As much as I love Dirk and Cuban -- yes, both of those guys are awesome, and I simply do not see how anyone that is a huge basketball fan can disagree -- we're going to pretend this didn't happen, right?  

Or are we going to say, "Well yeah, but, um, we have TWO!" ?  I think that's the route I'm going to go.  The Rockets are one of 9 teams (doing this from memory) to have won more than one championship (Celtics, Lakers, Bulls, Spurs, Pistons, Nationals/76ers, Warriors, Knicks, Rockets).  Only 18** of the 30 (I had to look that up) teams have won a championship at all with the Celtics at 17 and the Lakers at 16 hogging all of the glory.  So, winning two is pretty impressive, though winning 1 put you in pretty rare territory.  If you look at when basketball as we know it started (1979 with Magic coming into the league) it shrinks to only 10 teams winning a ring.  Of those 10 teams, 7 won more than once.  

There are two big questions that come from this Finals:

Continue reading this post »

Chances 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:

Continue reading this post »

"Playoff Perspective" provides a look at the Rockets' possible playoff opponents from the opposing blogger's point of view.  Each team, from Dallas to LA (as the chances of us playing Phoenix aren't very probable), will be represented.  On today's edition, Basketball John of the SBN blog SLC Dunk gives us his take on a Rockets-Jazz first round match up, albeit unlikely.  But seriously, if this happened again, I'd be annoyed.  Can't we just dominate someone else instead?  

What advantages do you think the Jazz would have over the Rockets in a
playoff series?

A big advantage right now would be mental.  They've beaten the Rockets in the first round the past two years and seem to be one of the teams that give the Rockets fits.  It's all about match-ups in the NBA and the Jazz match up well with the Rockets.   Boozer and Mehmet Okur cause fits and Deron Williams causes match-ups problems for most point guards.

Disadvantages?

T-Mac being out for the season.  Seriously.  If we were down late in a game, you could always count on McGrady jacking up 5 consecutive three pointers in the last 5 minutes instead of driving and getting to the line or the dunk.  Good times.  And the Rockets will have home-court, again.

Would home court advantage affect your chances greatly, marginally, or not
at all?

We need home-court advantage like Calista Flockhart needs a sandwich.

Compared to the other possible match ups, how confident would you be in your
team if they faced the Rockets in the first round?

Given the double-OT game earlier this year at Houston (stupid free-throws.  Fesenko should have faked an injury) and our success @ Houston in the last two playoff series, it gives me a glimmer of hope that we might be able to steal one on the road.  The only other teams I want to face in the playoffs would be New Orleans and Denver.

"Playoff Perspective" provides a look at the Rockets' possible playoff opponents from the opposing blogger's point of view. Each team, from Dallas to LA (as the chances of us playing Phoenix aren't very probable), will be represented. On today's edition, our fellow SBN bloggers at At The Hive give us insight on a Rockets-Hornets first round match up.

What advantages do you think the Hornets would have over the Rockets in a playoff series?

With Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic both out, the Hornets really don't have many significant advantages. Houston is below average at turnovers and offensive rebounding, and the Hornets force turnovers and defensive rebound well, so that would be a plus. Chris Paul is still Chris Paul, but he loses some of his edge, due to the quickness of Aaron Brooks. I'd also say that the Hornets have a slight advantage in terms of athleticism. Julian Wright has re-emerged into a crucial role as of late. Based on that fact, it would be very beneficial for the Hornets to run at every chance. New Orleans typically plays a slower brand of basketball than Houston, but with Paul, Wright, and Rasual Butler running the floor, they are highly proficient at running the break. If the turnover battle I mentioned above turns in favor of New Orleans, the fast break would obviously become a more common occurrence.

Disadvantages?

The big disadvantage would be health. Right now, Chandler is in a walking boot, Peja is experiencing "shooting pain from his back to his legs," James Posey has some sort of mysterious elbow injury, and David West's ankle is sprained all kinds of bad. Sure, T-Mac is out for the Rockets, but his offensive production plumetted this year anyway, and there have always been questions about his defense. As a result of those injuries, the Hornets' interior defense is nonexistent. If a guard gets into the paint, he's getting a layup. Now if Yao Ming gets in the lane... On top of that, the Hornets' shooting percentages have sunken into mediocrity this year. Considering that Houston doesn't foul (2nd best foul rate in the West), forces more misses from the floor than any team in the conference (1st best eFG defense in the West), and doesn't allow offensive rebounds (2nd best defensive rebounding in the West), things could get ugly for the Hornets real fast.

