Really??? SWEET!!! ... Although he'll probably just make a new username or something, but we'll recognize him within 5 posts if he did. I know A-Train doesn't think nearly as little of the Rockets as he pretends he does (he's trying not to disappoint himself, and maybe reverse-jinx the Rockets), but he still annoys the crap out of me...
There is some confusion here. We need to clinch the eight spot to make the playoffs. If we are tied for eighth we don't have all the tiebreakers. Mathematically the magic number is: 15 However, it can change in a few minutes. If Indiana beats Denver, then Denver will have 31 losses and Utah 32 with two games left between the two. Which means that it's impossible for BOTH teams to finish with less than 33 losses, which is how much Portland has right now. So, Indiana wins and magic number goes to 14.
Woot! We finally defeat the Mavs. Nuggets and Blazers also lost today. The playoffs is slowly becoming reality game by game. What a time for Yao to be heating up.
...and Pacers win, so the magic number is: 14 , which means that if Rockets go 14-6 the rest of the way they are in the playoffs no matter what the other teams do. If however they sweep their remaining games against Denver (2), Utah and Portland, they will only need to go .500 in the other 16 games (8-8). That's because 48-34 record would be mathematically enough to qualify for the playoffs in that case.
Ok kids, there are no guarantees. 2 weeks ago nobody thought we were going to be this far ahead of the Nuggs. There are still about 20 games to be played. Streaks and injuries happen in this league. We could end up in the 5th spot or the 10th spot. Certainly, neither are extremely likely, but we have to finish the season strong to make the playoffs. Because if we don't, somebody else like the Nuggs or the j*zz might.
When I was looking through each post, I noticed THERE'S ON THING MISSING! Just want to remind you guys, don't count the Lakers as a 'we beat them hands down' or 'we matched up well against them' team. Remember how the Rockets struggled against Utah last season? Yes, Utah, not the Lakers. The answer is Karl Malone. Where's is Karl Malone? and he will be back with the Lakers soon prior to the postseason. Barring injury to him again this season or to some of other stars on that team, the Lakers will be a formidable team no one would like to face in the postseason. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Lakers haven't been able to play well lately. A intergral cog in that machine is missing! To sum up, the one team that the Rockets should try to avoid is the seemingly quiet Lakers. Unless the aforementioned injury occurs or Kobe is having a tough time because of his lawsuit(I don't even think Kobe is as important as Malone to the lakers), the team facing the Lakers is bound for a quick exit in the playoff!I am not undermining anybody by saying the lakers can be undefeatable. I am just realistic and cautious, and hope the Rockets can make the right decision. As for now, I still think the team should focus on making the playoff instead of worrying about which seed they will get. Just another thought: what is going on in Memphis??
U are right. I dont know why so many ppl here are afarid of MAVS? They cannot play the same way in playoff as they did in regular. They are diifferent. plus, in playoff, we got a lot of time and chance to figure out the way to beat them apart. most important is if we can beat them in that kind of game. it will set up the confidence of the team and some fans like ur guy. mark that down, if Rox can meet Mavs. they beat Mavs no doubt.
Thinking back to how many time's Van Gundy's Knicks barely squeezed into the playoffs and then accomplished unprecedented feats for a low-seeded team just gives me goosebumps all over...
You took the words right out of my mouth abcmemory. The regular season against the Lakers in my opinion is total fools gold, if they get Karl Malone back they are hands down the favorite for the title. You can tell the Lakers are just bobbing and weaving until the playoffs get started. I don't think that the rockets have yet to play the Lakers when the Lakers were at full strength and totally focused. I still think the best matchup for the rockets is the Spurs, we are definitely due for the tide to start turning our way against them.
jump shooter, there is a real good possibility that the lakers will not get to full strength this season, hence their vulnerability.
Yes, the magic number is 14 to clintch 8th. Denver and Jazz has one game against each other, so it is impossible for them to win all remaining games.
wow, yall are making this waaaaaay to complicated I was just takeing 82- (losses needed to clinch place) - (rocket wins) but I see your point now
