Nba Playoffs: Utah Jazz (4) vs. Houston Rockets (5)

Back in the first couple months of the season, many thought that a sudden changing of the guard had taken place in the West, as the Jazz started out like wildfire, riding the backs of upstart guard Deron Williams and tough-nosed Carlos Boozer. Even with injury issues to fan favorite Andrei Kirilenko, the Jazz played solid, tough defense and exploited coach Jerry Sloane's long-term successful mentoring.

Then, the Jazz woke up--and started playing like the team everyone thought they would. Sure, Boozer went down for a long stretch, but the swagger that was there in 2006 was missing entirely in 2007.

Houston, however, has done the exact opposite as the Rockets. Losing perennial all-star Yao Ming early, Tracy McGrady struggled to lead the team and the inconsistency was apparent. Then, when Ming came back and the team was hitting their stride, they actually ended the season as one of the hottest team's in the NBA, and even McGrady did something many thought he couldn't do--lead a team in assists (6.5).

Although the Jazz are seeded higher, this is not the fourth-best team in the West any longer--and the Rockets are definitively not the fifth best team in the conference. I believe this will actually be much more lopsided than one would think--in the Rockets favor...

Prediction: Yao is just too much for Mehmet Okur and anybody else they throw at him. Houston in six.

image: [BBallone.com]

Recent Entries:
· Hornets making it look easy
· Jazz trying to knock out pesky Rockets
· Mavericks start cleaning house at the top

[ READER COMMENTS ]

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.

Your Name: (required)

Your Email Address: (required, will be kept private)

Your Website's URL: (optional)

Would you like us to remember your info for next time?
YesNo

Your Comments: