Pardon The Raheel Ramzanali: Houston Rockets

As I sit here at 4:32 p.m. CST on a slow Tuesday afternoon watching the NBA Hardwood Classics (Chicago v Utah 1998, game 5) I wonder why a Houston Rockets' fan has not e-mailed in complaining about why the NBA is not showing one of the games from the 19 game winning streak.
Since about game 15 of the winning streak, all I've heard from Rockets fan is how nobody is giving them respect. How ESPN is not talking about them. How Around the Horn is not basing the whole show around the winning streak. On and on and on and on and on and on....

Now, this streak is one of the greatest streaks ever (well no duh) but for more than just the wins...

They are adding to the list without Yao...They've won 7 games since Yao's season ending injury and have beaten teams like the Hornets (without all-star David West) and Dallas (without Dirk)
They are destroying teams in the streak...here are the winning margins in the last 19 games: 4, 3, 18, 6, 15, 19, 12, 2, 8, 12, 20, 13, 25, 21, 14, 18, 15, 10 and 18.
They are doing this in the thick of the playoff chase...Golden State, Dallas, Cleveland, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington, New Jersey and every other Eastern team that is 20 games under .500 but yet competing for the playoffs. All of these teams are giving their best effort because the playoffs are on the line or seeding is on the line. That is pretty impressive.

Now, everyone calm down with the whole Rockets are not getting love business. According to Houston Rockets spokesman Nelson Luis, during the winning streak, the interviews for Rockets have increased, "10 fold." The Rockets are getting love but not with leading Sports Center love...can you blame them? They are getting love and you know you like the whole, "We dont get respect card" in the locker room to fuel the fire, right?

Relating with the fans: They lead with the Spurs' 11-game winning streak...well they are a national show and they still feel like the Champs winning 11 games in a row is bigger than the Rockets winning 16. Now does this mean they are not giving the Rockets respect? Maybe Joe Dumbass feels like he can relate better with the Champs than the Rockets. Big Deal. Move on.
Jobs on the line: Analysts don't want to put their reputation on the line by saying the Rockets are one of the best teams of all time and they could go on to either lose in the first round or get on a bad streak and miss the playoffs...Their jobs are based on how good their content sounds...You can't go wrong with the Spurs or Lakers that look like locks even though they are as vulnerable as any other team in the West.
The Sexy Pick: No matter what the Rockets do, they will not be the sexy pick to win the title. It sucks but its true. Without Yao this team will have a tough time getting through the playoffs and winning it all. ESPN analysts want to make picks that have a good chance of making them look good. Period.
Playoff Failures: T-mac does not have the best track record in the playoffs. Neither do the Rockets post John Stockton shot. This will be a great year to change all of that now wouldn't it be?

Here is some love from Marc Stein...Let's just enjoy the greatness that is this streak and not let something like SportsCenter ruin it.

Guess This Player

Was a starter last year for a playoff team in the West
Signed a new contract worth $4.6 million this off season for a playoff team in the East
Waived yesterday because he is not a good player and has character issues like beating up a valet
Will probably get a new contract because the NBA loves to make bad signings

If you guessed Smush Parker then you are CORRECT!!!! According to the Miami Herald, Smush was waived and will probably sign with another team. GARBAGE! Can you believe he was a starting point guard for Phil Jackson? Scary.

Audio Rewind of the Day
A few weeks back John Bradshaw Layfield