I'm convinced that Hakeem is back. Hakeem has played like the Hakeem of old in the past 2 games. With Hakeem playing like this the Rockets are a good team and could challenge others in the west. I think the Rockets would manhandle the Lakers even with Shaq. In the last Laker game the Rocks played close for 3 quarters with Kenny Thomas at center. So with Hakeem they would have a good shot at them. The Spurs would be tough, but we played them close. We could challenge any other team in my opinion. How long can Hakeem keep this up? It's unbelievable that he had 18 points, and 14 boards in only 25 minutes. That would be the equivalent of 30 points and 24 rebounds in 42 minutes. 42 minutes is probably about what he played in 94-95. If Dream continues like this through the end of the year I predict that the Rockets will only lose 4 more games and finish 53-29. If he plays average then the Rocks will be 45-37. So basically Dream is the key. ------------------
I'm w/ you... the Rockets will win 95% of their remaining games. Just feel lucky for Dream that they played all of their back to backs earlier in the year. ------------------
I've always called myself an optimist, but 53-29 ... losing only 5 games the rest of the way ... is it too much of an optimist's thought? Anyway, I love your optimism. I for one still strongly believe the Rocks WILL make the playoffs. Man, I am so ready for it. And you're right, Dream is the key. We all know Stevie and Cuttino will have their numbers every night ... the key is Dream. I'm happy the Dream still LIVES. ------------------
If Hakeem and Francis play well together like this, the Rockets could go 50-32. Hey, they only have to go 26-7. How hard can that be? ------------------ "Rarely is the question asked: Is our children learning how to put food on their family while being put to death."
Man, when Hakeem is on fire like he is, the whole team becomes mean. Not only the Taylor dunk, but Shandon's block on Iverson was stiff! (not talking about heypee) ------------------
It's win-win. We go to the playoffs, it's a great for us fans, and a great experience for Francis and Mobley. We miss the playoffs then draft a stud SF or PF. Either way, we can't lose. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
I don't know about 50 plus wins, but if Dream can put up 10&10 every night this team would strike fear in the heart of many a team!
I'd just about abandoned hope for a 47-win season - most of us bet before preseason... Hakeem's play is starting to make me rethink the possibility that there might be hope. I never considered the possibility that we'd end up with the REAL Akeem by the All-Star break... 47+ wins is a possibility if this guy sticks around. Playoffs - Western Conference playoffs - are still a possibility. ------------------
I'm sorry to be not so optitmstic as some of the rest of you. Barring key injuries, it looks like Phoenix is the team that Rocks could possibly beat out for the last spot. I think the Suns have about an 8 1/2 game lead on the Rocks. Even if the Rocks play extremely well in the last part of the season, Phoenix would have to completely reverse how they have been playing to loose that kind of lead. ------------------
No wonder you're not that optimistic with that kind of hill for the Rockets to climb. But the fact that the Rockets currently are only 4 1/2 game away from the Suns sure paints a whole different picture, doesn't it? I still believe Rockets can make the playoffs - hell I still believed so after the last Clipper loss although I was starting to lose confidence. The last two games have us right back on track for a 48-34 record that I believe will be enough for the playoffs. Rockets could go even better, but I've calculated some letdowns ala the Clipps and Heat game. ------------------ "The above statement is covered by copyright and may not be used without the express, written permission of Dr. of Dunk. All rights reserved by DoD." Heypartner covering his arse on the not so famous "OK" quote/post from DoD - when will I learn to do the same.
Heath, you are absolutely right. I was looking at the standings in the paper this morning and thought I had figured about an 8 1/2 game lead. Maybe I figured it on Minnesota's record. Again going on my memory of the paper this morning, to get in with the 48-34 record, the Rocks would need to go 24-9 the rest of the way, and Phoenix would have to go 19-15 the rest of the way. Not nearly so improbable. If I haven't remembered the records right, I'm really going to be embarassed. ------------------
Also have you checked Phoenix's schedule? 16 of the next 18 games are against teams vying for a playoff spot Golden State,Minnesota,Philadelphia,Orlando, Miami,New York,Utah Jazz ,Orlando,San Atonio, Denver,Sacramento,Utah,Houston,Portland, Boston, Dallas, Washington, Seattle. I see us making up ground. ------------------ Rockets Season Ticket Holder [This message has been edited by cato13 (edited February 08, 2001).]
