First of all, forgive me if this has already been brought up. I simply do not have the time to read all of the post here any more. Dallas, Sacramento, Portland, and San Antonio are pretty much a lock. They'll all be there. Utah, Minnesota, Phoenix, and Houston are all fighting for postion in the bottom 4 slots. Then there are the Lakers. They'll be there. No doubt. Someone in the bottom 4 has to go. Who will it be? I'd love to see Utah fall but I just know it's not going to happen. They are always there. Every year. As much as I hate that team, I have to respect them. So that leaves us, Minnesota, and Phoenix. Anyone here familiar with me knows that I am a die-hard homer when it comes to the Rockets. I still believe and I never underestimate blah blah blah. I see our upside and I know our potential. I truly feel that we will make it this year. (Unless we let Cleveland win tonight. If we blow this game I may just throw my hands up!) It's all about playing consistantly smart. Can they do it. They have yet to show us that they can. Yet we still remain in the hunt. Anything can happen. If we start playing on the road like we play at home then we are in. I haven't really been able to follow Minnesota and Phoenix so I can't really make any educated guesses about how they may perform for the rest of the season. My guess is if Amare doesn't hit the wall then Phoenix is in. That leaves Minnesota. They tend to finish seasons much stronger than they start them. Since they started off pretty strong this season, can they keep it up? Will KG will carry them? All I know is that we are about to see one hell of a battle in the West after the All-Star break. I'd like to think that either Phoenix or Minnesota is gone, but I just don't have the confidence to make that prediction. It's going to be too close to call. It's easy to say that we can find out stride and go on a roll. The same is true for all of the teams mentioned above. In fact, the Lakers are already hitting their stride winning 12 of their last 16. Minnesota has also been on a roll lately. So what do you guys think?
If we use Yao as the #1 option and pass the ball, we will make it. If we dont, we will not. Simple as that....
Sadly, I think you're right. We're a healthy Mo Taylor and a much-improved Eddie Griffin (or a trade for a PF) away from being consistent enough to get the job done.
a-train you are verry pesimistic i really hope that it wil not be the rockets who fail. But i'm verry afraid, the rockets can't afford to lose so much games against weak opponents. i think either Phoenix or houston wil not make the play offs, and i think it wil be decided in the last week. we will see
Yep... even if Dirk on the Mavs were playing the 4, I still wouldn't want him shooting 6 threes in a game like Eddie did last night.. and Mo T, shooting those 20 footers he can NOT make unless he is on a roll. Our fowards suck. With the exception of Posey, he's fine. But the other two have much to work on...
1. Mavs 2. Kings 3. Spurs 4. Blazers 5. Utah 6. Minnesota 7. Rockets 8. Lakers Im guessing Phoenix are off cuz i hate them hehe and the Lakers r going to make a big change in the second half to keep up.
Great post. However, a question: If it does boil down to the final week of the reg. season, and facing the hypothetical likelihood that we'll get bombed out of the playoffs by the Kings or Mavs, what would you rather see? A crack at our old lottery magic again, or a playoff appearance despite knowing that we won't go far?
of course is Rockets 26-21 now, rest 35 games,20 on road. How many wins can secure a playoff seed for a western team?
so true ... and i hate it. i hate that the rox can sieze the opportunity to make the playoffs but probly wont end up doing it. and there's no excuse for it this year.
I hate to agree with you Crisco but I think you may be right. I think that right now, the Rox are the most inconsistent of the "bubble" teams. I think we have as much or more talent than the other bubble teams but we aren't "getting it" (sorry to steal that phrase from another thread) yet.
Looking at the worst case scenario -- i.e., the Rockets are the odd team out of the playoffs -- Houston really loses big. Our lottery ticket goes to Memphis and, in fact, I don't even think we own a second rounder.
Look! A link that explains the possibilities and gives meaning to this whole thread! http://espn.go.com/nba/columns/misc/1504319.html
Exactly, a lot of people say that to make the playoff will mean a lot to this young Rox team this year. I dont see it that way if we are only 7th or 8th seed to face Mavs and Kings. Cavs made playoffs once in mid 90's and look at them now. I believe warriors also made a couple of times in recent histroy. I am more concerned with a winning style.
Last year worst playoff team in the west had 44 w's. That number is not going to vary for +2/-2 this year. So we need 18 to 22 more w's to make it. Man, all I know that record demands much better performance from Rox than they have done already.
I am not one of those who feel we'd be better off not making the playoffs vs. going in with the 7th or 8th seed. That's just crazy talk. To me, that is a step that this current team has yet to make. Hell, who knows what kind of magic can happen if can just get to the playoffs. It's not like I'd expect them to go all the way this year. Give them a taste of the second season and see how they handle it. If a first-round sweep teaches them something, then let them learn. You have to start somewhere.
The Rockets should be able to make the playoffs but I don't think they will unless they trade for a PF. I just have a feeling if the Rockets don't make a trade they will be out of the Playoffs. A-Train maybe right.
Stop over-analyzing the situation!!! Just focus on the bottom line, if we keep winning, we will be in! I don't care who goes out, not us! Play each game as if that's the NBA final, show that kind of energy, then no one can stop us. Too many times in the past that people have been focusing on how their competitors have done, and they have lacklaster performances themselve. That's self-elimination. Just focus on the current opponent, and make sure we win that single game.
The solution: Before the trade deadline, hedge our bet by trading for the 1st round pick of a probable lottery team. What would we have to give up? Surely there's someone (Denver? The Clips?) who'd be willing to take a large soon-to-expire contract and a throw-in like Boki for their pick.
