Should The Rockets Have Comfortably Made The Playoffs This Season?
by Tom Martin on Mar 30, 2011 1:37 PM CDT
in NBA Playoffs
Email
PrintChances are, your Houston Rockets aren't going to make the playoffs this season. Barring a miracle collapse from Memphis and a near-perfect Rockets record to the end, the good guys will be the ninth seed in the West, one short of qualifying them for playoff contention. In the midst of attempting to cope with this realization, it's not difficult to look East, where three teams with records worse than Houston's will receive an invitation to be slaughtered by the best that its conference has to offer.
And while the Rockets may have suffered a similar fate at the hands of the superior Spurs or Lakers, it would have been fun to see postseason play return to Houston, especially during a year in which A) High expectations yielded to a rock-bottom feeling after a Yao-less roster stumbled to a sub-par start, and B) The Rockets have managed to get their s**t together, make a few sneaky trades and play their best basketball as the playoffs approach. Who knows, perhaps there could have been a repeat of the Los Angeles series from a few years back? While the Rockets didn't emerge victorious, they forced the Lakers to seven games and provided a HUGE morale boost to the fanbase and to the organization as a whole.
In short, it's one-hundred percent worth the slightly lower draft pick to play an extra week or two of basketball. Which is why I'm pissed that Houston plays in the Western Conference.
Tom Ziller has a solution, for us daydreamers who'd love a Red first round:
In seven of the past eight seasons, the No. 9 team in the West had a better record than the No. 8 team in the East. That means that the NBA didn't take the top 16 teams to the playoffs -- it took the top 12-15, plus a bad team or four while better squads got early start on their beach reading. In the one year where the first team out for the West wasn't better than the last team in for the East, the teams' records were tied.
It's systemic. The East has had the bigger influx of impact players since 2003; LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Derrick Rose are among the East superstars that have entered the league since this great imbalance began. And the issue isn't ending.
The Houston Rockets are this season's victim. The Rockets currently sit at 39-35, four games ahead of .500 but 2.5 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed in the West. The East playoff picture would, as of Wednesday, admit three teams with records worse than that of Houston to the postseason: the 76ers (38-36), Knicks (36-38) and Pacers (33-42).
Ziller proceeds to create a playoff bracket that features the Rockets as a 14th seed in a conferenceless playoff approach. I wouldn't be one to complain should this take form in reality.
There are faults with this line of thinking, in that it diminishes in-conference rivalries, relies upon Eastern Conference owners agreeing to such a proposal and brings about the question of, "What's the point, especially if it's going to end up as Lakers/Celtics regardless?" And those are all valid points, but in the end, the best teams should compete for a championship. Separate conference playoffs have only served to harness good teams that deserve playoff contention, so why not make a change to solve an obvious problem?
59 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Definitely not a fan of 'conference-less' playoffs
There’s a reason why we play more western conference games than eastern conference and why we play more southwest games than other west opponents. The Rockets went 4-9 in the division and didn’t win games all year that they needed to (ex. Minny at home before the all-star break). It sucks that they would make the playoffs every year in the East, but unless you want to throw all 30 teams in a giant pot and play all teams somewhat equally, then I am fine with how it is. And if it was just one giant pool of teams, I don’t think I would like it as much. Conferences and divisions develop some semblance of rivalries.
Still would not account for the fact you only play some of the other conference’s teams once or that you play play your division more. The only way to completely fix it would be to add games by playing every team at home and away. This would change the amount of games. While I do not think the present way is fair we usually end up with the top 9 or 10 teams playing for sure. With our best of 7 series the better team should win. I still think it is better than the other sports. Just sucks as a Rocket Fan that we have a tougher schedual that others
I say keep it the way it is
There would be no point in having a conference or even a division if there were a “conference-less playoffs”. You play the hand you are dealt and do the best you can with it.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
No, the current playoff seeding/system works,
no need to change that up. It’s going to be unfortunate if and when the Rockets don’t make the post-season, but it’s not worth changing. This season has really been the tale of 3 seasons, the increidbly shitty start, then the time Yao was out for good until the trade deadline, then of course then till now. And I know it’s petty bitching, but they got screwed pretty good with their back 2 backs and road trips.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
I'd love to make the kind of money Dwight Howard makes, unfortunately we're in different situations.
