Just because something is overrated doesn't mean it's unnecessary. Depth is a small advantage in most cases but every advantage is needed to win. In the playoffs, there is no injured-reserve list, so the roster is cut to a hard 12 and rotations are usually further cut to only about 8 (sometimes 7) with rarely more than 9 players used. The sixth man usually backs up two players. The coach does not give a rip about the bench players' feelings regarding playing time. Substitutions are only made for foul trouble, fatigue and injuries. When the game's on the line, usually the reserves are yanked out and the key starters put back in regardless of how long they've played. As far as the Rockets being better than the Lakers, I was talking more along the lines of the strength of the starters, not the bench. Currently, the Lakers don't have a single player of starting caliber outside of Shaq and Kobe. The Lakers' weak bench just compounds this. However, this scenario allows absolutely no misunderstanding of whom the role players are. Having said that, a deeper bench is an advantage when or if it can be used. Against the Lakers, solid depth will be needed particularly at center and SG. No if's, and's, or but's about it. Last year, the Kings' "bench mob" didn't really help them against the Lakers. However, they were less deep (no Keon Clark or Jimmy Jackson; two considerable additions i might add), and they were missing Peja for all but the last two games i think. Also Hedo Turkglu (sp) and Gerald Wallace had little experience (sophomore and rookie). Bobby Jackson hadn't played starter minutes since his rookie year. Now, the Kings have more usable depth at center and SG with Clark(okay, he's not really a center, but he's way better than Funderburke) and Jim Jackson as well as a more experienced roster. The Rockets have Mobley, Posey, J-hawk, and if needed Nachbar and Maddox to play SG. They have one of the best backup centers in Cato and a large body and 6 fouls in Collier. They are somewhat lacking in consistently effective forwards though. The Rockets and Kings actually have comparable benches with the Kings' being marginally better. Bobby Jackson is a better backup than Moochie, but Cato is a better backup than Clark. Taylor and Pollard are about even although quite different. Jim Jackson and Posey are pretty close as backup SG's. And Turkglu is better than T. Morris. But i don't think the depth of either team is going to be the deciding factor in a playoff series or enough of a factor to offset the mismatch of Yao and Francis against Divac and Bibby. That's why i said a Kings victory in the playoffs lies squarely on the play of Webber. Right now, both the Rockets and Kings have considerably better benches than the Lakers. They have overall slightly better starters too. More so for the Rockets, which bodes well for the playoffs (again assuming they make the playoffs). However, too much depth can cause major chemistry issues (Blazers). All this waxing theoretical is for nothing if the Rox don't first make the playoffs.
I'm not a Mavs fan. But I think the Mavs will destroy the myth that fast pace game can't win in the playoffs. And I think their half-court game is underrated. There's a reason why they have blown us away four times.
I totally agree. First lets win and lock up a playoff spot. But if/when that happens I would rather face the Mavs then the Kings and here's why. Forget about the regular season matchups, that means nothing in the playoffs. The Kings are a championship-caliber club built to make a run in the playoffs. The Mavs are a team built to win in the regular season. The slower pace playoffs will hurt the Mavs, allowing guys like Mo and Yao to pound the Mavs in the paint. Also playing a team like the Mavs regularly instead of once every couple of weeks allows for adjustments. I think the Rockets match up far better with the Mavs in the playoffs then the Kings, and I think the Rockets would have more success against the Mavs in the playoffs then they did against the Mavs in the regular season, just because the pressure of the playoffs, and the style of the playoffs are different. And the Mavs aren't going to destroy the myth that fast pace games can't win in the playoffs, the Mavs have shown they can't beat an elite team.
I totally agree that playoff is another story. Last year, Sac won all games against Utah with a large margin just like Mavs did to Rox this year. But in playoff, Utah really gave Sac a hard time even though Sac won finally. If we can face Mavs in the first round, I bet Rox can do the thing as they have nothing to lose IMO. KH
Amazing what a new moniker and some good posts will do for one's reputation ..eh carayip? Im an optimist by nature and a homer by definition...but even I will say you guys need to relax about planning the playoffs until the Rox have a place locked up ...they are still a little inconsistent to be thinking they are a lock already...alot can happen in three weeks worth of NBA games..
Dallas is a smaller and agile team than Sacramento. We have tough time dealing this type of team because they outrun us and our big man is not as effective. Maybe in the playoff series, that will change, when we can focus on using our energy.
IMO, there are only two reasons the Rockets need to get to the playoffs: 1. Experience 2. To prevent the Grizz from getting a lottery pick from us. That's it. Win or lose makes little difference this season. Just getting there is the most important step.
3. Give Rockets fans at least 4 more games to watch! Seriously, the playoff experience will be huge. Even if they stink it up and our stars struggle (Kobe didn't exactly shine in his first playoff run), hopefully the spotlight and pressure of the playoffs will make a lasting impact on a young team.
sshhhh...don't blow my cover I'd like to second the experience factor. The intensity of the regular season is nothing compared to the playoffs. Players hussle for everything, emotions are high...it's great. The Rockets mostly don't understand the feeling yet. They need the experience in order to grow.
I don't care who we play, as long as we make the playoffs (similar to Jeff's sentiments). If we win a playoff game, or maybe two, which is a realistic possibility against anyone because when we are hot we are a very difficult team to defend--I'd be especially thrilled. Back to the original question, why is Phx fading. They are fading because: 1) Marion and Marbury are merely playing like very good players, rather than out-of-this-world players most of the last month; 2) Amare has been inconsistent in what he gives them lately; 3) Penny doesn't have the legs to play defense right now so whatever contributions he gives them offensively he gives back defensively; and 4) honestly the rest of the team really, really, sucks. If they had guys the caliber of Rice, Mo and even Mooch off the bench it might be a real different story--but they really have zero o off the bench (more pressure on Marbury & Marion to do it all). There is no doubt in my mind Phx is the team the Mavs, Kings or Spurs would view as the easiest to beat of the realistic low level western playoff contenders. They would be the Sonics of last year (easy playoff fodder). They present far less challenges than the Lakers (obviously), the playoff savvy plodding and pesky Jazz, or the young but explosive, talented, relatively deep, Rockets.
Exactly! This team needs the PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE. They need to "taste" it. It would be great progress if we could make the playoffs. It's the first step to their goal of a championship. And on a selfish note, if they make the playoffs then there are a few more Rockets TV games this year I get to see (since my cable company does not carry NBA League Pass).
You make a lot of sense. I hope many on this thread can properly disgest it. Simply put we have a better chance (based on reality) of matching up against anybody in the NBA save for Dallas Mavericks. Those lads just killed us and it does not llok like it will much different (unless something miraculous happens) if we face them in the playoffs. This is why I am praying either SacTown or San Antone take the top spot away from them or we take the 7th spot away from the Lakers. Anyway, the playoffs IS STILL NOT A LOCK (not even close). The fact is that we can be back to the 9th spot as early as this Friday night (3 days from today) if we do not take care of business. The ball is certainly in our court.
I disagree. If you watch, the Rockets always play at least one very good half of basketball. Most of the time, they have been very competitive at half time. It is after the half that they, for some reason unknown to all, self-destruct. There's no way that underdogs will advance now, with the 7 game first round series, but I still think we have a better chance against the Mavs than we do the Kings/Spurs. Something about the Mavs just says choke to me. Let's not get ahead of ourselves though, we're only one up on Phoenix.
