Rockets are Number Three...for Now

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

October 4, 2004

Tt is truly amazing the turnaround which has taken place in the city of Houston the last 2 weeks. When the Houston Rockets held a press conference in June to announce the acquisition of NBA superstar Tracy McGrady, the Rockets were the hottest sports news item in town. The Astros were struggling; and, the Houston Texans had not yet begun playing preseason football games. Fast forward to the end of September. The Texans opened the regular season with two straight disappointing losses and, despite, a very impressive winning the streak, the Astros were still on the "outside looking in" for a spot in the Major League Baseball playoffs. In fact, people began looking forward to the start of the Rockets' season because no one believed the Astros would pass the Chicago Cubs and the San Francisco Giants and earn the wild-card berth. We were wrong. Over the weekend, the Astros claimed a spot in the baseball playoffs and the Texans won their second straight game for the first time in franchise history. Therefore, the Rockets have gone from the number one professional team in Houston a few months ago to number three. Imagine that. T-Mac and Yao Ming have been bumped by Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt and, David Carr and Andre Johnson.

I'm very sure the Rockets' organization offers nothing but good luck and well wishes to their pro team brethren; however, I';m also sure the Rockets would have enjoyed a chance to hit the ground running and make a huge splash on the city of Houston this month before the NBA's "Basketball New Year" begins in November.

Think about this: Shaquille O'Neal and his Miami Heat teammates face the Rockets on Sunday, October 10. Though it will be a preseason matchup, it would serve as a marquee matchup between two of the NBA's dominant centers. However, if the Astros are involved in Game 4 of the National League Divisional series at home at Minute Maid Park, the Rockets - Heat game will be pushed to the back burner. Also, the Texans will host wide receiver extraordinaire Randy Moss, quarterback Daunte Culpepper, and the Minnesota Vikings on October 10 at Reliant Stadium which should move the Rockets' game even further to the back of the burner.

The Rockets have eight new players on the roster this season; but, neither head coach Jeff Van Gundy nor team owner Les Alexander will use the number of new faces as an excuse for poor play or a part start to the season. Van Gundy said the high number of new players is a "lame excuse" while Alexander praised Texans head coach Dom Capers for winning the Texans' inaugural game two seasons ago and Dom won with "45 players and that was much harder". Les also said he expects much from his team early in the season.

Expectations are very high for the Rockets this season. Rockets' fans, Rockets' coaches, Rockets' players, and ownership are expecting big things from the team this season. Whether the team reaches (or exceeds) the expectations remains to be seen; however, for the next few weeks, at least, the Houston Rockets will have to accept being Team Number 3 in the city of Houston. Winning is contagious; so, October could be a fun ride for Houston sports' fans.. However, as quickly as the Rockets were replaced by the Astros and the Texans in the minds of Houston's sports fans, the Rockets could just as quickly leap right back to the top of Houston's sports mountain if they're pro city brothers stumble and fall. T-Mac and Yao Ming can bide their time; play ball; win games; and see if the Astros' magic carpet ride lasts to the World Series. Wouldn't that be amazing -- the Houston Astros, 2004 World Series Champs?!