Hottest team in the league with 22 straight *updated* Rockets
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March 12, 2008
Good and Twenty: The Rockets take a place in NBA history
Oh, how the Hawks wanted to be the one.
The Bobcats will, too.
The Lakers, you just know, are aching to be the team to break the streak.
This is how it is now for the Rockets and how it will be until the streak that has become of the talk of the NBA in an unusually eventful season finally ends.
It is at 20 consecutive games now, topped only by the Lakers of Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, matched only by the Bucks of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.
Theirs is just a regular-season accomplishment, but it is an accomplishment that puts the Rockets in company with the greatest teams and players there have ever been. When other teams put runs together and the charts start coming out of the greatest winning streaks in NBA history, these Rockets will be there, again and again, as it has been for the Lakers and Bucks of another generation.
"You got to think of all the great players and great teams that have been in this league," Tracy McGrady said. "To be on a team that has accomplished 20 straight wins, this has to be up there as the most gratifying thing I've accomplished in this league. You look at the Bulls that were 72-10 that year. They did do this. So this is pretty remarkable."
It is also the best story of an unbelievable season.
This had been the season with the incredible, ground-shaking trades of Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd and Pau Gasol. It has been the season in which Kobe Bryant went from demanding out of LA to guiding the Lakers to the top of the West. It has been the season of the three-pronged revival of the Celtics.
But now, it is the season of the streak, with the Rockets' run of consecutive wins reaching 20 games becoming the NBA's longest in 37 years and at least for now, eclipsing all those remarkable stories.
They come to town now, and teams want to measure themselves against the team that has not lost since January. Fans bring signs to the arena about the other team. National sports reports start with the update of the streak.
The Rockets don't have teams defeated before the game begins like the Celtics of the 70s or the Bulls of the 90s. They don't inspire that sort of awe. It's more admiration and appreciation. There is not a sense that this is one of the greatest teams that have ever been, as the early 70s Lakers and Bucks were.
But even that seems to make it all more impressive, more special, as if rather than doing this with an unmatched collection of sublime talent, they do it with determination and consistency beyond the rest of the league.
There is still much to do this season. The showdown on Sunday against the Lakers will likely be for first in the Western Conference with the Rockets' win on Wednesday putting them second, one game behind the Lakers. And then there is still the matter of the post-season and the search for a series victory now more than a decade long.
There is, however, no diminishing this accomplishment. They are special now, inspiring the best kind of adulation the NBA can offer. Respect.
Good and Twenty: The Rockets take a place in NBA history
Oh, how the Hawks wanted to be the one.
The Bobcats will, too.
The Lakers, you just know, are aching to be the team to break the streak.
This is how it is now for the Rockets and how it will be until the streak that has become of the talk of the NBA in an unusually eventful season finally ends.
It is at 20 consecutive games now, topped only by the Lakers of Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West and Gail Goodrich, matched only by the Bucks of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson.
Theirs is just a regular-season accomplishment, but it is an accomplishment that puts the Rockets in company with the greatest teams and players there have ever been. When other teams put runs together and the charts start coming out of the greatest winning streaks in NBA history, these Rockets will be there, again and again, as it has been for the Lakers and Bucks of another generation.
"You got to think of all the great players and great teams that have been in this league," Tracy McGrady said. "To be on a team that has accomplished 20 straight wins, this has to be up there as the most gratifying thing I've accomplished in this league. You look at the Bulls that were 72-10 that year. They did do this. So this is pretty remarkable."
It is also the best story of an unbelievable season.
This had been the season with the incredible, ground-shaking trades of Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Kidd and Pau Gasol. It has been the season in which Kobe Bryant went from demanding out of LA to guiding the Lakers to the top of the West. It has been the season of the three-pronged revival of the Celtics.
But now, it is the season of the streak, with the Rockets' run of consecutive wins reaching 20 games becoming the NBA's longest in 37 years and at least for now, eclipsing all those remarkable stories.
They come to town now, and teams want to measure themselves against the team that has not lost since January. Fans bring signs to the arena about the other team. National sports reports start with the update of the streak.
The Rockets don't have teams defeated before the game begins like the Celtics of the 70s or the Bulls of the 90s. They don't inspire that sort of awe. It's more admiration and appreciation. There is not a sense that this is one of the greatest teams that have ever been, as the early 70s Lakers and Bucks were.
But even that seems to make it all more impressive, more special, as if rather than doing this with an unmatched collection of sublime talent, they do it with determination and consistency beyond the rest of the league.
