Does anyone else think Houston will miss the playoffs?

[Spaulding]

It is possible that's for sure. But they will most likely make it as low seed.

Only western teams who don't have to worry are OKC. Clippers and Spurs.

[fpliii]

People really don't like CP3 and Dwight, and generally pick against them at the beginning of the year. I think the Clippers have a shot at a top 2 seed, and Houston might finish top 4.

I've become a fan of Lillard's and LMA's, but I have a feeling they're going to fall off compared to last season. Not a believer in Minny or Phoneix either, and Davis needs more help in New Orleans. Wouldn't be shocked if the same 8 teams make the playoffs this year (different seeding, of course).

[L.Kizzle]

Rockets were 4th seed last year with the same exact record as the Blazers. Rockets have loss three key players in Parsons, Lin and Asik and received senior citizen Jason Terry in return. Warriors were right behind Rockets, I believe a game back and Memphis was hurt most of the season.

[fpliii]

Rockets were 4th seed last year with the same exact record as the Blazers. Rockets have loss three key players in Parsons, Lin and Asik and received senior citizen Jason Terry in return. Warriors were right behind Rockets, I believe a game back and Memphis was hurt most of the season.

I do think Portland was a bit flukey. I haven't been looking at the numbers, but Wes seemed to be playing a bit above his head, and I'm not sure if they'll get the same high level D from Lopez. Could be wrong though.

From my understanding, Hakeem/McHale are going to be working with Dwight again leading up to the start of the season (could be wrong, though they also might have started already). I didn't watch more than a dozen Rockets games last season, but Dwight's footwork looked more fluid in the post, so maybe he'll work on some advanced moves/counters for this year?

Parsons is a great player, and Asik is an impact defender. It seems to me the entire thing with his role was a distraction last year. The less time with both bigs on the floor they spend, the better for their spacing, and Troy Daniels looked like a monster shooter in the limited time he got. My opinion of Lin is well known. I'm hoping I'm wrong about him, because he's probably going to be starting for us in LA most of this season.

[Haymaker]

Watch the Suns get in

This

[Haymaker]

From my understanding, Hakeem/McHale are going to be working with Dwight again leading up to the start of the season (could be wrong, though they also might have started already). I didn't watch more than a dozen Rockets games last season, but Dwight's footwork looked more fluid in the post, so maybe he'll work on some advanced moves/counters for this year?

Isn't it about time to stop talking about Howard's development? He's in his 11th season, he's a veteran already and he won't be any better than what we've already seen from him. He peaked during his Magic years. A surgery and a couple of seasons later we should be starting to talk about when he's going to start declining. He is what he is, an athletic big with a lack of a fundamental offensive game and average Bball IQ.

[fpliii]

Isn't it about time to stop talking about Howard's development? He's in his 11th season, he's a veteran already and he won't be any better than what we've already seen from him. He peaked during his Magic years. A surgery and a couple of seasons later we should be starting to talk about when he's going to start declining. He is what he is, an athletic big with a lack of a fundamental offensive game and average Bball IQ.

Possibly. I don't like the guy after the season we had with him, but I think this is a make-or-break year. He looked like a beast in the playoffs, so maybe he's back to 100% athletically. He's 28 now, and will turn 29 this season, so I'm not ready to close the book on him yet.

[oarabbus]

Isn't it about time to stop talking about Howard's development? He's in his 11th season, he's a veteran already and he won't be any better than what we've already seen from him. He peaked during his Magic years. A surgery and a couple of seasons later we should be starting to talk about when he's going to start declining. He is what he is, an athletic big with a lack of a fundamental offensive game and average Bball IQ.

That's not doing service to Howard's talent as a player at all. IMO Dwight is underrated on this boards. He's a monster. I don't see Houston falling out of the playoffs if Dwight and Harden are healthy, although I could certainly see them dropping a few seeds.

[jzek]

Good chance they will. Harden and Howard just isn't enough in the West. In the East, they'd probably be 5-8 seed.

[Jlamb47]

1.Spurs
2.OKC
3.Clippers
4.Warriors
5.Dallas
6.Portland
7.Houston
8.Nuggets
9.Memphis
10.Pelicans


Thats how i see it going

[Thorpesaurous]

SA
OKC
Clippers
Warriors
Portland
Memphis
Dallas
NO
Hou
Phx


But honestly after the top three almost any combination below that I could envision. I would say GS holds pretty solid if they can keep Bogut on the floor.

[Haymaker]

1.Spurs
2.OKC
3.Clippers
4.Warriors
5.Dallas
6.Portland
7.Houston
8.Nuggets
9.Memphis
10.Pelicans


Thats how i see it going

I would switch Dallas with Portland though. Also, Phoenix are prime for a playoff spot too.

[AnaheimLakers24]

thry got ariza

[Jlamb47]

I would switch Dallas with Portland though. Also, Phoenix are prime for a playoff spot too.

I was thinking about phoenix but i think Nuggets are going to be better then them.

[Glass Ankles]

They will make it, Howard will have a bounce back season.