Who Will Be A Bigger Disappointment in the Playoffs? Clippers or Rockets?

[AirTupac]

Both teams are looking stacked, but its in the stacked West. Which team is more likely to choke?

Who would win in a matchup if they faced each other again in the playoffs?

[hawke812]

Both teams are looking stacked, but its in the stacked West. Which team is more likely to choke?

Who would win in a matchup if they faced each other again in the playoffs?

You can always bet on the Clippers to choke:lol

Depends if it's first or second round. Clippers can beat ANYONE in the first round. They are first round specialists:roll:

[Sportal]

Clippers imo. Rockets with no injuries are going to be seemingly good across the board. The Clippers have to rely on CP3 and Blake playing good. If Harden plays average he'll still get like 20 points on shit efficiency, but then they have Howard, Lawson, D-Mo, Ariza, Jones etc.

[ArbitraryWater]

How does it even qualify as choking when we have 6 loaded teams and two HAVE to be first round exits?

[kshutts1]

As another poster said, how is it a disappointment when only 4 teams can move on? And as for the "stacked" talk, I need to vent...

I don't get the "stacked" talk. Stacked is a relative term. If we're calling 6 of the 15 teams, or 6 of 8 playoff team, stacked... that's not stacked. They're only "stacked" relative to the bottom 12 teams in the East.

That said, every single contending team except the Cavs has a pretty big question mark.

Warriors -- so difficult to repeat; how lucky were they with injuries?
Rockets -- Chemistry issues; over-reliance on the 3?
Spurs -- age and health and/or depth
Thunder -- new coach; Durant's health
Clips -- backup big men; headcases
Grizz -- Lack of outside shooting/athleticism
Miami -- health; Whiteside real or fluke?
Bulls -- new coach; health; age

IMO, Cleveland has to be a HUGE favorite to win this year, statistically speaking. Personally, I say Thunder.

[West-Side]

I really like the Ty Lawson acquisition.
He can hit the big shots; he'll demand attention from defenses; he can handle the ball and set up teammates. It will give Harden a much deserved breather and prevent him from ball handling duties the entire 40 minutes he's on the floor. It gives Houston another option in the 4th as well.

I'm not as excited about the Josh Smith acquisition as I am for Ty Lawson; from a talent and fit point of view. Financially, it was an incredible steal; unparalleled value.

Giving a vet min to a player who could have received over 12M elsewhere is a real positive ROI.

[HylianNightmare]

Clippers

[PP34Deuce]

I believe the Clippers have a system that will run even better. Paul Pierce is not a star but a very solid player still who's leadership off the court is big to a team like the Clippers.

The Rockets are deep and talented but I just don't see them changing. Ty Lawson is a legit 18 and 9 player but his attitude is just like theirs. Punch that Houston team in the mouth and you can break their will easy.

[BigTicket]

Spurs
Warriors
Grizzlies
Clippers
Thunder
Rockets

At least two of these teams will lose in the 1st round, someone has to be the disappointment.

[Beastmode88]

Clippers, they beat the defending champs then were up 3-1 vs the rockets and lost? :biggums: that's like kobe vs the suns in 2006, pathetic.

[MiseryCityTexas]

Marcus Thorton was Houston's most underrated signing. That's like signing a better shooting Corey Brewer that's not as athletic, and not as good on defense.

[UK2K]

There are 5 teams in the West that have the potential to make the finals.

I don't consider any of those teams losing to any of the others as a 'choke'.

Which one will be a first round flame out? Depends on who plays who.

[UK2K]

Spurs
Warriors
Grizzlies
Clippers
Thunder
Rockets

At least two of these teams will lose in the 1st round, someone has to be the disappointment.

That's my point.

Its not choking if the team you lose to is as good as you are, if not better.

[Heatles201]

I think Rockets will go farther.
They did just fine this year ended up losing in the WCF vs the team that ended up taking it all + few injuries, thats not bad considering a lot of the "experts" here had them missing the playoffs all together

[longtime lurker]

Definitely the Rockets we're used to the Clippers disappointing.

[Spurs m8]

What kind of idiot would think Cleveland is a HUGE favourite LMAO

[kshutts1]

What kind of idiot would think Cleveland is a HUGE favourite LMAO
Did you read the rest of my post?

Cleveland was the best team in the league last year after they got in their groove as a team. Injuries are the only thing that held them back. They're bringing back the same roster, on which no one is too old, so as long as they're healthy? Yeah, they're easily a 60 win team and the favorites.

[AirTupac]

Did you read the rest of my post?

Cleveland was the best team in the league last year after they got in their groove as a team. Injuries are the only thing that held them back. They're bringing back the same roster, on which no one is too old, so as long as they're healthy? Yeah, they're easily a 60 win team and the favorites.

You're a baboon of a man, the favorites are always the champs.

[rezznor]

Punch that Houston team in the mouth and you can break their will easy.
Yea just like after the clippers punched Houston in the mouth 3-1 and they folded...

[PP34Deuce]

Yea just like after the clippers punched Houston in the mouth 3-1 and they folded...

That doesn't happen with a vet like Paul Pierce and added depth of Josh Smith.

I still don't trust Houston despite their talent. They remind me of those early 2000's Mavs team where they have a superstar ( Dirk/Harden) who chokes and the team follows.

[kshutts1]

You're a baboon of a man, the favorites are always the champs.
Totally disagree with that "logic". The team won the title; that's reward enough. They don't need to be erroneously propped up the next season, as well.

Fact is, GSW did a fabulous job beating their opponents in each round, but each round they were also dealt an easier opponent due to injuries. Kudos to the Warriors for still winning, but let's not act like there were not a lot of extenuating circumstances.

Now, the team that won two games in the Finals without their second and third options? That team's coming back intact and healthy. As long as they're healthy, they're the favorites.

[CarlosBoozer]

I think what OP means is who will play like sh*t or choke (clips 3-1 lead blown), of course the west is stacked and a top team will be knocked off but the rocks and the clips are known to never fully play to their potential, I would say the clips will be more disappointing, mainly because even if Harden plays like crap, he got a very good supporting cast to pick up the pieces.

[ROCSteady]

Clippers imo. Rockets with no injuries are going to be seemingly good across the board. The Clippers have to rely on CP3 and Blake playing good. If Harden plays average he'll still get like 20 points on shit efficiency, but then they have Howard, Lawson, D-Mo, Ariza, Jones etc.



:facepalm


:facepalm x2 considering the thread topic.