You hit it with that one. The team is terrible with out SF. Like you said, remember the SUNs game...and if that isn't enough remember a couple of seasons ago when SF had the migraine problems (that inner ear disease).
I think people, such as myself, dog the rockets because its better to be pessimistic so you don't get your hopes up all the time. The team is too inconsistent to be always optimistic.
Guess what happened to Randolph's stat right after they traded away Rasheed. Against Carmelo Anthony and Co. : 2-7 FGM-A, 4-4 FTM-A, 8 RB, 2 AST, 8 PTS