This is very interesting. IMHO, i would rank the following starters. Someone else can add in the bench. However, the 05 bench was definitely better than the 07 (Jon Barry vs. Luther Head = close, both play no D) Rafer vs. Sura = I would go with Sura, tremendous D and reliable 3 point scorer who could finish at the rim Tmac 05 vs Tmac 07 = I like 05 for only one reason, he was healthy. He could win this series without Yao. All of those layups in 07 would have been highlight film dunks in 05 Yao 05 vs Yao 07 = Definitely a better 07 Yao with more offensive moves and better posting up. I also like his rebounding and shot blocking Juwan 05 vs. Chuck 07 = I love Chucks hustle and D. His hustle puts at least 6 points on the board every game. However, Juwan could score and get up and down the floor in 05. He looks like he has lost a 1 1/2 steps in 07 Bowen 05 vs. Battier 07 = No even close because Battier can score in the post and hit the 3 consistently. Pluse Battier is a better defender than Bowen.,
I agree with all your points. To me the only gap is at PG. I'd take this team overall. Mainly because of Yao's development.
well if the 05 rockets team was healthy it would be really close, but with them not having howard and with sura playing through pain and wesley on a knee that needed surgery its easily the 07 team
The '05 team had Ryan Bowen and Scott Padgett at the 4. The '07 team has Chuck Hayes and Juwan Howard. Edge: '07 team The '07 team has a stronger and more aggresive Yao Ming. Edge: '07 team The '07 team has a less healthy, but more well-rounded T-Mac. Edge: Even The '05 team had a guard rotation of Bob Sura, Mike James, Jon Barry, and David Wesley. The '07 team has Rafer Alston, Luther Head, and John Lucas. Edge: '05 team The '05 team's noted defensive and hustle guy was Ryan Bowen. The '07 team's is Shane Battier. Edge: '07 team by far Overall edge goes to the '07 team.
Both teams lucked out in the second half of the season, winning against lesser competition or teams with serious injury issues. I thought the '05 squad had more toughness; less prone to tanking in the fourth. McGrady was more explosive that year. And the other guys on the team were less dependent on the Big Two for getting their points. The big difference, of course, is Yao. He's just much better, and consequentially he demands more attention from the defenses which open up scoring opportunities for his teammates. Right now, I can't choose between them. If we get past the first round in convincing fashion, then I'll give the current team the edge.
Yao is miles better TMac is the same, but more mature Assuming Howard not being injured, I would say the 05 team had better role players. To me the teams are about equal. The Rockets will go as far as Tmac can take them. We definitely have an easier first round matchup this year. But that is because the playoff seeding system changed. With the same system as 05, we would be playing San Antonio. Would we be as positive if that was the case?
The only thing the 05 team had over this one was Barry off the bench in what is Luther's role right now. 05 Barry>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>07 Luther PG play also might have gone to 05 (during the season for sure in the playoffs Sura was broke down) Everything else 07>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>05
this team is much more talented than the 05 team. the only edge they had on the current team is guard play.
YOUNGER IS THE ANSWER. the 2005 team collpased after the 7 games winning strak ending the season and the 2 games in Dallas. This team is younger and healthier
This team is more talented, and '05 had more heart. You could feel the heart radiating from that team...bunch of journeymen. If we had Battier that year, I really think we would have won the championship.
'05 had better guards, a healthier Tmac, and more mental toughness and grit. '07 has a better Yao, better power forwards, and Shane Battier. I'd say they are equal in their personal chemistry and support of each other, which is just awesome. Both seasons the bench would go crazy supporting the guys on the floor. The healthier Tmac doesn't make that much difference; some higher percentage dunks instead of layups. Tmac's playmaking passing this year is incredible, maybe better than in any previous season he's had. If Rafer would just hit his damn shots and not do that frikking running teardrop, our guard rotation would actually be decent with him and Luther and Snyder. To think we almost eliminated Dallas in '05 with Ryan Bowen as our starting 5 and Padgett off the bench.... man.
better guards? u do know wesley was on the team right? sura had heart but was slow as hell on the perimeter. james was only a guard that held his own. wesley and sura got punished defensively by terry, howard, stack. this team easily has more talent. plus yao's development tilts it to this yr's team. 2 superstars compared to 1 2 yrs ago? i take 2 baby.
Do y'all really think T-Mac is not as good or even better right now? FYI-T-Mac is healthy and he puts on a nice show to make you think he is hurting. T-Mac also is playing at the a level that is so high right now that I can't wait to see what the playoffs bring.
In 05 Tmac could check Dirk and still put up 40. Also the 05 guards could post up Luther. I would have to give big edge to Barry, Sura, James, Wesley and 05 Tmac over 07 Tmac, Head, and Rafer. The last two (Rafer and Head) do not finish consistently at the rim and teams let them drive. Plus Heads D is horrible in the post and Stack use him like a paper towel.
I am not sold on Sura better than Rafer. Although Rafer is a extremely streaky shooter, he has quicker feet than Sura had. More importantly, he is a pure PG whereas Sura is a combo at best. The key difference is, in 05 our SG is always undersized and lacks athleticism. Now with Shane at SF and T-mac back to SG, we can match up against anyteam in the league both size and athleticism-wise. Regarding the Barry-Head comparison, no disrespect to Barry, but how clutch has luther been this season? And of course, Yao is an a monster right now. If he is on, neither Dallas nor San antonio has an answer for him.
it's the flashy dunks that that some fans want to see. the facials... tmac in that dallas series was on another level. tmac v. phoenix and the past 5 games was also on another level. tmac this yr is more cognizant of his body. but when this tmac wants to go on another level, he'll slide back to being possibly the best perimeter player in the game. again, WIN PLEASE TMAC.
tmac checked nash for basically nearly 2 quarters and nearly put up a 40,10,10 triple dub. trust me, w/ a day's rest in between and 2 day's rest b/t travel days, plenty of rest for him to go all out every game. look for him to guard ak47, deron, AND okur.
I think McGrady probably has a sense of urgency he didn't have two years ago... '07 McGrady >>> '05 McGrady
Definitely 07, not even close. We have better Yao and Tracy (Yes, he is better than 2 years ago) and Battier. Remember AJ's one word game plan for Yao - "Dampier". This year it would be still one word - "Nobody".
