2014 NBA discussion thread

[BigLouie]

Posted that with my phone, auto corrected to Joe. Should be Josh Smith. If he plays like that each night the Rockets just took it up a notch.

[boardman]

So, The stars align and everything goes right for the Rockets.
The Jazz didn't show up last night. Harden gets his fourth triple double, in 27 minutes no less.

The Pelicans fought for their playoff life and knocked off a hot Spurs team.

The result, Rockets win the division, earn second seed and a first round playoff matchup with the Mavs which is probably best case secenario for them.

Rockets should be able to get out of the first round. Things get pretty tough after that.

We have no real answer for the elite point guards without Beverly in the west and no major second scoring option in the paint without D-Mo.

If the Rockets win the first round they get the winner of the Clippers and Spurs in round two. There is some decent young talent on the bench but they won't get enough minutes in this first round to make them effective in these playoffs. Plus the rotation is likely to tighten up so guys like Johnson and Capela likely won't see the floor.

[kerwil62]

To me the main thing the Rockets need to be concerned with is getting out of the first round. If they do, and happen to play the Spurs(they definitely are gonna beat the Clippers) they are done. The Spurs are pretty dangerous in the playoffs.

I'm glad they won the division and got back the #2 seed though? Was getting worried since the Spurs seem to have their number.

The Western Conference Playoff Scenario(the East will lose again):

Warriors vs. Pelicans
Rockets vs. Mavericks
Clippers vs. Spurs
Trailblazers vs. Grizzlies


The Eastern Conference Playoff Scenario:

Hawks vs. Nets
Cavaliers vs. Celtics
Bulls vs. Bucks
Raptors vs. Bullets

[pyramider]

Originally Posted by boardman

Rondo is a big boost to the starting lineup, Hell, I wish the Rockets had gotten him. It just doesn't look to me like the bench is nearly as deep and that will make a difference come March and April.

Back in December the trade looked good. However, the reality is Rondo is not a scoring threat, he cannot even hit free throws. I had no idea he could not hit free throws. The offense becomes stagnant when he is in the game.

[Guest050619-1]

The Rockets earned their 2nd place seeding fair and square......all the Spurs had to do last night was win in Nawlins and they couldn't do it. Nuff sed.

I'm sure everyone in H-Town is feeling pretty confident about this series with Dallas....as they should. Dirk is not the Dirk of 2011.....and Rondo is no where close to his abilities prior to the knee injury. Harden's playing at an MVP level and could carry the Rockets to the championship.....I don't know. Right now, no one does. West is wide open right now.

Maybe it'll come down to coaching....Carlisle vs McHale.

Should be interesting.

Originally Posted by boardman

If the Rockets win the first round.........

[Satin]

Golden State and Cleveland are the favorites. I say keep an eye on The Clippers and The Hawks. This should be very interesting.

I hope we stomp the Mavericks (sorry Donnie) I like Cuban but can't stand for Dallas to beat us in anything.

[WolfWhistle]

People still watch the NBA?

[kerwil62]

Originally Posted by FrenchToast

People still watch the NBA?

Of course! Don't hate!

[WolfWhistle]

Originally Posted by kerwil62

Of course! Don't hate!

[boardman]

Originally Posted by pyramider

Back in December the trade looked good. However, the reality is Rondo is not a scoring threat, he cannot even hit free throws. I had no idea he could not hit free throws. The offense becomes stagnant when he is in the game.

Rondo is a true point guard. His assists are nearly as high as his point total.

[boardman]

Originally Posted by Chateau Becot

The Rockets earned their 2nd place seeding fair and square......all the Spurs had to do last night was win in Nawlins and they couldn't do it. Nuff sed.

I'm sure everyone in H-Town is feeling pretty confident about this series with Dallas....as they should. Dirk is not the Dirk of 2011.....and Rondo is no where close to his abilities prior to the knee injury. Harden's playing at an MVP level and could carry the Rockets to the championship.....I don't know. Right now, no one does. West is wide open right now.

Maybe it'll come down to coaching....Carlisle vs McHale.

Should be interesting.

It's a good point. McHale got schooled last year. Carlisle certainly has the experience advantage.

I don't think Harden can carry them to the finals. Like I said they have no answer for the elite point guards. In a 7 game series you can usually figure out a way to take one player out of his game. That's pretty much what Portland did last year.
Unless D-12 steps up, without another serious scoring threat the Rockets will have a tough time doing anything beyond the first round. I think the Rockets will beat the Mavs though simply because they match up well in areas that will allow Harden and Howard to shine.

[pyramider]

Originally Posted by Chateau Becot

Maybe it'll come down to coaching....Carlisle vs McHale.

If it comes down to coaching then Dallas wins in four.

Originally Posted by boardman

Rondo is a true point guard. His assists are nearly as high as his point total.

You are correct, Rondo is a point guard. However, he is not a good point guard any longer. Point guards keep the offense flowing, Dallas' offense tends to stagnate when Rondo is on the floor. His poor shooting makes it a four on five game, other teams dare him to shoot. Dallas is counting on Rondo to make the beard work hard for his shots.

[TheDon]

I forgot we had and NBA thread lol

All good Devil man, I'll have my CLUTCH CITY shirt on if we go to a game

[Guest050619-1]

Originally Posted by pyramider

If it comes down to coaching then Dallas wins in four.

Lol....a tongue in cheek observation...of course, no one sees any of these opening series being a complete sweep. That said, I do think we could see a lower seed or two taking down their favored opponent in round one.

Anyways, one of these teams (the I-45 series) will do something they couldn't accomplish last year (advance to Round Two)....both Dallas an Houston bowed out early last year falling to San Antonio (4-3) and Portland (4-2).

Both rosters look improved over last year....the Mavs perhaps a tad moreso with the additions of Chandler, Rondo, Parsons and Stoudemire. Dallas doesn't have a player the caliber of Harden, who can clearly take over a game...and that may be the deciding factor. That said, this series could easily go the full seven game distance before a winner is finally declared.

[Hot to Trot Daphne]

If The Beard doesn't get MVP this year I'm bitching and complaining. Though Stephen Curry has been doing the damn thing. Anyone watch Smitty's Top 5 Under the Rim? TFF every episode. It's the highlight of my week.