http://www.jtthebrick.com/fanclub/NBAfans/article.asp?team=NBA&id=40221 ... Houston Rockets Every fan with a fifth-grade education could see that the Rockets would¡¯ve been a lot better last year if they¡¯d run more of their offense through Yao Ming. Thankfully, they finally hired that coach. And yet, in the overstacked Western Conference, they¡¯ll still have to battle hard for that eighth playoff spot. Let the Van Gundy burnout watch officially start. ... Don't know if it is so obvious (to run offense thru Yao), but I don't want put too much pressure on him.
Brian Graham must think JVG has less than a 5th grade education since he has already stated that he felt Yao had enough touches last year.
Utah Jazz Ifve heard from a few credible sources that this yearfs Jazz could rival the e72-73 Sixers as one of the worst teams ever. And, as a longtime hater of the Jazz, all I can say is - YES! The basketball gods will finally punish them for years of dirty play.
My take on the Western Conference: 1. Lakers - Duh. 2. Spurs - Picked up some good talent. 3. Dallas - Also made good additions. 4. Sacramento - Until Webber gets hurt (again). 5. Wolves - Finally get out of the first round. 6. Rox - Put on a monster spurt at the end of the year, take out Dirk in the first round, and get schooled by the Spurs in the second. 7. Portland - 'Sheed gets shipped. 8. Phoenix - Steady improving, but no big changes this year. 9. Seattle - Allen and Lewis take them almost to the playoffs. 10. Memphis - So close. 11. Clippers - Still don't get out of the lottery. 12. Nuggets - Carmello and Nene are better, but still young. 13. Warriors - Who do they still have? 14. Jazz - Thank God!
Here is my take... 1. Lakers - If Karl Malone and Gary Payton mesh with Shaq and Kobe, the league better watch out. 2. Dallas- Very scary. If Antawn can play as well for the Mavs as he did for the Warriors, they may have the most young talented team of all. 3. Spurs - Can't count out the champs quite yet. They may miss the admiral, but they have improved their team once again during the offseason. 4. Sacramento - As long as Webber stays healthy and out of prison, they should still be a powerhouse, especially with some more bulk down low in Brad Miller. 5. Wolves - What an improvement!!! KG finally has some pieces of the puzzle, but they won't make it out of the first round because there are just simply too much talent in the west. 6. Portland - What an embarrassment to my home state. 7. Rockets - With a new coach, arena and new jerseys they are pushed to make a name for themselves. They have greatly improved their bench, giving some breathing room to Mobley and a pretty decent small forward rotation. 8. Phoenix - They will start where they left off last season, but no offeason improvements. 10. Memphis 9. Seattle - No Payton = no playoffs. 10. Memphis - Hubie Brown has done wonders for this young talented team. In a few years once the Blazers have dismantled, count them in. 11. Clippers - Surprise, surprise. After losing Lamar Odom and Andre Miller, how could they possibly make the playoffs? Something tells me that Elton Brand is just itching to get out. 12. Warriors - How stupid can a team really be? They are a year or two away from the playoffs and then they let Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison go? What were they smoking? 13. Nuggets - They have a potential ROTY candidate in Carmello Anthony, a studly center int the making, and Andre Miller. Not much else. 14. Jazz - FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!
