how does this affect the rockets this year and in the future? Standings as of today: Spurs - old Mavs - old Lakers - old Thunder - up and coming Blazers - semi-rebuild around aldridge Hornets - rebuild in 2012 when paul leaves Nuggets - rebuild mode Jazz - semi-rebuild Grizzlies - hit a plateau with current group Suns - really old / rebuild imminent Rockets - ??? Warriors - failed to build a contending team since, idk, 1800s? Clippers - up and coming, but they wont spend to build around a star. Kings - up and coming Wolves - failed to build around a star before / kaaaahn. This Year: A few teams holding the bottom seeds seem to be dropping out of the race opening up a chance for the Rockets to make the playoffs. Les might earn some cash if the Rockets are able to do that so there might be incentive for him to pull a trigger on a band-aid type move to propel the team into #8. However, I don't think this is a good long term plan. Looking Ahead: In 3 years the west will be up for grabs. There might be some decent playoff teams assembled from year to year but generally speaking there won't be a lot of contenders on this side of the playoff bracket. I'm going to reiterate my plea for the season once more before the deadline; though it would be fun to sneak into the playoffs this year (and probably earn Les some cash), its more important to build a team that will be ready to compete 3 years from now. martin and scola will be regressing by then, as will current targets nene and gerald wallace. That is when we need to be on the rise, not on the regress, so to speak. Whoever the Rockets acquire this week, lets hope they are young enough to hit their prime in 3 years, not pass it.
Portland just added Wallace. Still better than us with Wallace and Aldridge. Taler too and more defense.
doesn't look like its a done deal just yet. even if it was, i think it only affects the rockets chances of the playoffs this year. i don't think that move would make the blazers a contender going forward if roy really only has 2 years left like his doctor said.
Probably. I like their length though and drafting scoring SG and Pgs are a dime a dozen. As we can see for ourselves size, defense, and quality bigs is not easy to come by. Nobody will trade us any of it either.
No it's not, just because a few guys are traded doesn't make it not 'tough'. The Rockets are still on the outside looking in unless something really unexpected happens like Yao returning and producing next year, having a starting center, a coach and players who are committed to defense. Spurs, Mavs, Lakers, Thunder & Blazers are definitely going to stay better., Hornets & Grizzlies are bit of a question mark but my guess is they are around the same as the Rockets Jazz & Nuggets might look bad but are going to be better with draft picks Clippers are on the rise
thats the point. the balance of power is shifting towards the east, making it easier to ascend the ranks in the west. however, if you do so too quickly you will see there is a ceiling because of the lakers spurs and mavs. given the age of those teams, if you wait a few years to make your ascention, you will find the sky is the limit.
Not really. I think the Nuggets actually got a good trade to compete for 6-8 seed in the West. Same with Utah.
you weren't by chance in the zach randolph rumor thread were you? http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=201219&page=2 It is amazing how things have turned in a couple of years though.
