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Still one piece away...but anything's possible.
The Rockets have won 10 of their last 11 games and are closing in on any reasonable threshold for championship contention. As a basic litmus test, most contemporary le contenders have ranked in the top 10 in both offense and defense. There are some exceptions (including this season’s Pacers, a below-average offensive team), but that kind of two-way balance is a loose guideline for championship basketball.
Houston qualifies, contrary to what the Rockets’ bloated points-allowed-per-game figure (or your talking head of choice) might suggest. Pace of play is not a demerit; how many points the fast-breaking Rockets surrender on a per-game basis matters far less than how much they give up per possession. It’s the micro that matters. The speed of the game naturally fluctuates from minute to minute. It’s only by reducing basketball to its most basic unit — the possession — that performance can be evaluated to account for those near-constant shifts in tempo.
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Your thoughts?
I say no. Not having to do anything with last night's game, I just dont buy it.
But I have to admit the "Coward" looks much better the past 6 weeks.
I still say screw him and McHale.
But I like Harden & Parsons.
Still one piece away...but anything's possible.
Kevin Mchale
Harden goes into Kobme chucking mode far too often.
Kills team ball.
So damn easy talking it.
Damn difficult winning that last game in June.
Just ask our host.
If you read the article, it actually argues the one piece away theory is wrong, based on "possesion focused metrics". he discounts the shaky defense based on the "pace" you guys play at ...
The Rockets won 22 straight a few years back and lost in the 1st round of the playoffs. Howard lacks the mental for ude to overcome the pressures of post season play, especially at that level, with that coach. Some other big will get into his head and he'll melt and tweak off.
Exactly. It's Miami's to lose (well except last June when it was Pop's) and I have lost faith in OKC & Indy as worthy contenders.
San Antonio and maybe Doc's band of misfits are the only hopes left ...
James is a beast it his world for at least one more season.
James hasn't convinced me, nor has he convinced Pop, I assure you. It's kind of a shame that it was the Heat who pulled that stunt last June. Anybody else a done it to 'em & we'd have been treated to an off season of vows of retribution not seen coming from the vicinity of the Alamo since shortly after Santa and I don't mean Claus shoved Davy's coonskin deep in that ass.
I agree but I hear some of the stat nerds (Mahoney/Lowe) as well as some of the old guard (JVG,Hubie) touting these guys as legit.
Figured I would get some hoops talk back in play and get a feel foe what the forum feels.
I think Rox will be legit contenders if Harden was a #2 option and Dwight was #2B ... but I doubt that happens.
They are only "ONE PIECE AWAY" if that piece is Lebron or Durant or MAYBE Paul George or CP3 ...
I read the article a few days ago, still doesn't change my opinion. We won't win a championship unless we find that last piece. Mark my words come playoff time...
Thanks to James, Kirby dons the bag and there's nothing you can do about it....tee, hee.
They're match-up dependent like every other team in the West. I like their chances in a series against any team not named OKC/SA. They'd probably push either team to 6 games as well IMO.
Hamilton looks like to be a solid addition. If one of Lin/Hamilton/D-Mo/Jones can get hot in the playoffs then they have a legit shot of getting to the WCF tbh.
Sweetheart, it's my bag. I'll designate it as I see fit. And your Duncan has it for at least another year. You can't go thru the Lakers to get 5, so even if you win it you'll be at 5-5 and Duncan will retain possession of the bag.
You had your chance last June. You ed up.
I don't think the Rox are legit contenders. I think they can get amazingly hot and torch any team in the league, but their inconsistent play will be detrimental in a series, and Howard's ego and antics will cost the team in meaningful games. Harden isn't the problem. He's good enough for his pay. The problem is with coaching and the center position. Howard is a good center, but he needs a leash that McHale isn't going to provide.
It may be "your" bag, but, Kirby is wearing it.
Let us proceed....
This
Mental midget, foul machine with no post game big man
Chucking, flopping, ass SG
Clueless coach
not exactly a recipe for a championship team
I'd say the team is still too Harden dependent. He's pretty much the only player who can really create on offense, which means that a team can design a defense to really contain him, and slow down the rest of the Rockets.
Also, I am not confident McHale have a coaching smarts for a plan B in the playoffs when teams have time to prep for you and take away your plan A.
I'd say Indiana, Miami, OKC will definitely beat them.
Spurs may beat them depending on the game plan against Harden.
Dallas has a good chance, so does Portland (Aldridge will pull Dwight away further out, minimizing his defensive impact, and then Lillard will drive on them on day. Of course, I don't see Portland stopping Harden or Dwight).
GSW will give them matchup issues as the Rockets aren't that great in perimeter defense.
But I guess yeah, given that they are tied for 2nd tier teams (with Portland and Spurs), I'd say they are contenders, but it will take them lots of good luck in matchups to make it to, let alone win, the Finals.
Clippers-Rockets series will be tasty though
Reminds me somewhat of the Nash Phoenix Suns. They were decent enough on defense but their pace made it look worse. That said, both teams were only average defensively, and unless you have a prime Shaq, Mike, Lebron or Hakeem, you will have to pretty good on defense to win it all.
For reference, the Rockets are 12th in defensive rating. While not horrible, it's not that good.
I don't see Harden as a leader for a playoff contender, especially given his dependency on freethrows.
The only time you say that, Dale, is when you're asked if you want your prostate milked while you watch your betamax of every Suns loss in the post-season.
Don't tease me, honey-bun.
Bend over, I'll show you a honey-bun.
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