There is still much to do this season. The showdown on Sunday against the Lakers will likely be for first in the Western Conference with the Rockets' win on Wednesday putting them second, one game behind the Lakers. And then there is still the matter of the post-season and the search for a series victory now more than a decade long.
There is, however, no diminishing this accomplishment. They are special now, inspiring the best kind of adulation the NBA can offer. Respect.
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For the few and the proud, here's a link to a Rockets messageboard.
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php?
http://bbs.clutchfans.net/index.php?
miamicowboy21
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Will see what happens when they play my celtics. They will extend it to 21 after they dismantle the bobcats, but after that the streak is over!!!!
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Rockets chase 21st straight win tonight against Bobcats
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
The newest members of the NBA's 20-win club, the Rockets could not help but look around.
They were in fast, legendary company, occupied by some of the greats of their sport — Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, Hall of Famers and top 50 selections all.
The Rockets checked out their new surroundings and did not question whether they belonged as much as celebrated the unique way they got there.
Whether theirs is a great team or a team with a great accomplishment no longer mattered.
They had become just the third NBA team to win 20 consecutive games in a season, and the more their worthiness of such a rare feat was questioned the greater the achievement seemed.
"I'm willing to concede we're the worst team in NBA history to have a 20-game winning streak," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "I'm willing to concede that.
"People ask 'why?' I ask 'why not?' Why not? Why can't you? There is no rule in sports that just because you don't have the superstars, you don't have a certain look that other teams have, it doesn't mean you have to be a certain team. Our team is still developing. It is fun to see the growth of this team together. We're playing so well together and we have such great chemistry, anything is possible."
They had just earned membership among the most exclusive clubs in sports with the 1971-72 Lakers, who won an NBA record 33 consecutive games and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks who, like this season's Rockets, won 20 in a row.
"For sure, it is a great accomplishment," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "Time will tell if we have a great team. We have a great team of people who are playing together and winning, but our goals were larger for the year, winning in the playoffs.
"There is an obvious bias of the GM to like the players he's brought in. With that said, I would say the goal of the league is winning. With each win you have to adjust where your estimate of the quality of the player is. Ours continues to go up."
Will to win shows through
Rather than debate their abilities, the Rockets talk about values, about qualities such as teamwork, chemistry and effort to explain their success.
They are not offended by the suggestion that they are the answer if someone asked which of these teams does not belong. They welcome and embrace that. They believe it says more about the accomplishment that it has been done by the team that wins with superior willpower rather than manpower, especially now that they have won eight games since losing their walking mismatch, Yao Ming.
"We're a good team," guard Rafer Alston said. "What makes us good is we play together. We play unselfishly. We play hard. We're not afraid to go into any building and compete. We're good."
They don't seem to mind that they are not categorized as "great." They do, however, object to any suggestions that would diminish the accomplishment.
"I kind of laugh," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "This is not as easy as people make it out to be. Some of the national media people I listen to say, 'Oh, you haven't played that many winning teams.' You know what, everybody in this league plays the same schedule. If it were that easy, why hasn't somebody else done it?
"We're playing the regular season. We're not playing the playoffs right now. Why don't you give credit at this stage? We could turn around and run into a real tough time. But I don't see what the problem is saying 'that's pretty remarkable what they've done.' I give these guys a lot of credit."
The Rockets have not played any of the other top five Western Conference teams — the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz or Suns — during the streak, but they had already beaten each of those teams this season. Instead, during the streak they have beaten teams that had previously dominated them.
Contributed to Hornets' fall
The New Orleans Hornets, who they have beaten twice in the streak, led the Western Conference when the Rockets beat them. The Rockets were 0-4 against the Hornets and Dallas Mavericks this season, before beating them three times during the streak, including twice on the road.
The Rockets' opponents during the winning streak have a .469 winning percentage (excluding the losses in the streak). The record-setting Lakers' opponents had a .474 winning percentage, the Bucks' foes .508.
"I sit at home and watch the highlights," McGrady said. "I think, 'Damn, that's 19 in a row.' Do you know how many great teams have been in this league? The thing that really kills me is, 'Oh, they haven't really played anybody.' Come on, man. Everyone has the same schedule. If it was that easy, how come that many people haven't done it? MJ (Michael Jordan) went 72-10 and never did it. Just give us a little bit of credit."
They don't deny they are surprised to have dominated in 2008, going 28-3 since their Jan. 3 loss in Boston.
"People who want to downgrade it, they can do that," Adelman said. "But it's the regular season. We've played very well in 2008. It's not just the streak. We've lost four games this year. We've been playing very well for a while."
