Rockets Extend Win Streak To 19

Ill be the first to admit that I gave the Rockets no chance without Yao. I didn't think there was any scenario in which they made the playoffs, but somehow they keep proving me wrong. They have now won 19 straight games, 7 without Yao, and are currently the 3rd seed in the Western Conference. This is absolutely astonishing to me. I completely wrote them off when Yao went down, but they haven't missed a beat. This is due in large part to Tracy McGrady's play, he has carried the team and is now a top 5 contender for MVP honors. The Rockets' defense is also a very important key to their success. They are a hard working group of guys that do the little things to get wins. Outside of McGrady and Battier the team consists of a bunch of hard working role players, that do whatever it takes for a victory and it has been working so far. With all this being said the Rockets haven't played a very tough schedule of late, but we will soon see if they are legit with upcoming games against the Lakers, Celtics, Hornets, Warriors and Suns approaching. Winning 3 of these 5 games would be pretty impressive and would legitimize the Yaoless Rockets.

Houston We Have A 7'6" Problem

The Houston Rockets have been playing great lately, winning 12 straight. This is due in large part to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady's productivity. Yao has been having a terrific season, averaging 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. But today the Rockets learned that they will be without Yao for the rest of the season due to a stress fracture in his left foot. This is a crushing blow to the Rockets' chances at an NBA Title. The NBA's hottest team, the Rockets, will now struggle to even get into the playoffs. Who will replace Yao in Houston's lineup you might ask? Well none other than 80 year old Dikembe Mutombo! HA!!! The Rockets MUST sign a center, Mutombo is way past his prime and if the Rockets want any chance at all at making the playoffs they better make a move quick or their season could go south real quick!

RA