Do you remember how crappy everyone felt after the Rockets loss to the 76ers?

that was the Philadelphia game

 

We didn't feel bad because we lost it.
We felt bad because the way we lost it.

 

That's just wishful thinking. The Rockets have had the 9th easiest strength of schedule according to Hollinger: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/powerranking?season=2009&column=sos&order=false

 

we haven't taken care of business this year against weak teams..


heck...losses to handicapped spurs (earlier), loss to grizzilies, loss to wizard, pacers were all supposed to be must-wins...

 

Bing bing bing bing. I was at that game. TSlack (in particular) didn't put out any effort on D and eventually, he go lazy on offense too. Maybe that would have made up 8 points. That was the worst money I spent on an NBA game ever. I at least expect our players to TRY.

 

The concept and act of trying is absent in Grady World.

 

It's not perfect but it's not like we are the only team to play several back-to-backs. Not every team has had it as easy as the Hornets.

For that matter, where do we rank overall in terms of b2bs? It may not be as bad as it seems. A lot of teams have played 40 games like the Rockets and several have actually played more. The season started around the same time for everybody so that means many of those teams that have played around 40 games probably had as many b2bs as the Rockets.

And even taking into account b2bs, I imagine we have still had a relatively easy schedule in terms of who we've played.

 

Sure, I'd be interested to see the actual numbers on that.

Regardless of where we stand on b2bs though, Hollingers' formula still states that we've had the 9th easiest schedule. Let's say we've had 1 more b2b than the other top 8 teams in the West. How much should that alter our ranking? I don't think it should affect it by more than a couple of spots. It's not like we've had 5 more b2bs than those other teams.

The way I see it, we've had a relatively easy schedule no matter how you look at it. If you factor in injuries, then you've got a case.

 

Hollinger has us at 22nd most difficult (9th easiest).

What is Sagarin's formula?

 

If you factor in injuries?

Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?

 

SOS is about the quality of the teams we have played and we have played a relatively easy set of opponents, separate from the injury situation.

Of course the injuries have impacted our ability to win more games but they have not effected our SOS.

We've probably been fortunate to have an easy schedule otherwise we may be several games behind the 8 spot.

 

I understand. It's just funny to say, "if you factor in injuries" because I'd argue injuries have been the story of the season. Which really isn't all that surprising, frankly. Just be healthy come playoff time.

 

hope this isn't a jinx thread. but I do agree. I have faith

 

absolutely. the talent is there. they need some breaks to go their way...particularly with relationship to injury.

 

I hear you and I didn't mean to diminish the injury factor. That has been by far the biggest problem this season. I was just responding to the OP's reference to our "brutal schedule" which we didn't actually have according to Hollinger's SOS.

I guess we should just be thankful that we didn't have a tougher schedule to start the season given all the injuries. Maybe everything will come together in the 2nd half. Maybe not.

 

you're right. i'm hopeful things will get better.