Oh yes, the unbeatable 1st seed Dallas. We have all seen otherwise, last year. Dallas has already proven that Dallas is a failure in a 1st seed vs 8th seed matchup. Golden State proved that last year.
I am always amazed when I read these threads. I mean, I refuse to count us out, yet. Mark me down with the optimists!
ITIS the Western Confrence, if you are going to make the playoffs, you need to stay in the picture all year! Late pushes put us up against another early exit facing a top 4 team
$20 is a great hedge for me. If the Rockets make the post season, I'd be more than willing to shell out $20! If then don't, at least I'll get 20 bucks out of it!
Don't talk to me about the playoffs! http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/a2b63abb8585f6a86a824685df1b5cf0
we are an absolute lock to make the playoffs...we will win 48-54 games and that will always make the playoffs....we have a great schedule in the 2nd half of the year...already played sa, dallas 3 times each
Yes, there is a lot of talent in the West, and the Rockets is one of them. But you forgot they have to play each other, and someone has to lose. I just don't think the Rockets will be the one based on the expected progress with the new coach and new system. At the end of the season, you need to look at how many wins are out there, and allocation among all of the playoff contenders. My rough calculation is that 44 wins will get you into the playoff, and 46 wins by the Rockets should be enough to earn a 7th seed, and that's very achievable!
What is your definition of a realist? The reality is you have a 'gut' feeling that the rockets will not make the playoffs. Outside of that opinion, you can't say what reality is because you never know what is going to happen on a nightly basis. Was it realistic to think Portland would be where they are now? Was it realistic to think they would win 13 straight and win 13/15 games in December when they only won 5/20 in November? You're trying to make your opinionated reality a fact but the fact is you can't rule the Rockets out of the playoffs. I mean, was it realistic to expect the rockets to win their second Championship as a 6th seed? I really don't know if the Rockets will get into the playoffs but in no way is it statistically or 'realistically' rule the rockets out of the playoffs when it's only been half the season. But, you are entitled to your opinion. I'm really curious to see what you will start to say if the Rockets actually do make the playoffs.
we'll make the playoffs.. i feel it. it's good for the tip jar. i'll definitely donate if we do make it.
im hoping at some point a few of the current top 8 will hit the injury bug, and we are now done with ours. the west is packed so tight right now any injury to a major player for a couple of weeks could send a team from the top to nearly out of the playoff picture. im not rooting for guys to get seriously injured, but i just want some balance i guess.
We have two easily accessible mathematical models: coolstandings.com and Hollinger's model. Based on the two, I'd say we're on the cusp right now. A bad performance here or there will end our hopes; conversely, if we can get steady performances, then we'll have a shot.
I'm not the only one with that "gut" feeling. In fact, a Dallas writer feels the same about the top 7 teams in my original post: "Their problem this season is that the group of role players they [the Rockets] have assembled is not comparable to the quality of role players in Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio or even New Orleans, Denver, Utah or the Lakers." http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/421313.html And don't discredit this writer's opinion because he is from Dallas. Our local writers are more than willing to praise teams from other cities... if they deserve praise. As far as what I will say if the Rockets do make the playoffs, it will be something like "I didn't think they could do it, but they did. I hope they do well." I don't know if that is what you were looking for but that is how it will go.
I have been one of the biggest haters of our team this year as anyone. And I definitely think we will probably not make the playoffs. However if we do somehow squeek in at #7 or #8 then we definitely have a good chance to beat whoever we play. Dallas would be the worst draw for us out of the most likely teams.
Agreed. I don't want to play S.A. in the first round. THey are way too discipline to lose to us. Most posters say the SUns, because of their team speed and offense. the Mavs, because of the victories against us. But the SPurs are the champions, and the only one of those three who have shown that they are the closest to unbeatable. Since 1999, in a playoff series, the Spurs have only been beaten by 3 teams: Lakers (lead by a focused Shaq and Kobe, 2000 Suns (Kidd, Hardaway, and Marion ), and the Mavs two years ago. The most of their losses have came against the star-studs of the Lakers, probably two of the most dominate players in recent history. ANd, against the other two, the Spurs did have unhealthy TD vs. the Mavs, and absent agaisnt the Suns of 2000. The Suns and Mavs, on the other had, have shown that they are very beatable in series. When some of the games start to slow down, and teams start to adjust defensively and play more aggressive than they would in the typical season game. These two teams are not going to beat teams that play very aggressive. Which means if a team like the Lakers, Jazz, GSW, or Rockets bring their a games and play very physical with them...they have good chance of winning. I don't care how many games the Suns or Mavs win, they are not on the Spurs level, you are talking about a team who is probably one of the most dominate teams of this decade, maybe with exception of the Lakers and Patriots. The Spurs have been fortunate and good, like the Bulls to not have a high number of game 7s. In the championship and semi-final rounds, S.A. has only faced a game 7 situation twice, against the Pistons and Mavs. People say the Suns are the chosen ones to beat S.A. and possibly end their reign over the NBA, or maybe even Boston. But, I doubt it. I see it being the Lakers, Jazz, or even the Rockets. Because, I think those three are more built to go deep into playoffs and winning championships...because of the inside/outside play on both ends of floor, players capable of dominating on both ends of the floor, great balance, and great experience coaching. If it comes down to a matter of X's and O's, those three are probably better most teams with Sloan, P-Jax, and Adelman. They've seen everything, don't fall for cheap gimmicks, and could put together a good game plan to beat a team that might better talent wise.
