tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post4104041870726668035..comments2024-02-22T02:29:56.829-08:00Comments on The Cowhide Globe: Sizing Up The WestUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post-68944198517557621692008-07-31T16:45:00.000-07:002008-07-31T16:45:00.000-07:00There has been a knee-jerk reaction to Artest sinc...There has been a knee-jerk reaction to Artest since the MOMENT it was announced. A large majority of people claimed it made the Rockets a title contender. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, as we've seen from the Spurs and Pistons (several times each) there is something to be said for savvy playoff experience. And, as we all know, the Rockets have little of that. Artest makes them a little better, but they won't win 22-straight again; so, IMO, it's a wash, no better than 4th or 5th next season.JChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08302011753087878877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post-24070255779623481032008-07-31T10:09:00.000-07:002008-07-31T10:09:00.000-07:00McGrady will not get out of the first round again,...McGrady will not get out of the first round again, I guarantee it!Tucker McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669402261761814260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post-58705362529057710632008-07-31T10:02:00.000-07:002008-07-31T10:02:00.000-07:00The problem with the Rockets is the following: McG...The problem with the Rockets is the following: McGrady is soft, Yao is injury-prone, and Artest is crazy. So on paper, yes, they have talent, but in reality at least one those three is likely going to be choking/in a cast/at a strip club with a gun come playoff time.<BR/><BR/>I am not at all worried about Portland this year. Talent, yes. Experience or ability to win tough, close games in the playoffs, no. <BR/><BR/>As usual though, the West is stacked. The Lakers are going to be VERY good and any other number of teams -- including our Jazz, thankfully -- could be right there with them if they stay healthy and produce.Pasty Gangstahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14698648490287890186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post-76809875841797905992008-07-31T08:08:00.000-07:002008-07-31T08:08:00.000-07:00Talent-wise, I think the Rockets are definitely #2...Talent-wise, I think the Rockets are definitely #2, and maybe even #1 in the West. However, given Artest's track record of destroying every team he has played on, I am real skeptical about their chances to be a legitimate contender.The Golden Griffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02363590011549196503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6661363167240819401.post-29106519145659915102008-07-31T07:17:00.000-07:002008-07-31T07:17:00.000-07:00Great post. I basically agree with everything. T...Great post. I basically agree with everything. <BR/><BR/>To me, there are two big wildcards in the west: Phoenix and Houston. (I think Portland is two years away from competing, although I agree that they make the playoffs this year).<BR/><BR/>Phoenix is a weird team, but they have two legitimate bigmen, something only the Lakers can claim. The Suns are going to play a different brand of basketball next year, no more small ball, three-point fests. It will be a slower, big-man oriented affair. It probably won't work, but if it does, they could be a legit team.<BR/><BR/>I'm still not sold on the Rockets. i love Artest, but the Rockets need him to come in and gel quickly with two other superstars, one of which I suspect is on the downside of his career. Ron might make them a title team, but it could just as easily blow up. I feel more comfortable picking the Spurs than the Rockets.Orlandohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570303484329212847noreply@blogger.com