Yea, it’s a shame that worse Eastern Conference teams get to make it but that still wouldn’t be proper grounds to go ahead and re-work the way scheduling and the league is structured. You have to play the hand your dealt and unfortunately the Rockets frittered away their chances by playing uninspired and sloppy basketball in the first half. Why bother rewarding a team playing half a season of basketball?
Do I care whether or not we’re in the playoffs? Not in the slightest. I only care about the future of this franchise. Near misses and barely makes, to me, don’t account for much since it’s all the same result. A 1st round exit or the lottery. This team needs to make the most of every possibility when it presents itself, not when it’s on the way out the door, which is ultimately the story of the 2010-2011 Houston Rockets.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Why can't you believe that?
I don’t get pumped just to get my ass kicked in the 1st round? I would much rather know that our team is plodding along a path that leads to relevance rather than placating a fan base with a devil may care attitude to get ejected from the first round? I don’t accept a culture of mediocrity and hype. I accept a culture of results. Houston is better than a first round team if they build up a bit, if we continually bust ass just to get 8th or 9th, where does that really land us? Consistently mediocre.
So no, the playoffs mean jack shit to me, it’s just a maximum of 7 more games the Rockets would play, yipee.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Well said
But most people take that as saying “you want us to rank” or “you aren’t a true fan”. I for one agree with your sentiment of not giving a damn whether or not we make the playoffs. I want to maximize our chances of getting better and most players get better individually in the offseason with workouts from team trainers and learning the system in which they play. If they make the playoffs then good for the team’s confidence and hopefully someone get bust out of their shell. If we miss the playoffs good. Everybody needs to get their asses in the gym and come back next season playing better than the season previous.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
Maybe you dont know but BD34 is actually T-Will...
and when he says that he doesnt care about the playoffs is because either way he wont see playing time. He care about the future of the franchise, because he thinks he will be the Rockets starting SF….
*this of course is all very true
It won't stir anything up.
The asterisk wasn’t in there to put the asterisk note at the bottom, so it doesn’t follow properly in the writing. That and I’m off the T-Will train but I still feel like he deserves minutes, whether it be in garbage time or in the D-League. I just need to get faith in his intelligence again (I’m actually seeing strides in his maturity through Twitter) and I like it.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I really love how his production has stepped up.
Apparently he had a bunch of other problems that were wrecking his focus, which really only pushes the idea that an on-staff psychologist isn’t a bad idea. I really do believe he can pan out as a 4/5.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Hill
Hill has been doing better again. He and Patterson have logged some time together that has looked promising. Seems to do better at the 5 than he was. I think he lost the 4 time he was getting more because of his poor play at the 5 and of course the great job from Patrick.
I maintained it all year.
He’s had to re-live his Rookie season because he has been in limbo between the 4 and the 5, now he has a definite position at the 5 and he can focus on those skills and needs.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Twitter Intelligence Test
Nothing says intelligence like electronic communcation of 140 characters at a time. Things like IQ tests, the SAT, the ACT, etc are old-fashioned and out of date, if you think about it. Instead, we should simply look at a big printout of one’s twitters or tweetering or whatever they’re called to gauge one’s intelligence. Sounds like a solid plan to me.
Because as we all know taking one thing I said
and harping on it like it was the crux of my argument, as opposed to one piece of evidence to show improvement, is a sign of remarkable discussion skills. Also, most universities don’t take the SAT as seriously since the addition of the essay (A subjectively graded piece of material on a wholly objective exam).
TDS's resident dickhead.
Any statement that includes
gauging a player’s level of maturity based on twitter feeds doesn’t necessarily spur remarkable discussion. It does, however, bring on a chuckle, a shake of the head, and a sarcastic reply.
When that is all you have to go on...
As my redneck friend would say, “ya got to ride the horse ya got”.
If you're not playing for a championship
than why the fuck are you playing? I’m not going to go out on a date with a hot chick and hope I get lucky enough to play DJ Diddles. I’m playing like i’m going all the way. Savvy?
