Well if anyone even saw my NBA article back at the end of February, I discussed my viewpoint of the winners and losers at the NBA trade deadline. As one of my winners I had the Houston Rockets, even though they only picked up Bobby Jackson in exchange for Bonzi Wells and Mike James from the New Orleans Hornets. When I wrote my last article, the Rockets were riding a 12 game winning streak, and then the bottom fell out that same day. Yao Ming, arguably the best center in the NBA was lost for the season due to a stress fracture of his right foot. Immediately the local talk show jocks were spouting that the Rockets were dead, nationally, idiots such as Stephen A. Jackson and Jack McCallum (who has since rescinded that opinion) were saying the same thing, that you could "put a fork in the Rockets" now that Yao was lost.

So what has transpired in that one week? Well the Rockets have "cratered" to the tune of 5 more wins, reaching the rarified air of a NBA all-time 10 top winning streak, having beaten in those 5 games, teams such as, the Mavericks and Nuggets. Having won 8 straight games by 12 or more points, 11 straight road wins (last road lost was to the Boston Celtics on January 2, 2008. In fact since that loss to the Celtics, they have went 26-3 and moved into 3^rd place in the Southwest division and the 4^th best record in the Western Conference, yes it is a very Tough place to live since the defending champs, the Spur are riding their own 11 game winning streak and the Hornets have been one of the top teams all season long. We have a chance to make up more ground on Saturday when we face off against the Hornets; a win in that game would put us in second place in the Division and third in the conference as well as making it an 18 game winning streak, which would tie for 4^th longest in NBA history.

So what has happened that caused this dramatic turnaround? Well for one, the emergence of Rookie Power Forward Carl Landry, who wasn't even on the active roster until this January. Landry is coming off the bench to provide consistent scoring, rebounding and displaying an energy level that has been contagious throughout the team. Against Dallas Carl Landry made six of nine shots to score 17 points in 24 minutes of action. Fellow rookie and starting Power Forward Luis Scola is teaming with Landry to give the Rockets numbers at the Power Forward spot that haven't been seen since Charles Barkley in the mid 90's, combining for 20 plus point and 12 rebounds per game between the two of them. Also the playmaking of Rafer Alston has been outstanding. Combine that with solid play from Shane Battier, and Tracy McGrady now has players around him that he trusts and has confidence in to share the ball and thus allow the game to "come to him" much like Kobe and Lebron do on a night in and night out basis.

I remember hearing all the "fans" and some radio jocks clamoring for a change at coach. That Rick Adelman was not the coach for the Rockets, that the front office had made a mistake in removing Jeff Van Gundy, but of course the Rocket brass had the patience to allow the team to mature together (they did have 5 new players from the previous season), learn to trust each other and we now have a "TEAM", one that doesn't just rely on a single player to win a game, that everyone is diving on the floor for loose balls, they are "old school", fundamentally sound, which if NBA history shows anything is a good formula to follow for winning.

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Lloyds Apple said:

This is one of the best stories in the NBA right now. I think we can all concede the point that without YAO, an NBA title is unlikely, especially considering McGrady has yet to win a playoff series. That's not to take away the incredible 17 game winning streak but since it's the ultimate goal, it's worth noting. But just the fact that an argument can be made that the Rockets are nearly, just as, or even better without Yao Ming in the lineup is pretty remarkable and should prompt trade talk. Yao can't be traded given his enormous appeal. You could get a bunch of talent for McGrady. At the same time, McGrady is pretty damn tough and you could get a more complimentary big man for TM if you trade YAO. As good as Yao is I can't help but think his team contributions are a bit overrated. I like big men who can rebound and block shots, two area's he could improve on and two area's that Dikembe "not in my house" Mutumbo brings with passion.

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March 08, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

Rockets suffered another setback for Saturday nights game against NO. Super-sub Power Forward Carl Landry is out with a swollen/sore knee that he injured against the Pacers earlier this week. They have signed 6' 10" Mike Harris from Rice, who played welll for them in the pre-season. It doesn't look like Landry will miss any extended time. They also signed another 6' 10" product former King player Justin Williams to a 10 day contract to help up front.

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March 09, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

	They've now won 20 in a row---which is incredible: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/...d=tab1pos1
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March 14, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

I thought the streak was over last night against the Hawks, it had all the makings of a loss. Poor shooting, foul trouble at the Power Foward spot, but somehow, when it came down to crunch time in the 4th quarter, they made all the plays that were needed and won by 8. What this team does, besides play total "Team Ball" is all the little things. They box out on rebounds, dirve on the floor for loose balls, switch out on pick and rolls, tap the ball out to the guards on rebounds when they can't grab it. I may be a "Homer" here, but I really do think that they can win it all. I will be going to Sunday's game against the Lakers and hopefully going for win 22. It will be a very interesting match-up to say the least.

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March 14, 2008
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