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I think out West currently that there are 4 teams that can win it all, however there are 3 other teams that need that one piece and should be willing to do anything to get it.

The 4 true contenders IMO are: San Antonio Spurs, LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, and the New Orleans Hornets.

I think each of those teams have enough to come out of the conference.



The other 3 teams in the mix that need one piece are the: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz.


I think those last 3 teams still are in need of one more piece to really stake their claim as a team that can come out next year.

I actually think Dallas, Phoenix and Utah all need to make that move for someone like Ron Artest or Vince Carter in hopes of getting them over the hump because it will be hard to beat those other 4 teams out west if healthy.

dont be a homer... the rockets need another piece to be a contender.

lakers/hornets are contenders. spurs are in limbo. rockets/jazz/mavs/suns need another piece.

mtMD wrote:dont be a homer... the rockets need another piece to be a contender.

lakers/hornets are contenders. spurs are in limbo. rockets/jazz/mavs/suns need another piece.

Why would the Rockets need another piece?

2 Top 10 players in the league, a lockdown defender that can hit the open shot. A great defensive team.



If anything was lacking it was the bench, but now with BJax and Barry and then still possibly Deke with Hayes and Landry I think that bench is pretty solid.

I don't think they lack anything honestly.

We are missing another player that can create for themselves and others, and that is all we need.

What has Houston done this off-season to make them contenders ahead of Utah?

fivas14 wrote:What has Houston done this off-season to make them contenders ahead of Utah?

Yao Ming and Brent Barry

fivas14 wrote:What has Houston done this off-season to make them contenders ahead of Utah?

As a Houston Fan I almost agree... but HOU has done more than Utah.

JordansBulls wrote:

fivas14 wrote:What has Houston done this off-season to make them contenders ahead of Utah?

Yao Ming and Brent Barry

Oh yeah, forgot about Barry. He's going to lead you guys to a championship.

Oh no this will turn into another Houston vs. Utah thread.
I have to agree with Utah being the better team than Houston until Houston can beat Utah and get out of the first round.

HTown_TMac wrote:

fivas14 wrote:What has Houston done this off-season to make them contenders ahead of Utah?

As a Houston Fan I almost agree... but HOU has done more than Utah.

They signed Brent Barry. Do you expect him to get you guys out of the first round?

What excuse will Houston fans use next year when they lose to Utah in the first round again?

mtMD wrote:dont be a homer... the rockets need another piece to be a contender.

lakers/hornets are contenders. spurs are in limbo. rockets/jazz/mavs/suns need another piece.

Hows that being a homer?

All we need is HEALTH and a supporting cast !! We've got the supporting cast and we just need to stay healthy !!!

Utah is ahead of Houston.

I would say Utah is ahead of Houston and San Antonio.
I find it hard to believe that Houston can go from not getting out of the first round to serious contender when all they have done is add B Barry and Yao is going to have another long summer

yao is **** with his foot. he doesn't want to sit out of the olympics and he NEEDS to. his foot is absolutely ****.

JordansBulls wrote:

mtMD wrote:dont be a homer... the rockets need another piece to be a contender.

lakers/hornets are contenders. spurs are in limbo. rockets/jazz/mavs/suns need another piece.

Why would the Rockets need another piece?

2 Top 10 players in the league, a lockdown defender that can hit the open shot. A great defensive team.



If anything was lacking it was the bench, but now with BJax and Barry and then still possibly Deke with Hayes and Landry I think that bench is pretty solid.

I don't think they lack anything honestly.

McGrady isn't a top 10 player in the league anymore: not that it derails your point, since even with a top 15 player or so, the Rockets are pretty much just as dangerous.

As to what they lack: probably health to one of their top players during the season- the Rockets are a very good team on paper, but I think I have to see them actually get past the 1st round before I anoint them a contender in the same tier as the Spurs and Lakers.

houston is the worst team of all in this thread and you have them as a top 4 contender? please save the homer threads, they need atleast one piece, hell maybe even two! their bench is atrocious and either tmac or yao will always be injured, book it! as far as contenders go, la and new orleans, then id go spurs, mavs, suns, jazz, and rockets, clipps, nuggets will fight for the last two playoff spots! just a fyi you cant go from a team that cant get out the first round to a contender over the summer when all u add is brent barry

JordansBulls wrote:I think out West currently that there are 4 teams that can win it all, however there are 3 other teams that need that one piece and should be willing to do anything to get it.

The 4 true contenders IMO are: San Antonio Spurs, LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, and the New Orleans Hornets.

I think each of those teams have enough to come out of the conference.



The other 3 teams in the mix that need one piece are the: Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz.


I think those last 3 teams still are in need of one more piece to really stake their claim as a team that can come out next year.

I actually think Dallas, Phoenix and Utah all need to make that move for someone like Ron Artest or Vince Carter in hopes of getting them over the hump because it will be hard to beat those other 4 teams out west if healthy.

Rockets contenders? Please wake me up when they reach the second round then we can talk about that. They havent accomplished anything in over 5 years or so, so it doesnt make them a contender.

Are Utah fans still bragging about beating Houston this year? Houston could have forced a game 7 and even win the entire thing had Alston not went down again in game 6. No worries though, the Jazz will continue to be second rate as long as Boozer is around with his non-existent help defense and AK47's contract is still not removed to provide the necessary relief to obtain their FAs next season.

We definitely need at least one more piece in order to be called contenders. Like others have said, you can't just go from not getting out of the first round to becoming contenders by adding Brent Barry.

wfiles wrote:What excuse will Houston fans use next year when they lose to Utah in the first round again?

heh, getting arrogant now? you act like it's a given that we'll lose. Don't forget that we took you guys to 7 games when both our stars were healthy.