I can't either
What ever happened to rooting for the underdog? What ever happened to putting together a great run and taking down the giants in the postseason? It happens. In fact, to me, it’s what sports are all about. Who would even watch if the highest seed always won? In that system, the only people who would care about the playoffs were the fans of the #1 overall seed.
It's the NBA and the series are best of 7.
More often than not the top seeds DO win. We didn’t make the playoffs last year and we’re all alive and kicking right? No one killed themselves. I may be odd in that I’m not rushing to compete to be the pity fuck or the ugly friend but I don’t think I’m the only one that shares the same mentality as A.J. G. I’m after a team that can win it all, not prolong its season by a week to make me feel good that ultimately we’re such a shit team that a first round knock out means the world to me.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Incremental improvement
Very rarely a team will score am amazing draft pick or grab some incredible free agents and can become a contender overnight. But in my opinion, it typically takes much more time. There’s a building process, and you want to keep making strides in the positive direction. I think that you have to become a playoff team before you can become a championship caliber team. Especially in our case, where we are trying to promote a young core and improve internally while hoping for a player or two via draft or trade. In my mind, sneaking into the playoffs would be great for both the current players and the fans, and would help out somewhat in trying to attact some new talent as well.
I don’t understand what concept you are promoting. Ok, you don’t want us to get into the playoffs. But why? So that TWill and Thabeet can play 10 minutes a game for the last 8? I don’t think either guy is the answer. Looking at the in-season improvements of guys like Bud and PPat and Lowry, I would much prefer to get some valuable playoff experience for guys who matter than some garbage time, end of season minutes for guys who don’t.
You don't understand what concept I'm promoting? Allow me to reiterate it for the 50th time.
Don’t assume you know it. You say I don’t want us to get into the playoffs, when did I ever say that? That’s news to me if I did. So please, show me where I said I don’t want to make it. Last I checked I said I don’t give a shit. There’s a difference.
What do I recommend? I recommend us rebuilding rather than forcing ourselves to gobble down a hot plate of mediocrity where this fanbase feels accomplished getting knocked out in the first round. This might shock some people on the board but if you’re not a contender, you really don’t have a huge reason to pat yourself on the back for making it to the playoffs. We’re a team that is in the process of rebuilding. Most people here seem to think there’s some magical quick fix that will remedy all of our problems and that’s just a fool’s hope because no one is handing over a replacement all star to fill in for Yao Ming.
Everyone on this board says the pick discrepancy doesn’t matter when anyone mentions why care so much about an extra week to get our asses kicked by the Spurs but I ask YOU lot, if the draft position doesn’t matter, why care? If we make it in, our draft prospects are roughly the same as not making it. You cite playoff experience but we could have an entire team full of playoff experience but if we don’t, or won’t, have the talent to use it when the time comes, what good was cultivating a culture of first round losses?
TDS's resident dickhead.
There's pretty much nothing bad that can come
from making the playoffs. Even if we get swept in the first round. If you’re worried about Houston fans acquiring false hope and thinking we’re something we’re not like a great team, why are you so worried what other people think. Let them think that, who f’n cares? There’s way more good that could come with a post-season appearance than bad, so “not giving a shit” is pretty stupid, but with you I’m not surprised.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
In no way, shape, or form, did you comprehend what I posted.
I’m saying there’s no difference and I don’t care what the fans think, I find it to be pretty obvious that I’m blatantly apathetic as to what others think. Especially when I’ve vocalized this a great deal in the past.
As for saying a stupid idea is something I’d endear myself to, I’d hope you could come up with something better than that if you’re going to try to insult the biggest asshole on TDS.
TDS's resident dickhead.
What good comes from mediocrity?
The system in it’s present form is broken. We need to get better and people who settle for watching what a young team with no star in the playoffs are merely prolonging the inevitable. I hate to lose, and I hate for my team to lose. However, the present system in place for improvement in the NBA is such that you are in a lose-lose when you are where we are as a team. I’m not saying it is bad to make the playoffs at all. I am simply advocating a long term solution in lieu of short term fixes. As a true fan we demand more of our sports teams, rightfully so. Mediocrity keeps people in the stands by giving us false hope. Unfortunately, too many people have drank the kool-aid.
by A.J. G on Mar 31, 2011 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
No one ever said playoffs is the end all be all...
