Rockets' streak shouldn't be forgotten

The Houston Rockets are not going to win the NBA championship. Given the crazy status of the Western Conference, they may not even make the playoffs. In a world that glorifies first place, it would appear as if the Rockets are destined to be an afterthought come June.

That would be very wrong. Say what you want about the future and devote as much time as you want to post-season analysis. No matter how it plays out, Houston fans will be able to point to February and the first half of March as a magical time for their team. Monday night’s 91-73 rout of New Jersey was the Rockets’ 19th straight win, the third-longest success streak in the league’s history. It was also the team’s 10th consecutive double-digit triumph, a remarkable feat in itself. With two more victories, the Rockets will surpass Milwaukee’s 1970-71 club, which won 20 straight – and later the world title. It’s a little much to expect Houston to go for the record, 33 in a row by the ’71-72 Lakers, but even 19 is pretty special.

The most impressive thing about the streak is that the past seven wins have come without center Yao Ming, who was deemed out for the year with a stress fracture in his foot late last month. Anybody who thought the Rockets could sustain their previous success with out Yao was either delirious or unaware of the big man’s impact on the team throughout the first four months of the season. But not only has Houston been winning; it has done so in grand fashion. And after Monday’s win, the Rockets were in third place in the West, just a half-game behind San Antonio and one away from the Lakers. Not too shabby.

There have been some naysayers, who have attributed the success to Houston’s relatively light schedule during the stretch. Truth be told, the Rockets haven’t exactly been lining up against the NBA’s best and have had the luxury of playing many of the 19 games at home. But let’s be reasonable, folks. Nineteen in a row is nineteen in a row, no matter whether you are playing the Spurs, Lakers and Celtics on an endless loop, or if it’s a steady diet of the Heat and Wolves. So enough of that small-change stuff.

After games with Charlotte and the Hawks, things do get tougher for the Rockets, who have the Lakers, Celtics, Hornets, Suns and Warriors on the horizon. That stretch will most certainly end the winning streak. It could even push Houston down near the bottom of the Western playoff hierarchy. Don’t be discouraged, Houston fans. Don’t get nasty, either. Instead, take a good look at your team and understand just how much it has accomplished without Yao.

Tracy McGrady is a star, no question about it. Even though he hasn’t ever been on a team that has won a first-round playoff series, he’s pretty darn good.  During Yao’s absence, he has been everything a team wants from its best player. After him, though, there isn’t a whole lot of talent on the Houston roster, at least none that has any All-Star aspirations.

Just about everyone else is a role player. But unlike last year, when those extras were there primarily for defense and to keep McGrady and Yao well-fed, this group at least has the ability to provide some legitimate assistance on the offensive end. Forward Shane Battier can hit the three, is strong on the break and knows how to shake loose for the occasional layup. He’s also active on the offensive boards. Power forward Luis Scola can score some close to the hoop, and point man Rafer Alston is a reliable distributor. Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes are excellent rebounders and strong defenders, and Dikembe Mutombo can still block shots and clog up the middle. It’s hardly a glamorous outfit – other than McGrady – but it sure knows how to play together.

It’s too early to say whether that will be enough in the post-season. A period of malaise could push the Rockets into a first-round series against the Spurs or even the Lakers, hardly the way to carry on the positive vibes of the winning streak. Should Houston fizzle in the playoffs right away, the criticism of McGrady will start again, even though he would be without his main interior complement. That’s why it’s best to enjoy this streak now and applaud the Rockets for their ability to keep on rolling, even without Yao. The winning will end eventually, and Houston might struggle with its difficult opposition. There may even be an early playoff exit. Those are the realities of NBA life. So is the sheer enormity of such a large winning streak. Be objective but enjoy this while you can. We’re not likely to see something like this again for a long while.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Los Angeles at New Orleans, Friday, March 7

The Lakers are on fire and trying to hold on to the top spot in the West, while the Hornets try to regain momentum after a 10-game stretch that featured an even-Steven 5-5 mark. The Bugs are hardly out of the race for the West’s top spot, since they are only 1 ½ behind L.A. But this looks like a matchup of two teams going in different directions, and it’s up to New Orleans to stop that.

IN THE PAINT:

If there was any doubt whether the Heat were in full tank mode, events of the recent week confirmed it. First, Pat Riley said he would miss some games on the bench to scout collegiate players in tournaments. Then, Dwyane Wade was shut down for the year. Enjoy March and April, Shawn Marion.

Indiana owner Herb Simon is fed up with the Pacers’ off-court antics that keep landing players on the police blotter. He says his team is comprised of good people who are making bad decisions, but don’t be surprised if a bunch of those fine citizens are on other teams pretty soon.

Folks around the league are preaching patience with Phoenix, as the Suns try to incorporate Shaquille O’Neal into their lineup and adjust to Marion’s absence. But Phoenix had better get rolling quickly, or it could be facing a tough first-round playoff road – along with its $40 million obligation to Shaq over the next two years.

With the Celtics and Lakers atop their respective conferences, just imagine how excited David Stern must be about the prospect of an old-school, TV-friendly Finals series. Easy, Mr. Commissioner. There’s a lot of ball still to be played.

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