Howard could be back for Western Conference Finals

Not according to Ced

 

Jeff,

It has nothing to do with a "vote of confidence" or anything else, I am a big homer just like everyone else on the BBS, I just choose to be objective, and I am simply making a prediction just like everyone else here has been doing for weeks now.

I think the Rockets are a clear underdog to the Mavs. So if they win, it will be a GREAT accomplishment, it will be the Rockets beating the odds. And if my prediction is wrong, then I will more than happily eat crow for being wrong. In fact, the crow will taste sooo good that I will be asking for more

I believe in the Rocks, I am simply stating an objective opinion.

 

Wait, Nostradamus predicted the Rocks will reach the WCF?!!

Then, it must become a reality

 

That just sounds too self contradicting. The Rox in the finals. Believe it again, the third time.

 

He should just go ahead and play some limited minutes ~20 minutes per night should be fine. If his heart starts acting up, give him a pill, then send him back in. Bear Bryant is turning over in his grave.

 

Yeah, I agree. I can't see JVG wanting him to give him his normal minutes at that point IF he were to come back. The only reason I can see JVG playing him is that he makes a foolish decision because he is desperate for someone solid at the 4.

I really, really liked what J-How had been before he went down this year, and it really saddens me and pisses me off that he had to get injured. At this point however, I don't wanna see him come back this season. His lack of conditioning and disrupted chemistry would negatively affect the Rockets, unfortunately.

They've been managing fine without him. Still, that wasn't against Dirk, who really scares me, nevertheless, I believe. I hope Juwan gets totally healthy and has a great, healthy year for us next season, but it's too late for this season. I wouldn't wanna see him put his life on the line with that heartbeat thing either.

 

Damnit, yall nearly made me cre....err crap my pants there! I thought we were getting him back this weekend!

Sheesh! Although it would be nice to have his toughness in the WCF.

 

everything in that reads that your opinion is subjective.

 

This is not one of that freaking aprils fools joke! Is it?

 

We'll see if he is even on the playoff roster

 

Damn you people, I didnt look at this thread at all yesterday now it hase 5 stars only to get my hopes up... I hope we clear a spot for him, because you know we're going to the WCF this year ATLEAST!!

 

Aslong as we have a spot for


Ryan "I'll Make You Famous" Bowen

 

I can just imagine Howard walking on to the court, like Willis Reed, clutching his heart. But I think that from other posters have not been right from the medical standpoint. He doesn't have a heart problem like a middle-aged man does; he has an infection, not a problem with his heartbeat or angina or anything like that. If the infection clears and there isn't too much damage to the heart muscle, then he can return. He's not going to have a Hank Gathers incident.

 

If his health allows him to play, I don't see why we shouldn't put him on the roster. He's gonna bump either Baker or Moochie, who never plays anyway. JVG will probably not start him. But having him coming off the bench and slowly ease him into the rotation is good. I don't think chemistry is a problem. It's not like he's not been an integral part of this team.

 

Objective?!?!? Please.

1. We beat them the last two times we faced them.
2. One game we lost went to overtime.
3. We have a better rated defense.
4. We have two unguardable players to their one.
5. We have a proven coach...they have a rookie coach.
6. We have an excellent record on the road neutralizing their home-court advantage.
7. Since February 1, both teams have 10 losses.

Those are all facts. So suck on that...Mr. Objectivity!

 

Please Lord, let it be true

 

The problem would be there's no telling how much damage the infection did to the heart muscle. You can't not use the heart muscle and have it regenerate on its own.

I suspect that his doctors will keep an eye on that and let him know how strong they think his heart is.

If Howard can come back I can't imagine being a big contributor other than providing 6 fouls to use against Tim Duncan or Stoudemire.

 

Some of your "facts" don't take THESE facts into account:
- Dirk and Finley were both out the last game we played against them.
- I'd hardly call Yao an "unguardable" player. He can potentially be unguardable, but he's had a lot of trouble against Dallas this year. Check his stats against Dallas if you don't believe me.
- They've been an excellent road team this year as well at 29-13. Both their home and road records are better than ours.
- They have 58 wins (one game behind Miami and San Antonio)

We have the ability to win, and I think we can pull it out if we play well. That doesn't change the fact that we are huge underdogs in this series, nor does it change the fact that Dallas is a dangerous team.


EDIT:
Yao's stats against Dallas this year
15 points (0.400 FG%)
9.25 rebounds
2.25 blocks

He's getting it done defensively, but he's clearly getting frustrated by Dampier and Bradley on the offensive end. We need him to shoot much better than 0.400 if we plan on winning this series.

 

You countered my facts by weakening my points but they didn't really stregthen your claim that Houston is a HUGE underdog. So please help me understand how we are HUGE underdogs.

I'm not saying we are the favorites but looking at the "facts" I provided pretty clearly shows this is not lopsided as you would suggest. Counter my facts how you like but the season series looks pretty even to me.

By definition of our 4-5 seedings, we are evenly matched.

The so-called analysts are splitting the predictions of the winner for this series so they don't see us as HUGE underdogs.

So help me out. How are we HUGE underdogs?

 

I wonder if Del Harris learned a thing or 2 about Yao's weaknesses while working with him last summer.