Hakeem with another Dream-like performance. 17 pts, 8 rebs, and 7 blocks. He was a defensive force inside the paint tonight. I would really like to know how many shots he took because I don't think he missed in the 4th. He really gets the most out of his shots and minutes. ------------------
I think the Nugz and Suns will easily be passed up by the Rockets, which should get us in the playoffs by seasons end. Dream should come back after the break even better with the time off...how bout that performance on the 2nd part of a back to back? We've got some very weak opponents the next few games...including Washington and Boston. Orlando should not be that tough to us either. If Mo and Shandon continue to pitch in along with Walt we will do great. Hey, Walts actually been playing some D lately! ------------------ "Steve is good. Steve is real good." -- Cleveland's rookie point guard Andre Miller on Rocket rookie point Steve Francis
Now only 4 games behind, and Nuggets lost again - as did Spurs, although I can not see us passing them, what a meltdown that would be for the Spurs. but I can't see us making up any more ground in atleast 5 days We go in to the All-Star Break as the team with the best record against Eastern teams. What this could tell us, is that the east aint all that, but still other western team does not do as good as we do. In fact while we are 14-3 other teams record include Spurs 11-8, Sonics 10-8 and Nuggets 7-11. Blazers have played all but two of their eastern games and is at 23-5 and is the team with the 2nd best record against the east with Sixers in third with 25-6. We are way down when facing the west - ranked 21th in the league at 11-22. We are way off the pace of our playoff contenders Suns 16-15, Sonics 18-16, Mavs 15-13 and our fellow beat the east team Blazers 12-10. And the Nuggets with a poor East record stuffs the West with 20-13. Best against western teams are Spurs with 20-8, followed by Jazz and Kings with 19-9 and Knicks with 12-6. And get this 10 'weak' eastern teams have better record against the west than the Rockets. It is time to turn our western record upside down... Celtics is the 4th eastern team vs the west with 6-8. Every one knows we have a piss poor Home record but our away record at 14-12 is 7th in the league, behind leading Sixers 21-6, Jazz 15-7, Mavs 16-10, Knicks 14-9, Blazers 16-11 and Wolves 13-11. Some numbers heading into the All star break... ------------------ We can reach our destination, but it's still a ways away. [This message has been edited by Heath2000 (edited February 08, 2001).]
47-35 Not impossible? 47-35 Enuf for Playoffs? Depending on what the Mavs, Nugz, & Wolves do after the break... It is only halftime on the season (not literally, but it's a break)Plenty of time for another 24 wins. ------------------
I can't remember the last time the Rockets were competing for the 8th seed. We've been fotunate enough in the past where we had already locked ourselves into the playoffs, by this time, leaving us nothing but late-season positioning, or posturing. Now, every-game becomes desperation time, and I'll be damned, if the Rockets players, don't feel this, and fill the usual game time atmosphere with play-off type exuberance - lets hope not jitters, though. Damn these next 32 games are going to be wild. I'm ready! ------------------
Hakeem Olajuwon has stepped his game up since he has been activated. Olajuwon provides the Rockets with good defense and offense. He has been fitting in well on this team by stealing the ball, blocking shots, rebounding well and scoring. If Olajuwon can continue his good play he can help this team elevate to a very high playoff-spot. With Olajuwon healthy at center and Shandon Anderson, Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis continuing to play well at guard, we will go on a winning streak. Maurice Taylor's scoring and rebounding can also help the Rockets win games. With Walt Williams and Matt Bullard shooting three-pointers, Kenny Thomas rebounding and playing defense, Carlos Rogers giving a spark plug off the bench, Dan Langhi playing well when he gets a chance, Moochie Norris providing a solid point guard to give Francis a rest and a healthly Kelvin Cato this team would get right back on track. We should keep this team together for many more years! ------------------
