Which Western Conference Playoff team will the Rockets Replace?

Definitely Phoenix... They lose so much by trading Kidd who brings A LOT more skills than Marbury. They get better scoring, but scoring wasn't their problem last year. They still haven't addressed their center position, and they're definitely on their way down even with Shawn Marion on their team.

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Louisville Rockets my ass

 

What Bernie said. I've also said this before in another post, Colangelo has no idea how stupid the trade is.

Dallas won't have to fight, and if Woods turns out to be a steal, the Wolves are IN BUSINESS. If he becomes the lottery pick Loren Woods, watch out.

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I think Sacramento falls off, and then we clearly get in. Seattle will be off our backs, LAC wont be too much better than DEN unless they land a PG, maybe Strick (ouch)? I feel safe, we should be able to get Minnesota, Phoenix, and even Dallas, Utah sweating. I expect Portland to be top 3 but who the hell knows anymore.

 

Houston could easily be the second best team in the West this year with the addition of Griffin, a healthy Dream and some tweaks. Lets look at each team besides the Lakers.

San Antonio - Robinson is only getting older and who else do they have besides Anderson and Duncan. They may not even have Anderson next year

Sacramento - If Webber leaves, its all over even if they get Houston in return. No beef up front. If he stays then they could be the 2nd best team in the west with Bibby.

Utah - Karl Malone and Stockton were old three years ago. They are really old now. They're not getting any real help this off season. No one wants to play there and they go no money.

Dallas - They will get better but I think we are better. If Wang Zhi Zhi plays and gets some minutes then they will be good.

Phoenix - Marbury, the ball hog that plays the point. He is worse than Iverson and Kobe put together. Phoenix doesn't have anyone to play D or clean the boards like Philly. They are definitely out of the playoffs this year.

Portland - They are not getting any better because all their players are good but none are great. Wallace is the closest thing to a star and he isn't even as good as Webber or Malone.

Minnesota - If Woods turns out healthy, then they may get better but not by much. We should have beat them last year.

Clippers - Will be better but are just too young. Give them another year. They will be in the same position we were last year. At least this year other teams besides the Rockets and Lakers will lose to them.

Now lets analyze the Rockets.

Francis will definitely be better because he will make better decisions. He will also be better when the game is on the line.

Mobley will be better because he won't jack up as many shots. I expect his points to go down but his percentage and assists will go up.

Mo Tay will definitely be better because he will be more comfortable. He will also not foul out as much do to the fact that Griffin will take the harder defensive assignments such Malone, Webber, and Duncan

We don't have problems at the 3 anymore with Griffen, T Mo, Mo T, Shandon, Bullard and Langhi sharing those duties.

At Center, we can not be worse than we were last year due to the injuries to Dream, Collier, and Cato.

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I see SAC and PHO falling way down. Portland will be lucky to get the 8th seed and Minnesotta the 7th. So we will be fighting for the 3-6 spots. I wouldnt be suprised if we grab a top 4. Thats just me though...

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Go Rockets!!!
SS

 

IMO the Ramadan fasting hurts him a lot too.

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2001 | 2002 | team | record last year

1 - 3 - San Antonio - 58 24
2 - 1 - LA Lakers - 56 26
3 - 5 - Sacramento - 55 27
4 - 9 - Utah - 53 29
5 - 2 - Dallas - 53 29
6 - 10 - Phoenix - 51 31
7 - 6 - Portland - 50 32
8 - 8 - Minnesota - 47 35
9 - 4 - Houston - 45 37
10 - 12 - Seattle - 44 38
11 - 11 - Denver - 40 42
12 - 7 - LA Clippers - 31 51
13 - 14 - Vancouver - 23 59
14 - 13 - Golden State - 17 65

2002 projected:

1 - LA
2 - Dallas
3 - SanAntonio
4 - Houston
5 - Sacramento
6 - Portland
7 - LAC
8 - Minnesota
- down and out: Phoenix, Utah

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the more I know, the more I know I don't know...

 

Lakers
Blazers
Mavericks
Rockets
Spurs
Sonics
the team of f***heads
Clippers

Suns
Wolves
Denver
Kings
Warriors
Grizzlies

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Protrolls.com!

"I want to be like Olajon." -Sagana Diop has the right idea...

 

Also, with his asthma, he will only be good for about 20 minutes a game.

Hakeem's Asthma hasn't been a problem since the 99-00 season. He was not affected by any breathing problems last season. I see no reason why the Rockets couldn't give him the same time that he got when he was putting up 15-11 during the Rockets' best stretch this season.