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
The newest members of the NBA's 20-win club, the Rockets could not help but look around.
They were in fast, legendary company, occupied by some of the greats of their sport — Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, Hall of Famers and top 50 selections all.
The Rockets checked out their new surroundings and did not question whether they belonged as much as celebrated the unique way they got there.
Whether theirs is a great team or a team with a great accomplishment no longer mattered.
They had become just the third NBA team to win 20 consecutive games in a season, and the more their worthiness of such a rare feat was questioned the greater the achievement seemed.
"I'm willing to concede we're the worst team in NBA history to have a 20-game winning streak," Rockets forward Shane Battier said. "I'm willing to concede that.
"People ask 'why?' I ask 'why not?' Why not? Why can't you? There is no rule in sports that just because you don't have the superstars, you don't have a certain look that other teams have, it doesn't mean you have to be a certain team. Our team is still developing. It is fun to see the growth of this team together. We're playing so well together and we have such great chemistry, anything is possible."
They had just earned membership among the most exclusive clubs in sports with the 1971-72 Lakers, who won an NBA record 33 consecutive games and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks who, like this season's Rockets, won 20 in a row.
"For sure, it is a great accomplishment," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "Time will tell if we have a great team. We have a great team of people who are playing together and winning, but our goals were larger for the year, winning in the playoffs.
"There is an obvious bias of the GM to like the players he's brought in. With that said, I would say the goal of the league is winning. With each win you have to adjust where your estimate of the quality of the player is. Ours continues to go up."
Will to win shows through
Rather than debate their abilities, the Rockets talk about values, about qualities such as teamwork, chemistry and effort to explain their success.
They are not offended by the suggestion that they are the answer if someone asked which of these teams does not belong. They welcome and embrace that. They believe it says more about the accomplishment that it has been done by the team that wins with superior willpower rather than manpower, especially now that they have won eight games since losing their walking mismatch, Yao Ming.
"We're a good team," guard Rafer Alston said. "What makes us good is we play together. We play unselfishly. We play hard. We're not afraid to go into any building and compete. We're good."
They don't seem to mind that they are not categorized as "great." They do, however, object to any suggestions that would diminish the accomplishment.
"I kind of laugh," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "This is not as easy as people make it out to be. Some of the national media people I listen to say, 'Oh, you haven't played that many winning teams.' You know what, everybody in this league plays the same schedule. If it were that easy, why hasn't somebody else done it?
"We're playing the regular season. We're not playing the playoffs right now. Why don't you give credit at this stage? We could turn around and run into a real tough time. But I don't see what the problem is saying 'that's pretty remarkable what they've done.' I give these guys a lot of credit."
The Rockets have not played any of the other top five Western Conference teams — the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz or Suns — during the streak, but they had already beaten each of those teams this season. Instead, during the streak they have beaten teams that had previously dominated them.
Contributed to Hornets' fall
The New Orleans Hornets, who they have beaten twice in the streak, led the Western Conference when the Rockets beat them. The Rockets were 0-4 against the Hornets and Dallas Mavericks this season, before beating them three times during the streak, including twice on the road.
The Rockets' opponents during the winning streak have a .469 winning percentage (excluding the losses in the streak). The record-setting Lakers' opponents had a .474 winning percentage, the Bucks' foes .508.
"I sit at home and watch the highlights," McGrady said. "I think, 'Damn, that's 19 in a row.' Do you know how many great teams have been in this league? The thing that really kills me is, 'Oh, they haven't really played anybody.' Come on, man. Everyone has the same schedule. If it was that easy, how come that many people haven't done it? MJ (Michael Jordan) went 72-10 and never did it. Just give us a little bit of credit."
They don't deny they are surprised to have dominated in 2008, going 28-3 since their Jan. 3 loss in Boston.
"People who want to downgrade it, they can do that," Adelman said. "But it's the regular season. We've played very well in 2008. It's not just the streak. We've lost four games this year. We've been playing very well for a while."
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
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Hornets trip L.A. in costly matchupRowdy;1999005 said:
Paul, West hurt for New Orleans; Lakers' Gasol also suffers an injury
NEW ORLEANS — The Los Angeles Lakers lost a starting center who accounts for nearly 20 points a game, then lost their edge despite Kobe Bryant's best efforts.
Chris Paul had 27 points and 17 assists to help the New Orleans Hornets beat the Lakers 108-98 Friday night in what could prove to be a costly game for both teams.
