The next 3: Houston, Phoenix

If it happens, then the playoff is locked for Rox.

 

I REALLY hope the Rox make the playoffs and if they do go 3 and 0 in the next 3, then maybe... But I'm going to withhold predictions until after that 5 game WC road trip. I think if we can go 3 and 0 over the next 3 and take at least 2 of the 5 on that trip then YES - we will actually make the playoffs.

Unfortunately, if we have to face the Mavs in the first round, I think the best we can hope for is 4-1 Mavs.

 

Yeah, I'd rather lose to the Mavs in the playoffs than watch Phoenix lose to the Mavs in the playoffs.

 

Do any of you guys get the feeling that if we make the playoffs we can actually make some noise? I dont think that we'll win a title or maybe even get our of the 1st round, but I think we'll atleast show we belong.

 

I think if this team makes the playoffs, Yao Ming will raise his game up a notch and carry this team to a few wins. I read the rockets are 17-3 when Yao has more than 3 blocks a game. Just imagine if he raised his rebounding and blocking during the playoffs. Getting your shot blocked when you try to go inside is going to change the entire defensive landscape for the rockets and will have a bigger impact than people might think. If Yao can block some more shots in the playoffs and intimidate the other team, then the rockets might not have to ever get down by 20+ points because of the other team's excellent shooting like they have been doing lately.


IF we play the mavs we will take them to 6 games and eventually lose. If yao puts up 30 pts, 15 rebounds a game, 3 blocks per game in the first round though, the rockets will beat the Mavs.

 

I agree. Especially since Sac has a good shot at being the top seed. We match up against them very well. 2-1 thus far this year...

 

Once we make the playoffs anything can happen. 1995, 1986, 1981 has proven that. When the rockets are playing their best ball, they can beat any team including the Mavs.

 

Either David Aldridge or that other black guy (with the mini-fro) that's always on PTI said the Mavs would not make it out of the first round, no matter who they play.

The Rockets have matched up well with the Mavs the past few years--except this year, I guess, so maybe we'll have a chance. Seven games is a lot of time to adjust to a game one blowout, which I expect the Mavs would hand us. Five games, no chance. Seven? Maybe, maybe, maybe.

 

We didn't come close to the Mavs for 1 game, I don't see how we beat them 4 times! It will take a miracle ... comparable to Moses parting the Red Sea ... except we don't even have (the other) Moses any more!

 

Let's get Rox to the playoffs, then worry about opponent. Better, let the opponent worry about the Rox!

(Would Yao's lady playing exhibitions make his concentration wander? Giving new definition to wanderlust?)

 

I think we're kinda like the Pacers of last year. They barely made the playoffs, and they almost ended up upsetting the Nets in the first round.

We don't have to make it out of the first round, but I think if we can find similar sucess as the Pacers did, then next year should be something to watch...

 

If we take the Mavs, I think we MAY win one game. We haven't able to play with them outside of one half of game 3 of the series. Also, if Shawn Bradley is able to hold its own against Ming, well it could get ugly. I do think we could take Sacramento to five or six games depending on how the Franchise plays.

 

-If we make the playoffs, we definately want to play the Mavs.
-Not San Antonio or sacramento.
-Defense wins in the playoffs and the Mavs are the weakest in the westeren conference playoffs teams.
-I think Rudy will have some tricks up his sleeve. He has outcoached Nelson practically every year.
The only think working against us against Dallas is experience and offensive firepower.
- How can most experts say Dallas has no chance to get to the finals be wrong.

 

What I think.......

PLEASE KINGS PLEASE WIN THE REMAINING 20 GAMES.

That would be great...since we do match up with them well.

We are great against them....

I think we can make the playoffs...

but it's no use if we get swept in 4 games by the Mavs...

Maybe Minnesota or San Antonio will rise to #1 seed...
We play a tad bit better against them...but there is still no chance of us advancing.

I WOULD BE DELIGHTED if first...we make the playoffs...and win JUST ONE GAME in the first round...

And then after the season is over...sign LAMAR ODOM and JON BARRY.

 

While it is true that defense wins championships, offense helps get you there. Which is the main reason why the Rockets have got their ass kicked by the Mavs this year. They present too many problems for our defense. Griffin/Taylor are nowhere close to being able to stop Nowitski, Nash is exactly the type of PG that Francis has trouble guarding and Finley brings everything that Mobley brings, only in a bigger and smarter (on the court at least package).

Sacramento on the other hand, while just as good a team as Dallas, plays a game that Houston should be able to contend with better. Bibby isn't that erratic PG who can get anywhere on the court at will. Webber plays a more controlled game that Griffin/taylor should be able to guard better, their SG's/SF's are the types that don't present as big as a problem (with the exception of Peja, who I think Posey would be able to guard as good as anyone), and Vlade depends 80% on brainpower, something I believe Yao already has him beat at.

Yet, strange things do happen, and if the Rockets were lucky enough to make the playoffs, who knows, they could turn it around against Dallas.

 

It's incredible the kind of optimism that a couple of wins brings to this board. A couple weeks ago people here were ready to burn anyone who suggested the Rockets would make the playoffs at the stake.

Oh, well! I know I'll be biting my nails during that Phoenix game!

 

No.

We have a better chance of winning JUST ONE GAME against Sacramento than Dallas. We just play better against Sacramento....Dallas knows us too well and are just way too good for us. Our defense doesn't work against them...But Sacramento will probably find a way to whoop us too...if they were to face us.

I just hope we make the playoffs.......and get our players a chance to shine in front of the country......and not get embarrassed.

 

If we play the Mavs in the first round, go back and watch the tape of the 124-87 dismantling of Dallas last season. They were at full strength, but we still beat them good. Everything clicked in that game - defense, shooting, rebounding...it was all good.