NBA Finals preview tonight. Rockets vs Celtics

[WayOutWest]

I don't see it scheduled on anything other than NBA TV.  I have a fee preview but I don't know if it expired.  I will be bummed if I can't watch this game, it should be a good game.

[jemagee]

I believe the free preview runs for this entire week...ballsy to pick a team that can't get out of the first round to make the finals

[WayOutWest]

I believe the free preview runs for this entire week...ballsy to pick a team that can't get out of the first round to make the finals

IMO, on paper they are the best balanced team in the league next to the Celtics.  Plus IMO the Celtics will not be as good this year as last but still head and shoulders above the East.  If, big if, the Rockets can stay healthy, they are the dark horse.  I will be rooting for, and betting on, the Lakers but the Rockets defense is better than LA and their offense is adequet to go all the way.

Still, I'm calling the Lakers to have a parade in June 09.

[SPURSX3]

I believe the free preview runs for this entire week...ballsy to pick a team that can't get out of the first round to make the finals

IMO, on paper they are the best balanced team in the league next to the Celtics.  Plus IMO the Celtics will not be as good this year as last but still head and shoulders above the East.  If, big if, the Rockets can stay healthy, they are the dark horse.  I will be rooting for, and betting on, the Lakers but the Rockets defense is better than LA and their offense is adequet to go all the way.

Still, I'm calling the Lakers to have a parade in June 09.

The Rockets will not make it past the first round as usual.  It will be LA vs Boston this year.

[jemagee]

It's still too early to make any calls, but the pistons are less of a threat (to me) than they were two days ago...

I can't pick the rockets, to pick the rockets you have to depend on

A.  Continued health of Tracy McGrady for a full season AND playoff run
B.  Continued health of Yao Ming for a full season AND playoff run
C.  Continued mental stability of Ron Artest for a full season AND playoff run

You need all 3 of those things for them to be a contender for the finals and early in the season both LA and Utah look like they have much deeper benches as well as better starting fives....

[Reality]

The Rockets will not make it past the first round as usual.  It will be LA vs Boston this year.

Bandwaggoner.
No faith in one of, if not the greatest coach ever, Gregor Pop.

[jemagee]

God I hate either COX Cable or NBATV - their feed is ALWAYS busted up

[Reality]

Homer Simpson, are you tapping into the neighbors line again?

(Simpsons reference to the episode on Homer stealing cable t.v.  He gave it up when Lisa got to his conscience.    )  I'm not implying anything jem.

[Reality]

Yaowser and Ron ArTesty were no shows in the second half.
Yao got worked on D also. 

Good to see Brent Barrdog running the floor and knocking down another trey. 

[WayOutWest]

Boston still plays that tough D and they had too many weapons for the Rockets to handle, Allen off screens was murder.

[jemagee]

Best part of the game?  Ahmad, Webber and Payton at half time.

[jn]

I'm with X3 on this one.  How can one talk about the Rockets as a Finals team when there two best offensive threats can't stay healthy?   Plus one of them, Yao pushed his already fragile body even harder than usual by playing in the Olympics?  That's not even factoring in that they have one of the most combustible players in the history of the league. 

[WayOutWest]

I'm with X3 on this one.  How can one talk about the Rockets as a Finals team when there two best offensive threats can't stay healthy?   Plus one of them, Yao pushed his already fragile body even harder than usual by playing in the Olympics?  That's not even factoring in that they have one of the most combustible players in the history of the league. 

Like I said; "on paper".  Jem pointed out the 3 big risk factors and I understand BUT if they are going to do it, it's going to be this year.  The Lakers are ripe for a let down.

[jemagee]

Like I said; "on paper".  Jem pointed out the 3 big risk factors and I understand BUT if they are going to do it, it's going to be this year.  The Lakers are ripe for a let down.

Why?

And what about the Jazz?

The Hornets?

These are teams the rockets aren't better than in my opinion, even if they stay healthy...not enough depth.

And when the spurs get manu back they might be a threat as well.

Picking Houston was the sexy pick after the rockets obtained artest but never seemed to make sense - much like calling the sixers the favorite in the east just because they signed brand.  Neither big name acquisition dealt with most of the major issues on either team.

[Reality]

Houston lost at Boston 103-99 in a game that was anyones until the final minute.
Therefore Houston sucks, they have no chance?  Please.   

I concur they have to overcome the pitfalls jn and jewjem spelled out, and we all know up until now they have never done.   They have added Testy and Barrdog tho and Scola is a year out of his "rookie" year and looking good.