The Houston Rockets may be the hottest team in the NBA right now. With an 19 game winning streak, the buzz around them has reached a new high. With that in mind, can the Rockets do something that they haven't done since 1997; win a playoff series? Right now, I can't see it happening.
The Rockets' streak is impressive, no doubt, but observe the competition they've beaten to get those wins. Only New Orleans and I think Denver (don't take me at face's value) have been elite victories. Looking at the schedule, they haven't faced the Lakers, Spurs, Celtics, Pistons, Suns, or Jazz, just to name a few. How can you really boast if you're beating the Memphises and Tiberwolves of the league? Until you beat the best, you shouldn't be considered among the best.
Secondly, we haven't seen when Yao Maing's injury will affect them the most; in the playoffs. To win in the West, you'll have to beat at least two of the following; Tim Duncan, Bynum & Gasol, Shaq & Stoudemire, Boozer & Okur. Luis Scola hasn't been through an NBA playoff, and Dikembe Mutombo is 179 years old, and shouldn't be playing as much as he has (although he has looked good). Against those elite front lines, I don't see Houston holding up for long.
Finally, here's the trump card; the history of Tracy McGrady. It sounds like a broken record, but the fact remains that McGrady has never won a playoff series. Granted, his Orlando teams (plus the one in Toronto in 2000) were never serious contenders, but he has had Yao for two postseasons (one with homecourt) and failed too. It's worth mentioning that he has had a phenomenal stretch (22 PPG, about 5 RPG and 6 ASG) but when the pressure is amped up, will he revert to vintage McGrady (i.e. shoot a lot, pass only if the sun is in the right phase)? One never knows.
In summation, the Rockets are in great position to make the playoffs out West. To win a series, they need McGrady to play like he has recently, and for Scola and Mutombo to belie inexperience and age to escape round one. If they get homecourt, the possibility of a victory goes up a little, but if I was a betting man, I'd have to bet against it until they prove their true worth.
19 straight! Say that a few times. They are for real and are a threat in the West. The whole team seems to be playing a little closer to the basket now that Yao is out. Shots are closer.
Sure, they've played a few garbage teams and have a tough stretch coming... but 19 straight!
wat do u mean weak schedule, we've played the warriors, beat the cavs twice, trail blazers, beat the hornets twice, nuggets, and mavericks. Thats 8 of 19 games.
You made a few good points, but the Rockets are definitely not pretenders. This is a completly different team from the two that got outed in the playoffs years past. They have adjusted to this new offense that Rick Adelamn is coaching and they have started to belive in it. Defense is another key. With Yao out they have been off to the races. Which in my opinion has benefited the whole team. Its going to be interesting in the playoffs this year.
To Hoffman what the hell do you mean the strength of the schedule during the streak is not impressive? NO's twice, Cav's twice, Nuggets, Wizards, Mav's......dude put down the crack pipe down!!!!!!!!!!
Tue 29 vs Golden State W 111-107
February Opponent Result
Fri 01 @ Indiana W 106-103
Sat 02 @ Milwaukee W 91-83
Mon 04 @ Minnesota W 92-86
Thu 07 vs Cleveland W 92-77
Sat 09 vs Atlanta W 108-89
Mon 11 vs Portland W 95-83
Wed 13 vs Sacramento W 89-87
Tue 19 @ Cleveland W 93-85
Thu 21 vs Miami W 112-100
Fri 22 @ New Orleans W 100-80
Sun 24 vs Chicago W 110-97
Tue 26 vs Washington W 94-69
Fri 29 vs Memphis W 116-95
March Opponent Result
Sun 02 vs Denver W 103-89
Wed 05 vs Indiana W 117-99
Thu 06 @ Dallas W 113-98
Sat 08 vs New Orleans W 106-96
And last night's win over the New Jersey Nets.
Impressive, but I only see 5 victories (New Orleans, Denver, Dallas, & Golden State) over teams the Rockets weren't SUPPOSED to beat.
Cleveland and Portland are not among the NBA's top 10 teams.
We'll know more about the Rockets after next week:
Sun 16 vs LA Lakers
Tue 18 vs Boston
Wed 19 @ New Orleans
Fri 21 @ Golden State
Sat 22 @ Phoenix
Why do you always feel it necessary to bring up the Lakers my friend? This blog has nothing to do with the Lakers. Neither does my comment about Houston's schedule.
The Laker losses to the Kings, Blazers, and Cavs have nothing to do with this. Those were losses against teams LA should have beat but didn't. I don't see many victories in Houston's streak that occurred against teams they shouldn't have defeated...that's all.
"Any win against a team with a winning record is a quality win."
Hoffman stop being a Hater!! Besides the loss to the Celtics (who they have only played once this year) they have wins against the other 4 teams you have listed. Why do they need to win 3 or 4 more to prove anything to you??? Who are you anyway???? Ummmm.......a nobody!!!! Fair enough????
You're on record as saying the Lakers are contenders. You also are an admitted Laker fan, as am I. Many in the media have called the Lakers the favorite to win the championship, including Van Gundy and Smith.
