Currently we are only 4 games behind Denver and 6.5 games behind 8th seeded Minnesota. We play Denver on the 20th and 28th. Passing Denver in the standings could happen soon if they keep losing and we win both games against them. Catching Minnesota will be a different story. Anything's possible though. It sure will make the rest of the season that much more interesting. It will be a great test for the team. They almost control their own destiny. We have 44 games left and all we have to do is win 7 more than Minnesota does. <hr width="100%"> Hey Clutch, It might be fun to add a box on the front page that reflects this race with Minnesota for the final playoff slot. <hr width="100%"> I just got through saying yesterday that I dropped my goal to just finishing above 500. We'll need to win 11 more than we lose to do that. making the playoffs might actually be easier than finishing above 500! I'd like to think that the Portland game will be our turning point. That was the proof that the young guys needed. These guys can win and now they have an opportunity to prove everyone wrong. If the Rockets pull a San Antonio and go on a monster run to finish up the season then Steve Francis' face will be everywhere. The press will be jumping on his bandwagon so fast that it will make Lamar Odom's head spin. It would be pretty cool to once again be the talk of the NBA!
Good idea Space... we've actually been thinking about getting a joking "Lottery Race" page going, but in light of the 4-game streak may want to wait a bit. Only problem is keeping the standings updated is more time, but we'll work something out. BTW, I really don't believe (winning streak or not) that we will make the playoffs ... not a slam, just don't think we're good enough yet. ... not to mention Minnesota won in Utah tonight. I do like the progress the young players are making though ...
i still say making the playoffs wil be easier than making the lottery for us <- makes sense to me. ------------------ johnny "red" kerr:i'm glad the bulls did'nt draft steve francis. dan roan: why!!!!! johnny red kerr:because he would forever be compared to michael jordan. [This message has been edited by brahma rocket (edited January 19, 2000).]
To me, it's not really making the playoffs that would be so incredible, but it would be the recognition it brought. If we somehow pulled something off like that and got into the playoffs with this young team, we would supplant the Raptors/Kings as the new darlings of the NBA. "And when we get back, Isiah sits down with Rookie superstar Steve Francis who has ignited an impossible turnaround in Houston. Francis, averaging nearly 23 points a game is the early MVP pick for many this season. That and more when NBA on NBC returns..."
"...We now send you out to Isiah where he is with Francis, the newest Rookie of the Year. Francis has led the Rockets into the playoffs along with another sensational rookie named Kenny Thomas with 2 of the 50 greatest players sideline by injuries most of the season..." [This message has been edited by rocketsfan34 (edited January 19, 2000).]
I like the idea of a Houston/Minnesota playoff race box. Minnesota has been on a run lately as are the Rockets. This could get interesting come late March. I do not like the idea of a lottery box whether for humor or not. I just don't find anything funny about going to the lottery. Just the way I am I guess. ------------------ Lottery? I don't think so.
Well now we are 7 back from Minnesota and we have a true test in Denver Thursday night. Though we may be in the playoff race we can easily be out again in a second. Let's just watch and hope the Rockets have their mind set on postseason play and not the lottery.
I've said all along, "lets see where we are by the all-star break". If we can be under 5 games from a playoff spot by that time, it will be fun to watch the rest of the season. Popeye, cabbage anyone hear any possible trade rumors before the trading deadline? When is the deadline? Or are the rockets going to play with the hand dealt?
