Give Rockets Management Credit

January 3, 2005

Break up the Houston Rockets because the team is on a roll! A three-game winning streak has upped the squad's record to a robust 16-15 record which places Houston one game over.500 for the first time since a 3-2 record on November 9, 2004. The three wins came versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and the Utah Jazz. The wins were all double-digit victories; however, the schizophrenic Rockets still showed signs of past problems in each game. Plus, the Cavs were without superstar LeBron James for the entire second half due to a fractured cheek bone thanks to an accidental elbow from Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo. Neither the Bucks nor the Jazz are playing well right now; but, the Rockets soundly defeated each team which is a step in the right direction. Are all of the Rockets' problems solved? Hardly. However, management deserves some credit for making changes and not sitting by while the season slid downhill.

The acquisitions of guards Jon Barry and David Wesley and the departures of guard Tyronn Lue and forwards Jim Jackson and Bostjan Nachbar eased some of the glut at the small forward spot. On the surface, the trades also established a more-balanced backcourt with three point guards and two shooting guards (Barry, Wesley, Bob Sura, Reece Gaines, and Andre Barrett). In the three straight wins, the "Running Rockets" scored 98, 105, and 99 points which could be a sign the pedestrian Rockets offense is ready to quicken its pace to a stroll and a skip.

However, the Rockets are still a soft team. The power forwards (re: flower forwards) don't have much power at all; and, Yao Ming is not a dominant force at center. As a result, I believe the team is still in a state of flux and other trades could be forthcoming in the near future before the 2 p.m. (CST) trade deadline on February 24. This current group of players is still not a championship team; but, as of today, it is a playoff team (although only the 8th and final spot in the playoffs). While, the team has underachieved by many people's standards, before the season started, I believed the Rockets would struggle to make the playoffs because quite simply the pieces did not fit. I still feel that way.

The sense of underachieving has been felt by the fans; and, most assuredly, by Rockets players and management. If management did not believe the team was not playing to expectations, then no trades would have been made; and, the fans boos would have been all for naught. Les Alexander is an owner; but, he is not a basketball person. Les does know a good product when sees one; and, he recognized his Rockets' team was not exhibiting a good product on the court. Consequently, Les "urged" Carroll Dawson (Rockets General Manager) to make some changes. CD made changes; and, though, I still do not like the "Wesley-for-Jim Jackson and Nachbar" deal, CD did not stand pat and rest on his laurels. If CD can trade one of his overpaid and underperforming power forwards, then he'll deserve more credit for accomplishing something many basketball people believe is impossible.

The Rockets are a work in progress. The team still has flaws in personnel and questionable coaching decisions; but, for all of their struggles, the Rockets still have time to "right the ship" and turn things around this season. If the team flops the rest of the season, then heads should roll in the offseason. Period.

One thing is certain, Les Alexander will not stand pat and accept mediocrity.

Some people say, "Change for the sake of change is not always a good thing in sports." I disagree. I believe making changes makes things interesting; and, though they are not the drama show that was the Los Angeles Lakers, the Rockets are definitely interesting.