Clutchfans: With the moves, are the Rockets a better team than the Blazers?

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in
2211716153_858ec749b4.jpg


http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=261139
 
Clutchfans brings me lots of entertainment

San Antonio? They are gonna struggle to make the playoffs. GS needs a healthy Bogut to do anything and a healthy Bogut is rare. Chicago is tough but I like how we would match up. Memphis is tough and a tough match up for us with Randolph healthy. Portland...bag of dicks.
Click to expand...

They are saltier than a country ham!
 
Last edited:
magnifier661 said:
God I just read through that shit pile thread and there was only one rational fan there.

Not only do I hope we see them in the playoffs, I want to sweep them. That fan base are fucking idiots!
Click to expand...

If not for a d-league rookie who saw his first game action in game 3. hitting a 3 pointer... the rockets get swept last year.

Better team went home - Rolo.
 
I'm not sure which fanbase as mind fucked the other worse. Portland or Houston.
 
julius said:
I'm not sure which fanbase as mind fucked the other worse. Portland or Houston.
Click to expand...

It's a rivalry. The teams and fans really don't like each other. I have a feeling we will have more rivalries after this playoff too.
 
Jones was just too small to guard LA.

Howard and Asik were too slow.

Smith: 6'8" with an average 8'10" reach.
Jones: 6'9" with an 8'11" reach.

LMA's playing weight is now 270 lbs and has been since last year. This is a HUGE mismatch in our favor, even moreso than last year with Asik out, at least he had the size to body LA up.
 
Fez Hammersticks said:
Jones was just too small to guard LA.

Howard and Asik were too slow.

Smith: 6'8" with an average 8'10" reach.
Jones: 6'9" with an 8'11" reach.

LMA's playing weight is now 270 lbs and has been since last year. This is a HUGE mismatch in our favor, even moreso than last year with Asik out, at least he had the size to body LA up.
Click to expand...

If LA is that heavy, why doesn't he try to establish low post position more often?
 
brooklynballer said:
Was just browsing the Clutchfans site and noticed this thread asking whether, with the recent additions of Ariza, Brewer and J. Smith, the Rockets would be able to beat the Blazers in a playoff series this year.

I'll be honest, I have yet to find a more delusional fan base in all of sports than Rockets fans. The vast majority believe that the Rockets were the better team last year, despite the loss in six games. Lots claim that the Rockets got robbed by the refs and Harden didn't get any calls! Harden shot an average of 8.3 FTs per game while Howard shot a whopping 10.7 per game.

I love these gems:















It got me thinking, however ... if these teams do matchup in the playoffs this year, would the result be the same as last year? Or does Houston now have the edge due to the added depth and perimeter defenders?
Click to expand...

Have you met our fan base?
 
I think it's foolish for all of you to think the Rockets haven't improved tremendously this off season.
 
I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that they have a point. I felt Portland fortunate top win last year. Fortunate that McHale took so long to realize that Jones couldn't handle Aldridge. Fortunate that Harden couldn't hit a thing (yeah, Matthews' defense was good, but his performance was beyond bad). Fortunate that we matched up with a poor defensive team. I wouldn't count on any of those this year. I do think they are delusional if they don't see how the Blazers are better this year, but I can certainly understand how Rockets fans might believe they were the better team last year, and are significantly improved this year as well.
 
The big question is, has Ariza, Smith and Brewer replaced the output of Lin, Asik and Parsons.
 
I suspect that HCA will be a bigger factor this year if we meet in the playoffs.
 
Fez Hammersticks said:
Jones was just too small to guard LA.

Howard and Asik were too slow.

Smith: 6'8" with an average 8'10" reach.
Jones: 6'9" with an 8'11" reach.

LMA's playing weight is now 270 lbs and has been since last year. This is a HUGE mismatch in our favor, even moreso than last year with Asik out, at least he had the size to body LA up.
Click to expand...

where the hell are you getting this info from? I call bullshit. LaMarcus has been at 240 something since he lost weight after gaining to 250. Show me a link that says LaMarcus weighs 270 pounds.....
 
We should compare the players to each other, or who has an advantage.

PG:

Beverly and Lillard.

Beverly is a better 3 point shooter and rebounding (barely) but much worse at everything else.

Advantage: Portland.

SG: Matthews and Harden.

Advantage: Houston

SF: Batum vs Ariza

Honestly, it's a draw. Batum is shooting somewhat crappy this year, but so is Ariza. In fact, Ariza is shooting much worse overall than Batum. Nic is at least shooting a respectable % from 2, and still is averaging 5 boards and 5 assists.

PF: Aldridge vs Smith.

Obvious advantage Portland. LaMarcus scores more, rebounds more, has a better defensive rating and is a bigger threat to take over games and not get waived by a team desperate for talent, even if it costs them 28+ million.

C: Howard vs Lopez (when healthy) or Freeland.

Duh.

Bench:

Blake, Kaman, Crabbe, Freeland Vs Brewer, Montebunchofletters, and maybe one more.

Honestly, it's a draw.

