We are not the 2003 Detroit Pistons. Didn't they have four all-stars on that team? We have one. The 1972 Knicks won it all, didn't they? So we are not them. Look, we are most likely a 1st round exit. That seems to be the path the Rockets are going to. Is it bad? No, we are very young. The Heat are just as good this year, if not better. Just wait until the playoffs. Sure the Rockets have a chance to beat them: same way I have a chance to win the lottery. Small chance.
Correct, we're better than the 2003 Pistons. Right now, none of those Pistons are going into the Hall of Fame. Chauncey would probably have the best chance, but barely. We can do it guys. 1972 Knicks also had to go through 1971, so our 2012 is the Knicks 1971. We are contenders. Go Rockets!
You guys are all wrong. We are the 2013 Rockets! Yeah, you read the correctly. We are going to be better than the rest. We will be the unprecedented NBA 2013 Champions. The youngest team in the NBA to win the Championship. Joking aside, why are we comparing our team to the past? Our team is the youngest team in the NBA and they are not failing like the Wizards or the Bobcats. We are unique and exciting. Two words you wanna hear for an upcoming team. Let the team develop.
Contender or pretender, at least ESPN is putting us into the discussion. Before now, I don't think anyone even cares to call the Rockets a pretender. No. The all-star appearances came AFTER they achieved championship status, not before. This is not to say we're on their level. I think we need some seasoning and add another piece first. But those players were very much under the radar before destroying the Lakers.
I agree totally with you: we are very well on our way. Just one more piece... I just knew they had four all-stars, but didn't know when they were selected. I didn't really follow the Pistons much, other than the Malice in the Palace incident or the Bad Boys group.
No this team is not going to beat a Laker team with Shaq, Kobe, Malone and Payton. We are also not on pace to win 50 games.
What the hell? Why are we pretenders? Pretenders are those teams who look like they're contenders but aren't...good discussion for that would be teams like the Lakers or Clippers. This was a projected 0.500 win team after Harden arrived, and with January being the toughest month there's no guarantee we won't go on a losing streak and still end up in that range. We're also the youngest team in the league. And we're pretenders? Can I get some of the paycheck these writers got for this "article"? I'll do them one better and label 5 teams instead of one as contenders or pretenders: Sacramento: Pretenders. Cousins is mentally checked out and Evans is still struggling with his shot. Bobcats: Pretenders. The team is young and still figuring things out. Cavs: Pretenders. They look like a superstar with a nice supporting cast, but TT is a bust. Minny: Pretenders. Can't seem to get healthy. Miami: Contenders. Won it last year. Dafuq?!
Also remember in that year, that was the first year when the had the 7 game series throughout the playoffs. Prior to this, the first round was best of 5. This was the same year that the same Detroit Pistons that beat the Lakers in the finals, almost lost to the Orlando Magic with our Tracy Mcgrady. The Magic was up 3-1, until the Pistons won 3 straight to go past the first round and then beat the Lakers in the finals. Our team is similar to that team, and actually, I think we're better than that team. We're contenders guys, we can go all the way, or go really deep in the playoffs.
I like your attitude, and your enthusiasm. But, we are not better than the '03 Pistons. We have the potential to be, and we will improve and be contenders in the future with more experience, but we are one piece away. Just one more central go-to piece. Right now, we are not contenders.
Yao era Rockets had two established superstars, and although they never had success in the playoffs they were an easy 50 win team when healthy despite a poor supporting cast. This team is not better than the Yao era Rockets, not even close. Maybe in the near future.
Alright, if you guys are all pessimistic, that's fine. I know I'm optimistic about this new Rockets team.
