I can't explain how depressed I was when I heard Yao was out. I almost thought it was a cruel joke at first. I haven't looked forward to the playoffs this much...well, ever. The West was gonna be so nice. Lakers just got Gasol, Phoenix got Shaq, Dallas got Kidd, New Orleans has been good all year, Utah was scary last year, the Rockets were rollin, Golden State is fun to watch and the Spurs are the defending champs.
When I heard Yao was out my interest in the playoffs went from a 97 out of 100 to a 40 or so. After getting over the initial shock I remembered there are still six teams in the West that have a legitimate shot at winning a title. That is crazy. And the Finals should be better this year. I think Cleveland got better with the trade, Detroit looks better this season and obviously the Celtics drastically improved to say the least.
After today I have a little more faith in the Rockets chances. They just won their 15th straight game which ties a franchise record for consecutive wins and is the longest win streak by any team this year. Obviously without Yao they don't realistically have a shot at the championship. But maybe this will be the year that Tracy finally wins a playoff series. It really depends who they draw in the first round. I think they could beat New Orleans, Utah, Dallas or Golden State.
Even though the West is super competitive this year I would still bet that the Rockets will make the playoffs. After tonight they're now the 6th seed and only three games out of first! And as Patrick pointed out their remaining schedule is pretty easy.
Although they may not win it all I'm still hopeful for what they can do in the playoffs. Maybe they can mimic Golden State from last year and knock off the Mavs. My playoff interest is back up to an 80/100.
2 comments:
Yea, they'll make the playoffs. But damn, if they had Yao...geez, they woulda been tough to beat. Their role players are just playing out of their minds lately. Alston is finally hitting his shots, and I can't say enough about Scola and Landry.
Even without Yao they have been blowing their opponents away. Now, you could say they were easy opponents, but Washington just beat NO.
I dunno...they look good. Some good tests are coming up. This Denver game was their first, and they passed that one pretty easily.
I gotta give some props to Mutumbo. He's still a fantastic defender. In fact, that why I still like their chances. They were winning games before Yao went out with defense and to be totally honest, Deke is a better defender than Yao.
They are gonna miss his points and the inside out game that he gave them, but if alston and battier can keep hitting shots, I wouldn't want to meet them in the playoffs.
Those two players are the key. Scola and Landry are gonna give you the constants, and Tracy has found his place in Adelman's O.
i would love to see them beat the Mavs. I can't help being a dallas hater; i was kinda raised that way. That would make dallas' 3rd playoff upset in a row.
Dirk doesn't help my anti-dallas-ness though. That man dives to the floor when no one touches him, hoping to draw fouls (he did that and several rediculous and cheap things last night). To see a guy get punished for excellent defense boils my blood.
Here's Dirk- "Wow, this is good defense. Good thing there's this floor to dive on. Which yell and scowl should i go with this time?"
Him and Varejao should bump uglys.
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