what do you mean by top tier??

I think the spurs, hornets, jazz and lakers

have seperated themselves from the rest of the west.

7/31/2008 3:31:42 PM

I mean I am not putting them in the same group as the Jazz/Hornets/Lakers.
They aren't on the same level as the Lakers, and they just got by the Hornets who are a young and improving team.
In simpler terms, I don't think they'll be hosting a first round playoff game next year.

I think the Rockets leap up significantly, their role players had to step up last year and will be better, they get Artest and a healthy Yoa. Guys like Artest can give a team one really good season when they have something to prove. He'll be on good behavior, he'll come in ready to go.

7/31/2008 3:42:10 PM

if Houston can gel with Artest and Yao like they did last year for their 20-whatever game win streak with Yao out for the season, they're as good as anybody in the West

also they stole at least 1 playoff game @ Utah (Best home record in league) last year right?

7/31/2008 3:47:38 PM

Is Dik coming back though?

7/31/2008 3:48:25 PM

[deep raspy african voice]i don't know[/deep raspy african voice]

7/31/2008 3:53:51 PM

IF they stay healthy, they could be dangerous but

Last 3 seasons:

Artest : 40 , 70 , 57
T-MAC: 47 , 71 , 66
YAO: 57 , 48 , 55

Those are games played

There are 82 games in a season

Compare that to the Spurs Big 3

Duncan: 80 , 80 , 78
Parker: 80 , 77 , 69
Ginobili: 65 , 75 , 74

7/31/2008 4:15:17 PM

first real point I have seen you make^

not to mention they need more than that, they have no PG really that can matchup against some of the others in the West.

they will need a miracle to all be healthy and make it to the 2nd round.

7/31/2008 4:16:49 PM

no doubt, but its def a step in the right direction...

7/31/2008 4:19:57 PM

Rafer Alston is underrated

7/31/2008 4:21:17 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn6xcY752B0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POkyWhh3Ihw

7/31/2008 4:23:54 PM

^i have seen the 1st video before...i've never once laughed at Shane Battier, but he was pretty funny in that video

7/31/2008 4:29:58 PM

Rafer is a shooter

but not a true point guard

7/31/2008 4:33:12 PM

he's a smart player, when he's not reverting back to street ball stuff...he is a good outside shooter and a good passer...he's by no means a Chris Paul or anything like that, but he's an underrated PG

also Yao has doubts about Artest's past, Artest seems to confirm doubts

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3512419

7/31/2008 4:34:31 PM

they don't need a true pg. tmac has the ball. rafer is exactly what they need.

7/31/2008 6:19:43 PM

Rafer was playing out of his mind during the 2nd half of last season.

They need to be able to re-sign Carl Landry though. If he goes to Europe then the Rockets are still pretenders.

If they re-sign him though they can compete with pretty much anyone in the West...

7/31/2008 7:10:16 PM

Carlos Arroyo signs with Maccabi, an Israeli basketball team

lol

8/3/2008 7:18:33 PM

Josh Powell signs with the Lakers!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al_NVRTOfxSo74SRupdNegC8vLYF?slug=ap-lakersmoves&prov=ap&type=lgns

8/14/2008 10:58:03 PM

With Powell the lakers will be unstoppable!!!

8/15/2008 8:21:23 AM

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3539904


Shawn Kemp signs with an Italian Team.


THE RAIN MAN!!!! [NBA Jam TE]BOOOOOOMMMMSHAKAALLLLAAKKKAAA SHAAAKKAALLAAAKA!!!![/NBA Jam TE]

8/18/2008 3:43:54 AM

he's using that as a gateway back to the NBA

8/18/2008 5:37:08 PM

Monta Ellis out 3-4 months recovering from ankle surgery

8/27/2008 10:32:32 PM