To do what? Be #3 in the east and lose in the conference semis? Indiana and Detroit were both a lot better than Miami last year. If Shaq minus Odom/Butler/Grant is worth the difference between Miami and the top 2 eastern conference teams, then the Rockets' addition of T-Mac should be able to catch up to the Spurs.
We're the most hyped team because our two stars are 2 of the top 8 most marketeable stars in the NBA. Garnett Shaq Kobe T-Mac Yao Iverson Carter Kidd You could even argue that they are both in the top 5 of that list in terms of marketeability. They are 2 of the top 10 players in the league as well. Add Duncan and Nowitzki to that list. Yao is projected to average 20/10/2 as a 7'5 C on a team with T-Mac next season - who deserves to be on that list more? Possibly Jermaine O'Neal. But that's about it. Truth is, it's not hype. T-Mac was once considered the best player in his league, and is still in his mid 20's. This is the best team he's ever been on, and probably the best coach he's ever played for. Yao Ming is entering his 3rd season which follows his most promising offseason to date - he's in great shape, and he's gotten a lot of rest. ANYTIME you have two players who can both score at will on single coverage, you have yourself a contender. Unless the coach is fcked up or the role players are terrible, this team should be a contender next year. We will see how the league adjusts to us - will they let JJ/JH/MoT/Ward/Lue/Sura take the OPEN shot, or will they let Yao/T-Mac go one-on-one? Only team I'm worried about is the Spurs. Duncan and Rasho can contain Yao, and Bowen has give nT-Mac problems in the past. We'll see how our role players respond.
This is a really good thread... I do think we're a little overrated, but it depends who you talk to...Not everyone's sold on our lineup as is. The only thing I would really change would be to exchange either Taylor or Howard for a player like Dale Davis or Kurt Thomas. Nachbar is most likely going to follow up last year's performance against LA with some quality minutes at the 3. Hopefully he can fulfill a role similar to that of Mike Miller while he was with Orlando. I know their skills sets aren't identical, but I think they're similar players. Nachbar's devopment will be crucial to this team's success next year. Increased minutes will also keep Jackson fresh for the playoffs. I don't know exactly how the minutes are going to be divided at PG, but I like all 3 players we acquired to fills Stevie's shoes. Against certain teams Sura and McGrady are going to be extremely effective defensively. I've also always liked Ward, and while he's a little old, he knows the system and can hit an open jumper. Lue I'm not crazy about, but he gives us great depth and can cause matchup problems. For as long as I've watched the Rockets(early 90's), we've always gotten torched by opposing PG's. From Payton to Stockton to Kevin Johnson to Steve Nash, I guess it's what the Suns have felt like for so long with at the Center spot. Now with Sura able to guard bigger guards like Crawford or Kidd and Lue able to defend quicker guards like Nash, Iverson or T.J. Ford, it seems like we'll have the depth defensively to avoid being torched by the other ballhandler.
I didnt really read much of the replies, but as for my 2 cents, it is all part of business. Basically the NBA sees this as their new team to follow a team with 2 superstars. IMO, I think Miami is being OVERHYPED at the moment. Just because they have Shaq, some already say they are going to win a championship. I know he is pretty dominant, especially in the East, but for people to say that they are going to be Champions is a bit premature.
We are definately overrated & over hyped. But we are still a good team. We are a playoff team & possibly top 4. However , we are not a lock! The only top 4 locks are the Spurs & T-Wolves. GS, LAC & maybe Seattle are the only teams that don't have a shot at the playoffs. To me, Shaq doesn't yet fully subscribe to the team ball concept. If he looses weight & gets into shape(I think he has) only to play Shaq ball at Miami, then the Heat won't get past Detroit. Rudy's greatest coaching feat IMHO was to convince Hakeem (shooting 55% with 3 guys hanging on him) to pass to the open man(shooting 35-40% wide open). We won 2 championships because of that. I know, Shaq won 3; but that was with Kobe. They don't have each other now. They'll probably learn to respect what they had now that they're on different teams.
1. The Suns do not have a 7'6 guy named Yao. 2. T-Mac is better than all those players listed. 3. We have JVG. Yao overrated? *Laughs*
As stated by many posters, Rockets are hyped bcoz of their marketability, and more important, Tmac and Yao is a new interesting combination. I don't think many people (even in this board) seriously put Rockets ahead of Pistons, TWolves and Spurs in terms of champion contention. KH
I think we are overrated and over-hyped in the short run forthis season. Mainly, the players need to develop chemistry with each other. However, I do think we are the team for the future. Minnesota has an old backcourt. The Crownless Kings are losing more and more ground. They also have an unhappy star in Peja that contributes so much to their offensive sets. The Suns are going to be good, but I don't think they are better than the Rox. Marion is looking more like Matrix 3 than Matrix 1. Amare needs to have a healthy season for the Suns to be effective. Nash and Richardson are great pickups. They still need a center.