Would home court advantage affect your chances greatly, marginally, or not at all?

Compared to some other teams, I don't think it would matter too much. I mean, HCA is always a big factor; to ignore its effects completely is silly. That's not a knock either on New Orleans Arena, which has transformed into one of the louder venues in the League the last couple years. It's just the Hornets have the third best road record in the Conference right now, and they've shown the ability to perform in tough locations. HCA would be far more advantageous to a team like Portland (which, if I'm remembering correctly, has just one road win against West Top 7) or to a team like Utah (since they can't conduct regular muggings).

Compared to the other possible match ups, how confident would you be in your team if they faced the Rockets in the first round?

Minus a healthy Chandler and Peja, I'm not feeling too confident about any matchup, let alone the Rockets. Chandler was not only the centerpiece of the NBA's 7th best defense last year, but also the primary screen setter for Chris Paul. If- and it's a big if- those guys return healthy, I think the team will surprise some people. The bench has really picked up its play with a few bench players serving as spot starters. If someone can get hot to accompany Chris Paul, who knows?

Want to know more about the Hornets?  Check out At The Hive.

"Playoff Perspective" provides a look at the Rockets' possible playoff opponents from the opposing blogger's point of view.  Each team, from Dallas to LA (as the chances of us playing Phoenix aren't very probable), will be represented.  On today's edition, AaronStampler of the SBN San Antonio Spurs blog Pounding the Rock gives us his take on a Rockets-Spurs first round match up

What advantages do you think the Spurs would have over the Rockets in a playoff series?

I would think the Spurs' two main advantages would be scoring depth and experience. We tend to not think of the Spurs as an offensive team, but that is mainly due to the pace they play and not their proficiency at putting the ball in the hoop. Obviously their big three all have a history of kicking it up a notch in the playoffs (playing more minutes doesn't hurt), but also guys like Mason, Bonner, Finley, even Gooden can all go for 15 or so on any given night and can all knock down open shots. The match-up that really hurts the Rockets is Parker. They don't have anyone who can check him and if they pack the lane against him they have to hope that A) his jumper won't fall and B) neither will the jumpers of all the guys he'll kick it out to for open looks. Frenchie has a long and proud history of dominating first round series, so that won't be very pleasant for you.

Also, and I know this sounds like some cliche ESPN talking head thing, but until the Rockets win a series with Yao, you can't, at this point, take them too seriously. They just haven't been able to get over the hump. I like Yao, I love Scola (still a sore point for Spurs fans), but I think ultimately that Artest will shoot you out of most games and will do more harm than good.

Disadvantages?

If Yao avoids foul trouble, he should be able to score consistently on us, we're not the kind of physical, banging team that will intimidate him or put him in foul trouble. Rebounding will be a problem for us against Houston because Bonner is weak and Scola will have him for lunch. I don't know how much Pop will trust Drew Gooden. He can board, but can be had on the pick and roll all day. The Rox also have not one but two guys who can make life difficult for Ginobili in Artest and Battier, and a bunch of guys like Hayes to throw at Duncan. 

Would home court advantage affect your chances greatly, marginally, or not at all?

No, I doubt it. When I think of teams that have rabid fans and intimidating home courts, I don't think of the Houston Rockets. And Spurs fans have become so spoiled that they don't even start cheering until the fourth quarter or unless Manu does something.

Compared to the other possible match ups, how confident would you be in your team if they faced the Rockets in the first round?

I probably have no reason to be as confident as I am, and I'm probably living in some fantasy world where the Spurs are actually still you know "good," but I have full confidence in the Spurs against anyone in the West besides LA. Besides them Utah worries me a bit. I think my favorite matchup would be the always-ready-to-implode Nuggets.

Want to know more about the Spurs?  Head over to Pounding the Rock.

"Playoff Perspective" provides a look at the Rockets' possible playoff opponents from the opposing blogger's point of view.  Each team, from Dallas to LA (as the chances of us playing Phoenix aren't very probable), will be represented.  On today's edition, Jeremy Wagner (formerly of Pickaxe and Roll) of the excellent TrueHoop blog Roundball Mining Company gives us his take on a Rockets-Nuggets first round match up.

What advantages do you think the Nuggets would have over the Rockets in a playoff series?

