http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/rox/3513454.html Rockets reach fork in road Six-game journey could help change direction of season By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle SACRAMENTO, CALIF. - In a season in desperate need of a change of direction, the Rockets went west. They hope that change of direction might come, in a way, on a grueling road trip. This might be wishful thinking. A six-game road trip, the Rockets' longest in 16 years, is rarely considered a solution to a staggering start to a season. But since the Rockets could not find a winning streak at home, they could only hope it was out there on the road. One way or another, there is a pretty good chance that by the time they are back in Houston they will know where they are headed. "I do believe ... every good season has a turning point," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "The turning point is usually on the road if you're going to have a successful season. So I look forward to the challenge of this trip." The search for a turning point began with Thursday's 106-95 victory at Sacramento, with games at Portland, Golden State, Seattle, and the L.A. Clippers and Lakers to follow. "I think it's great," Rockets forward Tracy McGrady said. "It's great to get out, especially early in the year, just us, no family, the team, the coaches, to see how we come together as a group. You find the true character of guys being around so much on the road when it's just your teammates. "This is what we do, what we live for, to be out on the road, to have the crowd against you. ... If you can win on the road, you can be a great team in this league." The Rockets cannot look down on any team, but the road trip does not offer the lineup of championship contenders of the November trip East. Going into Thursday's game, the six opponents were a combined 55-64. Only the Clippers and Warriors had winning records. It might not be the ideal way to turn around a season heading the wrong way, but by now, any way will do. "I don't recall ever having more than five games on a trip, but I know I've never been on the road so long," forward Ryan Bowen said. "But if we play well and take care of business, it can be good for us." jonathan.feigen@chron.com
Happy with the win but the Kings s**k. I can't remember them ever losing 4 games in a row at home, Arco was always the toughest arena for a road team to come in and win in and teams have done it 4 games in a row. The test will come in SF and LA. Beat the Clippers and Warriors and we have turned this thing aroung.
