Uh, are you sure you're using the appropriate stat? RPI and SOS seem like the more appropriate stats to focus on if that's the information you're after, rather than one statistic we both readily agree can vary wildly depending on something as meaningless as production during garbage minutes of a blowout win or a blowout loss.
Basically, the very act of beating difficult teams on the schedule is more probative of beating difficult teams in the future than is a stat influenced by the margin of victory against bad teams.
RPI and SOS are also pointless with small sample size. I don't see how you can say one is more meaningful than the other with same games played. Also, none of these stats incorporate home-road splits, which have heavily favored the Rockets. Hollinger rankings really does the best adjustments for all the details. But point differential has always been a stat geek's quick and simple ranking method. This has been true since the beginning of the statistical sports analysis with baseball Pythagorean records.
Hollinger's auto rankings have moved us up from 14th to 10th best team after 26 games. Are we a top ten team now? Not sure I'd say that. Memphis was coming off a back to back. COULD we be a top ten team by season's end? Let's just say, while a bit unlikely I wouldn't rule it out. There's just too much upside on this roster to rule anything out over the next several years.
If you feel all of these team stats are pointless this early in the season, then why bust balls over my original point, which was exactly that: the stats can fluctuate wildly based on just one game. This isn't baseball though? Nothing will ever be as statistically slavish as baseball.
I think overall, the rankings say we are conservatively at least an average team. And potentially 5th or 6th seed in the west. Memphis, Clippers, OKC, and SA look like top-4 locks assuming no debilitating injuries. Lakers may make a run. But the Rockets have as good a shot as anyone else at the last 3 playoff spots.
Sorry I gave the wrong impression in my previous post. Simply stated, I simply do believe 26 games is enough of a sample size where our +2 differential is worthy of bringing up. The other stuffs is kind of going off topic.
That's fine, all I'm pointing out is the Rockets went from 1 point to 2 points just based on last night's game. If the stats were meaningless before, maybe they're starting to finally find meaning? If I'm not mistaken, the Rockets scored literally as many points as they gave up as of last week. The differential was zero. Now it's 2. That's a sign of improvement, however small.
It's funny because doing the Yao/T-Mac era we were one of the lowest scoring teams right? Now it's like we're the Suns of that time :grin:
I'm just very cautious that this pace gimmick might work against us in the form of injuries and tired legs as the season approaches April/May . Harden is already icing two knees by the end of the 3rd last night.
Don't be scared by ice. We know so much about ice now that we didn't before, even though it's been around since the dawn of time. Ice aids in muscle recovery. It's not just for injury or sore joints. In fact, the Mavs were taking ice baths to the extreme with full cryo baths at a facility in Plano. (source). It undoubtedly helped keep their players fresh and championship-ready. I believe the Suns players make use of a similar facility. When you see Harden icing up, that's just a young man being smart with his body so he can crush the Bulls on Christmas Day.
The key issues are the the starting PF and the sub PG. We have successfully worked around these issues by smart rotation and run and gun offense in the last 3 games. I think we have a solid shot at it if we don't get unlucky with the injuries. It would help a lot if we got DMo or TJones to fill that PF spot though.
Rockets are playing very well of late. Will be interesting to see how the league adjusts. Teams will adjust. Right now, we're a tough team to guard because of the passing and everyone is scoring. Lin making average guys look like stars. Harden playing along as well. We still need a post player in my opinion. A power forward who can both post-up and shoot a mid-range jumper, and a monster on the boards.
We are a tough crowd to please. JMHO...if we can keep our team together for 2-years with the roster we have now...we'll be as good as OKC.
The Rockets should be able to lead the league in points for a while because of how many possession they have per game.
