Houston Rockets

[DJ V Lawrence]

I believe that no team out there can beat a healthy T-Mac, Yao , and Rockets. Yes, i really believe that a healthy Rockets team(especially those two) can beat any team out there. That includes San Antonio and Dallas, Phoenix, etc. in a 7 game series. With Shane and a good bench, this team should win it all.

If everyone is healthy come playoff time, I think the Rockets are the team to beat. The last few years, it's been the Mavs and Spurs that looked dangerous. The team's playing great, and the best player on the team is injured. They're only gonna get better after these four games.

I agree that if they're able to win at least 2 of the next 4 with out Yao Ming, that's definately a statement.

[lockmat]

If everyone is healthy come playoff time, I think the Rockets are the team to beat. The last few years, it's been the Mavs and Spurs that looked dangerous. The team's playing great, and the best player on the team is injured. They're only gonna get better after these four games.

I agree that if they're able to win at least 2 of the next 4 with out Yao Ming, that's definately a statement.

I think we could beat all three as well. But the Suns and Mavs are pretty dang good. I wouldn't be as worried about the Spurs, but the other two, yikes...tough

[Spades]

I believe that no team out there can beat a healthy T-Mac, Yao , and Rockets. Yes, i really believe that a healthy Rockets team(especially those two) can beat any team out there. That includes San Antonio and Dallas, Phoenix, etc. in a 7 game series. With Shane and a good bench, this team should win it all.

I'm sorry but I don't. What I think hurts the Rockets is the lack of experience in the playoffs. I don't believe anybody on the team has even been to the 2nd round besides Bonzi. Also, the lack of consistent point guard play and power forward play will be their downfall. Especially at the point guard position. They can give them a scare, but I think the Mavs, Suns, and Spurs are better. Yes Spurs. Do not sleep on them because they are having a tough time right now. They usually pick up their play on the rodeo trip which is happening in a couple week.

But the team to beat right and in the playoffs will be the Mavs. They are still the defending western conference champions and are playing the best basketball out of any team in the league.

Edited January 18, 2007 by Spades

[KimberlySayWhat]

What a suprise to see Dikembe Mutombo on the State of the Union Address last night. I sat down to blow dry my hair and heard him say Dikembe. I only know of one Dikembe.

[DJ V Lawrence]

What a suprise to see Dikembe Mutombo on the State of the Union Address last night. I sat down to blow dry my hair and heard him say Dikembe. I only know of one Dikembe.

Looked like he was ready to block Congress itself

[ProHouston]

What a suprise to see Dikembe Mutombo on the State of the Union Address last night. I sat down to blow dry my hair and heard him say Dikembe. I only know of one Dikembe.

Damn, he looks like a giant! They definitely didn't seat based on height, the woman to his right must look like an ant from his altitude.

[KimberlySayWhat]

He really does look about twice the height of the Asian woman:

[DJ V Lawrence]

He really does look about twice the height of the Asian woman:

He looks like he's at head-level with the people in the row behind him

Edited January 24, 2007 by DJ V Lawrence

[new major on the block]

Yao returns tonight against cleveland. Its now time to kick ass and win the championship.

[Houstonian in Iraq]

Yao returns tonight against cleveland. Its now time to kick ass and win the championship.

Yeah I know. Would like to be a bit optimistic..... don't know though

[Houstonian in Iraq]

The Rockets clinch playoff spot

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/4663875.html

Edited March 27, 2007 by Houstonian in Iraq

[DJ V Lawrence]

The Rockets clinch playoff spot

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports...kn/4663875.html

Rizpekt:)

[lockmat]

Rizpekt:)

Encouraging to see that they didn't even know it and that they're just focused on playing better basketball. That will bode well for them come playoff time.

[lockmat]

Durant may or may not enter the draft. There's legitimate evidence that he may stay in college for at least another year.

If you follow sports a lot, there's a good chance you know who Bill Simmons, "the sports guy" is on ESPN.COM's Page Two. He's hilarious and knows his stuff.

But in this podcast w/ Chad Ford, he mentions something about Durant going to Phoenix or Houston in the draft. I heard that and was like, "what?" But he knows his stuff, so maybe some way, some how there's a chance.

Anyway...it's a really good podcast. So here it is:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnradio/podcas...ayer?id=2819032

[Trae]

How would he end up here?

[lockmat]

How would he end up here?

Well, the draft. Of course.

If you're asking how the Rockets would have a draft position to even have the ability to get him...I don't know. But that's what he said. He said something about the possibility of the Suns having the no. 4 pick. So I guess it's possible somehow?