That is a really good question. Typically with most teams you can say Carmelo Anthony is a player that deserves a lot of defensive attention and when he is firing on all cylinders (attacking the basket, hitting his jumper, passing out of double teams and hitting cutters in the lane) he can cause a defense to collapse nearly by himself. The Rockets are a unique opponent with two players who can match Melo's physical talents all by themselves in Shane Battier and Ron Artest.

This season Melo is averaging only 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 38.6% shooting against the Rockets. If he is neutralized the Nuggets lose their biggest advantage. Melo has raised his postseason performance each year until last season against the Lakers. I expect Melo to have a good series even if he is matched up against Battier and Artest night after night. He has always shown the ability to adjust to what a defender is doing to him as the series progresses. The Nuggets have played the Spurs twice in the previous five postseason series and by the end of the first series Melo had figured out Bruce Bowen and in the second series he absolutely dominated him. The Spurs actually started covering Melo with Michael Finley to give Bowen a chance with someone else. If Melo can make that kind of progress against the "Big Two" of the Rockets, I would like the Nuggets' chances.

Apart from Melo the only player that I have yet to see any team match up well against is J.R. Smith. This season J.R. is averaging 18.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 46.2% shooting including 60.0% from behind the arc in four games against Houston. Last season J.R. was the Nuggets best player in the postseason sweep at the hands of the Lakers and I have no reason not to believe he will not repeat that performance no matter who Denver matches up against this year.

Another advantage Denver possesses is the ability to run. We have seen Yao Ming get winded quickly in Denver and as a result he has lost some minutes resting on the bench because of the fast pace.

The Nuggets also have a big advantage in experience at the point with Chauncey Billups long and impressive post season resume. Having someone like Chauncey running your team as opposed to Aaron Brooks or Kyle Lowry has to count for something, right? If not then the Nuggets may be in trouble.

Nene really struggled in the last meeting against Yao, but if he can get Yao faced up on the wing, Nene is quick enough to get to the rim and negate some of Yao's length. Generally if either Nene or Yao can get the other one in foul trouble it can really help his team out.

Disadvantages?

The number one disadvantage for Denver is Yao Ming. The Nuggets really have no one who is capable of guarding Yao in the post. Nene has the girth, but not the length. Chris "Birdman" Andersen has more length, but lacks the thick bottom Nene has. I was afraid Yao was going to kill Andersen during the Martin Luther King Day matinee in Houston he was slamming into him so hard. The Nuggets have also had Kenyon Martin cover Yao, but in that situation the spirit is willing, but heart and desire only counts for so much with a physical mismatch of that proportion. The wild card is Johan Petro. He has the length and has shown the ability to hold his ground in the post. I am not sure if Karl would use him in the playoffs, but he is a better defensive option on Yao than Birdman or Kenyon.

Chauncey may have a hoard of experience compared to Brooks, but Brooks has given the elder statesman fits with his speed. In a game earlier this season Billups tried to back Brooks down into the post and show him what it is like, but Brooks was so quick Chauncey could barely dribble the ball in order to back him down.

The Rockets ability to hit the three also has caused the Nuggets a great deal of consternation over the past couple of years. Either through drive and kicks or passing out of the post the Rockets almost always seem to be able to get open looks from beyond the arc on Denver.

Would home court advantage affect your chances greatly, marginally, or not at all?

That is another good question. The Nuggets have been in five straight postseasons, but they have never had home court advantage. Even the season they won the division and were given the third seed they had to open on the road against the sixth seeded Clippers.

The dirty little secret about the Nuggets in the postseason is that they have not been able to win at home or on the road. The Nuggets are 2-8 at the Pepsi Center during that five year stretch and they are riding a five game postseason home losing streak.

Even so I think home court advantage will be a big deal for Denver. In the past they simply have not had a competitive enough team to earn home wins. This team is different and I think it will give them a big shot of confidence to have home court advantage for the first time.

However, even if they do not have home court advantage they are a strong enough road team to win a series without it. 

Compared to the other possible match ups, how confident would you be in your team if they faced the Rockets in the first round?

The Rockets would not be one of my preferred matchups, but riding a five year stretch of futility you can understand that I am a little gun shy when it comes to calling any team out. I will say the two matchups I would love to end up with would be either Portland or Dallas.

I would put Houston in a grouping with New Orleans and Utah as teams the Nuggets would basically have a 50/50 chance against. Perhaps in any of those matchups the deciding edge would be home court advantage.

If the Nuggets and Rockets do face off it will be interesting to see which team can exorcise the first round demon and actually win a playoff series. Even though the Nuggets current playoff appearance streak is at five and the Rockets is only two Houston has still managed to win more postseason games in those two trips (five) than the Nuggets have in their five (four).

