Rockets running out of fuel after historic 22-game win streak

by John Stewart, editorial assistant

On New Year’s Day, the Houston Rockets had 15 wins and 16 losses despite the strong play of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady.

Currently the Rockets are a sure lock to be a 50 win club with a little over three weeks left in the regular season and possession of the third playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The Rockets' winning streak was good for second longest in NBA history. Only the Lakers have had a longer winning streak throughout the history of the NBA with 33 wins. Even with the loss of Yao for the season due to a knee injury, McGrady and his teammates have pulled together and found ways to win.

McGrady, at this point in his career, hasn't experienced much success, much less a winning streak of that magnitude. Even with the loss of a crucial player, he has found ways to keep his team alive and maintain the high level of performance.

Maybe he has that "killer instinct" he has lacked for so many years, or maybe it's the fact that his coach, Rick Adelman, knows how to utilize a player to his offensive abilities. The stats wouldn't say that. The Rockets currently rank 17th in points per game, but that doesn't mean this team isn't properly utilized. Apparently something is going right for them.

Adelman just recently reached the 800 wins club, ironically, against his former club, the Sacramento Kings.

Defensively, the Rockets rank second, which is a little odd considering who they have on the roster. Besides Dikembe Mutombo and Shane Battier, there really is not another defensive presence out on the court.

With the Kings, Adelman produced a proficient offense involving good offensive players such as Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber before his knee injury. Now he has McGrady, who has always had a knack for making the big plays.

Houston is now third in the standings and within a half game of the Lakers and Hornets for the best record in the Western Conference. The 22-game winning streak was pretty impressive. Not even the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls with Jordan, who had a record of 72-10, accomplish the feat.

It's just not McGrady doing the work either. Other players such as Battier, Chuck Hayes, Rafer Alston and Mutombo have all picked up the slack since the absence of Ming.

Bobby Jackson, a former sixth man of the year, was recently acquired and has done excellent settling in to his new team and understanding his role. Jackson played with the Sacramento Kings when Adelman was head coach and was able to win the sixth man award twice in his tenure there.

Notable teams that were defeated during the streak include two convincing victories against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in February, 92-77 and 93-85. An impressive 113-98 victory against the "new-look" Dallas Mavericks with Jason Kidd and wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets, both teams currently stand first and second in the west, respectively.

Since the streak has ended, they have reverted back to their early-season performances, losing three out of the last five, including two horrible losses by 20 points or more to the Boston Celtics and the Hornets. With much respect to both teams because they are performing at a championship level, if the Rockets want to make a run for the title they have to be able top-tier teams.

After those two losses, they followed up with a victory against Golden State and then another loss to another top-tier team, the Phoenix Suns, who also have come on as of late after adjusting to Shaq.

In order to achieve the success they want and be what every other team envies, they can't flop like they have been against top teams. Not questioning their ability to perform at a high level, but the team has been on the verge of being a championship contender the past few years. Yet they always seem to fall short despite high expectations.

With only a few weeks left in the season, the Rockets will look to improve their seeding for the playoffs, which begin on April 19.