Props from a Sports Illustrated e-mail newsletter called SI Extra (I don't think it's on SI's website): MORNING CALL With 20 games gone in the Rockets’ season, Yao Ming has already made it clear that he’s no bust. Pretty soon, though, the question will be whether the Rockets are title contenders. Last night Houston posed a problem for the visiting Kings, who saw a six-game win streak end in an impressive 103-96 Rockets victory. Steve Francis proved again that he’s the real deal, scoring 32 points and adding seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Yet it was the 7’5" Chinese center who ultimately made the difference. Yao scored six crucial points down the stretch and finished with 17 points and 15 boards. "It was like eating a great meal," said Yao, through his translator. The Rockets will be feasting on plenty of opponents throughout the decade if this duo continues to grow together. Strong words. Could've been written by some of the optimists on this BBS!
I would have laughed at such a ridiculous notion just a few weeks ago, BUT, things have changed, rapidly. Ming has matured quicker than anyone imagined. He is now where many including myself thought he would be in 2 years. I believe this team will be considered a legitimate contender IF they can consistently get up for the lower tier teams, night after night. Beating the Kings will mean little if they lose to the Grizzles. PLUS, the play of the forwards must come around. If Taylor, Thomas, Griffin, and/or Rice really catches fire and goes on a tear (not dominating the ball, but aggressive rebounding and timely scoring) this team will be very hard to deal with. Of course Frances, Mobley, and Ming must stay healthy and continue to play well. I can't believe I am even saying these things!
when the rockets win in Sac-Town and maintain an above .500 road winning percentage then they should be considered contenders. right now they are still learning how to win.
Thanks for the read, khan. Think they check in here? Very solid, solid. (sorry, I've always wanted to say that!) If we can demolish the mediocre teams as well as play the elite teams like we did last night, the sky's the limit. And we DO need one of our other forwards to step up like Kenny has. Remember '86? We were supposed to be a couple of years away from contention. Our own, dear Fran Buttbury wrote us off and said we had no chance. That the Finals would be the Celtics against the Lakers. He got it half right. We annihilated Magic, Kareem, Worthy... and that primping Pat Riley (Well, he's a damn good coach, but I hated him at the time, lol!) in 5 games and lost in 6 to possibly the best team to ever lace them up, the '86 Celtics. Nothing is written... we can do it again! In '86 the players believed in themselves, and every night one or more of them stepped up and had monster games. When the season was coming to a close, we were talked about around the country as title contenders for the forseeable future, right up there with the Celtics and Lakers. Who knew our guards would betray us? Losing Lucas was bad enough (the ****... yeah, he's changed and is a good guy. Now.), but the coke thing added to Ralph getting hurt from a fall in Boston and never really being the same afterwards put paid to that team. That's history! The good, bad, and ugly. But there's a message there. We can contend for a title THIS year! Believe it.
