[Sly Fox]

I know everyone on here is obsessed by things east of the Mississippi but have anyone noticed what has gone on here in Houston?

Yes, the Rockets win streak has now reached 18 games ... in the west. The last half dozen have come since Yao went out for the season and everyone was writing the team off from even getting into the playoffs.

Yeah, I know. The Pistons and Celtics, blah, blah, blah.

[Rocketfan]

I have actually been very impressed with McGrady, but i still wonder when he will come up with one of his many injuries. I mean its not just one thing with this guy its his back, his legs etc and its just a matter of time before he comes up lame with the amount of minutes he is putting in.

[Knucklehead]

You mean there is still an NBA? Haven't see it in years!

[TDDance234]

What's sad is that they are still only like 6th or something in the West.

[flamesbball84]

if the playoffs started today the rockets would be 3rd, actually.

[adam42381]

The Rockets are within 1 1/2 games of the West leading Lakers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings

[BJWilliams]

The top 8 are separated by only 4 1/2 games right now

[Ed Dantes]

I love the Rockets, largely because I read an article in the New York Times about how their management decided to forego conventional wisdom by hiring a general manager with playing experience (such as Isiah Thomas and Kevin McHale, two of the worst executives in corporate business these days) and decided to hire some 30-year-old math genius. FINALLY -- someone in the NBA is bringing the "Moneyball" mentality to the sport. Go Houston!

[Sly Fox]

Morey (rhymes with story) spent a couple of seasons as an assistant with the Celtics before taking the reins here in Houston. So far the jury is out on his moves (i.e. the Steve Francis mess and all of the midseason trades). But he is not afraid to pull the trigger.

As for the streak, it has been mindblowing considering all of the obstacles the team has faced in the course of the run. The starting lineup has changed quite a bit from the beginning to now.

[flameshaw]

What's the NBA?

[Sly Fox]

It looks like the rest of America is finally taking notice.

[RubberMallet]

What's sad is that they are still only like 6th or something in the West.

i thinks its great....for the west...if only the east could get the kind of quality...

that spurs/suns game was phenominal...

[bigsmooth]

after the rockets lost yao ming i thought they would drop off. the streak is quite impressive.

[Sly Fox]

I know you guys are focused on the conference tourneys. But just in case you missed this ...

[matshark]

the NBwhat?

basketball only exists in march, 64/5 teams at a time... what is this professional nonsense you speak of?

[RubberMallet]

the NBwhat?

basketball only exists in march, 64/5 teams at a time... what is this professional nonsense you speak of?

the rest of the 11 months they are stabbing people, pimping their rides and listening to rap albums eh?

[LUconn]

No, they start playing in the fall, which is just as exciting as March. Then we get the posers who just remembered cbball existed a few days ago that pretend they know so much because they know who Hansbrough is.

[RubberMallet]

which is just as exciting as March.

giggle

[LUconn]

ESPN-created Feast Week is on par with rounds 3 and 4 of the NCAAs. Obviously nothing can match the first 2 rounds.

[Sly Fox]

** Crickets chirping. **

You people do realize this is the second longest streak in the entire history of the NBA.

I will be covering the game tomorrow vs. the Lakers who will be without Pau Gasol (ankle).

[SuperJon]

You realize you just jumped on the NBA bandwagon when the Rockets started winning.

I will not be watching the game you're covering because I simply don't care. The regular season in the NBA doesn't matter.

[Sly Fox]

I have covered the Rockets to some extent for the past five years and on the periphery for two decades. I generally don't bother with any Texan chatter unless I see a tie-in with rare exceptions. This one merited its own thread IMHO.

[Sly Fox]

Since I suspect this was probably lost in the Selection Sunday shuffle ...



There is plenty of room on the bandwagon. 23 is Tuesday night against the Cs.

[Baldspot]

It is truly remarkable especially considering they are in the Western Conference. With some teams setting their sights on the playoffs at this point, I have to wonder if they will have the same fate as the once 13-0 Colts and then the 16-0 Patriots.

[HenryGale]

Oh well....