Yao Ming's shooting VS. Utah. (4 games) total: 27/65=41.5%. Yao's foul vs Utah: average= 5 Utah is truly a bad macth up for Yao, offensively and defensively. we really need to think what we want. It not about Utah. It is about Yao.
Imagine the cofidence this team garners if they defeat Utah in a playoff series. That's worth more than anything. Confidence can do a world of good for you in the playoffs. Denver plays like dummies and not afraid of them at all.
Okay, then let's stretch it even further if you take the loser's mentality, which means the Rockets would lose to the Jazz or the Lakers because of matchups. Even if you accept this (which I don't...I accept tough challenge, but not assured loss), this means you're asking 2nd round defeat or Division title with 1st round exit. I think in the future, a division title will always be there while no one really remembers 2nd round or 1st round, unless you never get out of the 1st round. I think the Rockets will get out of the 1st round within the next 3 years. The talent and chemistry is growing, not shrinking.
In fact I believe getting rid of the 'not winning a single playoff series since a decade ago' monkey off our back is much bigger a motivator than beating the jazz itself, which btw means higher probability of failure.
Let us revenge! Let us kick Jazz's ass! Let us see Jazz whining like a girl! I can't wait for the day coming!
By the same sense, what makes you think the Jazz are beating the Rockets in Houston? Same home record for both teams on the season (33-8), and same home record (2-0) for both in the season series. The Rockets are just as formidable in Houston. Secondarily, the Rockets beat them in SLC on their first try last post-season. Awesome point, man. "Think outside the first round" Sorry for going nutzo all over this thread Spacemoth, but my frustration's been building as I've read and abstained from discussing this particular topic over the past few weeks. /Bedtime [post:none] !important;
Yes, yes and I understand "bravado," etc. BUT, why go there? The Jazz are in the Rocket's heads. They will not win in Utah, period. I don't care if the Rockets bring the vintage Celtics, the Showtime Lakers, and the "bad boy" Pistons. They won't win in Utah. BUT, Utah could steal one in TC. Too much risk. This team MUST get past the first round! No ifs, ands, or buts! Play the numbers, probabilities, etc., bring on the Blazers, Hornets (my choice), or the Mavs, but not the Jazz. Personally, I am tired of them. I don't want to start the playoffs with them. Their confidence level when playing the Rockets is off the charts. Two years ago TMac and Yao looked liked the "little sisters of the poor" in Utah. No more. I want a fresh start, a new look.
...ya, I would rather face Utah in the first round then the Lakers in the 2nd round. You guys need to remember - Houston is NOT the same team they were last year and the Jazz certainly aren't either. Comparing our future success to yesterday's failure's is really like comparing apples and oranges because these teams aren't the same. First we have two completely different PGs now, we now have Artest, Landry is better if maybe a little rusty, Scola is better this year, Wafer provides that athletic bench scorer we never had, Barry is a smart veteran team player who would help us to keep our composure. We are just a different team altogether....and oh ya, no more Tmac. As for Utah, Boozer is clearly not playing 100% right now and it's causing a big chemistry stink over in Utah. Stop me if you heard this one before - injured player still playing with a since of entitlement only their on-court play doesn't match their former skill level and it's rubbing other players the wrong way. Meanwhile said star let's his ego get the better of him and tries to do even more on court causing even more team problems. Sound familiar? ....go check out the Jazz fans forum(I see a few of you already have - nice one Da Dakota ;-) ). The Jazz have lost 6 of their last 10 games... This is a winnable series for us. ...btw, did you guys know Houston has the 4th best record against winning teams in the entire league? Cleveland, Boston, LA, and Houston. Not bad company to keep and not a bad stat considering every team they are playing from here on out will be a winning team.
I am taking a completly different approach on this than most...if this team wants to win it all, they need to play the Utah Jazz and WIN. This will give them much more experience, confidence, and swagger to beat the Lakers in WCF. If Houston gets the 2nd seed, likely they will face Utah in the first round and NO, Dallas, or Denver in the second round. The Rox need to be tested as much as possible and the team needs to be resilent and fight back not lose composure because the Lakers will be in the WCF and a strong east team will get to the finals (east is not weak this year). The Lakers will expose all the weaknesses the Rockets have and if they Jazz can do it then let the Rox play through it and strengthen their chances against the Lakers. The 95 Rockets team (although they had Drexler and Hakeem) played quality teams such as Utah, PHX, and SA to make it to the finals. This team plays with alot of heart and they play tough. Giving them a mindset that playing the Jazz will result in a loss is not the way teams win championships. I say lay out all on the court against any team that comes in way of the TRUE goal: Championship.
