http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3034846 Feb. 11, 2005, 1:41AM Rockets willing to share alike Offense starts with T-Mac, Yao, but other players get piece of action By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Juwan Howard learned when he arrived in Houston that it was not his job to carry the team offensively. The same was true for David Wesley, who was one of the New Orleans Hornets' leading scorers before the Dec. 27 trade. That doesn't mean they can't still score, though. And neither one minds proving it. The Rockets have shown during the past month that even though their offense starts with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, that's not where it ends. In seven of the last 11 games, the Rockets have had at least five players score in double figures. They've accomplished that feat a total of 14 times this season. "I think that makes us a tough team to guard, and it makes a lot of people happy ?that unselfish style, making that extra pass, a lot of assists to our baskets," Wesley said. "That makes it fun for everybody, not just a few guys. It's kind of nice." In addition to Yao and McGrady's consistent double-digit scoring nights, the rest of the rotation has gotten in on the action during the past 11 games. Bob Sura and Wesley have reached double figures in eight of those games. Howard has done it seven times, and Jon Barry and Scott Padgett have each accomplished it four times. The Rockets hope to continue that trend tonight against an Indiana team that has been one of the few able to contain this offense recently. On Jan. 18, the Rockets shot just 41.8 percent from the field and made only one of 13 3-pointers. It was right after that when the Rockets' offense really started to come together. They have won nine of 11 games since losing to Indiana. "Certainly the more balanced you are, the more you can withstand a night by one guy or two guys that maybe isn't up to their normal quality," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. When McGrady was slow to get going against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, it was Howard who stepped up. He made a hook shot, a 20-foot jumper and a tip-in during the opening minutes, scoring six of the Rockets' first 11 points. Howard's 8.9 points per game is still far below his career average of 17.8, but he said the new role isn't hard to adjust to ?especially when the team is winning. The Rockets are on a season-high five-game winning streak. "I know my role," Howard said. "My role is not to score on this team, but I know I can. David's always been a scorer throughout his career, too. We're having to defer a lot to a guy like Tracy and Yao, and we understand that. We accept that role for winning." McGrady also is deferring more this season, leading the Rockets in assists with 5.8 per game. He still is averaging 25.8 points per game, but no longer eyes the NBA scoring title as his biggest goal. He wants to make the playoffs, and he knows it will take a team effort to get there. That's why he revels in helping his teammates become involved each night. "It's a team," McGrady said. "I feel like part of a team. Everybody is buying into the system, and everybody is bringing it to the table every night and leaving it all out on the court. It's not individual play. There's no I. There's no me. Everybody is a unit." That philosophy on offense has helped the Rockets put together an impressive run leading up to next week's All-Star break. With their typically strong defense faltering recently, the Rockets surprisingly have still won by outscoring their opponents. The Rockets are ranked 24th among 30 teams in points per game, averaging 93.3. But that number is slowly rising. The club has scored more than 100 points in its last four games, marking its longest stretch of 100-point games since accomplishing it from March 13-20, 2001. "We're playing championship basketball on the offensive end, spreading the ball around," McGrady said. "Getting guys great looks. And if we can put our defense on that same page where we're clicking like that, then we could be one of the best in this league." megan.manfull@chron.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rockets Summary Taylor mystery Rockets forward Maurice Taylor did not join the Rockets on their one-game trip to Indiana because of what team officials called "a personal matter." Taylor also was not at Wednesday's game against the Bulls for the same reason. Team officials did not say when Taylor is expected to rejoin the team. He has been on the injured list since Jan. 18. Rod Strickland will be with the Rockets tonight, but his status is unknown. He strained his left quadriceps during Wednesday's game and never returned. He will be re-evaluated before tonight's game to see if he will be able to play. 3-point man Scott Padgett is ?for now ?the Rockets' most accurate 3-point shooter in franchise history. He made his 51st 3-pointer during Wednesday's game against the Bulls to qualify for contention. He has shot 43.2 percent (51-of-118) with the Rockets, supplanting Kenny Smith (.407) on the franchise's list for career 3-point percentage. Padgett's 3-point shooting numbers have increased dramatically since joining the Rockets. He made only 37.5 percent of his 3s during his four seasons with Utah. "I feel more comfortable in this offense than I ever did there," Padgett said. "The 3-point shot for us there was a last-ditch thing. "If there were five seconds or less on the clock, then you shot it."
I like the spirit. The Pacers will live to tell abouth the whooping we will put on them today. And for our team, this chemistry and great play only gets better. The only thing that sets us back will be injury and I hope we do not see any major one from here on out. How sweet it is!
