So are the rockets legit title contenders This year?

[All Net]

With the summer additions of

Ariza
Brewer
Smith

Along with the improvement of harden who is playing mvp ball. One of the few teams who tend to match up well with the Spurs and okc.

You like their chances?

[Bandito]

I see them winning it all this year. They are stacked all the way around. Harden is coming for blood after all the criticism and all of the players are in sync right now. The addition of Smith is just going to propel them forward to even a better record. The Rockets are legit contenders this year and is a team to watch.

[Mr Exlax]

I think our roster is up to par. I still don't have any faith in McFail though.

[Milbuck]

Like I said, WCF or bust. He has as much talent around him as any MVP would want, which is the level he's playing at. And thus he should be judged by those standards come playoff time.

I'll jump on the 'Harden is MVP' bandwagon like everyone else, but I'm not gonna sit here and throw out the excuses if/when the Rockets get raped in the first round again.

We're just gonna have to wait and see.

[VengefulAngel]

Like I said, WCF or bust. He has as much talent around him as any MVP would want, which is the level he's playing at. And thus he should be judged by those standards come playoff time.

I'll jump on the 'Harden is MVP' bandwagon like everyone else, but I'm not gonna sit here and throw out the excuses if/when the Rockets get raped in the first round again.

We're just gonna have to wait and see.

Harden hasn't achieved anything in the playoffs, he's only had 1 good playoff series and struggles to adapt when game planned against. From what i've seen of him this season it doesn't give me confidence that he'll be able to translate his play to the post season. We'll see, I would love to be proven wrong.

[russwest0]

How do they matchup well with OKC?

Perkins is a Dwight stopper and Harden ain't outplaying either of Westbrook or Durant in a series.

[All Net]

How do they matchup well with OKC?

Perkins is a Dwight stopper and Harden ain't outplaying either of Westbrook or Durant in a series.
Perkins guards him well yes but he's no stopper. Depends more on Dwight knees and if they can hold up.

I can see no reason why harden can't outplay either in a series on this form. Rockets you could argue have more dependable depth than what okc has to offer.

It's still hard to trust that okc supporting cast at this point.

Harden playoff form last two years though hasn't been good. So who's to say it carries over?

[Top Gun]

Perkins and Adams will get under Dwight's skin and could really frustrate him.

Will be a great series if it happens though.

[disel]

when those cats can rollout a bench of josh smith, terrence jones, corey brewer, Jason terry and the greek cat to go with beverley, harden,ariza, montijunes and howard that is deep as da indian ocean at every damn position.

[VengefulAngel]

when those cats can rollout a bench of josh smith, terrence jones, corey brewer, Jason terry and the greek cat to go with beverley, harden,ariza, montijunes and howard that is deep as da indian ocean at every damn position.


:roll: :roll:

True, you are very eloquent.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Perkins guards him well yes but he's no stopper. Depends more on Dwight knees and if they can hold up.

I can see no reason why harden can't outplay either in a series on this form. Rockets you could argue have more dependable depth than what okc has to offer.

It's still hard to trust that okc supporting cast at this point.

Harden playoff form last two years though hasn't been good. So who's to say it carries over?
Frights last 5 games against Pork:

9pts, 10boards, 1 assist, 1 block, 3 turnovers 17-54 (31%)
:lol :lol :lol :lol

[StephHamann]

Frights last 5 games against Pork:

9pts, 10boards, 1 assist, 1 block, 3 turnovers 17-54 (31%)
:lol :lol :lol :lol

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1890145/perkins.gif

http://media.giphy.com/media/ToMjGpnxI4z1Ksjsnwk/giphy.gif

[All Net]

Frights last 5 games against Pork:

9pts, 10boards, 1 assist, 1 block, 3 turnovers 17-54 (31%)
:lol :lol :lol :lol
:lol wow

[niko]

I cant see it. That core strikes me as one that will melt down in pressure.

[I<3NBA]

Rockets will never be legit contenders as long as Mc Hale is coaching them.

[smoovegittar]

McFail. :roll:

[UK2K]

Like I said, WCF or bust. He has as much talent around him as any MVP would want, which is the level he's playing at. And thus he should be judged by those standards come playoff time.

I'll jump on the 'Harden is MVP' bandwagon like everyone else, but I'm not gonna sit here and throw out the excuses if/when the Rockets get raped in the first round again.

We're just gonna have to wait and see.

Unfortunately other teams are just as talented, if not more talented, than Harden's supporting cast.

I'd say Harden would trade Dwight/Smith/Ariza for Thompson/Green/Barnes or Jordan/Griffin/Crawford or Durant/Ibaka/Adams (if you consider WB their 'MVP') or Dirk/Parsons/Rondo (if you consider Monta to be their 'MVP')

Houston is good but let's not act like its a failure if they don't won. They are not the most talented team in the conference, not even close. Hardens supporting cast is not the most talented either. Not even close.

So go on somewhere with that 'WCF or bust' talk. They MAY make it past the second round depending on the march up. May. If they did, its be quite the feat considering the talent elsewhere in the West.

[All Net]

Unfortunately other teams are just as talented, if not more talented, than Harden's supporting cast.

I'd say Harden would trade Dwight/Smith/Ariza for Thompson/Green/Barnes or Jordan/Griffin/Crawford or Durant/Ibaka/Adams (if you consider WB their 'MVP') or Dirk/Parsons/Rondo (if you consider Monta to be their 'MVP')

Houston is good but let's not act like its a failure if they don't won. They are not the most talented team in the conference, not even close. Hardens supporting cast is not the most talented either. Not even close.

So go on somewhere with that 'WCF or bust' talk. They MAY make it past the second round depending on the march up. May. If they did, its be quite the feat considering the talent elsewhere in the West.
Suppose we can't forget about the team that beat them in the playoffs too. Those Blazers are damn good.

[comerb]

Sure. I think almost everyone in the West's top 8 (put OKC in there instead of Phoenix) has a legit shot this year. Probably going to come down to injuries and which team gets on a hot streak at the right time.

[rezznor]

there are about 6 teams in the west that are legit contenders. west is so damn stacked this year

[Taller than CP3]

They're regular season contenders that look good on paper. Come playoff time, they will choke harder than Scottie Pippen's girlfriend.

[K Xerxes]

there are about 6 teams in the west that are legit contenders. west is so damn stacked this year

Spurs, OKC, Rockets, Blazers, Warriors, Mavs, Grizzlies, Clippers...

I don't know, I could see any of those 8 legitimately coming out of the west. Some more likely than others, but holy shit that's stacked. :oldlol:

[All Net]

Spurs, OKC, Rockets, Blazers, Warriors, Mavs, Grizzlies, Clippers...

I don't know, I could see any of those 8 legitimately coming out of the west. Some more likely than others, but holy shit that's stacked. :oldlol:
Just like Harden has improved Alot so has lillard.

[navy]

West is stacked, but be honest. Nobody is beating OKC or San Antonio if they return to form. Just like the last 3 years.
SA looks like they might not reach that level though with Kawhi's hand and Parkers hamstring. Plus Ginonli and Duncan have aged another year.

[COnDEMnED]

nah

[ArbitraryWater]

West is stacked, but be honest. Nobody is beating OKC or San Antonio if they return to form. Just like the last 3 years.
SA looks like they might not reach that level though with Kawhi's hand and Parkers hamstring. Plus Ginonli and Duncan have aged another year.

Except this isnt a guarantee at ALL this year.. All 8 teams have a chance, and Spurs/Thunder might end up with the 7/8 seed.