we'll win 50 games man - making the playoffs isn't the question. I think the question is are we a team that can win in the first round? That's the weird thing about this streak - as impressive as it is, the best win was new orleans, and then the next was denver which has a 12-17 road record. Frankly we should beat them without Yao. Now, if we win the next two, meaning if we win Dallas - then that will definitely raise eyebrows. But if you look at the press - the props we get is that we'll still make the playoffs - no one is picking us to go far or even to the second round. They are saying we'd be a contender with Yao - saying we are not without him. So that's why that strech is so intriguing - because we'll find out how good we really are - something I don't think anyone really knows right now.
you mean against Memphis? Washington? Denver? Ok - impressive against bad to medicore teams (like Denver is anything but first round fodder). I'll say this, if i killed your buzz, well I don't mean to do that. I'm pretty psyched, but I'm also wondering how good we really are. Not sure I'm questioning our team strength, that's why there's a poll cause I'm curious what peeps think. I mean, heck when we were 15-17 I said we'd win 50 games. Seems I underestimated - somehow incredibly. I thought we were good, i can't believe we are this good. I'm just wonder what the heck is going on? I mean this is crazy? Insane? No Yao and we are still winning? What the heck is going on? Doesn't anyone think this is possible?
right on! No need to keep bringing Yao up, we all know how important the big fella is and he no doubt makes us a better team, but I personally feel with Mutombo guarding the paint, Scola/Landry going off, we can and are doing very very well without Yao. It is also the beauty of Alderman's system, its not about superstars. We didnt hurt as much as last year when Tmac went out two months ago and we wont hurt as much now that Yao is out. Lets just enjoy the ride and the winning streak.
I understand what you mean, we are a very intriguing team but like I said before I don't put too much emphasis on regular season w/L records agaisnt teams. The playoffs are a whole different animal(As long as we get in) When we're playing well I give the Rox a chance with anyone in a 7 game series.
That's why this 5 game strecth is so interesting because it's going to be playoff like intensity and it's a real test of who we are. I don't care about the winning streak - it could end against Dallas and that doesn't mean too much. But how we do against these elite teams..... Are we really amongst them or have we just caught up by beating up on the bottom dwellers and a team that hasn't been the model of consistency of late (New Orleans).
First no one called us contender even when Yao was not hurt. We were always the darkhorse. I mean sure after Yao is hurt basically everyone is now saying we have basically no chance at all. We didnt beat any elite teams on a consistent basic even with Yao to be considered a contender. Second, no Denver is not a mediocre team, they are a good team. 35-24 in very tough western conference is not a bad team, it is a better record than good eastern conference teams.
will the op change the title of this thread? what do you mean by "bubble"? and you look ahead of the schedule by that far as a pro team, especially in a tight race and missing one key player. who knows, maybe by march 16 or whatever, kobe might have broken a hand, kg may out for the season. too many uncertainties.
With or without Yao we are the best team in the NBA. We will get the #1 seed and win it all this year.
well, they are a good team but relative to what it takes to win in the playoffs they are nothing. Let's face it, they aren't going far. The last team we played that has a legit shot at the WCF was Utah, and that was our last lost. So all I am saying is let's see how we do against Boston, LA, Dallas, and SA. Because if we win those four games, I'm just going to be a 100% believer.
Stupid poster. Seriously though, I think we are about to have a reality check. No, I know we are. It may not be the Indy game or even the Mavs game (because the Kidd trade did more harm than good IMO), but I saw the wicked mid-March stretch a couple of days ago and will be ok with 2-3, but expect 3-2. Of course 5-0 would be saweeeeeet!
What the heck is going on, you ask? This is what happens when you have good role players in clearly defined roles...actually DOING their roles. This is what chemistry is all about. Sure it will be tough to go far in this year's playoffs, but the team is going to go ballastic next year...... And just may well make some noise in THIS years playoffs too. DD
I figured this team WITH Yao was going to win 50 games, and I still think we are going to do this.... But just chemistry? So rafer is playing like a starting pg because of Chemistry? Shane Battier is playing like a scorer? Scola and Landry? Head looks awesome? T-mac is back? When I think of this team versus last years....the big difference would be rafer's play, and the contributions of Scola and Landry. And you look at that, and you say does that make up for the loss of Yao, and clearly the answer would be either no, or not enough to produce results. But yet the results keep coming. Now it's only been 3 games....but when I talk about the bubble, I'm talking about the last 3 games, not the 15 game streak. Without Yao I just can't see us advancing to the second round. But this team is playing so well. I mean, we look so good. So I just ahve to see how we do in a few weeks before I am a believer. But man, it looks so good doesn't it? But It's still too hard to believe.
Your predictions are sucky: 1. You have not factor in that the teams wer geared to stop Yao, and we usually tried to force feed him without playing logically (meaning go to plan B and just penetrate and pass) 2. We are playing with heart and look less methodical 3. Rafer is playing much better "somebody is banging him" (like the thread says) 4. Tracy is playing within the system and trusts his teammates to finish plays as they are currently doing. 5. Less Chuck Hayes gives us a threat from every position on the floor, so team cannot lock onto Tracy exclusively. 6. Teams do not have solutions and donot defend us properly because nobody had a double digit scoring average beyond Rafer. 7. We are not beating ourselves with poor shooting and turnovers. 8. Nobody is scared to shoot (ala Shane Battier) 9. The player rotations are smoother 10. Players look comfortable in theri roles.
Hmm, those scrubs? We'll take all 5 team out. We'll blow them out like they're 5 little birthday candles.
Sweet Lou, I think this a good post, with especially good timing. It's good to be in the moment and on a huge win streak, but it's important to think about the rest of the brutal season. It puts things into perspective this way, so way to make this thread. You're going to catch heat from every poster on here, no matter what you post. I like our chances of going 3-2, but I think the Dallas game determines much of it. If we take Dallas, our confidence goes up that much higher. If we lose, I can predict a mental lapse in upcoming games. I'll be waiting. Cod
We absolutely have to win at least one those 2 games: @ Dallas and vs the Lakers to stop the media snob. By the way their almighty Lakers lost lately to the Blazers.They are good but I don't fear them. TMac will show Kobe what team work means.
The away game vs. Dallas on a second night of a back-to-back. Then onto New Orleans, where the Hornets will sure to be looking for revenge after that spanking the Rockets gave them last time. We'll see what this team is made of.
