The only thing this team is missing is JVG. Adelman can still call JVG and ask him for advice but its just not the same as having Da Man at the helm.
I decided to look that up, just to be a jerk . Sure enough you did mention getting Artest. And to your credit you were absolutely correct on the trade for Mike James http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=2978682&postcount=357 Mike James ending up being dealt along with an expiring Bonzi, but its the same thing really. Having Juwan could have accomplished the same thing. I predict over 55/under 60 wins. Thats reasonable expectation for a solidly built team like this. Only 1 or 2 teams win 60 games in a year. Some years no team wins 60 games. As long as they get home court advantage in the playoffs.
how good? if ronron doesnt implode and everyone is healthy, this team is easily an elite team at best. but time will tell on how the rockets health would be....from history, the rockets seem to always be injury prone.
Scola is nowhere near Tony. tony was a great player in his prime. he could post people. or he had enough range to knock down trays like it was layup drills. he was versatile enough to play the 2, 3 and 4 position. As for how good we can be?.we won 22 straight with a far inferior roster to this year. if everything goes well, a trip to the WCF is a real legit possibility.
it's not just about Rockets or Bulls, but rather what other teams are around at the time. i like our chances but i'll have to admit, we got some tough competition coming our way.
We definitely have a few concerns on this team, how they play out will determine how far we will go: - Who is going to backup Yao? Will that person be able to play significant backup minutes and be relatively effective? Yao’s health will remain contingent on how coach uses him. - Even though I don’t think it’s a huge issue, I don’t think we have any shot blockers other than Yao, specifically in the PF position. - 3 pt specialists, is Brent Barry capable of being that guy? I know head isn’t all that bad, but we know what happens to him once he plays when it really counts. - RonRon, will he remain healthy in the head? - Tmac and his back issues...hopefully nothing happens, I’m always scared something will happen to this guy. - Hopefully Alston plays like he did in the second half, honestly I think it doesn’t even matter though, we just need him to play under control. I can say with confidence, we might have 65+ wins this season............ health of the mind and body is what matters most to this team.
Even if we stay healthy, the west is just a beast. 67-15 I think is our best case scenerio (keeping in mind we'd also go on cruise control down the stretch).
I've pondered this from time to time ever since we acquired Artest. My recent musings are these... if we can stay healthy like everyone has said is going to be absolutely key. Overall the order of business is this 1. T-Mac and Yao must absolutely STAY healthy. Missing a couple of games in the season is fine due to inflamed shoulders or whatever that's easily fixable with some rest. Broken tibia's, cracked spines, etc not so much. 2. Artest can't implode. I think Artest can stay pretty healthy, no big history of health issues with him so I'm giving him the health benefit of the doubt. 3. We have to get past the first round this year. Yeah, we've been saying that for a few years now, but if we're A) healthy and B) Artest doesn't implode before the playoffs, there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever of us not getting past the first round. This team should be a Western Conference finals team at the VERY LEAST this year. At the absolute VERY LEAST. 4. Overall team chemistry, which I don't think will be a problem but new team members always seem to take a little while to gel here at first.
I think that, instead of asking how good the team can be this season, we should be telling ourselves to have faith in our team (who did remarkably well last season despite all those injuries). I have seen this whole forum implode after one loss and people questioning the heart and soul of our team. I think it is better for us to question our mentality as fans first, rather than imposing unfair expectations on the team... expectations that may not be met because of unforseen circumstances All the best of luck Rockets!!!
This Rockets' team will be strong come after the All Star break I think. I'm not saying they're not going to be great in the beginning but I do feel that it's going to take time. We have a great schedule during the All Star break and The Rockets play some really great teams in the start of the season. Give them time... That's all we can do right now. And people please don't freak out like last year. We had a few loses and man everyone was crying. Be a fan and support our team!
The most talented team since the championship years to be sure, but, they have not won a game. Not one. It all happens on the court and there are so many variables. We have two stars made of glass in TMac and Yao; they can fall apart at any second. If they had a history of being durable, I would be more optimistic. But, finally, the talent is on board. Maybe this is greedy, but if the PG were upgraded, I would feel even better. At least Rafer is no longer the third option. I hope he shoots very little.
