Utah will suprisingly win the series against the Lakers as the Rockets win theirs. Suddenly the Rockets will have an easier outlook than the other bracket...
My thoughts exactly. I'm not sure if anyone expected us to get to the Finals or somehow get past the Lakers, but I think it was safe to say that if we managed to win this game and take the 2 seed or stay in the 3 seed, we had a great chance of winning our first round series and a fairly good chance in winning our second round, giving us a berth in the WCF. I think getting to the WCF would have been a great confidence boost going into next season, knowing that the team they built has had success and can actually contend. But now we are stuck (most likely) the 5th seed, playing against Portland. Granted, we do have their number, but they are a team that is very strong at home and uses the crowd to fuel their inexperienced play.
There is no more pressure. I'm being serious. Yes the playoffs are pressure, yes the Rockets haven't gotten to the second round in 10+ years. Think about this. The Rockets now play a Portland team that all the experts love, that plays basically exactly how Houston plays. Inside-out with 3 pt shooters. For the first time in two years, we don't have to sit nervously hoping the Rockets hold home court the first two games. All the pressure in those two games are on the Blazers. Then imagine if we steal one of those first 2 games...the Blazers will have more pressure on them.
There is still a lot of pressure for the fans. If the Rockets mess up and lose another first round series, this team will not be consider a contender and will probably go into rebuilding mode again. That is not a recipe that is attractive to me at least right now.
Prior to our loss, we were all rooting for Portland to win so we could have the #2 seed... Funny how fast things turn around huh? The Rockets are underdogs. Always have been. We've always been written off by "experts." Imagine the pressure of being a top-3-seeded team and not making it past the first round. Now imagine the pressure of being division champs and not making it past the first round. We all don't want to talk about it, but we haven't been past the first round in a long, long time. We've always talked about western conference finals, yet we haven't made that first step yet. With all that pressure gone, the Rockets can finally get that first round monkey off their back. Peace.
at least you underhandedly admit to having low confidence on this team.. when the pressure is high.. as far as everything else.. such games of high pressure.. are not done presenting themselves to this Rockets team.. we are entering the playoffs.. afterall.. this team crumbled in such a game against the Mavs.. they can do the same.. against Portland.. NO..
I admit, like Daryl Morey, that I rely on stats. Remember the Chicago loss? How ridiculous it was? Remember how we bounced back? I think the playoffs have gotten much more exciting.
The Rockets haven't even made it out of the first round yet. How do you think we'll win the championship?
But depend on what your goal is. We would have had greater chance to advance to the WCF had we not lost the Dallas game.