[KimberlySayWhat]

Gosh, I wish the other teams in the Western Conference weren't so tough. We may have to wait until some of those guys go away before the Rockets get a real shot at the title. So far, so good, but there's still quite a way to go.

Hmm, where's Tonya Harding? > Kidding.

[Trae]

Well, the draft. Of course.

If you're asking how the Rockets would have a draft position to even have the ability to get him...I don't know. But that's what he said. He said something about the possibility of the Suns having the no. 4 pick. So I guess it's possible somehow?

That's what I meant. The Rockets will be too far back in the draft to get Durant.

[ProHouston]

Well that Bonzi sure does tick me off! Self rightous jerk. He was supposed to be our X factor, the go to guy when Yao and T-mac have their off nights, which is about every 5th game if you'll notice. Without that third, proven, veteran option I'm not sure who can lead us through the rough patches in a 7 game series. I'm not sure Yao or T-Mac have shown that either of them can do so.

I think we can get past the Jazz in the first round but I'm by no means sure of it. It's more of a "hope" really.

It should be a good matchup though, especially from a coaching point of view. We could feasibly play them in 8 straight games (they are our final regular season opponent). Who's the better coach? Jerry Sloan or JVG?

[DJ V Lawrence]

Well that Bonzi sure does tick me off! Self rightous jerk. He was supposed to be our X factor, the go to guy when Yao and T-mac have their off nights, which is about every 5th game if you'll notice. Without that third, proven, veteran option I'm not sure who can lead us through the rough patches in a 7 game series. I'm not sure Yao or T-Mac have shown that either of them can do so.

I think we can get past the Jazz in the first round but I'm by no means sure of it. It's more of a "hope" really.

It should be a good matchup though, especially from a coaching point of view. We could feasibly play them in 8 straight games (they are our final regular season opponent). Who's the better coach? Jerry Sloan or JVG?

Should have traded Bonzi when we had the chance..

[dgreco]

Jerry Sloan has never really done anything special in the playoffs. JVG hasn't done much either, I think JVG ios more of an honorable coach especially in the eyes of his players. Hopefully he take sthe Utah Series and hopefully they still another series.

[Spades]

Jerry Sloan has never really done anything special in the playoffs. JVG hasn't done much either, I think JVG ios more of an honorable coach especially in the eyes of his players. Hopefully he take sthe Utah Series and hopefully they still another series.

You're right. He's only been to two back to back NBA Finals. He would be a two-time NBA champion if it wasn't for a certain Jordan beasting in Chicago.

[dgreco]

You're right. He's only been to two back to back NBA Finals. He would be a two-time NBA champion if it wasn't for a certain Jordan beasting in Chicago.

I am talking recent years, you can't compare his malone stockton days, to his teams now. That was more players making it, than coaching I think. You can see he can coach a regular season well, but he can't do much else. Just like you can't say Kobe is a great playoff leader until he does well with the other people who were around him. You can't compare the past with the present so openly.

[T 2 THA C]

Should have traded Bonzi when we had the chance..

Agree'd he was a waste of a roster spot and space. I wonder what if any teams would even pick him up next year. GO ROCKETS. I think we are a better team than Utah seeing how we missed more games from our stars then they have, and even after a 12-1 start we are still there for homecourt in the playoffs.

We need to finally beat NO/OK! and i wonder how many if any starters Dallas and Pheonix plan on playing?

I think Utah faces Dallas, Pheonix then US, and we play NO/OK, Pheonix and then Utah. So this last game could be interesting EH!

[dgreco]

techincally they can go 8 straight games in a row. Same thing with Denver and SA.

[T 2 THA C]

I am glad we clinched Home court, but like JVG said home court is not really an advantage unless there is a game 7. Wich I hope in our case is not the deal. Go Rockets lets beat Utah!!!

[ProHouston]

I am glad we clinched Home court, but like JVG said home court is not really an advantage unless there is a game 7. Wich I hope in our case is not the deal. Go Rockets lets beat Utah!!!

I think clinching home court also clinched us a win in the first playoff series against the Jazz. We needed something to give us that extra punch to get us through to round 2. I honestly don't think we have a chance in round 2 though, we need more shooters to compete with Phx and Dal.

[houstonfella]

R O C K E T S

Home court. We lead 3-2 with 2 to go.... home court..... yeah baby!!!

[KimberlySayWhat]

I love the Rockets, but if they beat the Jazz tomorrow, I think the Warriors are going to tear them up in round 2. I hope not, but I fear so.

[donnieyen]

I love the Rockets, but if they beat the Jazz tomorrow, I think the Warriors are going to tear them up in round 2. I hope not, but I fear so.

Rockets match up well against Warriors. Just be worried if they can beat the Jazz tonight.

