The Houston Rockets stand at 13-9. We are approximately ¼ into the 2009-2010 season, which many viewed as a lost season before it began due to the injuries to the team’s superstars, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The loss of Ron Artest to the Lakers was viewed by many as the team’s death knell, and a signal that it was time to blow everything up, trade anyone with value and tank the year in order to get a draft pick. Some of us kept saying that this was the core of the same team that took the Lakers to 7 games just a few months prior, and we were pretty well mocked for saying that, being told by “experts” and fans that the 2009-2010 Rockets were a lost cause.
22 games into the season most “experts” and fans outside of Houston agreed that the Rockets would have at least 25 losses – that is how bad this team was supposed to be in their eyes. So how is it that this team stands at 13-9 following one of – if not the most difficult schedules thus far in the NBA?
There are no simple answers. The one thing that the “experts” now point to is that the team is “scrappy,” but that ignores the fact – and it is a fact – that there is a lot of talent on this roster. More importantly, there are not a lot of egos on this roster. This is perhaps the most complete “team” oriented basketball the NBA has seen since the Pistons won a championship a few years back.
Shane Battier has provided the solid veteran leadership and the oft-mentioned “intangibles” that teams need to win.
Chuck Hayes has surprised everyone outside of the Houston locker room with the level of play he has brought to this team since becoming a full-time starter.
Luis Scola, while still struggling with some inconsistency (not the only one to do so), has shown more veteran savvy than anyone expected from him. His post game has improved and he has displayed an uncanny knack of finding the basket in difficult situations.
Trevor Ariza has been up and down, but he has been more than an adequate replacement for the departed Ron Artest. He is still trying to find his exact role on the team (while often playing out of his natural Small Forward position), and what stands out about him the most is that he has the potential to take that next, huge step…as long as he does not put too much pressure on himself. He plays best when he is relaxed.
Aaron Brooks continues to both wow and frustrate. He seems as if he is on the cusp of a major breakout, but before doing so he must become more consistent.
Carl Landry has perhaps been the most impressive Rocket of this young season. He has worked hard to improve various aspects of his game and that hard work shows. The man has matured into the Rockets best-rounded player on both sides of the court, and he provides an instant boost to the team the moment he hits the floor.
Kyle Lowry continues to make people forget about Rafer Alston, and reminds us that Daryl Morey is a smart, smart man. Kyle has proven not only to be an adequate backup point guard to Aaron Brooks, but the chemistry the two show on the court together has been a delight for Rockets fans to watch. His chemistry with Carl Landry off of the bench is something that cannot be coached.
Chase Budinger has provided more of an impact than many of us – speaking of me, mostly – could have expected. The kid is an impressive shooter, an underrated defender and a very smart passer. He will stand next to Landry as one of the “Morey Genius Moves” we like to discuss.
David Andersen has shown flashes of potential, but so far he has been acclimating to the NBA as we suspected, and that has led to some inconsistent play. I do not feel as if we can really judge him at this point, and will wait until the Mid-Season report to look at him more critically.
Rick Adelman has to be in the Coach of the Year discussion. He has looked at what he has, assessed their strengths and weaknesses and has put together a system which takes advantage of situational play against opponents. This team’s system could not work with many players in today’s NBA, which makes this such a rare joy to behold. How he re-integrates Tracy McGrady into the lineup will be his most daunting task of the young season.
Daryl Morey deserves every bit of credit and adulation fans and “experts” have heaped upon him. His brand of “money ball” statistical analysis has the results speaking for themselves. Smart signings such as Chuck Hayes and Trevor Ariza; along with smart drafting as witnessed by Brooks, Landry and Budinger; and smart trades bringing in Scola, Lowry and Andersen have given the Rockets a complete lineup, able to withstand the staggering losses of Yao and McGrady.
Overall, the Rockets are playing very well. Some point at the record, trying to state that it means that they are average, but again I point to the strength and difficulty of scheduling they have faced so far. Wins over the Lakers, Blazers, Cavs and Jazz cannot be overlooked. The Rockets are playing too consistently for that to be chalked up as luck. Let’s all just not think about the Mavericks…
The Results so far:
Back-to-Back
4 Games in 5 Nights
10-27-09 @Portland L 96-87 0-1
10-28-09 @Golden State W108-107 1-1
10-31-09 Portland W111-107 2-1
11-2-09 @ Utah W113-96 3-1
11-4-09 Lakers L103-102 3-2
11-6-09 Oklahoma City W 105-94 4-2
11-10-09 @Dallas L 121-103 4-3
11-11-09 Memphis W 104-79 5-3
11-13-09 @Sacramento L 109-100 5-4
11-14-09 @Lakers W 101-91 6-4
11-17-09 Phoenix L 111-105 6-5
11-18-09 @Minnesota W 97-84 7-5
11-20-09 @Atlanta L 105-103 7-6
11-21-09 Sacramento W 113-106 8-6
11-25-09 Dallas L 130-99 8-7
11-27-09 San Antonio L 92-84 8-8
11-29-09 @Oklahoma City W 100-91 9-8
12-2-09 @Clippers W 102-85 10-8
12-3-09 @Golden State W 111-109 11-8
12-5-09 @Portland L 90-89 11-9
12-9-09 Cleveland W 95-85 12-9
12-11-09 @Philadelphia W 96-91 13-9
9 Home games (5-4)
13 Road Games (8-5)
19 Games vs. Western Conference Opponents (11-8)
3 Games vs. Eastern Conference Opponents (Cleveland, Atlanta & Philadelphia: 2-1)
4 Games vs. Southwest Division Opponents (1-3)
Keys to the next part of the season:
As the schedule lightens up a bit the team cannot lose focus against anyone. Keep up the intensity.
How will the team re-integrate Tracy McGrady into the lineup? Will he be a disruptive force, or will he fit in? Is he healthy enough to play? Will he be traded?
How active will Daryl Morey be before the trade deadline?
to all the people who thought this team would be one of the bottom feeders of the league.
