This is the first power ranking I've seen anywhere that has the Rockets cracking the top 15 or so. Although this isn't the more "prestigious" bball site, I still think it is worth looking at. http://www.hoopsavenue.com/ After finishing up the 2000-01 season at 46-36 and barely missing the playoffs, the Rockets couldn't believe their bad luck, but planned for a strong 2001-02 campaign. Things didn't quite work out as Mo Taylor was injured for the season before it even started and star point guard Steve Francis struggled with migraine headaches all season long. Now, in 2002, there is once again optimism in Houston. The Rockets have acquired the services of Chinese Big Man Yao Ming. Nobody knows what Ming will do, but early impressions have been good and the Rockets are definitely excited. To make things better, Francis has found the solution to his migraines and can be expected to be a full-time player this season. Add a year of experience to Eddie Griffin, the return of Mo Taylor, and another promising rookie from overseas in Bostjan Nachbar, and the Rockets are looking at a strong 2002-03 season. With the underrated Cuttino Mobley in the backcourt alongside Francis, the Rockets have one of the league's best backcourts and now they hope that their frontcourt can hold serve. Houston also has one of the league's best and most experienced coaches in Rudy Tomjanovich. It's always tough in the Western Conference, but this season might finally result in the lift-off that Rockets fans have been waiting for. And the rest of the rankings... 29. Denver 28. Cleveland 27. Golden State 26. Miami 25. Memphis 24. Chicago 23. Phoenix 22. New York 21. Toronto 20. Milwaukee 19. Utah 18. Detroit 17. Washington 16. Atlanta 15. Boston 14. Indiana 13. Orlando 12. Philadelphia 11. Seattle 10. Houston
They have a few teams pretty low at that list that I don't think deserve to be there ......but I like the Rockets at anywhere between 10-15.
http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/poll/ However, the fact that they seem to believe Rudy needs to be multi-lingual to communicate with Boki doesn't do much for the guy's credibility. Seems like a stupid comment anyway. If that's the only negative thing they could think to say about them, shouldn't the Rockets be ranked even higher since Boki speaks perfect english? I swear, can someone tell me where I can find a good NBA Analyst? Does such a being even exist?
Rockets are ranked too high. I think that atleast Boston should be before us. Detroit is a little low on that list
Detroit is a completely different team from last year, nobody knows what to expect from them. They can't be ranked high based on last year because of that. I think people are doubting Boston right now because of their PG position which is a question mark right now.
I like the Rockets at 6 or 7 too. But we are a very young team, Taylor, 4th year, KT 3 rd. Our vets with the exception of Rice are still progressing. I think 7 to 20....
I thought this was Taylor's 6th and KT's 4th? Anyway, I think 6 or 7 is indeed a good and realistic goal for us to shoot for. Anything better will just be icing on the cake.
I was talking about how many nyears of experience they had. The reason I picked 6 or 7 as tops is that equates to a 50 win season the bottom say 35 wins{ injury plagued }Comparing with last season I see us competing at the same level as the T=Wolves and Celts at worst like injury prone Miami.
As much as I hate to say it because I hate the Jazz; They are better than 19th in the L. I wouldn't put them ahead of the Rocks, but Utah will make the playoffs. I think we should be around 12 in the league, behind the Celtics and Orlando who are behind us in the poll.