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Protrolls.com!

"I want to be like Olajon." -Sagana Diop has the right idea...

 

I can't see how Portland has much of a chance at making the top 8 - their roster was OLD last year, and they just got a year older. Rasheed Wallace can have huge games, but he IS a headcase and will probably set a new record for T's this coming season. Look for Kemp to take Zach "pudding boy" Randolph under his wing and "educate" him on how to become a big time PF in this league - or is that a BIG PF.

I'm not sold on the idea that the Jazz will drop out - I'd love for it to happen, but with Stockton and Malone still going around and ably backed up by Marshall and Kirrilenko (their draft pick 2 years ago, will be a rookie this year) I don't know that they'll be easy to knock out of the top 4, let alone the top 8. Those damn Jazz always seem to find a way to win games.

Phoenix sounds like they'll have problems - I don't think that Marion creates his own shot too well, and "Starbury" certainly doesn't like sharing the rock, and won't give Marion the easy opportunites he got last season - plus he's nowhere near the defensive PG that Kidd was. Hopefully they will slide to make a little more room!!

Whatever happens, it's gonna be tough to crack the playoffs!

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Rockbox says:
"Houston could easily be the second best team in the West this year with the addition of Griffin, a healthy Dream and some tweaks. Lets look at each team besides the Lakers."

You can't be serious! No way we are better than SA, even if Dream stays healthy for all 82. You can't expect much out of a rooki, no matter how great he may be. Granted Stevie and Cat will be better but Dream is just a year order. Don't get me wrong we will hav ethe talent to scare everyone in the playoffs but I don't even see us in the top 4 in the West.
1. Lakers
2. SA
3. SAC (if they get C-w to stay & get Spree)
4. Dallas (they are a loaded team, don't count them out of the Webber sweepstakes)
5. Utah (Karl & Stockton keep getting it done, somehow)
6. Portland (Still have alot of talent and will spend $$$ to be competitive)
7. Houston (Assuming Dream get 60+ games)
8. Minnesota (Poor KG can't get out of 1st round)
9. Phoenix (Could sneak in if Marbury transitions himself quickly.

If Webber leaves Sacramento they are out, unless they get a sweet deal with a S&T. We could go up or down depending on Dream's health and if we find a backup center (M. Jackson).
I like our future but don't expect miracles the 1st year. THere are too many good veteran teams that know how to win in the West.
One step at a time. This year just get to the playoffs and see what happens.

 

Phoenix & Minnesota are our best bets at falling out of the playoffs. Other teams on the way down are Portland & Utah. But they're not in danger of losing their playoff spots ... yet.


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Founding Father of the
Refs Suck Club

 

Sprewell is NY for life. Unless, the Kings give us Bibby, Peja, Hedo and Pollard, 3 future first rounders. In other words: he's untouchable.

You know he's telling C-Webb to come to NY. How do you think Sprewell got his own shoe? C-Webb will have his own shoe by And1 if he comes to NY. Sprewell will do whatever it takes.

[This message has been edited by NYKRule (edited June 29, 2001).]

 

Teams on the fall:

Utah - I predict this every year due to the age of Malone and Stockton. Sooner or later I will be right!

Pheonix - what in the hell were they thinking by trading Kidd. That team was not loaded with tallent but they had great team chimestry.

Sacramento - only if they loose CWebb.

Teams on the rise:

L.A. Clippers - With the edition of Brandon and Darius Miles a year older to go with Odem this team will win 40+ games this year and be a legitimate play-off contender.

Houston - Resign Mo, Moochie and Dream and this team is set to make some serious noise next year. Could a run deep into the play offs be in their future? I think so!

Minnesota - They must be laughing hard at the Devil Stern right now. He takes away their 1st round pick this year and they still wind up with a lottery pick in Woods! What luck.

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[This message has been edited by crash5179 (edited June 29, 2001).]

 

The Lakers!

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Fuggetabout it

 

Portland/Minnestoa. Or then again, Dallas might self implode.

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Definitely Phoenix now that Clifford Robinson is gone.

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You make it sound as if Brandon is old. The guy just turned 31 and should still be in the prime of his career. If Woods pans out then the Wolves have no reason for not finishing with 50+ wins this year. Garnett has never had the chance to play with a true Center. Garnett and Woods has a chance to be just as good and maybe better than Duncan and Robinson.


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