ESPN (AP): Rockets optimistic at All-Star break

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Rockets optimistic at All-Star break

HOUSTON -- Funny what a win over the Los Angeles Lakers can do.

The Houston Rockets are headed into the All-Star break feeling good about themselves after Yao Ming outperformed Shaquille O'Neal in a 102-87 victory over the Lakers on Wednesday night.

The Rockets are feeling good despite a year that has included Eddie Griffin's legal problems and preseason release, Maurice Taylor's suspension, and bickering between Steve Francis and coach Jeff Van Gundy.

"When we put everything together we feel we can play with anyone in the league," Maurice Taylor said.

The Rockets will get their chance after Sunday's All-Star game. Half of their 30 remaining games are against teams with winning records.

"You're still looking for lasting improvement, something that sticks every day and you can say, 'That's our game," Van Gundy said. "You want improvements to stick, not going back and forth, improve, regress, improve, regress."

Van Gundy has had plenty to deal with in his first year in Houston.

Griffin was convicted on Jan. 20 of mar1juana possession and remains jailed on a bond violation in an unrelated aggravated assault charge. He was jailed after the Rockets cut him and he signed with the New Jersey Nets.

Taylor was suspended in November for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Van Gundy suspended Francis for a game after Francis missed a team flight to Phoenix on Feb. 1. Both say the issue is behind them.

And Van Gundy says none of that has been a distraction.

"I think actually this year for an NBA season seems to be fairly problem-free," Van Gundy said. "It's a long NBA season. You try not to cause your own problems, but sometimes problems crop up. You deal with them and move on."

The Rockets go into the All-Star break with four victories in their last five games. The only loss in that stretch was 85-82 to the San Antonio Spurs. Before that, however, they lost had lost four in a row.

"The season so far has been up and down. We still have to opportunity and the time to get better," Francis said.

"The first half was OK. I'll give it a C, maybe a C-plus," guard Cuttino Mobley said. "We were capable of more than that. Losing four straight was bad."

The Rockets' tough second half includes key games against teams above them in the Midwest Division standings. They play San Antonio once, Minnesota twice and Dallas three times. The Rockets are 1-5 against those teams.

"We'll have to play better against the best," Van Gundy said. "We play hard enough most nights. Now we have to add that element of playing smart."

Van Gundy would like to see the Rockers emulate the Spurs, who have won all three games against the Rockets this season.

"The one thing that's impressed me about San Antonio since they've gotten into this championship mode is they don't beat themselves," Van Gundy said. "They have a game, they play their game, they live and die by their game.

"That's when you know you've made lasting progress. You know your game and you play it."


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