How far will our rockets go with the improved/healthy roster?

the new ppl just need to develop chemistry asap. then we're good for the WCF

 

Some people are optimistic voting for NBA Finals...

 

Our offseason shopping cant be done yet we still have many holes to fill hopefully the rox management feels the same way

 

The poll needs some middle ground between booted in the 1st round and NBA champions. I'm in that middle ground.

 

can we have an option between a first round exit and an NBA championship? i mean we could make it to the second round or the western conference finals and that would classify as pretty successful

 

Exactly what came to my mind when I saw the voting options. I just couldn't find one which I wanted to vote on.

 

When healthy, Ming and TMac are two of the best players in the NBA. Battier is a very good player. After that, the roster falls off precipitously. Just like the Astros and the Texans, the Rockets did not add enough talent to be taken seriously. First round exit if they all stay healthy. If TMac or Ming go out, it is Lotto Texas, again. The only caveat is IF one or more of the "scrub club" surprises. I voted first round exit because today I am feeling optimistic. Hopefully, more moves are coming, because the present cast of characters do not fill me with anticipation. Otherwise, I see struggles ahead.

 

IMO, TMac and Yao are potentially good enough to carry this team. The challenge is how to make it to the playoffs without wearing out TMac and Yao. If we can do that, no team would want to face us in the 1st round as no team could match up ...if TMac gets healthy again and the "new" Yao returns this season. After that, the only thing our scrubs need to do is hit open shots. Yea, I know ...big ifs. But it is within the realm of possibility.

 

I think the Rockets are still missing another "major" piece that is needed to really contend. I just don't know who they are. They need to be very athletic, aggressive, and a bonifide NBA scorer/rebounder that scares people. Then this team would be formitable. Especially if the "new" Ming plays like he did after the break last season. He was everything I had hoped he would be. TMac is all-world when he gets it going. I just don't believe that Sura can come back full strength, and the new role players except Battier are nothing to get excited about. If VSpan somehow becomes our new "Sura" that might be interesting. I know nothing about Synder. Alston just doesn't do it for me, and Howard is a very nice man, but without question the most overpaid player in the NBA. JLIII is basically a midget, and I am better than Flying Ryan. I love Mutombo but he is "done." Novak will probably only get spot duty. More talent needed please. Mike James is obviously a nutcase, and likely a chemistry problem, but the Rockets needed him or someone like him. Head or Hayes are unlikely candidates, though I like both.

 

Due to the new playoff format change:

Most likely the seeding will be

top 3 seeds

Mavs, Spurs, Suns in whatever order

the 4 seed will most likely be Denver or Utah

the 5 seed will be Houston (this is providing Yao and T-Mac stay healthy)

this means a first round matchup between the Jazz or Nuggets against Houston in a 7 game series, with Houston having home court advantage (due to having a better record).

If Yao and T-Mac stay healthy then this team WILL win 50 or more games and this team WILL make it to the 2nd round, finally for Yo and T-mac in their careers.

HOWEVER this team will then have to face one of the Suns, Mavs, or Spurs in round 2.

If Amare never gets near his old self the Rockets could probably take the Suns in a dogfight but if Amare is back and just close to normal then right now the Rockets need to add more.

I think the Rockets match up well with Dallas and SA but right now those other teams are just too deep and too good for the Rockets.

The Rockets STILL have to add very solid players (and no I do not mean trading Head and Howard I mean keeping them and adding others)

So right now I would say probably losing in game 7 of the 2nd round.

So I am hoping that the Rockets are not reall done with their offseason as it seems is beimg implied recently, if so then the win now and get the title now talk is BS because they could certainly add more.

Hell with two max contracts the team is still way down in roster cost and is still well below the tax.

 

When you have Yao and T-Mac in their primes as well as a top tier championship calibre role player in Battier no that is not succesful.





EVERY year anything less than a title should be dubbed a fialure and fans of the team have really let Alexander off the hook so far.

 

With so many possible variables it is difficult to settle on any one of the suggested items. I have high hope that this season will progress and that we will find that a couple of our new players are diamond in the rough and that this uplift will offset any problems that we might experience at the power Forward Position. Without another big body to play close to Yoa Ming, I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes very cautious about defence by trying not to guard too many high flying guards who will try to get him in foul trouble. GO ROCKETS!!!!
SUCCESS this season would mean winning the WEST and 60wins

 

I would say out in the second round.

 

It's impossible to predict really based on the amount of new faces we have and mostly because of the always doubtful status of McGrady's back (and knees for that matter)

With health and the all the pieces falling into place - WCF
without - Lottery

it's that simple.

 

As a Rockets' fan, my wish is for the Rockets to win a Championship this coming season. But this depends on the chemistry of the team and the performance of the younger players. If some of this roleplayers play their part well, we will have a very good future in years to come.

 

adding battier and snyder to the lineup with yao tmac and rafer will prove to be HUGE aquisitions this summer. speed, athleticism, defense, shooting. all things that we desperately needed.

we will make the playoffs. probably in the 4th or 5th seed. probably make the second round.

i don't think we are ready to beat the suns mavs or spurs in a 7 game series.

 

I hear ya but I'm not too worried. I think this idea of having a stacked team is overrated. It's certainly nice to have ...but overrated ...esp. if you have 1 or 2 of the most dominant players in the game.

Shaq/Kobe Lakers won with nothing but bit players at least once.

'94 Rockets won with only one major peice and bit players.

Look at the Cavs with LeBron surrounded by bit players.

These teams had good bit players but bit players nontheless. Before anybody bashes me for calling the Rockets full of bit players, my definition is no other players anywhere close to all-star status. These teams suceeded because the haus player was THAT much better than everybody else on the court.

Regardless of the rest of our squad, if Yao and/or TMac have a monster season then we'll be contenders. Period.

It would certainly be nice to get another solid peice or two particularly as insurance for injuries but it isn't a necessity, IMO. If TMac and Yao play to their potential, we can compete with ANY team in the league including the Mavs, Suns, Pistons and Heat.

 

I so want you to be right, but I have nagging reservations. Saddle them up, and lets ride. When the sun sets and the dust clears, we'll be somewhere.