Reasons I think Rockets are championship contender

I am thrilled we are doing so well, but we do have to remember that in all four of these games against the top west teams, they were missing one of their best players. If we were missing Yao or TMac, I doubt we would have won any of those games.

I think we have an outside shot at contention, and I do love how we are gelling, developing momentum, and coming together at the right time of the year, similar to how Rudy pulled us together in '95, but I won't be dissappointed if we don't contend this year. And, I fully expect us to have more setbacks on the way.

... I don't think anyone wants to see us in the playoffs, though. Our defense will wreak havoc.

I agree that we need a shot blocking rebounding tough guy at PF, but the real thing that will make the difference is the mentality of Yao. Yao has the ability to take us all the way, it's just a matter of when he gains his confidence and develops the discipline of mind to bring it hard every night. I love JVG's new strategy of playing Yao through the fouls. I think that has had more to do with Yao timidity than anything else.

TMac is operating at a high level now. But, if Yao steps up like he did in PHO, and does it every game, which he didn't yesterday, we will be contenders. Its up to Yao.

 

Open your eyes everyone,

We just crushed Seattle, Phoenix and Sac on the road.

The only people on this planet today who should hesitate in considering us championship contenders are the teams who haven't played us in the last week.

We are making converts out of NBA players and coaches one game at a time. I think shortly the league will get this message straight.

Barkley might even repent!

Get on board right now and let the love flow. This team is the real deal.

 

i haven't been this excited about our team in a long time. (and to think how this season started). we are playing great intelligent Basketbal. We are the real deal. And the team that play's us in the first round will not be happy.

 

Mutumbo will be a huge factor in the playoffs. His rebounding and defense in the half court sets will be huge.

 

I would say that our chances are about as good as Dallas, Seattle, and Sacramento, but still pretty slim. My guess is the Spurs have a 50% chance of winning, the Suns have a 25% chance of winning, and after that it's a crapshoot between us, Dallas, Seattle, and the Kings. The Rockets are playing at their absolute best right now. Clicking on all cylinders. But if we face the Spurs or Suns at their absolute best, we're in trouble.

 

Once again GATER, I completely agree with you. I think we still are 1 or perhaps 2 players away. But the mindset and the foundation is there.

 

JVG rested Yao for most of 2rd and 3rd quarter against the Queens.

Also, our outside jumpers were ridiculous and then was no need to pound it more to Yao.

 

I know everyone is giddy right now because we have played really well of late. But the reality is the team we have right now has never even won a playoff game.

I am very happy with the Rockets right now but lets try to keep expectations realistic. It's too early to start talking about a champtionship.

 

If I were handicapping based on match-up problems presented to opponents as well as potential team defense (e.g., though the Suns don't play good defense I think they potentiall could with their team quickness) and team offense I'd say soemthing like this:

SA (2-5)
Detr (1-4)
Mia (1-4)
Phx (1-8)
Hou (1-10)
-rest of the league (1-10).

Thus I think we have a shot, better than all but 4 teams. Last year if you looked at Detriot at this point in the season they would have been at best an equal threat to win it all as us--and we know what happened there. So yeah, we have a shot, this year. Must stay healthy #1 though--I think an injury to Sura, James, Wesley, Barry, Howard, or Deke (goes without saying Yao and Tmac) and our cupboard would just be a little too bare.

 

This is very much a veteran team that plays the kind of ball that wins champinships.

How can anyone say Phoenix or Seattle are contenders but Houston is still a year away? Both of those teams were not even in the play-offs last year.

We sure as hell better be contenders now because Howard, Berry, Weley and Sura are all running out of time.

Personally I think Houston is built right now for a championship.

Great offense, great defense, unselfish passing, great mix of veterans and youth, extreamly deep, great inside out game and a bonafide superstar in T-Mac.

Phoenix - No defense, Steve Nash has a history of wearing down at the end of seasons. He did it every single year in Dallas. Limited depth.

Seattle - Suspect on defensive end, poor post play on the offensive end.

Right now Houston and San Antonio are the two teams most built for play off success. SA has great defense and a methodicle offense that is built around a great go to guy in Tim Duncan.

Dallas is still Dallas but with a little less offense and a little more defense.

 

I assume you are talking West, because Miami and Detriot are defensive teams who also present a lot of mismatches offensively.

I agree with you except Phx. This Suns team is a lot more long and athletic than Nash's Dallas teams (I think they potentially could be formidable on defense to go along with being very hard to guard on the other end). I don't count them out like the other two--particularly if they get home court.

 

I agree with most of guys here: we have a shot on winning it all, but odds will be lower than Spurs, Suns, Heat and Pistons, assuming that everyone in every team will be healthy. Health is important. If Malon had not be injured in the last year's finals, Lakers would have been the champs.

Rockets' playoff success will depend on whether our star duo compete in a high level throughout the series and how healthy our team and opponents will be.

But... This wishful thinking is not beyond the reach. if Yao steps up his game and makes himself accoutable on the nightly basis during the playoff, we definitely can beat anyone!

 

I say we make a minimum tip amount, for all, if we win it all or even make it to the finals.

 

Your right I was only talking West. I would never count out the defending Champs or any team with Shaq.

The problem with your assessment of PHX is that Nash 1. has always worn down and 2. Phx has yeat to play any defense this year so its heard for me to imagine that they will sudenly change their ways once the play-offs are here.

I agree that PHX has the athletes to be a great defensive team though.

 

I agree if Rockets make it to WC finals then everyone chip in with something.

 

$50 too steep?

 

How about I chip in 25 and you chip in 75?