It’s not playoffs or bust. This team isn’t close, and needs a good draft and a good FA to become better. We are all aware of that. But as a fan, you have to like the idea of another 4-7 games nationally televised on cable and our young players experiencing playoff type intensity. Like I said, more good things would come than bad… So not giving a shit whether they make it or not is pretty stupid. It has nothing to do with not trying to improve a mediocre team. There will be changes made this summer because to sary the current team is mediocre may be a slight compliment. Also, I would assume that none of you are ticket holders? That would also change your “perception” of wanting to make the playoffs whether you get swept or not. *Especially if games 3 and 4 in Houston were against LA.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
A fan HAS to root for their team to get meaningless playoff sacrifice in?
You need to re-evaluate what you call stupid. By not caring I’m placing the team ahead of my frivolous wants.
TDS's resident dickhead.
I appreciate if you feel strongly about an issue jake
but cannot overstate the lack of quality responses you will get from people if you refer to their opinons as stupid instead of engaging in healthy discussion. At least from my end. I feel that I would love to watch with hope every year my team running the gauntlet. Sometimes being the favorite, sometimes the underdog. However, I don’t feel like our present team belongs there. Simply my opinon. Also, I don’t care if they make the playoffs this year or not just to watch an extra couple of games in which we look like shit and it becomes painfully apparent we are not close to being contenders.
And for the record, my family and I were season ticket holders before I joined the military. Yet, I do not see what that has to do with being a true fan. I paid to watch during the Francis years, a year or two of missing the playoffs would not deter me from renewal as long as I seen progression towards a true contention state.
I wouldn't want a change.
I think it sucks that the southwest division is the group of death right now, but that’s just going to happen. Having the 17th best team over the 16th best team probably doesn’t make much of a difference in the playoff picture.
If you tell me you work as an armorer I will flip shit.
Got a piece of chainmaile from the New York Renaissance Faire from a company called Mardigan’s Maile.
TDS's resident dickhead.
Haha, Nah I had randomly just watched Willow when I signed up, and I changed the middle part to go with my first name.
An extra 4-7 games this season
on a cable network would be just total shit for this franchise I tell you. Bud, Jordan, and Patterson getting a small sample of playoff intensity ball would just be a ****-ing disaster I know. All of this so we could maybe get 2 higher draft slots at best. Not to mention making this franchise more appealing to agents and the players they represent this summer, or the profitablitly and increased value with post-season ticket sales.
Funny how Memphis' ****-up has become Houston's obsession
its the way its always been
It sucks but so does life sometimes. Does the wwest have by and large better teams? Yes. Does playing better teams more often make t harder to accumulate the wins needed for playoff contention? Yes.
But who gives a fuck, if we hadn’t sucked so much ass in the begining of the year and hadn’t dropped so many games to teams we should have beaten then we wouldn’t be in this situation.
Playoff expirience is good for youth development but then again so are lessons hard learned and missing out on the post season because we didn’t close out games in the begining of the year should grow them youngins up some. Especially given how hard they’re fighting for it now.
Last year our record was better than chi’s but they got in and we didn’t. Mark my words, if we can get our hands on a legit 7fter to start and protect the rim during fre agency, we wouldn’t b in this mess. All our problems wouldn’t end there but it’d b a damn good start.
"Never underestimate the heart of a champion"- Rudy T, all up in that azz
by ShookednShanghaied11 on Mar 30, 2011 6:13 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
for what it's worth
I hope you guys make it
"Maybe I’m old school," Nash said, "but I signed a contract to play here and I want to honor it. I feel like I owe it to my teammates and the city and everybody to keep battling until they tell me it’s time to go." STEVE (God of Basketball) NASH
while i'm on the camp of hoping we make it to the playoffs
i don’t think a restructuring in the playoff structure is in order and i’m not entirely sure you were being serious when you suggested it.
there is too much history associated with the rivalries to break the playoffs into simple records. scheduling would become a mess since if you put everyone into one pool for playoffs, they’ll have to play each team about the same number of times.
if things go as planned, this season is probably going to be the most competitive playoffs in a few years
east has 3 legit contenders and one really good playoff team (celtics, heat, bulls and magic)
west has 3 legit contenders and one pretty good team (spurs, lakers, mavericks and okc).
houston didn’t deserve to make playoffs because we didn’t take care of business.
click here for: rockets playoff watch!
