i've long though that we match up with denver really really well. well our history shows that. but now that they hav billups they're such a different team. but nonetheless, we'd still do well. yao dominates them and we have battier and artest against melo. rafer wont let billups drop 50 and their other weapons arent as big of threats. i wouldnt wanna play teams with players like kobe, cp3, etc., b/c i fear their star players more than our 3 ... new orleans i think we could take but i dont wanna rush to play them.
I think we match up well against any team not named the Lakers. LA losing Bynum actually improves their matchup against us because they can go quicker without giving up much size.
Can anyone honestly say they're really scared of denver come playoff time? I don't see Nene,Chris Anderson and Kenyon Martin doing squat against Yao. Can anyone say they're scared of New Orleans? Put Artest on Paul and Battier on Peja and they score 80 a game. Tyson and West have no hope against Yao and Landry inside I don't want to face Portland,LAL,or SA, anyone else is good. SA or LAL in round 2 would be fine, LA has nobody to cover Yao without Bynum,Gasol is too thin. Portland is just I dunno why but I dont' wanna see them. I'm waiting for Oden to just click and become the next young Deke in the paint with Aldridge and Roy each putting up 20 and fernandez,blake,and outlaw bombing 3's from everywhere I say thanks but no thanks.
I don't really care, if this team wants to do well in the playoffs. They should just make it and play who is ever there. I would like to think it wouldn't matter, if the Rockets play their best, they should be able to beat every team in the West. I mean c'mon I don't see in anyone that is nearly as strong as say a 70 win Bulls team or a team with a great dominant center (Wilt or Shaq in the middle)... I think we'd stand a fair chance of beating the Lakers, if we slow down Kobe and their bench, I think we beat them. If this team can focus on defense and stay healthy, they can beat the Lakers, if Yao is playing at his best.
Theoretically speaking without regards to standings, I would want a shot at either Dallas or the Jazz, simply because they've been the two teams that have held us back from advancing in the playoffs the last few years. A revenge and redemption sort of match, you know what I mean?
I dont know why everyone is saying play Denver... After the Lakers and Sprus, Denver would be the next team I wouldnt want to play in the first round. When they are on, they are on. Dont get me wrong, I think we can beat them, but I'd rather play someone else first. I'd like to play New Orleans first, then Dallas and Utah.
Want: Denver New Orleans Portland Dallas Do not Want: Utah (But do want anyways even though there is no match up advantage) Phoenix San Antonio Lakers
I can't say that any team is the ideal playoff matchup the way the Rockets are playing. The way they've been playing recently, up and down, I can see them going to 7 games. And I don't like their chances in a game 7 just because. But, Denver would probably be the best matchup because they haven't had any playoff success just like the Rockets. Chauncey will bring some leadership, but other than him and Melo, everyone else can get shut down. Plus, they're small. Yao usually has great games against smaller and less physical defenders. Birdzilla, Nene goose, and KMart are all soft. As for Portland, this team does scare me. Roy will put up numbers no matter if Artest or Battier is on him. But, the X factor is Aldridge. He torched us the last game. And I don't count on Scola's or Landry's defense to stop Lamarcus any differently. When his jumper is on, he is a nightmare to defend. And if Mac is trying to guard Fernandez, good luck. Mac hasn't shown a good ability to chase players that are running around screens like there is no tomorrow and that is exactly what Rudy did to him the last game they played. Yao will wear down with two physical 7 footers defending him and if you think that refs treat him badly in the regular season, they'll allow more low post shenanigans in the postseason. But, I will leave an ounce of optimism. If the Rockets can get back to playing D and if Rafer has a spectacular playoffs, and spectacular for him is just shooting >45% from the field, the Rockets have a chance to win the whole thing.
