I guess maybe they aren't dead after all...
OK, so the Rockets have won nineteen in a row now. I guess I was dead wrong to figure they'd fold like a cheap tent once Yao went down to injury. I will give credit where it's due. Their streak is impressive no matter how you look at it. It includes thirteen straight home games and ten straight by double digits. It also includes seven straight since Yao went down.
Now the real question is that of competition. As I said, nineteen straight is impressive no matter what. But it looses some shine if they were all against doormats. So let's take a look and see.
Of the twelve they won with Yao, five were against what I'd call good teams (two wins over Cleveland and one each over Golden State, Portland, and New Orleans) and two were over total bottom feeders (Miami and Minnesota). So that part of the streak is legit.
But, what about the wins without Yao? Let's see......two wins against contenders (Dallas and New Orleans), a third over a good team in the playoff hunt (Denver), one win over a scrub team (Memphis) and three wins over below average to average teams that you can't sleep on (Washington, Indiana, and New Jersey). I'd say that holds up, too.
The only thing you can really frown at is the thirteen home games. Now how have they managed to hold on so well after literally going down the tubes in years past when either Yao or Tracy McGrady went down? Easy: they have better guys around those two now. Remember, the last time this happened they had a supporting cast that did not include Shane Battier, Bobby Jackson, or Luis Scola, and that point guard Rafer Alston was still a fringe guy known more for his time on the "And 1 Tour" than anything he'd done as a pro. That's three quality guys they didn't have and a fourth who hadn't become a quality guy yet. It makes a huge difference.
But what about the future? Right now they are a game out of first in their division and hold the third seed in the West, thanks to the streak. Well, they have ten of their last fifteen on the road, and they have a horrible stretch next week with five games in seven days against the Lakers, Boston, New Orleans, Golden State, and Phoenix. I don't see them emerging from that unscathed. They've got Atlanta and Charlotte this week, so they can easily stretch this thing out to 21 straight, but I'm figuring that it ends next week sometime. Can they hang on and make the playoffs? Sure, but I don't like them to go far once they get there.
It's tanking season!
Expect to see some bizarre lineups over the next few weeks from teams at the bottom of the NBA heap. Right now we're at the point where it makes less sense to win games than it does to get the best possible lottery position, even though history suggests that isn't always the best strategy. The team with the most ping pong balls rarely gets the first overall pick.
Miami already started it off by shutting down D. Wade for the rest of the season. Don't be surprised if other injured stars on bad teams get the same treatment soon. Last year Milwaukee shut down Andrew Bogut very early, while Boston didn't hesitate to put Paul Pierce down for extended periods of time any time he got hurt.
Will it happen again this season? We'll see soon. This year the prize is Michael Beasley, who isn't quite at the hype level of Oden and Durant but has definitely generated enough buzz to go number-one overall when he comes out. So if Al Jefferson suddenly comes down with something in Minnesota, or Shawn Marion gets hurt in a few days, you'll know why.
The real dilemma is for teams like Philadelphia and Atlanta, who can make the playoffs if they really try but could miss them if they slip. Charlotte could also slip in if they get hot over these last twenty games. Do you take a shot at what will likely be a quick postseason appearance (a sweep at the hands of Boston or Detroit), or go ahead and mail it in for the lottery pick? In their cases, I'd go for the post-season appearance.
All three rosters are loaded with young players, and the last thing they need is one more. I know Beasley is supposed to be the truth and all. I haven't seen him play yet so I'll reserve judgement. Unless I thought he'd be a major player on day-one, then I wouldn't tank for him if I were managing any of those teams. They all need to decide who they're keeping and who they're going to allow to leave, and then get some verteran help for whomever they hang on to.
Did one-win fix everything?
That's the big question after the Suns victory over the Spurs on Sunday. Shaq played well (14 points and 16 boards). The Suns even defended well overall, holding the Spurs to two points in the last five minutes. So can all you Suns fans out there rejoice? Not really.
I still don't think they can do that four out of seven times against the Spurs. I'm absolutely positive that Steve Nash will get eaten alive at least a few times by Chris Paul (or Tony Parker or Allen Iverson or Baron Davis) should they face any of those teams in the playoffs. In my opinion, the Suns won't be playing very long in this postseason.
I won't blame it all on Shaq, but I just think they have overall defensive issues that are going to do them in. If they get Golden State in the first round, they'll seriously have to consider sitting Shaq down for most of the game, and then they'll really be screwed. Not a good year, Suns fans.
What should the Wizards do?
Well, they're obviously going to make their playoff push, but I'm wondering about after the season's over. The Wizards are going to have decide whether or not to re-sign both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. I happen to be of the opinion that bringing back Jamison is more important than Arenas.
Yes, I know that Arenas has turned into a huge local celebrity and that he's probably the only player that gets any real pub outisde of the nation's capital. Of the Wizards big three, (Arenas, Jamison, and Caron Butler), he's the one who does the least to help them win. Yes, he hits near halfcourt shots with astonishing regularity and he is a threat to go for 40 on any given night, but he's not a great point guard. Also, he plays no defense whatsoever. I mean he gives next to zero effort at that end of the floor. He's not even one of those guys who tries hard, still gives up 20, but makes his man work for it. No, he's a outright sieve at that end of the floor a-la Steve Nash.
When he went down earlier this season, the Wizards actually managed to stay afloat until Caron Butler joined him on the injured list recently. Being minus two of your big three is obviously not going to work, but I really think that they'd be better off with a good traditional point guard who can run the offense better than Arenas. Since he's been out, the rest of the guys have all played better and aren't as prone to play the whole "stand around and watch Gilbert dribble the ball" role that often happens when he's out there. I doubt they'll just let Gil leave, though. Wizard fans have seen too many marquee guys shipped out prematurely. So, they would be ready to burn down the Verizon Center if that happened.
respect me
I won't be denied
They can't be better without can they?
I found something close in a forum. You might try there.
You have to revise your opinion. Repeating this nuttery misses your point. Give us proofs. Not just with words, but with deeds.
You have to revise your opinion. Repeating this nuttery misses your point. Give us proofs. Not just with words, but with deeds.
That IS progress. Your blogging skills are getting better and better. I had a great time reading this post.
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