'05-06 schedule includes two trips with 6 games each By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3301899 The Rockets not only learned their 2005-06 schedule on Monday, they found out why Clyde Drexler chose to announce only home games. He must have known something. The Rockets will face a schedule marked by unusually long periods away from home, including two six-game trips, longest since the 1988-89 season. Last season, the Rockets did not have a trip longer than four games. This season, they have one five-game trip to go with the two six-gamers. "I can't even remember us ever having a six-game trip," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "We've had five-game trips but usually just one a year." Dawson said the long trips this season might not be a bad thing. "If the team chemistry is strong like it was last year, it can be good," he said. "They enjoyed being together on the road. But each team is different. I dreaded that March last year (when the Rockets played 11 of 17 games on the road), and it turned out to be one of our better months, so you never know." Dawson said he is working on maintaining that chemistry from last season. After signing Ryan Bowen last week, he hopes to bring back Jon Barry and Dikembe Mutombo this week. "There's no stumbling blocks I see," Dawson said. "It's just a matter of working out the contracts." The Rockets should quickly find out about the team they bring into the season. After opening with three home games, they play eight of their next 10 on the road. They finish the season with seven of 10 games on the road. The unbalanced schedule also did not offer the Rockets much relief. With the expansion to Charlotte last season, all teams play four conference opponents just three times. The Rockets will play the Jazz, Lakers, Trail Blazers and Suns three times, rather than the usual four, and only the Suns made the playoffs last season. The Lakers and Kobe Bryant's only Toyota Center appearance will be Feb. 8. LeBron James and the Cavaliers will be in Houston on March 26. Shaquille O'Neal will be at Toyota Center on Jan. 29. The regular season will end against defending champion San Antonio. The Rockets will play 19 back-to-backs, more than last season but fewer than many seasons, and will have 29 nationally televised games. Eight are on ESPN, seven on TNT, five on ABC and nine on NBA TV.
Most of us need to revise our record predictions. Breaking 50 again might be quite an accomplishment. The Rockets drew a very unfavorable schedule. I know the "bravado" response is, if you are good enough you can beat anyone anywhere. But, those back to backs are killers.
I don't know. The Rockets sucked at home last year. I don't remember the actual numbers, so maybe they finished out OK; but I recall a lethargic, uninterested home team. I hope the Rockets play few Sunday home games this year, because that was the worst combination of all. Sunday + Toyota Center = Doom. Especially if it's an early afternoon game. Long stretches away from the Toyota Center? Fine by me.
I recall being at an early Sunday game against the Jazz and yes they were dominated and lost big. Your Sunday + Toyota Center = Doom formula is right on the money. The Rockets where a better road team even into the playoffs. I think the high expectations seem to put to much pressure on the team at home and the players just wilted under the pressure.
there are a lot of long road trips but we are a great road team. if we can win more at home, we will do great. my prediction: we DOMINATE late january and all or march.
They were 5 and 2 in Sunday home games (8 and 5 over all) last year by my count. It was a quick count so I could be wrong. I'm not sure which were day games though. But you're right, it was pretty dead at times.