[Trae]

Hopefully we beat the Jazz tonight. Coach Don Nelson of the Warriors knew the ins and outs of that Dallas team. Dallas also doesn't have a center like we do. We match up well against them.

[KimberlySayWhat]

Well, that's the name of that tune.

Once again they can't make it past the first round! Frustrating!

But it's just a game. There's always next year. I still love the Rockets as I do my other Houston teams, the only sports teams I care about. Can't do anything but root for them.

Some advice to Charles Boozer of the Utah Jazz: where clear deoderant. Every time he went to the free throw line you could see clusters of white deoderant tangled up in his sweaty under arm hair.

[tamtagon]

Go Spurs!

[Trae]

I cried like a baby last night. This one hurt a lot. JVG is gone, though.

[lockmat]

If Raefer didn't have the worst shot selection in the world, we might be a way different team. I'm also convinced that if some of the bench players played more in the season they could have contributed a lot more in the playoffs. I blame that on JVG.

[DJ V Lawrence]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2883178

There's no current 2007 thread, and I thought it's too early to start one since the playoffs are still going on, but still, Alief's own Rashad Lewis is gonna be a free-agent. What are the odds of him possibly coming back to his hometown H-Town without losing any of our main three? (Yao, McGrady, Battier)

Also, guess who else may be opting for free-agency...McGrady's 3rd cousin Vince Carter

[ProHouston]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2883178

There's no current 2007 thread, and I thought it's too early to start one since the playoffs are still going on, but still, Alief's own Rashad Lewis is gonna be a free-agent. What are the odds of him possibly coming back to his hometown H-Town without losing any of our main three? (Yao, McGrady, Battier)

Also, guess who else may be opting for free-agency...McGrady's 3rd cousin Vince Carter

The odds are slim to none unless Seattle wants to work a sign and trade and take on some of our expiring contracts. We could never get him as a free agent, he'll make top money and we only have a mid-level exception to work with. We'd have to do a sign and trade with Seattle and most likely we'd have to trade at least Battier in order to make it worthwhile for them. Sure we could put Juwon or Rafer in a deal, but why would Seattle want them?

I say trade Battier for a scorer. Sure he's good on defense, one of the best, but he's an offensive liability. He reminds me of Adam Everett for the Astros and look what's finally happening to his playing time.

[Trae]

The guy is an unrestricted free-agent. He can go anywhere he wants.

[DJ V Lawrence]

I say trade Battier for a scorer. Sure he's good on defense, one of the best, but he's an offensive liability. He reminds me of Adam Everett for the Astros and look what's finally happening to his playing time.

I disagree. I think Battier is a great all-around player, and has a great outside-shooting presense. He's probably the 2nd most consistant player on the Rockets other than Yao Ming.

I say we keep the big three, and see if we could pick up another big-name signing. The Rockets need depth, especially on the bench. Some of their occasional starters (Alston, Head, Howard, Mutombo when Yao was injured) would be great players to come off the bench. Let's see what they do, and I hope Battier stays because I don't see any reason why he should leave.

The guy is an unrestricted free-agent. He can go anywhere he wants.

Can U imagine if we had Yao Ming, Battier, Rashad Lewis, McGrady, and either Head or Alston starting? That'd be a lethal high-scoring bunch. They already have the defense down; high scoring was pretty rare for the Rockets this season, and Adelman's known to be a score-driven coach

[ProHouston]

I disagree. I think Battier is a great all-around player, and has a great outside-shooting presense. He's probably the 2nd most consistant player on the Rockets other than Yao Ming.

I say we keep the big three, and see if we could pick up another big-name signing. The Rockets need depth, especially on the bench. Some of their occasional starters (Alston, Head, Howard, Mutombo when Yao was injured) would be great players to come off the bench. Let's see what they do, and I hope Battier stays because I don't see any reason why he should leave.

Can U imagine if we had Yao Ming, Battier, Rashad Lewis, McGrady, and either Head or Alston starting? That'd be a lethal high-scoring bunch. They already have the defense down; high scoring was pretty rare for the Rockets this season, and Adelman's known to be a score-driven coach

I guess we see things differently. I don't think the Rockets have a "big three." We have a big TWO. Battier contributes about 6-9 points a game and can't create his own shot. Speaking of Luther Head, he fell on his face in the playoffs. I say the only guys we MUST keep for next season are T-Mac, Yao, and Deke. Chuck Hayes can stay though it'd be nice if he'd come off the bench, he's not a starter on most playoff caliber teams. I say trade the rest for the Big Third option that we're lacking.

