We can't reach top 4, can we So our opponents are among T-wolves, Laker, King, Spurs, and Dallas. Memphis in top 4? No way! Among these five teams, it is most fun to watch a series against Laker. Two best centers in the league, two west starting guards, not mention to gp, marlon, and cat. If I would like to chose, I chose lakers. It doesn't mean it is not dangerous. Instead, they are still the most talented team and the best team on the paper. But it is too fun to miss. Moreover, Yao should grow up in a playoff series against shaq. Second choice? Dallas. Yes, we lost them 5 games up to now in these two years. They play a total different style game, and they cause a lot of matchup problems for us. However, this team is lack of stability in playoffs, they are spiritually fragile in the 4th quarter imo, and they are worst defensive team in these five teams. Remember defense wins the playoff, remember Yao is a big matchup problem for them. I think, Nelson just outcocah us in previous games. Given a better strategy, we have a good chance to beat them. Third choice is T-wolves. Then comes to Spurs and King. These two teams are just too good for us now.
If you look at our games against the top 5 teams in the West, before Yao broke out after the game against the Wizard, we were 1:5 with blow out losses at Dallas, Sac, Minny, and San Antonio; after that, we are 2:2 with impressive wins over Minny and Lakers and close losses to Kings and Spurs. We had great chance in both of those losses. I will revisit my view after we play Dallas and Spurs within the next 10 days. But it's clear that we are making some decent progress.
Griz chose a good time to get hot but I dont see them lasting... Mav, Kings and Griz are great shooting teams and could go cold.. Interesting how Don Nelson played NYC we should pay attention. JVG may want to think about utilizing a zone here and there to make sure Yao doesnt become a liability on the defensive end. Sometimes teams need to make adjustments against certain matchups and that should be something we plan for (if we havent already). I think a main part of this is who controls the tempo.. last game against the Mavs we did pretty well until the 2nd half when we started playing their game. J I think jump shooting teams cant match up for a whole series (7 games) because shooters run hot and cold.
The Grizzles are looking tough and getting better. I am worried about them and Denver. In the first round I would rather take our changes with Dallas instead of SA who beats us like a drum. Of course the Mavs did the same thing last year, but they are bit more streaky this year. The key thing is for the team to keep improving offensively, and it won't matter who we play.
I see your point but play offs are different. Do you think Spurs, Lakers, and Twolves are going to single cover Yao? I rather us facing a weaker team than the ones we usually play well with. Regardless who we're going to face, I can almost guarantee you that they will double Yao.
You know its a scary year when one would rather play the Lakers than anyone else in the top 4. Yikes Stuart
Their schedule in March is really tough. Just as tough(if not more so) than the Rockets. If Houston can win just a few games on the road against Western opponents, they should pass the Grizzlies.
The Grizzles are for real. And since they play a 10-player rotation, I don't see that they wear down in March or April. I watched them play Dallas last night. The whole Grizzles team seems to be on crack. There is just no way that they can play like that, and they have been playing like that since the beginning of 04!
Their division record is not that impressive either. They have a tough schedule ahead so be optimistic for the Rox
The point is Duncan, Ginobili, Parker, hell even Horry have won championships in the past and those guys get real PT. Of our core, Jim Jackson's the only one with any playoff experience. When has Piatkowski taken the Clippers to the playoffs anyway? [/B] Okay so you don't want Cato chasing Dirk around. But who does Dallas have that can hang in the post with Yao or even MoT? Yeah Dallas may beat us in the regular season, but in a series of 5 or 7 games I like our chances with teams like Dallas and Sacramento.
I say bring on the Lakers so we can smash all the hope Malone has for a ring hahaha, that would make my day! Hey pay back is a b****!
I could care less if we play the Kings or the Magic. Making the playoffs is a step in the right direction. We should be able to go up against the best of the best. Besides, think of what happens if we get past the first round. We basically have to get past the T-Wolves, Mavericks, Spurs, Kings, and/or Lakers. The Rockets have to have the mentality that we can match up against any team in the NBA and beat them on our strengths, rather than their weaknesses.
the only reason we haven't had success vs. SAC or DAL is b/c our guards get into a race w/ that style of play. They easily lose confidence and composure b/c they try to beat SAC at the Run'n'gun offense. That won't work w/ our big men being slow. If we can play solid d, and not turnover the ball, we can slug it out of them in the post and taking the occasional 3 pointer.
The #4 spot in the west is up for grabs and I was just saying don't be surprised if Memphis edges out the Mavericks.
You're right. It's obvious that Steve and Cuttino would rather run and play a full-court offensive game rather than be a slow half-court game. It's an absolute necessity for the game not to be played in an uptempo fashion. The guards need to forget about offensive rebounding and get back to prevent fastbreak baskets. Can you imagine Phil Jackson chewing out Kobe for trying to run up and down the court without any thoughts of Shaq's endurance? Shaq probably runs up and down the court less than Yao. Force the opponent to play a half-court game.
I think the Rockets will leap frog the Lakers and Mavericks to claim the 4th seed. I smell a first round match-up at home against the Lake Show. Go Rockets!!
If they can win 4 out of 6 rest of Feb games, I will say htey are consistent, if more than that, I will think that they may get into 4-6 position, Otherwise, still struggling for playoff spots. Thus, next 6 games will tell where are they.
If you look at our games against the top 5 teams in the West, before Yao broke out after the game against the Wizard, we were 1:5 with blow out losses at Dallas, Sac, Minny, and San Antonio; after that, we are 2:2 with impressive wins over Minny and Lakers and close losses to Kings and Spurs. We had great chance in both of those losses. I will revisit my view after we play Dallas and Spurs within the next 10 days. But it's clear that we are making some decent progress. I totally agree with that assessment...the coming games against the Mavericks and the Spurs would be a strong indicator as to how the Rockets measure up to those teams and if the Rockets are actually progressing from one game to the next against the good teams in the Western conference.