Thanks again to Jeremy.  Want to know more about the Nuggets?  Check out Pickaxe and Roll or Roundball Mining Company.

The Rockets may not have stayed healthy this year, they may not have won 60+ games, and they may not ever have the services of Tracy McGrady again, but if I told you that they would be the number 2 or 3 seed in the Western Conference, you would have jumped for joy, right?  I'm saying that not only is it possible, but that I would give it a better than 60% chance.  Let's analyze the games left for each team and we'll do so in alphabetical order of the top 8 other teams and then analyze the Rockets final games.

Dallas Mavericks (Mavs Moneyball SBNation site)

The Dallas Maverics have done just enough to keep a lead over the Phoenix Suns to this point, but their 5-5 streak in their last 10 leaves something to be desired for Mavs fans.  I think they'll close the season out strong.  Dallas has two back to back situations, but both are favorable.  Miami comes to Dallas after what should be an easy win for the Mavericks in Minnesota and Minnesota comes in after Dallas takes a short trip to New Orleans.

With a 6-3 final record, Dallas would finish at 49-33.  That's about on par with their season to date and has them winning a few playoff type games.  The one game I'm not as sure about is the final game of the season, but the Mavericks are not getting to a position to have home court advantage and the Rockets will be fighting for the number 2 seed.  I see that going the Rockets way.

Jump to see the remaining contenders.

Continue reading this post »

"Playoff Perspective" provides a look at the Rockets' possible playoff opponents from the opposing blogger's point of view.  Each team, from Dallas to LA (as the chances of us playing Phoenix aren't very probable), will be represented.  On today's edition, Ben Golliver of the fantastic SBN blog Blazer's Edge gives us his take on a Rockets-Blazers first round match up.

What advantages do you think the Blazers would have over the Rockets in a playoff series?

I like Brooks vs. Blake.  Ranking the point guards of the likely Western Conference teams you've got an elite group (Paul, Parker, Williams, Billups), a solid group (Kidd, Fischer) and then the dregs (Brooks, Blake).  No disrespect to Brooks; I like him as a player.  Blake just gets abused by everyone else on the list. Drawing Brooks would be a relative advantage for the Blazers (despite the fact that he will be able to get into the lane at will) because of his limited playoff experience and overall skill set.

I look at the Blazers' 4th quarter execution as a potential advantage over the Rockets.  Brandon Roy is just itching to blow up during this year's playoffs and I like the ball in his hands with the game on the line more than I do anyone on the Rockets' roster, by a good margin.  Also, Outlaw, Rudy, Blake and Aldridge have delivered at various times this year.  There's a lot of good options there and a lot of guys with chips on their shoulders looking to make a name for themselves.

Although this borders on fluff, I like the mentality that the Blazers will bring into any playoff series ("nothing to lose") compared to the Rockets ("we're going to blow this again, aren't we?").  Of course, Charmin-soft Peace Corps Volunteer Tracy McGrady will be in street clothes so I guess that nullifies this potential advantage. 

The Rockets' perimeter defense, defensive intensity and size in the post work to negate some of the things the Blazers do best.  The Blazers' offense runs at peak efficiency when Brandon Roy is getting foul calls and LaMarcus Aldridge has time and space to operate.  Artest and Battier body up on Brandon and cause him more trouble than almost anyone.  The Rockets also have a lot of guys to throw at Aldridge.  Scola, in particular, gives the Blazers trouble.  

Yao, of course.  The guy's calf is bigger than my waist. I've measured. Oden, in the spotlight, will probably struggle.  

I also think Adelman over McMillan is a disadvantage for the Blazers.

Greatly, of course.  As of this writing the Blazers are 30-7 at home, 16-20 on the road (only 1 road win against a WC playoff team... a miracle comeback in New Orleans after Chris Paul went down injured). 

Given their youth and lack of playoff experience, the Blazers are unlikely to win a playoff series this year; I would be shocked if they won one without home court advantage.  This has been a team and a season full of surprises, however.

The Rockets would be a fine draw for the Blazers.  It would certainly be an intense series.  One of life's great pleasures is watching Yao Ming fall down so I would welcome the matchup if only for the chance to see that happen. I think it would go deep -- at least 6 games.  Regardless of who had home court advantage I would pick the Rockets to win due to the Blazers' lack of playoff experience and struggles on the road.