Houston Rockets Win 22 Straight Games, Still Get No Respect

Like Rodney Dangerfield once said (OK, way more than once), "I get no respect." 

I imagine that's how the Houston Rockets feel after notching their 20th consecutive win, matching the second longest win streak in NBA history. Yet in the eyes of many observers, they aren't even the best team in their own conference.

When the Rockets started this run, it was at a very improbable time. Houston was only 15-16 on New Years Day, if you recall.  Yet even after losing Yao Ming, they have continued to do nothing but win, having now gone 8-0 since they lost their star center to a season-ending foot injury.

But lacking a low-post presence and playing in the Western Conference makes respect hard to come by.  With teams like the Spurs and Lakers, among others, it is an extremely competitive conference. The Lakers have been considered legitimate contenders since adding Pau Gasol and the Spurs...well, they're the freakin' defending NBA champs. 

Yet consider the stifling defense Houston plays.  The Tracy McGrady-led offense.  And we're not talking about a team that has eeked by its opponents.  Oh no.  In fact, the Rockets tied an NBA record with 10 consecutive blowout wins (wins by 10 or more points) before beating Atlanta 83-75 on Wednesday night.

Ah, but I suspect that the Lakers all-time record of 33 straight victories is safe for now.  After hosting Charlotte on Friday, the Rockets face a five-game string that reads Lakers, Celtics, at Hornets, at Warriors, at Suns.

And when they do lose, you'll hear NBA analysts across the country saying "I told you so"—and further denouncing their title hopes. Maybe they don't have what it takes.  Perhaps their lack of a low post presence will hurt them in the long run. But for now, anyone who is ruling them out better know that the Rockets certainly feel they are for real.  

Regardless of how it all turns out, it certainly has been an impressive run by the Houston Rockets and coach Rick Adelman. But apparently not enough to earn any respect.