Is anyone else getting sick of seeing posts about how impossible the Rockets' playoff chances are? Or how about the daily threads being started over the draft pick situations? And worst of all, the millions of "tanking" posts that have been plaguing the BBS... One 15 game losing streak, while playing without our whole team and all faith in the Rockets seems to be lost. Well right here is where that all stops! Let's all bring that Rocket pride and optimism back! This season is FAR from over! The West is a lot more balanced this season, as teams like the Sonics, Warriors and the Clippers have gained some power, while former annual playoff contenders such as the Blazers and Jazz are falling. The result: Playoff teams in the West that actually have records slightly above, or close to .500! Last year the West was ridiculously good, shown by the fact that the Rockets finished 8 games above .500 and STILL didn't make the playoffs. Equilibrium has returned to the Western Conference and now our Rockets are just a grasp away from their playoff quest. As this season approaches the 1/3 mark, despite that horrid 15 game skid, the standings are not as bad as one would think at all. Let's look at the teams in our path to the playoffs: LA Clippers - Key stat: They have already played 19 home games and only 7 away games (they are 1-6 on the road!). Their schedule will catch up to them Portland - Key stat: When Wallace scores 23+: 10-0 When Wallace scores less than 23: 2-12 Jazz - They seem to be struggling to maintain a .500 record with inconsistencies of the supporting cast Seattle/Phoenix - These two teams seemingly never improve or get worse. Phoenix is always around the 7th or 8th seed, and Seattle the 9th or 10th 6. LA Clippers: 15-11 Games Back (of Spurs): 6.0 7. Phoenix: 15-12 Games Back: 6.5 8. Portland: 13-13 Games Back: 8.0 Rockets: 8-20 Games Back: 14.0 As high as that 14.0 may look, it is only 6 games back of a playoff spot. 6 games! With 54 games still left to play! From here on out the playoff dreams that were abundant early on shall be restored. Francis will be returning soon to teammates that are even better since he left. Oscar Torres and Eddie Griffin have already proven they are more than ready as rookies, and will now be solid contributors to what was ALREADY a well above .500 team when healthy. Kelvin Cato has been another positive this season. I know he's hated by many here because of his contract, but you must admit, he has played hard in most of the games this season. I recorded the Bucks game and last night and watched the 4th quarter about 5 more times. One play really stood out...incredible reactions by Cato and Griffin. It was the play where the clock was running down, and Mobley received and shot up the ball with 1 second left on the shot clock, the buzzer blaring as it left hands, the ball bounced off the rim and Cato jumped in front of Ervin Johnson and made this awkward save by slamming the ball on the court towards the basket where Griffin quickly reacted and nearly tipped it in, while drawing the foul on Robinson. It's the plays like that, that can really give you momentum and hope. Cato also had some huge boards down the stretch in that game (where he got fouled and had to go shoot those crucial free throws). However, the thing that I really liked the most: Cato was really into the game! He actually wanted that win! When he missed that first of the four free throws in the last few minutes, he was extremely disappointed in himself. Moochie had to talk to him and try to console him. Those are the kinds of things that are really nice to see from a young team, and now when Francis returns (as well as KT and Rice eventually) I think this team is ready to take their team game as a whole to another level. Houston Rockets: Playoff Quest 2002!
Believe it! Although, let's not get carried away after one win. But we're not totally out of the hunt. When Steve and KT come back, we have an opportunity to do very well for ourselves. The Rockets usually play very well in the second half of the season, and if we can get on a roll, I wouldn't rule the playoffs out.
If everyone gets back and stays healthy, I think the playoff race will be very similar to last year. We will get within 3-4 games of the playoffs, and will have to win the big games down the stretch to get in. Last year, we lost those big games...hopefully this year that won't happen. There is no doubt that there will be a strong playoff push, as long as our big players stay healthy.
