It's been ages since but the memory for me is still vivid of the Rockets on the verge of being run out of the play-offs down 3-1 to the Suns. Back then all Houston fans wondered if the "Choke City" moniker would ever leave us with failed champsionship aspirations from the Astros, to the Oilers, and the Rockets collectively seemed to unexplicably snatch defeat from the jaws of victory time and again. But somehow the Rockets found a way to overcome long odds and earned us the title of "Clutch City" ever since. The echoes of those glory days long past were epitomized by the slogan - "Believe It". Of course this was followed the next year by "Believe It Again" as fans put their collective trust in the underdog Rockets to somehow pull off the impossible as the 6th seed in the West to ascend and take the NBA title a 2nd year in a row. It's been a long time since those days of glory and they are now just a memory and it's been many seasons since we've even been able to get into the play-offs. Our belief in the team has for some been tested while for others has long vanished. As for me in the last five years I've believed in the potential of the Rockets with the talent that the Rockets have been assembling from Mobley & Francis to Taylor & Yao. But truth be known potential is not the same as realizing potential and it's been a long time since I've "believed" in the Rockets like I did in the glory days. But since the new year the Rockets have been on a tear and I find myself growing in awe as we see their potential being realized on the court. So what have I seen that's been building my confidence? A Rockets' defense that has been consistently miserly and one of the best in the NBA. A Cuttino Mobley that has been derided as unable to adapt his game play defense like never before and find his place as the consistent 3rd threat in Van Gundy's disciplined gameplan. A Steve Francis who haters have called selfish show time and time again that he puts the team first in heart and soul, sacrificing what he has been accustomed to a new offensive scheme. A Mo Taylor that has been called soft and a liability as a power forward become a contender for 6th man of the year giving the Rockets offense a much needed spark. A Cato that has been there to play solid minutes as a key role player as the Rockets need him to be. Last but not least a Yao Ming that people were beginning to give up on wake up like a sleeping dragon to start dominating like we expect him to. I could go on from the backbone Jim Jackson has been for the team as well as the recent addition of the 2nd all time assist leader in Mark Jackson to the way the Rockets have been quietly knocking off the elite teams in the NBA to making sure they take care of business with teams we expect them to. It's as if the old phrase coined by Rudy "stay humble, stay hungry" is finding it's voice heard once again with the Rockets. Whatever the case, I'm finding that magic returning and discovered that I Believe It Once More!
Great Post! I'd love to be hanging my old "Believe it Again" signs up this year. Could you imagine the NBA Finals coming back to Houston? goosebumps. The guys are really starting to gel, I'd love to see the Rockets win 15 games after April 14th this year.
Stay humble, stay hunger. It worked for Hakeem and co., I could see it working for Yao, Fancis, and the current squad. I can't wait for the playoffs!
Man, it is nice to finally have more people believing... I was starting to think us believers were a very small minority.. Welcome back to the fold...we accept you back with open arms. Book it...barring major injury to our core....we are going to shock the hell out of some people come playoff time.
Of course, we are only one loss away from MG!MALASC3POR2D2, Sane and Hotdoddie posting a "trade to make the team better".
The biggest difference in the Rockets this year if JVG. SF still plays out of control, and who had 10 assist last night? MT and Cato are still overpaid for what they bring to the team. Only CM plays above his contract value. To win a Championship you need a top three over all (not position) player on your team. When Dream won his rings he was a top three player, and one of the two seasons he won MVP. Who is a top 3 player on the Rockets? YM = not yet SF = maybe not even top 3 guard Raven
the rockets have finally clicked. It was hilarious reading the dozens of trade threads after every rockets loss. Many people on this board preached patience and now we are starting to see the results. No team wants to play the Rockets in the playoffs.
10 out of the last 13 games - wins. Awesome! Knocked off the best in the West, actually embarrassed the Timberwolves on national TV, and than go into Indiana and beat the number one East team. Gotta love it! Great post Tango, wish there were more like it.
And I would still trade SF for Elton Brand (if he's healthy) or Jermain O'neal in a heart beat. YM EB or JO Any decent PG the Rockets can pick up with the exception = dynasty But the Pacers would be crazy to trade JO away - pity. Raven
I've been thinking and saying all along that a trip to the playoffs in any form this year would be a success, and I stick by that. But there's no denying that the team has a different presence on the court now. The chemistry has arrived, and the confidence is there. Maybe it takes a string of East teams mixed in with some quality squads to establish the consistancy, but the streak has been both timely and effective. I'm legitimately optomistic that this team could get out of the first round. DH
If they beat the Heat, whether they beat the Kings or not, I am back on the "believer's list" for the first time in a long time. Ming will be covered like a blanket, maybe trible teamed. Grant is usually tough on him anyway. Let's see what the supporting cast can do. If they don't rise to the occasion, then, unfortunately, I must return to the "doubter's list."
