here is the way i look at it. if the question is, which is a greater accomplishment, then YES, of course, by sheer math, winning 22 in a row is a bigger one because it happens once every 30 years and 8 teams make it to the second round every year. BUT, for me, I look it as which one would I pick, if i could choose. Well we have two options, two years in a row. as awesome as 22 in a row was, I would have taken the series win over the jazz. same thing this year, if I had to pick to go to an alternate universe where we had won 22 in a row but we lost to portland in 6, i would NOT take that choice. if you would take that switch, then i have to question your fanhood.
It is a good thread, I chose 22 game winning streak and here is why. 2nd round shouldn't be any accomplishment for a team that is built for a CHAMPIONSHIP. Yes, every year people talk we are 'contenders' and yet we always come up short. Obviously it feels great to finally make it for the first time in 12 years but that doesn't mean anything. We are supposed (maybe were since T-Mac is out) to fight with the best teams in the L. We should have been at least 2 times in previous 3 years in the WCF with teams we've had. Yet, injures are still a problem every single year. I kinda agree with Artest, Rockets' goal is not to advance to the 2nd round. As for the winning streak it was great, phenomenal. We developed a great chemistry, played great team basketball, great defense and still won 12 in a row without Yao. People will forget about second round in few years (maybe we can win championship in that time) but the winning streak will always be something unbelivable.
Tue 29 Golden State W 111 - 107 25-20 Feb Opponent Box Score W-L Fri 1 @ Indiana W 106 - 103 26-20 Sat 2 @ Milwaukee W 91 - 83 27-20 Mon 4 @ Minnesota W 92 - 86 28-20 Thu 7 Cleveland W 92 - 77 29-20 Sat 9 Atlanta W 108 - 89 30-20 Mon 11 Portland W 95 - 83 31-20 Wed 13 Sacramento W 89 - 87 32-20 Tue 19 @ Cleveland W 93 - 85 33-20 Thu 21 Miami W 112 - 100 34-20 Fri 22 @ New Orleans W 100 - 80 35-20 Sun 24 Chicago W 110 - 97 36-20 Tue 26 Washington W 94 - 69 37-20 Fri 29 Memphis W 116 - 95 38-20 Mar Opponent Box Score W-L Sun 2 Denver W 103 - 89 39-20 Wed 5 Indiana W 117 - 99 40-20 Thu 6 @ Dallas W 113 - 98 41-20 Sat 8 New Orleans W 106 - 96 42-20 Mon 10 New Jersey W 91 - 73 43-20 Wed 12 @ Atlanta W 83 - 75 44-20 Fri 14 Charlotte W 89 - 80 45-20 Sun 16 L.A. Lakers W 104 - 92
Sure 22 is very, very nice and is the 2nd longest in NBA history, but in the collective psyche of the Rockets nation, we got the proverbial monkey off our backs with the series win over Portland. To me that is far more significant.
Took the words out of my mouth. 22 game win streak, 2nd best in HISTORY. Read that and read this: ONLY ONE TEAM HAS DONE BETTER. 2nd round, 8 teams a YEAR do it. 8 teams x (years NBA has 16 team playoffs) + 4 teams x (years had 8 team playoffs) = a lot (didnt feel like doing the research). But for argument's sake . . . lets say . . . oh . . . its MORE THAN ONE! The streak bested a 30+ year record. There's no contest. Sure the streak is "marred" by the fact that we didn't win a championship, but we also won several more games after a key component went down with an injury & those injuries were huge in the playoffs as well.
22 in a row was nice but ultimatly meaningless..... The goal is a championship, not 22 in a row during the regular season, which was aided by a quirk in the schedule of all the crap teams at one time. Come on....playoffs...that is the goal. DD
The fans can say SECOND ROUND as many times as they like, but the fans can only say count our streak number once. The months where each thread every poster would say 18 or 19 or 21!!! I mean we counted to 22 and yet a team has come by to knock us off. 22!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which is why there are a TON of teams with long winning streaks because of their schedules? <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0EcC3mj3oYw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0EcC3mj3oYw&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
Eight teams get to the second round every damn year. Is Denver's second round appearance this year more significant than our 22 in a row? What a joke. We did something that probably won't be matched again for at least a decade or more.
We were eventually going to get to the second round one way or another. You didn't really think we were ALWAYS going to get eliminated in the opening round did you?
the 22 win streak is more importantly statistics wise but getting to the 2nd round is more satisfying personally. I'm guessing if you asked the Rockets who were there during the 22 win streak what they found more satisfying they would probably say getting to the 2nd round. Just look at how happy Yao was after game 6. Even though he was injured for the last 8 games of the streak I doubt he felt that proud of the Rockets after the 22nd win. History will probably end up holding the 22nd win streak as a singular accomplishment but for the players I don't think it will matter as that much compared to playoff success. Consider that every year there is an NBA champion and a Rockets fans we look back on the two Championship teams as the greatest Rockets teams and not last year's 22 win team even though 22 wins is far far less common.
I know the 22 game winning streak was hard to accomplish, but I'd have to go with the 2nd round. Without getting closer to a championship, the regular season means nothing. It's like asking Kobe or LeBron, which is a bigger accomplishment, an MVP trophy or the NBA Championship trophy.
It's a damn shame reading some of these posts on this thread. Bad mouthing the streak because of the schedule. How the hell do you think streaks are created in ANY sport? We took care of business 22 times in a row. Doesn't matter if most of the games were against easy teams. You would think our streak would be more appreciated THIS year, considering how many easy teams we have lost to this season. Instead, you guys are no different from ESPN and the other media guys hating on the streak. It's hypocritical, because last year y'all were probably calling out the doubters for the very same reasoning.
What he means is that we're closer to a trophy with the 2nd round than the 22 game win streak. We really didn't accomplish much except a record that will go down in the record books. Hell, I don't think we could do it again, this isn't even the same team as that team. Rockets fans were emotional (at least the die-hard ones) after we won this past Thursday, most people we're just excited on the 22-game win streak day after we beat the Lakers. Like I said earlier, a prime example would be how a superstar is developed. You make your destiny as a player in the playoffs, not in the regular season. People base what you will do next season based on your playoff success, not based on what you accomplished in the regular season (unless of course you didn't really make the playoffs).
For such a savy contributing member as youself, I am surprised at your complete lack of respect for the accomplishment. The Rocket's won 27% of their entire season schedule in a row. They beat playoff caliber teams including: Cleveland (twice) Atlanta (twice) Portland Lakers Miami Chicago New Orleans (twice) Denver Dallas Those teams represent 55% of the winning streak. I'd say that trying to call it an easy schedule shows that you and others in this post have singular memories with no statistical analysis behind your thoughts. Furthermore, they played 17 different teams during that stretch which represents 59% of all NBA teams excluding the Rockets. I know that I have been a member a long time and hardly post (even though I visit on a daily basis) but 54,000 posts does not make you correct on this one. Next time a poll like this is run, let's hope it says 22 Game Winning streak vs Championship.. in that case, I will definitely vote for the latter.
Ok, i will ask again. would those who voted for the streak trade this portland series win for a 22 win streak where we got beat in six? if not, then that means you prefer the playoff win. if so, i question your fanhood.
Well most people try to **** on the 22 game winning streak by saying a lot of those teams we beat had injuries. But who cares, we lost Yao.
