I love how we're all talking about this like it's nothing...

I had a similar feelings last season when we won a bunch of games without Yao. But the first round series loss took all the joy away. If we get swept in the 1st round this time, that would leave a bad taste.

Still, the 22 game win streak is an unforgettable memory that will live on. It was something special.

 

Great post. Especially about how the rockets are owning some of their own "fans". Those certain "fans" you speak of aren't actually Rockets fans in my book.

 

I love the feeling too. Does this all mean that Adelman is a lock to Coach of the Year?

 

No, I can guarantee you that should that happen, the tampons will be flying off the shelves around here and it will be as if they haven't accomplished anything at all. When this season started, the Rockets were basically an afterthought in the Western Conference. Now they are legitimate contenders on the rise but I suppose that's just not good enough for some folks. I guess they preferred it when the Rockets were a fixture in the NBA lotto year in and year out.

 

Way to put things into perspective. Things have gone wrong all season and yet this team has just steamrolled through the adversity in a fashion that is nothing short of legendary. If someone had told me back in December that this team would look this good and have this record (minus Yao and with other guys missing stretches of games) I would have told them that they are an idiot.

What is most amazing is that Tmac is having his worst season in years. He is no longer capable of carrying a team and it looks like that is not only ok but it may be a blessing in disguise because it has allowed the other guys to play their game. This isn't like last season where a few guys stepped up but Tmac still had to carry this team until Yao got back. We all know how that affected Tmac in the first round. This year we have young guys who are big time players even if we didn't know that until they got here and showed us what they can do.

One thing is for certain. This group of "role players" is more than good enough to get this team the Finals if our two superstars do their part. These guys are doing things that remind me of what Clutch City was built on. Is it too early to say that? Maybe but based on what they have already done I wouldn't bet against them. I don't think this is the year to win it all but if Yao can come back and be Yao with this "supporting cast" then I'll take this team against any team in the league in a 7 game series.

 

Good Post Man...............

 

I have hope for playoff success this year because we are winning with offensive production from several players, like Scola, Landry, Brooks, Jackson and Novak. Last year it was only Tracy and Yao and in the playoffs it was sadly exposed. Even when Alston and Head do not contribute, like against the Suns yesterday, the Rockets can win because of contributions from other players.

This year's team even without Yao, may be better than last year's team with Yao, because of the much improved bench and production from the 4.

 

he may not be able to carry a team for a FULL game, but if he can do in in 2-3 quarters, i'm fine with that. our team is good now where he doesn't need to do that. he carried us last night in the 2nd half with 17 pts, 4 rebs, and 5 assists.

i'm glad he doesn't have to do this all game. he got worn out last yr doing it all year. hopefully he'll bring another gear in the playoffs and does dominate a full game.

 

right, that means out team is really good. we can put mcgrady on the bench and we still can build a lead over suns with guys like novak, brooks, landry. it is amazing.

tmac is tmac. he scored and makes playes wneh he has to. it was easy to notice that he was completly out of rythm in the 1st half, he was searching for that. but than in the 2nd half he got it rolling and other players were involved too.

 

This thread is a great change up from the other threads where the theme seems to be Rafer needs to be benched, TMAC is lazy and should be traded, etc etc. This is a team to be proud of.

 

amen, especially when we go 18-5 without yao and we have just beaten suns by 11

 

*smiles like a proud dad*

great post

 

To be honest, I don't like this excess of enthusiasm many of you are experiencing. Yes, what this team did (or currently doing) is amazing, unbelievable, incredible and whatever, but we are going to have a lot of problems in the playoffs and you all know that.

I'm pessimistic, really pessimistic, I think we have no chance to win in the 1st round with any of the team in front or behind us (well, probably we have chances with NO, but it's impossible to face the Hornets).

And so, of course I DON'T hope it, but I think many of you will be very, VERY disappointed very soon as the playoffs begin. I will not: this guys gave to us more than expected and for NO reason they deserve to be criticized when (let's say IF) Rockets will be out of the playoffs. Beacuse you are expecting too much and you'll criticize while now you idolize them.

Without Yao we cannot win: plain and simple. Face it now, sit, watch and enjoy every remaining games, and you will applause them after a loss.

 

I think you are missing the point. No one in this thread, from that I've seen, is proclaiming that the Rockets are going to steamroll everyone in the playoffs. The thread is commenting that we should be proud of what the team has accomplished despite the adversity. And that most fans can't step back and appreciate that, because for whatever reason some people wouldn't be happy unless we went 82-0 and won the championship. There is a difference.

 

Great post! This season has been a real rollercoaster and I'm loving it! We play like we did last night, and we can beat ANYONE.

 

We've been in play-off intensity games for about a month now. The games where Landry has played the team has been pretty effective. I honestly dont think we will be seeing a lot different level in the play-offs. The tight race in the west have made them start a bit early.

 

I don't really disagree with you, but this season has transcended all my angst and disappointments of the last four years. I just love this team.

As to another first round lost bad taste, well that could easily happen to anyone in the West this year and I've never really thought that possible before.

I really think the benchmark for success this season has already been achieved in a truly historic NBA season.

Now, if we win a first round series and T-mac grows from it... then it will feel a lot like 1993 and I'll be very happy.

The best thing about this year to me is simply the buzz around Houston about the Rox and that is more important than anything other than a ring.

 

great post!

I agree with everything.

This team is #1 material now that the Spurs don't seem to care about grabbing that seed. it's ours! Get it Tracy. Go!!

 

It seems like Adelman has been here for years, its scary to think on how good this team will keep getting year after year

 

the critiques are valid, since everything is geared towards the playoffs and the rockets have liabilities compared to other western conference teams

but you are right, the rockets deserve props. in addition to their overall record, we should note that the rockets have really played hard to put themselves in this position. it is amazing that since yao went down the team won all the games "it's supposed to win" save a 1 point loss to Sac and all its games at home save a loss to Boston (with a blowout 3rd quarter).

it seems simple but not every team can do that. this team has gotten this far by rolling with the punches and doing everything to put themselves in this position. you're not going to win every night but doing the right thing will put you in position, give you a shot. that's what the rockets are in right now