|
I can't believe everyone is discounting the Rockets so much. I know they're missing a quality starting PG (Eric Snow or Derek Fisher would have been perfect), but I think TMac and Yao will cause some serious defensive headaches. No one in the Western Conference can match up with Yao, with the possible exception of Brad Miller (and that's a stretch). And you can't put single coverage on TMac or he's gonna scorch you - especially if he learns to dump the ball down to the low block. Don't underestimate Juwan Howard, either. He excelled in Dallas and Denver - he just wasn't a good match in Orlando. (Drew Gooden plays essentially the same game).
With regards to the Lakers, I'm not going to pretend I like their new team make up. Too many guards, not enough front court. Do you really want to start Vlade at center with no legitimate backup? (Don't talk to me about Slava...there's a reason no other teams have offered him a contract yet). And there's no one down low to score - Brian Grant is a rebounder, and Malone (if he comes back) spends more time in a mid-range game these days. I could see opposing teams sagging off both Vlade and Grant and push four defenders to the back court to smother Kobe and close his passing lanes.
__________________
If it weren't for my horse, I never would've spent that year in college.
|