Houston Rockets: First Round loss to Utah
Team Overview: The team with the best chemistry during the season added a new piece that could completely overthrow the stability that led to a season-high 22-game winning streak. On the other hand, Ron Artest could make the Rockets the most tenacious defensive team in the West. Injuries were a major concern last season and after Yao Ming’s participation in the Olympics and looking less than sturdy, the Rockets may have to bench the big fella to keep him fresh for the end of the season.
Guys they can’t lose: Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Yao Ming, Ron Artest. The good news is they have plenty of impact players. The bad news is with this many players, the likelihood increases that one will suffer a significant setback. The most important player on the Rockets possibly gets the least publicity. Rafer Alston runs the team efficiently and that is why the Rockets could still win when Yao and McGrady were out. But when Skip to My Lou was out in the playoffs, the Jazz swept both games.
Guys they must lose: Nobody. Even Steve Francis has settled into a role he understands and plays well. Instead I will discuss the major additions that will lead Houston to post-season success. Brent Barry and Ron Artest. Barry knows how to win. He can play or defend almost any position. He can hit big shots off the bench or provide the hustle that can spark a run. Ron Artest can frustrate the biggest threats Houston would face in the West, primarily, Kobe Bryant. Artest can also score and take pressure off McGrady and Yao to provide offense.
Burning Questions:
Will Ron Artest disrupt chemistry offensively? This is Rafer Alston’s team. He or anyone else in the organization may not admit it, but to get three superstars to work together, the point guard must run the show. If any single star tries to take over, the other two are relegated to standing and watching. Then they become very expensive statues. If Alston is hurt or does not take command, the three stars will have a non-verbal power struggle that would keep the team from meshing and winning.
Will Yao Ming be completely worthless this season recovering from the Olympics? Giants do not have a lengthy shelf life in the NBA. And Yao Ming has never had an “off-season”. He works out with the Chinese National Team every summer and has minor injuries he cannot overcome throughout the year. The best solution would be for Yao to play about 20-25 minutes early in the season and take a night off every two weeks. After the All-Star break, let him get used to a bigger work-load and pray to that lovable little Buddha he stays healthy. At least the Rockets have a exciting up-and-coming big man. You may have heard of him, Dikembe Mutombo, 42.
2008-2009 Prediction – Western Conference Finals: Even with injuries, this team is complete from top to bottom. They have plenty of scoring and possibly the best defense in the West. Tracy McGrady will get out of the first round and he won’t even be the reason why. That honor goes to a former street balla and a Spanish player named Scola who never stops hustling. The Rockets could certainly give the Lakers a run for their money in the West and Kobe Bryant would have to perform a hardwood miracle, which he is certainly capable.
Dallas Mavericks: First Round loss to New Orleans
Team Overview: Mark Cuban took mighty swing but whiffed last season trying to win an NBA Title. He traded away a lightning quick point guard for one who wasn’t even around when quick was a word. Jason Kidd is not reliable. He is the opposite. He is careless with the ball and can’t shoot. That is not what a good game manager should do. Not to mention, Devin Harris was Josh Howard’s best friend and Howard lost the will to compete when Harris was shipped off for Pops Kidd. Luckily, Nowitzki and a few other players were able to win enough to make the playoffs, where they were humiliated by the younger and faster Hornets.
Guys they can’t lose: Dirk Nowitzki. When Cuban traded Steve Nash (another great move, pause, NOT) Dirk became the focal point of the Mavericks for as long as no one else offers him more cash. He is the only one that matters and can win games on his own. But if the West is as strong as it was last year, that will not be enough. The Mavs need to make moves and they should have done it in the off-season. DeSegana Diop should be on this list because he was a crowd pleaser and hustle-guy, but he was also traded for Kidd. Brandon Bass could work his way onto this list for next season.
Guys they should lose: Jason Kidd, Josh Howard, Devean George. Jason Kidd will make more money next year than any Dallas fan wants to know about. But for those who aren’t, $21.3 million dollars. Josh Howard will not play to his potential, which is a solid second option who still can’t hit clutch shots, if he is disgruntled with management. I’m not saying he has to always play with his buddy, but he will not have the killer edge until he has something or someone to play for. Devean George is still on Mark Cuban’s bad list and the fans know George made the Kidd trade even worse, if that’s possible.
Burning Questions:
Will Avery Johnson coach a team with a backbone? Dirk Nowitzki is the toughest player in the NBA. He plays through injuries and recovers from injuries quicker than any player. But mentally, Dallas is not a tough team. They do not have confidence and cannot shut down star players. In the star-studded West, that is a big problem. A team can make up for a lack in talent with grit and determination, and Nowitzki is the only player with either of those qualities. Jason Terry is a solid cog, but not nearly enough.
Can Dallas compete in the loaded Southwest Division? Houston, New Orleans and San Antonio have teams that could win it all next year. And these are the teams Dallas will play the most. Memphis is the other team and has been a perennial cupcake, but will have a few players (Mayo and Marc Gasol) that will make them much tougher. Losses will add up quickly for a team already struggling.
2008-2009 Prediction – Miss Playoffs – (38-44 Record): Mark Cuban bet the house on Jason Kidd and now the Mavericks can’t beat teams with winning records. In the toughest division in the NBA, that is bad news. I expect Dallas to make moves this season, but the current team is not good enough for the West. Kidd and Nowitzki played in the Olympics and could be worn down, another bad sign. Cuban will need some Ritalin to make it through this season. Buying the Cubs should help with his blood pressure… yeah right.
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