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[NBA.COM] Resilient Rockets rolling despite trade, injury setbacks

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by GoRoxFromDC, Feb 23, 2009.

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  1. GoRoxFromDC

    GoRoxFromDC Member

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    http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/dave_mcmenamin/02/23/western.insider.20090223/index.html




    The Rockets have lost Tracy McGrady for the rest of the season to a knee injury, Rafer Alston to a trade to Orlando and Carl Landry to a sprained ankle. But that's the only losing that's happening in Houston these days.

    The Rockets are tied with the Lakers, Jazz and Cavaliers for the longest winning streak in the league, at four games. The streak started before the All-Star break against the Kings and has included wins over the Nets, Mavericks and Bobcats. The streak isn't nearly as historic as the 22-game ride that the Rockets had last season, the second-longest in league history to the Lakers' 33 straight in 1971-72. But it's still impressive in its own right.

    After bottoming out in McGrady's last game with the team -- allowing a season high 124 points in a loss to the Bucks -- Houston rebounded to hold its next four opponents under 90 points. The last time the Rockets held four straight opponents under 90 was Nov. 12-17 of this season, but Houston dropped one of those games 77-75 to San Antonio.

    Second-year forward Luis Scola has turned in four straight double-doubles during the streak (just the second time that he's notched 10-plus points and 10-plus rebounds in four straight games), averaging 14.0 points and 11.8 points.

    "It's a good thing that we know -- this is who we have, this is who we are,'' Scola told reporters. "Now, everybody can take a role, whatever it is, and it's a good thing. I wish we could have everybody healthy. But this is who we have now, and we have to take it.''

    As good as Scola has been of late, Yao Ming has been even better, averaging 21.3 points and 12.5 rebounds in the last four and praising his team's tenacity from start to finish.

    "We are really focused, focused on 48 minutes, not like before," Yao said.

    Scola and Yao aren't the only players to step up. Ron Artest is averaging 20 points on 51 percent shooting (when his season averages are only 16.2 on 39.6) during the streak, new starting point guard Aaron Brooks handled his first start post-Alston with 19 points and eight assists against Dallas and Von Wafer, signed for the league minimum, has nearly as many points during the streak (35) as he did during all of last season in 29 games played with Denver and Portland (46).

    "These guys really believe there is no reason we can't win," Rockets head coach Rick Adelman told the Houston Chronicle.

    Houston, at 35-21, sits a game and a half behind Portland for the No. 4 seed in the West. The Rockets will put their streak on the line and try to gain ground in the playoff race on Tuesday when they host the Trail Blazers.
     
    #1 GoRoxFromDC, Feb 23, 2009
  2. FLASH21

    FLASH21 Heart O' Champs

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    I like the sound of that... Resilient Rockets!
     
    #2 FLASH21, Feb 23, 2009
  3. BackNthDay

    BackNthDay Member

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    I like it also, do what we have to do, with what we got!
     
    #3 BackNthDay, Feb 23, 2009
  4. opticon

    opticon Member

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    If i had the cash to spare right now I would go to the portland game and scream my head off.

    We need this game badly I hope every one who makes it out to the game will give a solid effort to support the team.
     
    #4 opticon, Feb 23, 2009
  5. yobod

    yobod Member

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    The upcoming Portland game has a LOT of implications.....4th place in the West, a head-to-head match-up with the team we're seeded to play against, revenge for that last second BS shot Roy hit early in the season, and last and certainly not least, another step in the right direction for this team, Aaron Brooks, and the coaching staff. If we can pull this game out, I think it is going to go a LONG way in our team's confidence.
     
    #5 yobod, Feb 23, 2009
  6. Dei

    Dei Member

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    I haven't been keeping track of their individual performances; awesome we've got beasts in the post. I wish Landry speedy recovery; we're really gonna need more inside unless, and these are longshots, Brian Cook and Dikembe Mutombo turn it up.

    The wing play just won't be as good as, say, SA, LA, NO, or even Portland. We just don't have enough talent since we lost Tracy.
     
    #6 Dei, Feb 23, 2009
  7. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    I ran into this article on NBA.com It is great to get some publicity that isn't "Rockets aren't living up to standards", or "Rockets are paper champions". There is a whole new feeling around the Rockets right now. Newness and vitality. Let's roll.
     
    #7 napalm06, Feb 23, 2009
  8. dachuda86

    dachuda86 Member

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    "These guys really believe there is no reason we can't win," Rockets head coach Rick Adelman told the Houston Chronicle.

    This quote means a lot because Adelman isn't saying this just to say it. It's a good implication of confidence. We all know what happens when that happens.

    Get ready for good things from Brooks and Artest... and Lowry to some extent I'm betting.
     
    #8 dachuda86, Feb 23, 2009
  9. Dave_78

    Dave_78 Member

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    Resilient City!!!!

    Seriously, this team is probably still not talented enough to take on the Spurs and Lakers in a series but the effort I'm seeing over the last few games makes me proud to be a Rockets fan. Great group of guys and a pretty good record considering the adversity they have gone through this season.
     
    #9 Dave_78, Feb 23, 2009
  10. Kojirou

    Kojirou Member

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    Just pointing out that we're half a game behind Portland, not a game and a half. Either, this is a critical game (and I want revenge for that what-the-heck shot)
     
    #10 Kojirou, Feb 23, 2009
  11. magnetik

    magnetik Member

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    I'm surprised to hear the longest win streak in the league this year is 4 games!
     
    #11 magnetik, Feb 23, 2009
  12. Ismail

    Ismail Member

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    Right now. . the longest win streak is 4 games. The C's were close to beating our 22 a little while ago, had it not been for the Los Angeles Kobe Bryants.
     
    #12 Ismail, Feb 23, 2009
  13. ch0c0b0fr34k

    ch0c0b0fr34k Member

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    Currently.
     
    #13 ch0c0b0fr34k, Feb 23, 2009
  14. Chamillionaire

    Chamillionaire Member

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    well yao is obviously happier now, good to know. artest and luis has definitely stepped their games up, hopefully AB can continue to grow, and wafer can contribute off the bench. i'd love lowry to start scoring more, but i guess he's deferring to other players being the new guy.
     
    #14 Chamillionaire, Feb 23, 2009
  15. Chamillionaire

    Chamillionaire Member

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    wouldn't mind playing portland in the 1st round, stick battier and artest on roy and outlaw, rudy and we're ready to play, they do have some size at the 4 and 5 though with oden, joey p, and aldridge. looking forward to the playoffs with this team, artest is gonna be a beast.
     
    #15 Chamillionaire, Feb 23, 2009
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