hollinger has us 10th in the league right now...he sees what we see...the rockets are ballin!!!! i could see us winning 20 in a row before the all star break the schedule is so easy its sick...the way we are playing the only tough games are san antonio at home and portland on the road...we will go 18-2 or 17-3 at the worst before the break...that puts us at 33-19...and then coast into the playoffs....
I do agree, when you look at the schedule, it looks a whole lot easier on paper than what we've already played. Problem is, this team hasn't shown enough signs that they could sustain a 12-14 game win streak. They seem to really stumble every 3-4 games at a minimum.
Same Hollinger that predicted us to finish with the best record in the West? Nah, couldn't be that Hollinger... That Hollinger was obviously wrong.
I'd be really happy if we go 3-1 in the next 4 games (18-18). And take it from there and hope for a really strong finish.
? Hollinger is doing that because he picked the Rockets to finish 1st. He just can't swallow his massive mistake.
Wrong, this has nothing to do with Hollingers opinion and he never has to swallow anything because his forecasts rely on his player projections. He projected Yao to be absolutely amazing and the addition of Bonzi/Francis/Scola to help. Now he says that since new information is available and we see how players are playing the projections change. But none of this has anything to do with his current rankings. Its because even in the losses the Rockets have played well.
Dude, lay off the kool aid. I think you should change your handle to Jim Jones. You are losing all credibility.
Man, I love your faith, but this post even makes me kinda sad. I'd just like to see the team live up to its fans like denniscd.
Fair enough, there is a method behind his apparent madness. I am sure Hollinger took into consideration the Rockets' tough schedule, the learning curve and T-Mac's absence. I hope he is right but I don't think we are better than the Magic, Warriors and Nuggets. I would rank the Rockets no higher than 13th and I don't see us making the playoffs. These are my rankings: 1. Spurs 2. Pistons 3. Mavericks 4. Suns 5. Jazz 6. Celtics 7. Nuggets 8. Warriors 9. Hornets 10. Lakers 11. Raptors 12. Magic 13. Rockets 14. Cavaliers 15. Bulls 16. Nets 17. Trailblazers 18. Pacers 19. Wizards 20. Hawks 21. Kings 22. Bobcats 23. Bucks 24. Heat 25. Grizzlies 26. 76ers 27. Knicks 28. Sonics 29. Timberwolves 30. Clippers
I know most will disagree with placing the Jazz ahead of the Celtics. When it comes down to it, even though Rondo has played exceedingly well this season, I put the Jazz ahead because of Williams. The Celtics have the best 1,2,3 punch in the game but the other pieces are question marks. The Jazz have struggled more than expected so far this season but I think their experience playing together, their greater depth and much better PG puts them ahead of Boston. I also think Korver was a great pickup for them. He fits a need and will do well in their system, starting or coming off the bench. Add Brewer/Korver, Millsap, Harpring to the starting lineup of Williams, Brewer/Korver, Kirilenko, Boozer and Okur and I will put my money on the Jazz in a 7-game series.
Then again, it's hard to argue against Boston. This works, too: 1. Spurs 2. Pistons 3. Mavericks 4. Suns 5. Celtics 6. Jazz 7. Nuggets 8. Warriors 9. Hornets 10. Lakers 11. Raptors 12. Magic 13. Rockets 14. Cavaliers 15. Bulls 16. Nets 17. Trailblazers 18. Pacers 19. Wizards 20. Hawks 21. Kings 22. Bobcats 23. Bucks 24. Heat 25. Grizzlies 26. 76ers 27. Knicks 28. Sonics 29. Timberwolves 30. Clippers
You guys bashing hollinger have no idea what you are talking about. He uses statistical methods and not opinions in his rankings. His ranking is based off a formula that primarily uses strength of schedule and average margin of victory. He gives a slight bonus for performance in the last 10 games. You can bash a guy's opinion all you want, but hollinger just puts numbers into a computer and it spits out answers. The answers may or may not match his or your expectations.
Don't see it happening. The matchups do not favor Utah: - The Celtics aren't just the best defensive team in the NBA, they're the best defensive team in years. Their defensive efficiency numbers are almost frightening. - As good as Williams is, the Jazz cannot win if Boozer isn't effective. That's essentially what killed them in the Spurs series last year. No way he performs better going against an even better defender in Kevin Garnett. - The Jazz have always had one major weakness: they have trouble guarding high-scoring 2/3 guards (the likes of McGrady, Bryant et al). In this potential matchup, they go up against not just Pierce, but Allen as well. - Depth is less of a factor during the playoffs as most teams go to shorter rotations anyway. And Boston's bench is somewhat underrated - players like Posey, Pollard and Davis know their roles well and are benefitting quite well playing off the big three. Utah defeated Houston and Golden State largely because of Boozer's effectiveness. You take that out, match them up against an elite defensive team with *three* go-to scorers ... I'd be surprised the series went to 6 games.