Use to be the EAST was king
For years most of the good teams were in the East. Mostly all you heard about was the Northeast.
Yup
The balance shifts back and forth. If anything, that makes the conference system even more interesting. Plus the rivalries, division intensity, trade implications, etc.
Teams have all season to look at the standings and know what they need to get in. The conferenceless playoff argument only makes sense for the fans of those very few teams that just didn’t get it done.
i like the conferences, but the rivalries are tired
and all this talk about the overrated Rose and the East “rising” is just blasphemous. Media ignores the 3rd-coast & the West. I’m sure Lowry would look reasonably close to Rose if we/he played against the Cavs, the Pistons, & the Bucks instead of the Hornets, Spurs, Mavs, & Grizzlies.
Port Arthur, TX
by Screamin' Demons on Mar 31, 2011 2:18 AM CDT reply actions
No, he wouldn't.
I only post cotton candy. Because it's delicious.
yeah, i'm pretty sure he would
Port Arthur, TX
by Screamin' Demons on Apr 4, 2011 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Play-offs Chances are Way-off
This loss coupled with Memphis and New Orleans wins almost assured we have no chance left. But as a Fan, I am happy with the play since the trade. I think the future is bright without distroying the team with off-season moves. We will have to trade somebody, I hope it is not many.
Yes, the Rockets should have comfortably made the playoffs.
Unfortunately, they pissed away way too many “just one game”s early in the season… and those are the losses that really come back to haunt you at the end of the season. Close losses aren’t moral victories; they are losses. Yes, I was pleased the Rockets only lost to Heat by six points, but that didn’t blind me to the fact that they lost. In some respects, it was worse, because a narrow loss suggests to me that a little bit more hustle here and a little bit more gumption there might’ve meant a one-point win instead of a six point loss.
I don’t blame the conference structure for the Rockets’ impending fishing trip. I blame the Rockets.
by DribbleHooper on Mar 31, 2011 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
So real
Even though we had some injuries here and there we still lost way too many close games. Sure it is admirable that we are even still in the hunt by making this late push but push has come to shove now and we will see what happens next.
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
True
We shouldn’t be in this predicament. Excuses are pointless. Injuries, schedule, pouting, and personnel. The players get paid to play and there was no direction early in the season. We got that solid after the trade deadline, but it was too late. We’re going to run into this apprehension every year until we get our roster solid. Unfortunately, that’s not possible when you’re rebuilding. Players just gotta be professional and try to win every game all season. Blame is irrelevant. Just play.
Tell that to the Simpsons (The Homers)
They don’t like when people just keep it real even though it may hurt. Doh!
Me against the world is a mismatch in my favor.
Man, it is simple
Basketball is unique in the aspect that it is personal. We see the players face and begin to identify with them. When that happens we feel we have a personal investment in their lives and careers. I don’t deny feeling connected to my team and it’s players. However, I place the legacy of the team, past and present, at a higher premium than an individual. I like AB, seems like a good guy and did alot for us. However, I can give two shits if he continues to struggle or not in Phoenix. Not my problem. I have one concern, and that is my team. I have been watching too long and seen too many players play with such class and determination to sully that by settling for excuses.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
Related FanPosts on The Dream Shake
Related FanShots on The Dream Shake
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- C-a-C: This is probably as close to LeBron James working with John Waters as we’ll ever get
- Dwyane Wade’s hot pink pants: The kind of thing you can get away with when you drop 41
- Lamar Odom to New York? Dwight Howard on the move? For now, it’s all talk
- David West hilariously denies each and every one of his young fans a high-five (VIDEO)
- Behind the Box Score, where the Miami Heat are moving on to the conference finals
