3)as much as i hate Ron Artest and hated him coming to Houston, Ariza's handles aren't as good, he's not as strong on the block, he can't play tough lock down D like Artest, he can't muscle guys like Kobe around. 4) chase does not compensate for Von, the season hasn't even started yet he's gonna hit a rookie wall just like everyone else and then he'll be nothing compared to Von come playoffs (if we make it), Von gave us more than scoring off the bench, he gave us an energy and enthusiasm to excite the crowd that Chase doesn't have yet, or may never have. 5) so you're saying that Yao had more bad games than Tracy? and this years Tracy will be that much better? I love T-mac, I really do but he's far more inconsistent than Yao. Granted back in the day when he went off he really went off but Yao had some near 100% from the field games last year with 1 100% game, that's an amazing feat. I rrrreeaallly hope I'm wrong and we see the T-mac who could rival Jesus on the offensive end this year but honestly I don't think we'll have a t-mac that's more efficient than Yao last year.
but hes more than good enough to be...just because stephon marbury isnt doesnt mean hes not better than some unknown virtually-annonymous rookie coming out of the 2nd round of the weakest draft in some time...
I think the fact that Von is not in the NBA speaks more to his personality than his game. I think we saw how big a weapon Von can be, but we also saw how easily he can end up in the doghouse.
As expected from those sources. I'm not surprised nor am I upset. We've always been underdogs and we've always impressed in the end. Let them think what they want. All I know is that when the time comes we are going to prove them wrong... again.
Von Wafer is way too mentally weak to be a good player in the NBA. He pouts, has fits, and acts like a 3-year old kid. He needs stop letting his emotions control his judgment.
The position the rankings give the Rockets just makes this season more interesting. I personally think the "experts" got it just about right a few notches up or down. What is very interesting for me this season though is that this will finally answer all the questions about McGrady for many fans in this BBS. I really think McGrady has already answered all my questions about his game, and who he is as a basketball player, but this season is when he is finally defined, good or bad. This season will also answer the question of how important Yao really is to this team. I also think this has already been answered but his absence will really show what and who he is as a Rocket. So this is more of a defining moment for the team as well. This season will determine where this franchise will go in the next several years. In this sense I am looking forward to the season unfolding, and more than the wins and losses, I think the overall character of the Rockets, from the owner to the GM, the coaches, the trainers and the players will really show. This is the season where their weaknesses will really be exposed, and likewise, their strengths will be gauged. Man this is very exciting.
As I keep saying, ESPN rating us poorly is a good thing. Every time they do we end up proving them wrong, I still recall that they claimed we wouldn't make the playoffs midway through the last two seasons, they then said we would lose the Blazers series, then we would get swept against the Lakers. Seriously we should be happy the brainless twits over there are putting us down the bottom and not the top.
Yea pretty much as I expected. I won't be anywhere near the top but we wouldn't be at the bottom like OKC and memphis. I think we're better than the Wizards even though they are stack with talent.
But watching him in the preseason makes it apparent that he's a better passer than Von Wafer, of all people. That great energy that got him kicked out by Rick Adelman, of all people?
I don't agree with NBA.com. I know that the Lakers should and will be #1 overall. I say after that, the Celtics should come in 2nd, and the Magic should come in 3rd. 4th, I have to give it to the Spurs because they're healthy now with the addition of Richard Jefferson and McDyess. But Nba.com put the Cavs ahead of Magic, Boston and Spurs. Every season the Cavs are usually ranked higher than the teams that usually beat them. Reminds me of the season when the Cavs got swept by the Spurs in the finals, then the beginning of the next season, they ranked the Cavs better than the Spurs. Even though the Magic beat the Cavs easily, people will believe that the Cavs are better and that the Magic got lucky. Honestly, the Cavs went out and got Shaq but that does not solve their problem. They got Anthony Parker, the only decent role player they pulled in. Moon? This guy can barely crack the rotation on the Heat. I wouldn't be surprise if the Cavs would trade for Luther Head and the media would say that the Cavs are now the best team because they got a 3 point threat that can handle the rock.
Wafer game winner .. nd yao was'nt the number reason, the number 1 reason was we played as a collective bunch on defense and offense. there were games we won without him. also either you'rre slow or not very bright if you think the lakers half assed it . You're just pissed we won without you're hero yao and we took them to 7 games. typicl yao-only-fan
You calling people slow and not very bright is not cool. Especially when you have issues with grammar. You're just pissed we made it to the second round without your hero Tracy. Typical TOF.
Lets get this season started with a new beginning in the Rockets era of take that doubters and haters. I can't wait for this TEAM to prove all you faithless fans wrong. GO ROCKETS!!!
I wish people would stop saying this because it is completely false. Von Wafer is not in the nba because he can make $5 million a year in Europe. Sure, no team was willing to give THAT much up for him but he isn't garbage and he could be on an nba team if he really wanted to take a pay cut.