So all in all, I think it's probably a draw with a slight edge to Portland because they don't have to introduce two players into their system, McHale still is a so-so coach, and their best players (Howard, Harden and Smith) all have a reputation for being unable to lead teams or be clutch.

For such a superstar, Harden is shooting an attrocious % from the floor, and still finds ways to Russell Westbrook it up. Howard can't shoot free throws to save his life AND still (after 10 years in the league) doesn't have a go to move offensively, and Smith is a bit of a knucklehead.

Could they beat Portland in a playoff series? Sure, but they could also lose in a playoff series to Portland. As of right now, there is no clear cut favorite in the playoffs, and it's way too soon to really make a declaration for odds on favorite, or prognosticate about how the Mavs or Rockets will evolve with their new players.

To me, personally, the Mavs and Rockets went from "no realistic chance" to "better chance" at winning the west. Portland was in the "better chance" group to begin with.
 
Both teams improved and it'll be a more competitive series when they meet in the playoffs.
 
PtldPlatypus said:
I guess I'm in the minority in thinking that they have a point. I felt Portland fortunate top win last year. Fortunate that McHale took so long to realize that Jones couldn't handle Aldridge. Fortunate that Harden couldn't hit a thing (yeah, Matthews' defense was good, but his performance was beyond bad). Fortunate that we matched up with a poor defensive team. I wouldn't count on any of those this year. I do think they are delusional if they don't see how the Blazers are better this year, but I can certainly understand how Rockets fans might believe they were the better team last year, and are significantly improved this year as well.
Click to expand...

The argument for Harden's post season woes wasn't just with the Blazers. The season before, he was terrible against OKC. The reality is the refs allow players to be more physical. Harden doesn't get the free gimmie FTs like he does during the regular season.

The fans can be as confident as they want to be, as long as our team takes them seriously. So far, Portland out worked and out coached Houston. I don't see Houston being better coached as long as McHale is running that team.

But the greater advantage has been our defense. Houston's defense is a scramble and steal the ball type, which isn't as efficient during the post season. Our defense is truly a fundamental defense that limits quality shots. I take that as an advantage as well.
 
Likewise I think the refs will let Smith go all Patrick Beverly on Aldridge and Smith's athleticism will allow him to stick to Aldridge away from the basket.
 
BBert said:
Likewise I think the refs will let Smith go all Patrick Beverly on Aldridge and Smith's athleticism will allow him to stick to Aldridge away from the basket.
Click to expand...

I think that's where Stotts must figure out ways to force Aldridge inside. Batum's shot must come back by the time playoffs roll around because he's usually the guy that passes to Aldridge on the block.
 
magnifier661 said:
I think that's where Stotts must figure out ways to force Aldridge inside. Batum's shot must come back by the time playoffs roll around because he's usually the guy that passes to Aldridge on the block.
Click to expand...
Coaching matters in the playoffs and I like our coach. Aldridge has a quiver full of weapons and so does our team. I remain optimistic. :)

:cheers:
 
BBert said:
Coaching matters in the playoffs and I like our coach. Aldridge has a quiver full of weapons and so does our team. I remain optimistic. :)

:cheers:
Click to expand...

I agree and I'm hoping Aldridge gets pissed in every series. When he's mad, LaMonster comes out in a big way.
 
LOL both our stars respond well to being disrespected. I bet Matthews does too. :)
 
players that depend on their athletic ability (Howard and Smith) don't tend to win titles.

Harden doesn't necessarily rely on his athletic skill (in that flopping doesn't take athletic skill) to score.

LaMarcus and Damian don't rely on their athletic skill to over power/score against their opponents. I'll take the smarter player over the athletic one every day of the week.

I'd also take whatever the hell LeBron James is too. :)
 
julius said:
players that depend on their athletic ability (Howard and Smith) don't tend to win titles.

Harden doesn't necessarily rely on his athletic skill (in that flopping doesn't take athletic skill) to score.

LaMarcus and Damian don't rely on their athletic skill to over power/score against their opponents. I'll take the smarter player over the athletic one every day of the week.

I'd also take whatever the hell LeBron James is too. :)
Click to expand...

Haven't you heard?! Cleveland will trade us LBJ for Lopez and Batum! :P
 
i kinda see the 2 fanbases as 2 peas in a pod tbh.

we both have similar skilled teams, records etc and the same strain of rose-tinted die hard optimism no matter whatness... and often in overboard quantity. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we just don't seem 'that' different. For example the first thing i thought about those quotes were that given another scenario, they could easily be lifted from this forum about the Blazers :P
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

KingSpeed
The last time we won a playoff series.
Replies
8
Views
529
MARIS61
MARIS61
Rockets Dynasty
Rockets Blazers Western Conference Trash Talk Thread
2
Replies
43
Views
4K
tykendo
tykendo
andalusian
Congrats Rockets, Thanks Blazers.
Replies
13
Views
636
pakman22
pakman22
Vince Maxwell
OT Rockets: Champs, Chokers, or something in between
2 3
Replies
78
Views
6K
Wizard Mentor
Wizard Mentor
mgb
First team that wins 2 in a row wins series.
Replies
8
Views
782
blue32
blue32

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top