<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JPEblUMqhIA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JPEblUMqhIA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> We were a team that played 8 guys on most nights: Starters: Rafer, PG Tmac, SG Battier, SF Hayes, PF Yao, C Bench: Luther Head Juwan Howard Mutumbo (every now and then) Now think.... we pushed the Jazz to the limit in the first round with 7 games of playing those guys. JHoward? Are you kidding me? We failed to realize last year that Rafer was a better PG than we gave him credit for. We had JVG as a coach who taught defense out his ass, and then our offense consisted of a Tmac and Yao/Chuck pick and roll, and try your best to get it to the open shooter if there is one. This year, we are missing Yao. I believe that unlike years before, we have guys that can STEP up and pull their own weight. With Yao out, we are able to play Rick Adelman BALL. We are fast, Tmac is playing his HEART out with a 48 minute game last night. One thing I feel good about, the only way we will get beat in the playoffs (this also goes for whoever we lose our streak to) will win because they aren't a BETTER team, it will be because our entire team played sloppy, shot poorly, and didn't bring their all. And I feel damn good about our players being able to get the job done.
Considering that we lost in the first round with that team, I don't think its the best confidence booster. Still great nonetheless.
The confidence builder is that we don't have to count on L. Head and J.Ho to get us points off the bench. They proved beyond a shadow of doubt that they cannot produce in the post season.
