Now that we've seen everyone play including Ming. We've seen Rice healthy, we know MoT can run, KT can play the three, Ming is not a bust, Tmo can shoot, Cat can take less shots and still be effective, and Franchise is still Franchise. Barring any major injuries from our starting lineup of SF, Cat, KT, EG, Yao; I predict we will win between 50 and 55 games and be the 5th seed in the West.
53-29, serious challenge to the Mavs or Lakers for the fourth seed in the West. (LA is never a great regular season team anyway, and if they start slow with Shaq out, I wouldn't be surprised if they only ended up with 55 wins) I haven't gotten to see the games -- only clips. However, if Ming can hold his own in the low post-- and everyone, including the clips, has said so even against Duncan and Robinson -- we're going to be special. We might have a so-so start, but once we get Mo back and once Yao is acclimated to the offense, the sky is the limit. I was a supporter of Yao as the top pick in the draft, even before we won the lottery (if you check before then, not many fans here agreed), but so far he's surpassed every one of my expectations.
50 wins, and i believe we lose to the lakers in 6 games in the western conference finals! That would be a huge success, however the rockets must make the playoffs before talkin about FINALS! GO ROCKETS!
Sorry, my pessimistic side can't help but come out... 42-40 - 8th seed in the playoffs. We take the Kings to 5 tough games before being eliminated
44-38. 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs and lose in the first round to Kings or Lakers but put up a good fight in pushing the series to 5 games. Yao Ming will be first team all-rookie but not ROY. Steve will get some MVP votes and show his impoved leadership skills. Im thinking hell start the All-Star game again. Mobley will see his numbers drop off slightly and will struggle in the new offense due to his lack of passing skills and desire. Griffin, barring injury or poor play, will start most of the season at the 4 and put up solid numbers, setting himself up for the jump to superstar status in 2003-2004. This year, I see him as an all defensive team candidate. Either Rice, Taylor or Cato will be gone by the end of the year. Suprisingly, we will be at the bottom of the league in attendance again this year. This is how I see it.
50-32 5th 0r 6th seed Win first round of playoffs but have stale shooting in the 2nd round and fall in 7 games 2 in league in blocks Yao Ming ties with Jwill for ROY Steve, Cat, & Yao Ming make allstar team ( Steve as starter with Cat & Ming as backups) IT COULD HAPPEN!!
(Barring major injuries) 52-30 5th seed Watch for "chemistry" and rotation We have the individual talent it will all come down to getting together and coming up with a team identity. If we slip back to ISO's and turnovers we will end up just outside of the playoffs looking in (and everyone on this board will be doing the blame game)
Since a lesser team won 45 games two years ago, I am going for a 13 game improvement to 58wins, which should get us 4th in the west. The start is manageable with the first 5 games "winable". We will know how good we are if our first opportunity to lose is that away game against the Lakers on Dec. 17th. If we win that game, and have a record of 7-1, look out!
Defense is significantly improved, and clearly more fire power of all types, offensively. Still pissed about OT especially after that Hawk screwed up the last play.
50-32 if they sell out on defense and stay away from iso's on offense. May get through first round depending on who they play.
50-32, 1st in the league in blocks. Now to let my sunshine A** out - I say we make it to the conference finals and lose. No wait! I feel the sunshine growing....the Rockets will beat whoever they play in the playoffs except for San Antonio. Woohoo! NBA champs or first round losers, here we come! It all depends on the draw.
45-37 No doubt there will be ups and downs early during the season due to the adjustments of ming, new offense etc... but things will get better after all-star break.
45-37 8th seed in the West, put a scare into our 1st round opponent. Good- We have unlimited potential with Future/Current All-Stars at 4 positions (Yao, Stevie, Cat, Eddie). Our defense should be much better with Yao and Griff in the lineup. Why we don't do better this year- This is a transition year. Stevie and Cat are use to running the show so they must adjust. Eddie must figure out he is more effective near the basket (he can still shoot outside but more focus undernerneath). Yao has qa good 1st year (ROY) but it takes a while for his style to gel with the old Rockets style of offense. Also look for some non-content players who want more PT. Notably Mo-T and Rice. This may not be an issue if we get off to a fast start, but I have a feeling we're start slow and finish the year strong. 2003-2004 will be our year the threaten in the West.
I am going with a conservative 47-35. I just hope we can stay healthy and keep an offense with some movement. We are still young. Look out next year because we will be playing for the conference finals.
