That's a valid point. Even though it wasn't the refs, it happened last year when the NBA suspended Stoudamire/Bell for game 7, that could've possibly given the Spurs the championship last year...at least we know there won't be any refs betting on the games this year.
Fisher did have a decent year last year and he got hot in the playoffs but overall he was mainly a team leader. Utah has plenty of leaders though and Korver's production thus far > Fisher at this time last year.
New Orleans loses again. #7 Houston is only 3 games out of the #1 seed. And Houston has 5 relatively easy games, all at home, coming up. Interesting.
are you a Rockets fan? If so, don't worry. I won't call you bandwagon. I need all the friends I can get. :wave: NoLimitMD was my only Rocket on this forum. But nah, the Hornets aren't for real. They can't win in the playoffs. They remind me of those old Mavs teams with Don Nelson. They always had these real beautiful regular season records and were always the big-time seed, but everyone knew when the chips were on the line, they'd lose. They are 1 piece away. Edit: and if you're not a fan, but are just cheering because you have no real "team" in the West, that's fine, too.
You might be right, or you may not. Even if they don't win in the playoffs this year, I think this is a young team that's only going to get better, so the future is very bright.
I remember when the Jazz left to go to Utah, I started listening on the radio to Rockets games. Can't remember the announcer, but he was a really good one (he may still do play by play for Rockets on radio). This goes back to the Rudy Tomjanovich days. I just find the West fascinating that it's so balanced and so good. I think any of 7 teams could come out of the West. My new power polls in the West would be: 1) Spurs 2) Lakers 3) Rockets 4) Mavericks 5) Hornets 6) Jazz 7) Suns 8) Nuggets 9) Warriors Hornets and Mavs could easily be interchanged. Same for Suns and Jazz.
1. Lakers 2. Rockets 3. Spurs 4. Jazz 5. Suns 6. Hornets 7. Mavs 8. Nuggets (I only rank Houston above San Antonio, because we lead the season series 2-1, and always play real well against them). If Houston signs Brent Barry, look out.
I only ranked the Lakers #2 b/c I didnt want to be a homer. I think they are number one and can see the Spurs slipping. As far as the playoffs go with the Spurs a lot will be determined on how many home games they have. Plus, they are still barely winning games with their soccer actor going off. So it will be interesting to see if they are now officially old and not the number one team or if they can suck it up like usual and be the number one playoff team.
