rockets past success, but we were talking about each franchises "greatest" success. And I consider the greatest success being the farthest the team has ever gone.
Let me make this clear...no one...especially me is arguing that the Astros have a better franchise history than the Rockets. That would be stupid. But that isn't what's being discussed here.
Actually I said "only" success. The Astros only success in the playoffs came at the expense of being an embarrassment to the community by having at least two of your top players be juicers. Deny facts all you wish, the only reason I even brought this up was because someone was actually trying to compare MLB playoff to NBA, saying it's harder to succeed in than the NBA. I countered by saying "it's easy when you cheat."
you honestly believe that in an entire league dealing with steroids, the Astros brought embarassment to the City of Houston because some of their players were using steroids? you're certainly entitled to an opinion...but i don't think the 2004 Red Sox brought much shame to the fans of Boston despite Manny juicing. it's harder to make the playoffs in MLB than NBA...it's simple math. 8 spots available in baseball...16 spots available in the NBA. teams with below .500 records make the playoffs regularly in the NBA. that's an aberration in MLB.
Hmm... "Great" playoff success to now "greatest" success and MJ "out of the league" to now "basically" out. <object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hcy_x5IKgEo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hcy_x5IKgEo?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object>
You might be right if the Rockets played 1/3 of their games against their division but they don't. You're right this is a stupid discussion but you're the one who started the playoff comparison. We should stick to arguing points that are universal like player development, drafting, player acquisitions, roster management and not incomparable things like playoff appearances.
The Astros didn't sell out their team to China. I would say the GM of the Astros is similar to the GM of the Rockets though. They are both in over their heads.
Don't shout-caps me. If the Astros got into the playoffs as 7th or 8th seeds while the Rockets were getting in with higher seeds in recent years, the Rockets would still be seen as a better team. That's why I wanted to know how many times they finished 6th or better and missed the playoffs. From about 1998 to 2005, the Astros were the best franchise in Houston. Overall, the Rockets are the best.
Yup it's just my opinion. But what I stated was a fact, the only time the franchise has ever been successful in their 45 year history was when their top players were juicing, construe that how you will.
I'm more embarrassed they managed to get swept by a team that wasn't really that special. Congrats on the accomplishment!
I can agree entirely with this statement. Currently, I think the franchises are nearly identical in their relative relation to the respective leagues they play in. Hell, by standings they're nearly exactly in the same spot.
I find it hard to be embarassed by any team representing Houston in the championship round of any sport. They won the NL pennant. Every other team in the NL would have liked to have traded places with them.
