After yesterday -- watching McGrady hit nothing, watching Rafer go nuts, watching Battier teach everyone what basketball really is, watching the guys step up without Landry -- I'm in this strange zone where I still don't believe we'll win more than a series in the playoffs, and yet I'm witnessing something just as great. I never thought I'd say that. I've always been a playoffs bigot, especially since the year we won it all from 6th. But what's happening right now is something to tell your kids or grandkids about, no matter what happens in April or May. I know many of you take offense at the idea that this team won't prevail in the playoffs. Others of you, like me, wonder how far we can go without Yao. But try to set that question aside. Enjoy the pride and fight and excellence you're seeing. Like DiMaggio's hitting streak, it's a feat for the ages. Oh, and anybody who wants to make one of these, go right ahead. I'll never get enough of them.
Amen. I'm enjoying the moment. And no matter how this season ends, I'll always remember the weeks and weeks of perfect basketball the Rockets displayed. As a fan, you just have to be proud.
Great post. It's not even about the playoffs. I wonder how team will take losing a game finally. I hope they don't get too down about it. I know it may sound stupid to some of you but they really can lose focus over something like that. The coaching staff has to be ready for that. In the playoffs, I have no doubts we will do well so long as this team shows up, and not the playoff version of this team. By that I mean bricking it up in the playoffs. T-Mac will not be having any 11 point 4-16 performances in the playoffs, everyone else just has to play like they are now and we will be alright. Scola needs to start busting his moves again because they are too good. Landry needs to come back strong, Rafer has to stay confident and hit his shots, Shane Battier has got to knock down that corner 3, T-Mac has to show up with his superstar self, etc. etc. etc. GO ROCKETS!
It's amazing what good effective role players will do for a team. The Rockets have been held back over the years by the likes of Swift, Juwan Howard, Scott Padgett, Eddie Griffin, Bob Sura (because he was never healthy), Charlie Ward, undersized David Wesley, Ryan Bowen. Finally, McGrady has a solid supporting cast. Rockets better sign Harris for the remainder of the season. He can take over Bonzi's role.
I've never seen Shane play like that before. Instead of standing around waiting for the ball in the corner, he was taking it to the basket strong, grabbing loose balls, and playing crazy D on Kobe. This team has shades of the '94 championship team, with the crazy chemistry. Battier is like the Horry of that team.
Absolutely! While we can all explain how the Rockets have done this, it really is unexplainable. Given the roller coaster we've been on this season, there is no way we should be 22-0 in our last 22 games and there should be no reasonable chance at doing anything in the playoffs. Yet here we are, 22 out of our last 22, sitting ATOP the Western-friggin Conference with our fate in our own hands! And we're doing it one game at a time, not looking forward...living in the now. It reminds me more of the first championship, despite coming out from the 6th seed for the second one because we weren't a clear favorite on paper. We had Hakeem and good, solid role players that went out, hustled for 48 minutes and did their jobs as a team, just like these guys. Stay humble.
Good analogy to Joe D's hitting streak...We are witnessing history. What I really love is that despite being undermanned, the Rockets are showing everyone the way the game should be played.It's good for the NBA and it's good for hoops in general. But you know we have chemistry,play defense like nobody's business,Landry should be back,and the offense isn't fully grasped by a LONGSHOT. reasons we have more upside from here than most might think..... addition of Scola - best ball ahead Landry - coming back TRACY ! X factor,closer Has he saved his back so we will see more drives to the hoop come playoff time? Rick Adelman - One of the most underrated coaches of all time,had the Lakers beofre that Series was stolen from him Rafer - coach and system fit,can tell about his devotion to his game now...become a true pro Shane - who again is more important the better his team is. Bobby Jackson who has/will improve as he gets adjusted to the team..knows the offense like the back of his hand. And don't discount clearing Bonzi and Yao off the interior..opening up the lane and triggering Tracy and the Rockets game.the chemistry is amazing.Yes,we all want Yao for the playoffs..for, the the NBA is about matchups and becomes more of a halfcourt game later. But this team is special and has what it takes... we have 15 games to go with big MO. Let's finish it off and kick some butt in the playoffs. We're going to take this thing...Our guys are just playing ball.
It is possible our Rockets will not pass the first round, but I will not be surprised if we win it all because this Rockets as a whole defines the term TEAM near perfection.
The thing I love about this team is that they're winning the right way. They're winning with the best team basketball I've ever witnessed. And though their offense has been so much fun to watch, their defense has been the foundation of this incredible run. When they're behind you know they have the capacity to lock down their opponent, until their shots start falling again. When they get ahead, you know that it is very unlikely the other team is going rip off a big run. I love watching the other team drive into the paint to meet a defensive wall and then see all that rocket red flashing into the passing lanes, so the guy has no good out let pass. It's beautiful. I now believe this team can go all the way, even without Yao.
I remember watching the 15-0 streak during '93-'94 & this is as much fun. I'm just hoping we can have similar season ending results!
I'm definitely enjoying it. Every moment of it. Regardless of what happens, I am proud to be a Rockets fan. I will continue to watch every game. You can't deny what they've accomplished.
I was going to say for the first time imo he's lived up to the hype people give him. I couldn't believe how well he defended kobe, particularly staying in fron of him.
I agree. Its great to enjoy this now. How special and unique this run is. What it must mean to those players. And what it means to us. This is the foundation that will lead to a finals appearance next year. There is no doubt in my mind. And I am the only person more pessimistic than Van Gundy seemed when he coached here.
Et tu Will? I completely agree. This will end but it will never die and if you can't love this, then you really shouldn't be watching any sport.
Opposing teams' players going down, different Rocket journeyman hero coming up big each night, abra-cadabra over and over again......there is only one explanation for all these improbabilities: destiny
I am enjoying this amazing run. It stands on its own and is special regardless of what happens after it is over.
I think David Stern -- in his interview today with 1560 (it's in their podcast) -- hit it on the head: "people love team work." As he said, people look at "C.Hayes" and "M.Harris" and they go, "huh?!" When you have these guys, along with two rookies playing vital roles in the rotation, then it's all about the team. That's what this team has exemplified throughout this streak: TEAMwork. I will bet on TEAM over a one-guy team any day of the week, although you do need some 'star power' the deeper you get into the playoffs. Stern, in the interview, expressed his "love" for Deke and his continued admiration for Battier, whom he said has always been "one of the guys I enjoyed watching," because he exemplifies hard work and a team player. He even praised McGrady for his "eloquent" interviews in recent days in regards to the streak. Good stuff, I am loving this ride...
This is happening like a dream. it's hard to enjoy because it just does not seem real. 22 game winning streaks do not happen. Who made a deal with the devil? Bruce almighty?
