If we were in the East then anything less than the NBA finals would have been disappointing. As we are in the West I am realistic about our chances (and picked making it to the 2nd round). Never the less I will be pulling for the Rockets to go all the way!
I was refering to outside shooting from the PG position though as I reread my post that wasn't clear. With Alston, "consistent" is the problem. He is really going to get pressured in the playoffs.
If Rafer Alston is anything more than a spot-up shooter in the playoffs, we're in trouble. I suspect Tracy will handle the ball during most sets but I have to say Luther and Rafer scare the hell out of me. I could even see JL3 coming in and trying to spark this team(Or even force the other team to adjust) if he can score but it’s clear that outside of Tmac and Yao this team has no one who can be depended on to get the ball to the right people when it matters. However, with Yao back he may help eclipse some of that since they have been getting him the ball early in the shot clock and we all know his decision making is usually only rivaled by Tracy's. This will limit Rafer’s impact on the game which is what we should be shooting for. With so many bodies on the pine I hope that we continue our stellar play so that we can get Span, Lucas and Novak in there to see if they can help us. I’d love to see Jeff insert these guys more often during important stretches. – Mainly against teams like Atlanta etc. Even though they most likely won’t get any playing time or left off the playoff roster I think they can help, albeit marginally. With a dominant Yao and Tracy we should be able to beat anyone. I'm going to be happy with a playoff victory and a competitive second round but anything less should be considered regrettable. If we exit in the first round, I don’t even see a move for Mike James, over the summer really helping this team at getting out. We may need a starting guard/ forward. Anyway, I expect at least getting a playoff victory. Even if we get swept by Phoenix, we shouldn’t just be content, the next year saying to ourselves that we simply can’t beat those guys. You can’t go around trying to hide from teams like that if you truly believe you have a legit shot. You’re going to have to beat the best to get the ring and the Suns will more likely than not be there if we do well.
My expectations this year are to atleast make it to the western conference finals. But, we will have to wait and see how the team plays with Yao.
Too tough to call for me right now. Think about it: we haven't had Tmac and Yao play at their peak levels together, ever! Yao turned into a monster last year after the all-star break w/out T-Mac. T-Mac returned to his 'normal' self this year (read: top 10 player) w/ out Yao. And hopefully when Yao returns he will play at the same level he was (or even better) before the injury. So I would say no one knows how good we truly could be. For now? A tough second round exit would be realistic, considering how good the West is. Even the team now w/ a mediocre (18pts/9rb?) Yao would definitely make the second round.
I honestly do not think the Suns are as horrible of a matchup as we think. Granted, the play a style that is totally different then ours. But our style is playoff basketball. We have high IQ guys that play hard and smart. We'll beat you from the inside and outside, unlike the Suns who are mostly outside/except Amare. Last year the Lakers took them to 7 games in the first round and the Clippers took them to 7 games in the second round. They won 2 games vs. Dallas in the WCF. The Suns are built for the regular season just like any other fast breaking team that focuses on offense. Remember Barkley's Suns and Kemp/Payton's Sonics?
Veterans and experience can take us far into the playoffs, and we have it this year. Tracy, Battier, Yao, Howard, Bonzi and Mutombo should get us to the West Finals. If we're playing Pheonix and they are on their shots for the series then it will be tough to get to the Finals because they fly around and throw it to anyone open. Dallas is more half-set oriented and we can beat them at that game.
anything less than a championship will be a disappointment. we don't play to just make the playoffs, we don't play to just make it out of the first round and we don't just play to make to the finals. we play to win it all, nothing more, nothing less. period.
Good poll. I put WCF is good enough just because I will be quite disappointed with a first-round loss (worst case scenario against Spurs and they have homecourt) and a second-round loss against Mavs or Suns will be slightly disappointing given that fully healthy, I think we're about even with those teams. Plus since we're probably losing Bonzi after this year, I want us to go further than 2nd round now. Oh what the heck, I guess that means we shouldn't lose to either one in the WCF either! I'm changing my vote, all the way baby!
i don't understand why some people are adding the "we haven't won a playoff series in ten years" as one of the factors this year. correct me if i'm wrong but none of our core team was even around back then. this is statement is totally irrelevant and should be left out of this year's run completely.
There is a probability that we can win the title given Yao's return as a huge plus and no more injure. If we can enter the Finals, we will most likely get the job done.
I would probably rather play phx than dallas. Dallas is too well coached, you cant really zero in on them for 7 games, that guy has the ability to change it up. Phoenix on the other hand is run by nash, you know what you are getting for all 7 games if you find the right matchup or the right defense, you've got them, heck the lakers almost upset them last year.
I was hoping we'd get someone as a legit backup point. I'm very disappointed that we couldn't pull that off. I'm voting at least the second round, and if we lose, that it goes at least 6 games. Any less, and Van Gundy should be toast, if the Big Two are healthy.
I have no doubt about wining the first round. Have no idea about second round because there are very good teams in the west. If we can pass second round, we will go to the final. And we will be better next season.
Read the poll and thread more carefully. The question is not where you think the Rockets will end up. I honestly think they will go all the way. However, that's not what the main point is. The question what's good enough progress. As I mentioned previously, this team as a whole doesn't really have any playoff experience. At the bare minimum, I expect the Rockets to go the 2nd round. I'd be okay if we had a great series with the Mavs and Suns in the 2nd and just came up short. I wouldn't really be okay, but regarding the question of what's good enough progress, I would be. The most realistic bar considering how good this team is 2nd round and higher.
