My friend, I don't about you but you seem content on winning the first round. Maybe all these years as a Rockets fan have lowered your expectations, but the reason why so many of us are miserable is because the 4 or 5 seed resigns us to playing the number 1 seed. If we had just landed the 2nd or 3rd, we would've stood a decent chance. We would've played some team we could beat in the first and second round and hope that the Lakers were either eliminated or tired out by the Western Conference Finals. We'll beat Portland alright. Probably sweep them if we're focused. But the Lakers will be fresh for us in the second round despite playing the slap happy Jazz. Game over. Why bother showing up at the Toyota Center?
spurs are not easier a rival than the blazers, though the second round opponent would be much easier to deal with. I don't want to bet our 1st round win for a wcf appearance, the second round is our basic goal of this season that we can't miss.
If even if we ended up the 2 or 3 we'd still play the Lakers (and lose) in the WCF because people are way too optimistic to think that Portland would really beat the Lakers in 7 games.
Advancing deep into the playoffs is a major goal for us. Of course the biggest goal is to win the Championship, but a 2 or 3 seed would have given us the best chances of going deep into the playoffs into the WCP Finals. Rocket's blew it last night so they have to suffer the consequnces. I was very sadden and dissapointed by last nights lost since I have game A and B tickets and thought I was well on my way to seeing a playoff game in Toyota Center this weekend. Oh well let's make the best of it and smash these Trailblazers. The fans in Portland chanted "We want Houston." Let's shut them up!
We had destiny in control in our hands, we blew it. That's it. Bring on the Blazers now. If we have to get through LA, 2nd round or WCF makes no difference.
Yes the Spurs were so professional by needing the Hornets to blow free throws just at a chance to send it to overtime in their house. They capitalized, but they were lucky. The Mavs are in good position. They beat the same SA 3 years ago on the road and that Spurs team had Manu. I give the Mavs a good shot at the WCF. I think the Spurs, Mavs, Denver and NO all have a decent shot (see above, NO had the Spurs beat in SA and with Spurs having a lot more motivation). Denver is the worst 2 seed in the WC in decades, the Spurs are missing their playoff x factor (Manu), and the 6th and 7th seeds have talent even if they underachieved this year. This bracket is wide open. On the other hand I might argue the Rockets bracket is the worst possible. Probably the 4 most balanced teams in the West in one bracket, even if the Jazz have underachieved. I also think Portland is the 2nd best team in the West (just look at their point differential and Hollinger ratings and such), to catch them at their places gives the Rockets long odds. The Rockets have to catch with early and knock their confidence down and get them out of their game--because Portland at its focused best is just better than the Rockets are their focused best, and they have homecourt. YES the 6th or 7th seed would have been MUCH better. And not just for advancing deep, but getting out of the 1st round.