[lockmat]

I guess we see things differently. I don't think the Rockets have a "big three." We have a big TWO. Battier contributes about 6-9 points a game and can't create his own shot. Speaking of Luther Head, he fell on his face in the playoffs. I say the only guys we MUST keep for next season are T-Mac, Yao, and Deke. Chuck Hayes can stay though it'd be nice if he'd come off the bench, he's not a starter on most playoff caliber teams. I say trade the rest for the Big Third option that we're lacking.

Although a big three would be nice, I'd rather have more role players who are consistent. Our role players weren't consistent. And I think our depth could have been better, but JVG didn't give some guys the chance they needed. I sort of feel like things weren't broke, but they still tried to fix things. We should have just kept James as a backup PG, even if he had a score first mentality. He brought fire off the bench. And Kirk Snyder did well the season before and was the aggressive type we needed, yet JVG refused to give him enough minutes. And why didn't he play Dikembe more in the playoffs?

And I agree that Battier wasn't consistent enough either, at least not in the playoffs.

I say we get some good all around players like Battier, and once Adelman gets a hold of them, they'll be more balanced.

[donnieyen]

Although a big three would be nice, I'd rather have more role players who are consistent. Our role players weren't consistent. And I think our depth could have been better, but JVG didn't give some guys the chance they needed. I sort of feel like things weren't broke, but they still tried to fix things. We should have just kept James as a backup PG, even if he had a score first mentality. He brought fire off the bench. And Kirk Snyder did well the season before and was the aggressive type we needed, yet JVG refused to give him enough minutes. And why didn't he play Dikembe more in the playoffs?

And I agree that Battier wasn't consistent enough either, at least not in the playoffs.

I say we get some good all around players like Battier, and once Adelman gets a hold of them, they'll be more balanced.

They need a good consistent point guard. They should find a way to get Mike Bibby(PG) who used to play under Aldeman back in Sacramento. Get rid of Alston and have Luther come off the bench. It looks like Bonzi(PF) is coming back since he had a good relationship with Aldeman back in Sacramento. We just need to tweak our bench a bit more.

Edited May 27, 2007 by donnieyen

[Trae]

There have been rumors over at Clutch Fans that Kobe Bryant is real unhappy with his situation in LA. Why not trade T-Mac and Reefer Austin for Kobe and maybe a bench warmer? As much as I love T-Mac, Kobe is better around big men. Just look how many rings him and Shaq won together (3). I would do it, but would feel bad just for a bit for T-Mac.

[lockmat]

I'll give up Tracy for Kobe any day. Let's do it!

[ProHouston]

I'll give up Tracy for Kobe any day. Let's do it!

Kobe can't lead in LA with Phil at the helm, what makes you think he can lead here? Sure, he may be the best all around player in the league, but without being a leader or team player, what do you have? Evidently a first round exit. We've done that already, I want a Finals appearance.

[DJ V Lawrence]

I'll give up Tracy for Kobe any day. Let's do it!

Why not trade for Kobe AND keep McGrady and Yao Ming? Alston, Howard, and Battier for Kobe would be an even trade, then if they wanted, they could still try to sign free-agent forward Rashard Lewis

That'd be total murder on the dance floor, yo

[lockmat]

I think there's no way the Lakers would do that DJ, IMO. Tracy must be part of the deal. However, 610 guys were saying that the Lakers probably wouldn't even want Tracy. I agree. He's injury prone, and I don't know if any of our other guys look appealing either, especially after these past playoffs. The only hope we have is to give up a first rounder.

ProHouston, why in the world would you not want the best player in the league? This is pretty much like passing up on Michael.

And Kobe had nobody around him. We have YAO. And who are you gonna add to a team that's better than Kobe? You want a Finals? Get Kobe.

[DJ V Lawrence]

I think there's no way the Lakers would do that DJ, IMO. Tracy must be part of the deal. However, 610 guys were saying that the Lakers probably wouldn't even want Tracy. I agree. He's injury prone, and I don't know if any of our other guys look appealing either, especially after these past playoffs. The only hope we have is to give up a first rounder.

Look at who they gave up Shaq to Miami for...

[lockmat]

Look at who they gave up Shaq to Miami for...

I don't remember. Who?

But Kobe still has at least three or four more years of dominance in him. Shaq was already past his peak and on the decline. That's the difference I see in the two.

[Trae]

I don't remember. Who?

But Kobe still has at least three or four more years of dominance in him. Shaq was already past his peak and on the decline. That's the difference I see in the two.

Kobe has like six years of raw dominance left in him. I hope we trade Rafer, Battier, maybe Head for Kobe. Imagine our lineup with T-Mac, Yao, KOBE, Wells?, Snyder?. Who would our last two players be?