We disagree on the definition of quality wins. In supporting my position I think it's reasonable to say the teams with winning records that have beaten a contender such as the Lakers would logically be considered quality teams as well, so a win over them would be a quality win.
I'm on record as predicting the Rockets will go at least 3-2 against the 5 teams you list, including beating the Lakers.
Glad to hear you'll grant the Rockets "contender status" if they win 3 of 5.
Repectfully,
"Just about the most worthless guy on this site".
Last edited by nba is the worst on March 11th at 3:54 PM.
Downs'
Whilst not everyone is of the belief that the Rockets'll do well in the playoffs. I do believe that they'll surprise more than a few in the playoffs. And as for the play of McGrady I do believe that many of us have been surprised.
See my post titled Can Tracy Come Out To Play ? We'll Also Let Him Play With Our Ball Too ! Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
"Quality" wins was a bad description anyways. There are 30 teams in the NBA. I consider a "quality" win as one over one of the top ten teams in the NBA.
G'day & good morning from Down Under
Hoffman
Houston were equal favourites here against Dallas.
Got them now at No 3 below Bos & Det.
Kings have the "wood" over Lakers & I'm not sure if they meet again.
Just 1 win behind Lakers, 0.5 behind Spurs.
G'day
Hoffman has a point, but you have to look at it like this.
How many games have they won as the favoured or the underdog?
They have the best "underdog" record in the West.
I think my definition is as good as yours, I say the top 15 teams in the league (which happen to have winning records) are all very capable when healthy, and that when discussing a double digit win streak any win against a team with a winning record is quality.
So. I can agree to disagree.
I say the Rockets beat the Lakers, Hornets, and Golden State. I'd stick my neck out and say the Suns also, but with the back-to-back that's a tough one. Of course, if Tracy sprains his spleen or stubs his toe all predictions are off!
Last edited by nba is the worst on March 11th at 5:32 PM.
I think Detroit and Boston are the only Eastern Conference teams that belong in the top 10. The rest of the East has benefited a great deal from their inferior conference. Most of the + .500 records in the East are misleading.
to p rez's point, Yao's injury has opened up things for McGrady and Co. right now. But, if you ask anybody what is an important ingredient for a title contender, it's a elite big man. Mutombo can't be asked to turn the clock back to 2001, and there's no depth behind him. But in the end, it comes down to matchups. If they get a team like Dallas or Golden State, they should win. If not, then failure could stare at them yet again.
I'm with nba is the worst on this one, Portland and Sacramento are in contention for a playoff spot.
Considering #8 seeds have knocked off #1 seeds in the past, (think Seattle and Denver, Golden State and Dallas), then I'd say anyone in the post season is a potential contender.
But I see Hoffman's point too.
The thing that gets me about Houston is they beat New Orleans and Dallas WITHOUT YAO!
Now I do think they'll need Yao to go all the way, but for now I don't want to take anything away from these guys and what they've done.
The Rockets ARE contenders ... perhaps contenders for for an exit in the first or second round, but contenders nonetheless! [wink]
Bad-mouthin' the streak is absurd..If their schedule is so lame..how come only a cupla teams in NBA history have ever achieved it?...Surely there are teams out there in the HISTORY of the NBA that have had similar schedules...All these teams are PRO's...aren't they?
Ya might wanna keep in mind that not only are they winnin'...They're blowin' teams out...
19 Game winning streak is immpressive no matter who you play. If it is so easy for a team to win 19 in a row in this league than why have only 4 teams done it in NBA History? I am sick of hearing this ####. yes we will see what happens when they play LA and San Antonio. But you have to give this team some props for putting together a streak like this one.....
TEXASFAN1981 put it best by saying that any 19-game streak is impressive in today's NBA no matter who you play.
But I pose the biggest challenge for the ROCKETS regardless if the streak extends to 22, 23, or 33 games.
1971-71 LAKERS 33 game streak... result: NBA CHAMPS
1970-71 BUCKS 20 game streak... result: NBA CHAMPS
1999-00 LAKERS 19 game streak... result: NBA CHAMPS
2007-08 ROCKETS 19 games & counting... result: NBA CHAMPS or NBA CHUMPS?
With the third longest streak in history, the only way for the ROCKETS to seal the deal so to speak is for them to win it all. I don't see that happening.
Therefore, they are pretenders just like last year's MAVS and SUNS who put together several streaks of 12+ games throughout the season.
But I do give them their props. T-Mac is playing MVP-caliber ball right now. Adelman's got them playing defense. Mutombo just turned 24. And Scola is making San Antonio feel stupid for not holding on to him.
I am David Downs, and I'm a sports nut who loves basketball and football and am open to good discussion about any sports subject. I am a Detroit sports fan, but I not a homer. Expect frequent vents on subjects that irritate me, and also expect the utmost respect for anybody's opinion, even if they disagree with me. Because, after all, that's what these blogs are all about, aren't they?
