It was a nice run while it lasted. A nice, history making winning streak that propelled the Rockets from 10th to 1st place in the Western Conference. A streak that showed there is life without Yao Ming, and renewed the hopes of playoff success in this city.
And while we all knew it would be virtually impossible to match the all time winning streak of 33 games, we were hoping. With each win it seemed a little more possible. Maybe, just maybe these Rockets had caught lightning in a bottle and would do the impossible. Well that didn't happen. But if your 22 game winning streak has to end, it may as well be to the team with the best record in the league.
Still this is the second longest winning streak in NBA history. The Rockets have also positioned themselves for the playoffs, and have proven they can win with one superstar (Yao Ming) out for the season and the other (Tracy McGrady) not having to carry the team in order for them to be successful.
That's a good thing. Here's hoping the Rockets now refocus and start preparing the team for the playoffs. There's no time to sit around and mope because the Western Conference is too tough, and N.O., Golden State, and Phoenix are on the agenda for the next four days, all on the road.
This team reminds me of the Knicks from 1994 who went all the way to the Finals after losing Patrick Ewing for the season. Their entire style of basketball had to change, but they made the adjustment and kept winning. The team those Knicks lost too? The Houston Rockets. With any luck at all a serious run at the title is still very much a realistic possibility.
So what do you think basketball fans, do the Rockets still have a shot at winning it all?
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See here or here
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