http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...cB?slug=sk-rankings011507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns Ok honestly I never thought I'd see day that Kerr wrote entire power ranking article giving credit to Rockets. <b>When Yao Ming went out with a broken leg on Dec. 23, the Houston Rockets figured to tumble in the standings. After all, over the past two seasons, their record without Yao has been horrendous. On top of that, Tracy McGrady was struggling through a tough, injury-prone season himself. But this is a different Rockets team. Perhaps it's the leadership and defense that Shane Battier has provided. Maybe it's the improved play from Houston's young guards, Rafer Alston and Luther Head. Or it could be that Dikembe Mutombo is playing like he's 10 years younger in Yao's absence. Whatever the reason, the Rockets have not only managed to survive without Yao, but they've also flourished. McGrady has caught fire at the right time, and Houston has somehow won nine of 11 games since Yao's injury. The Rockets' strong play not only vaulted them five spots in this week's rankings, but it also begs the question: How good can they be once they're at full strength? Here's a look at this week's rankings (records and statistics are through Jan. 14): </b> Dallas 1. Dallas Mavericks (31-8, Last ranking: 1) – Jason Terry is starting to heat up. He made 31 of 55 shots in four games last week and averaged 21 points. Phoenix 2. Phoenix Suns (28-8, Last ranking: 2) – Boris Diaw started the season slowly, but he's really clicking now. He's averaging 11 points, seven assists, four rebounds and is shooting 59 percent since the New Year. San Antonio 3. San Antonio Spurs (27-11, Last ranking: 6) – Tim Duncan is very quietly having his best season in years: 20 points, 10 boards and two blocks per game, and he's shooting 55 percent from the field. <b> Houston 4. Houston Rockets (25-13, Last ranking: 9) – Dikembe Mutombo is enjoying a season right out of "Cocoon." The ageless wonder had 19 rebounds and five blocks in a rout of the Lakers, and in doing so, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second place on the all-time blocks list. </b>
I don't care if they jump off. I don't want our players to jump off and lose confidence. Power rankings do not make you win, players do
Damnit I knew I should of bought some lotto tickets today.. I love this "Dikembe Mutombo is enjoying a season right out of "Cocoon.""
Consider for a moment, the fact that a columnist is not supposed to be a homer. When the team is playing poorly, they say it as it is. When they play well - the give credit. The Rockets have been underachieving for the last few years - therefore Kerr has been a disliked writer. Now that they are playing well, he's giving them credit. Nothing wrong with that.
So Kerr is saying Mutombo is flying around the court like Don Ameche, Wilford Brimley, Hume Cronyn after they got out of the pool!
Didn't Steve Kerr refuse to move the Rockets up in his pre-season rankings...even after we got Bonzi.
I dont think Kerr's jumping on the bandwagon as much as just telling it as it is. He might be a bit biased due to Lakers/Phil Jackson homerism, but at least he's better than Skip Bayless. Then again, who isn't
He's just finally giving the Rockets their due because Yao is not playing. I don't think it's a coincidence, Steve Kerr is still a racist.
Did you guys hear Magic Johnson and Kenny say that they thought Houston could make a lot of noise? Charles finally admitted he was WRONG like he's most of the time about the Jazz
