Not only that New Yorker you can't have Mad Max and Clyde since Max bailed on the 2nd championship team before the playoffs. So it's either the championship team with Max and Thorpe or the other championship team with Clyde and Chucky. Also when you're comparing PFs I think it's fair that you throw in KT and Griffin. And instead of saying Horry, you should say Rick Fox because that is their starting SF. And when you say PG you have to say Francis and Kenny Smith with Moochie and Cassell off the bench. And even though Cassell played well in the championship years he didn't really dominate until he left the Rockets. Remember, while he was on the Rockets Kevin Johnson was destroying him. I'm not saying this team would beat the championship teams, but you made it out as if this year's team was a bunch of scrubs compared those team.
You do know that everything you said about Mobley you could say about Francis, yet you expect Francis to dominate and think Mobley will remain selfish. I think both of them will improve. They had ONE game where everything was out of whack, the 76ers game, other then that Cat and Francis played well. The Rockets have one of the Top 3 backcourts in the NBA and it'll show this year as this team gells.
If Francis, Ming, Mo, and Rice can all stay healthy, there's no reason the Rockets can't win at least 50. Unfortunately, staying healthy is something this team is notorious for not doing.
How could you be a Rockets fan and not predict them to win at least 50? If they stay healthy they'll be in the top 4 in the West at 56-26. There's no reason why we don't go past the first wrong, if there's anyone who believes in the Rockets more than Leslie Alexander, it's me. Let the Ming Franchise begin! (Yao and Stevie dynasty)
Fox never played for the Rockets. My comparison was to both Championship teams. Sorry, I forget that some of you newer fans don't remember which players were together. Hakeem Thorpe Cassell (Smith Started but Cassell got most of the minutes) Maxwell Horry And team two was Hakeem Brown (chucky) Cassell Clyde Horry That's why I had Thorpe/Brown and Maxwell/Clyde. And yes, compared to those championship teams, everyone on the current team except Francis is a scrub. Ming Right now is on par with the Kandi Man. Potential is great, but it doesn't win games.
New Yorker.......I don't believe that the comparison between our champion years and now is correct...pg wise. If I remember correctly, Kenny Smith was our starting PG. ET didn't really evolve into a great player until he left us. He did make some great shots in the playoffs when we needed him to. Still love the guy. SF is better anyway tho.
46-36 I believe the Rockets will start out slow but the team will come together during the second half of the season and if we make the playoffs we will be tough
Because I am an objective Rockets fan, not somebody overcome by "Homer Syndrome". I love the Rockets to death! But many of the people in this thread are stating that 50 wins is a possiblity IF we're healthy, IF the passing is great, IF Cuttino stops jacking up shots as the shot clock is about to expire, IF this, IF that. I can't just call out 50 wins for the Rocks just because I'm a fan. 55 is even more ridiculous. I've more or less been just a lurker here, but I always agree with Codell's posts and everybody seems to dislike him because he's being unacceptably realistic. If we were in the East, with Boston, Milwaukee, and Detroit becoming arguably weaker, we might break 50. But not in the West dude. 45 wins, and that's MAX.
43-39 8th seed Team will start off slow due to new offense and injuries and then start gelling after the all-star break. Scrape into the playoffs and go down 3-1 to the Kings.
Some of you all are not being very realistic. You honestly think the Rockets will win 50+ games? The Rockets only won 20+ games last year. The Rockets are relying on a rookie, 2 guys coming off major injuries and a point guard who suffered alot of injuries last year. You are assuming the Rockets stay healthy and pick up the offense perfectly. 50+ wins is not very realistic. 40+ wins is more likely
Please show me a quote that even in the slightest way implies that Cuttino thinks of himself as better than Francis. Also, if you want to complain about shot selection and shooting percentage, I hope you realize that Cuttino has a higher shooting percentage than Steve. Last year has no relevance. A season where we were without three of five starters for long stretches, and without a true center, has very little relevance. The only previous season that has a lot of bearing on this season may be the 00-01 season, the last time that everyone was healthy and the last time we had a pretty good center in the lineup. We won 45 games.
Bury3, We have to be realistic is a good statement. My issue is with the coaching. Never has it been mentioned since Clutch started that Rudy has outcoached a team for a victory. The last Sixers game will be a warning for things to come. Last second losses due to lack of play calling at the end of games. If the Rockets play under .500 ball by the All-Star Break, fire Rudy? I say most definitely, I like Les, fire Rudy before the move to the new building. The fans are voting with their feet. A disciplined coach that likes to run will be perfect for the Rox.
Please do not compare Steve and Cuttino in terms of shot selection. Steve's shooting percentage is more on the basis of him being injuried, not because of unspeakable shot selection. He does take some bad shots, as any superstar does and should, but Cuttino continuely will break the offense down and do his own thing, when he is not the best scorer on the squad. The only reason he led the team in scoring is because of the fact Steve missed almost 30 games. That said, I love Cuttino and his ability. With better shot selection and unselfish play he can be a great player and help his team become something special. Steve is unselfish player by nature, Cat is selfish by nature. I dont question his ability, I question his decision making. Is Steve perfect in the aspect of ball that I am getting on Cuttino for? NO. But simply put hes much farther along than Cuttino is. If Cuttino refers to Steve more the Rockets will be a better team. Because Steve is a better player.
I wasn't going to give a prediction since I didn't get to see the preseason, but oh well...I will anyways. I foresee 45-50 wins. Maybe more, maybe less. I think we should do better than the team 2 years ago, but I don't think we're ready to dominate. I see them going out in the 1st or 2nd round, but putting up a lot of fight. But I haven't seen much from preseason. If Yao Ming wows, we should do a lot better. If our 5 man offense turns into a 1 on 5 man offense, we should do worse. Speaking of which, I haven't even seen the offense. Man, I can't wait till Wednesday.
