I was so wrong about the Rockets

[Arizona_Sting]

In the preseason I remember getting into it with someone regarding the Rockets not being a legit playoff team, and I'll admit.... I was so, so wrong.

The good news is the rest of my preseason playoff predictions look almost spot on so I'll take it.


D'antoni getting the most out of Harden and co., still gonna need defense to move past the 1st round though.

 

[bksballer89]

In the preseason I remember getting into it with someone regarding the Rockets not being a legit playoff team, and I'll admit.... I was so, so wrong.

The good news is the rest of my preseason playoff predictions look almost spot on so I'll take it.


D'antoni getting the most out of Harden and co., still gonna need defense to move past the 1st round though.

They'll get out of round 1 if they finish 3rd as I now expect them to

 

[Arizona_Sting]

They'll get out of round 1 if they finish 3rd as I now expect them to

Agree.

I still don't take them seriously as a playoff team, just admitting I thought they'd be much worse in the reg season than this as I think the majority of us did, lol.

 

[trojanfan12]

Agree.

I still don't take them seriously as a playoff team, just admitting I thought they'd be much worse in the reg season than this as I think the majority of us did, lol.

Being a playoff team and making the playoffs aren't necessarily the same thing. The Warriors and Spurs are playoff teams. 6 other teams will make the playoffs.

 

[msgkings322]

Agree with OP, I had them as a 7 or 8 seed. Let's be fair, D'Antoni's ethos is kind of how the league is moving, teams like the Warriors being offense first, etc. So the Rockets are a good team in this moment.

Let's say they are a 4 seed, 2nd round would be pretty damn exciting if it's Warriors Rockets

 

[Black Adam]

Being a playoff team and making the playoffs aren't necessarily the same thing. The Warriors and Spurs are playoff teams. 6 other teams will make the playoffs.

i'm with ya. the season isn't even halfway through yet. and as far as the playoffs are concerned defense is always gonna be the key. Imo they better show a lot of improvement in that area if they're gonna make any noise...

 

[bksballer89]

i'm with ya. the season isn't even halfway through yet. and as far as the playoffs are concerned defense is always gonna be the key. Imo they better show a lot of improvement in that area if they're gonna make any noise...

The surprising thing about Houston is that for a Mike D'Antoni team they're actually not bad on defense. They're currently ranked 19th in DEF EFF which is ok. Obviously not great but not god awful as you expect D'Antoni teams to be on defense.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Yep.

I can't remember who had them 4th.

But, most of us had a good laugh.

I was wrong about the Rox, the Cavs ability to stay within 20 of the Warriors, Joel Embiid and most of all, Harrison Barnes.

 

[CitySushi]

I had the Rockets at 5 in my pre-season standings prediction.

But I also had Indiana at like 2 or 3, so there's that too...

 

[True Lakers Fan]

i'm with ya. the season isn't even halfway through yet. and as far as the playoffs are concerned defense is always gonna be the key. Imo they better show a lot of improvement in that area if they're gonna make any noise...

I'm not a Dantoni fan unless its firing him. I think he has found Harden to be his Current Steve Nash and is making the team like he did the Suns and I personally do not believe Houston has enough to get past the second round and i dont think You can count the Clippers out of contention for the 3rd spot and Oklahoma might be right close

 

[purguy12]

Harden really changed his game. Harden, Westbrook and LBJ are the most important players to their teams. What they do to help their team win is amazing especially what Harden and Westbrook are doing with much less talent then LBJ has. Fun to watch.

 

[purguy12]

In the preseason I remember getting into it with someone regarding the Rockets not being a legit playoff team, and I'll admit.... I was so, so wrong.

The good news is the rest of my preseason playoff predictions look almost spot on so I'll take it.


D'antoni getting the most out of Harden and co., still gonna need defense to move past the 1st round though.

Houston trading for a guy like Noel can help the team. Would be a nice addition. They can up grade their SF position. Ariza is more of a bench player now.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

D'Antoni is a great regular season coach. He sucks in the playoffs though.

 

[Hambombs]

The surprising thing about Houston is that for a Mike D'Antoni team they're actually not bad on defense. They're currently ranked 19th in DEF EFF which is ok. Obviously not great but not god awful as you expect D'Antoni teams to be on defense.

19th is still bad though

 

[bksballer89]

19th is still bad though

No doubt but you can win a series with the 19th ranked defense IMO. Especially considering how good that offense is.

 

[msgkings322]

D'Antoni is a great regular season coach. He sucks in the playoffs though.

That's because defense matters a lot more in the playoffs. Also, all the teams you play are good, not so in the regular season.

 

[bksballer89]

D'Antoni is a great regular season coach. He sucks in the playoffs though.

I wouldn't say he sucks in the playoffs. The last 2 times he made it, he was coaching 2 poor teams who got swept but before that he was solid. Got out of the first round 3 of his first 4 years in the playoffs. Twice making the conference finals

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

That's because defense matters a lot more in the playoffs. Also, all the teams you play are good, not so in the regular season.

Thanks captain obvious.

 

[msgkings322]

Thanks captain obvious.

My point being it's not that hard to be a great regular season coach by just emphasizing one side of the ball (offense). To be an actual good coach who might win something you need to be able to coach a complete team.

 

[The Derski]

I'm telling ya. Dantoni will never be without a job in this league.