Paul hobbled to the finish after hurting his left ankle on a failed drive to the hoop with 2:31 to go. Lakers center Pau Gasol and David West, however, did not make it to the final horn.
Gasol sprained his left ankle while stepping on Vladimir Radmanovic's foot in the first quarter and needed help getting to the locker room. He was on crutches after the game.
"It swelled up pretty good. We'll know more (today)," Gasol said. "We're going to make sure there's no damage to the ligaments, at least not too bad. I hate sitting out. ... I want to be back as soon as I can."
West had 12 points and 14 rebounds for New Orleans, but limped off the floor with just under seven minutes remaining, twisting his right ankle while playing through a left ankle sprain that kept him out for three games last week.
Hornets coach Byron Scott said he was unsure of West's condition. However, Scott said Gasol's departure changed the game.
"It changed big time because of the fact that now we don't have to think about him on that post or double-team him," Scott said.
Bryant had 36 points and nine assists for Los Angeles, which dropped into a tie with the Rockets atop the Western Conference.
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It'll be a very weird feeling, but it's cool. Every game they won, I never expected them to win. I expected them to lose against Dallas and the 2nd Hornets game. They didn't, so now anything they do is gravy. 17 games to go. Just need to finish strong.MC KAos;1999108 said:
Mmm, he might be considered, but I think it hurts him with the injuries he's had and the fact he had Yao. I think Lebron and Kobe have been far and away the best players this year. They deserve the MVP votes moreso than T-Mac.MC KAos;1999111 said:
Route 66
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WoodysGirl;1999379 said:Hornets trip L.A. in costly matchup
Paul, West hurt for New Orleans; Lakers' Gasol also suffers an injury
NEW ORLEANS — The Los Angeles Lakers lost a starting center who accounts for nearly 20 points a game, then lost their edge despite Kobe Bryant's best efforts.
Chris Paul had 27 points and 17 assists to help the New Orleans Hornets beat the Lakers 108-98 Friday night in what could prove to be a costly game for both teams.
Paul hobbled to the finish after hurting his left ankle on a failed drive to the hoop with 2:31 to go. Lakers center Pau Gasol and David West, however, did not make it to the final horn.
Gasol sprained his left ankle while stepping on Vladimir Radmanovic's foot in the first quarter and needed help getting to the locker room. He was on crutches after the game.
"It swelled up pretty good. We'll know more (today)," Gasol said. "We're going to make sure there's no damage to the ligaments, at least not too bad. I hate sitting out. ... I want to be back as soon as I can."
West had 12 points and 14 rebounds for New Orleans, but limped off the floor with just under seven minutes remaining, twisting his right ankle while playing through a left ankle sprain that kept him out for three games last week.
Hornets coach Byron Scott said he was unsure of West's condition. However, Scott said Gasol's departure changed the game.
"It changed big time because of the fact that now we don't have to think about him on that post or double-team him," Scott said.
Bryant had 36 points and nine assists for Los Angeles, which dropped into a tie with the Rockets atop the Western Conference.
Good point and I thought of that a few hours after my post. That would narrow it down somewhat. I don't base my feelings on a team winning or losing necessarily on talent alone. Take the bet I made with KAos on the Suns winning against their last meeting with the Spurs. I never simply thought that the Suns were a guarantee to win. I took other factors into consideration before making that prediction.
I looked at the road schedule for the week, how the teams were handling current injuries. how many days of rest between games as well as a lot of players circling certain games on their calendars for importance. When I bet that the Suns would beat the Spurs, I knew the Spurs would be on their second road game and just came off of a fast paced game with the Nuggets which means they would be more tired than the Suns. I also knew the Spurs have always had Phoenix's number for quite awhile and with their current struggles-I figured the Suns would place an even higher significance to that game that they would step it up enough to take that game and play it like the playoffs.
There is no reason to not think the Rockets can beat the Suns due to their recent success. I simply think that they wont beat the Suns due to the following:
The Rockets will play the Suns the following day in Phoenix on a Saturday after running around with the Warriors the night before. This will be their second road game. The Suns will have rested from a previous game at Seattle since Wednesday of the previous week. The Suns will be better rested as well as be one of quite a few teams who would want to be the one to stop the streak. I think Phoenix has the talent to do so or even the Warriors at home.
Then again, this is just IMO and only represents better odds for the Suns.
GhettoxCowboy
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MC KAos;1999500 said:
Yup, man im hella pissed i needed my whole laker squad at 100% when we played the rockets and ended there streak. now with Gasol out, i think the rockets will win..