J.B. Bickerstaff Comments on Rockets' Play, Struggles and More

The Houston Rockets have had an up-and-down season to say the least.

In just 32 games they've had three losing streaks of at least three games and four win streaks of the same length. After an impressive 88-84 Christmas victory over the San Antonio Spurs, the Rockets fell to the 10-20 New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, 110-108. 

It was a game Houston led 91-84 heading into the fourth quarter, causing interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to question his team after the game, per James Herbert of CBSSports.com:

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We have to solve the core of our issue. There's a reason why this team is so up-and-down. There's a reason why when things are really good, things are good; when things are bad, things are bad. So, to a man, starting with me, we have to solve the issue. Our issue is doing things right because it's the right thing to do, not because it's going to get me a bucket, not because it's going to get me a shot, not because I get the glory. That's not what this is about. And that's what our problem is right now.

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It certainly was a bad loss, but the Rockets were playing on back-to-back nights and for the fourth time in six nights. They traveled to New Orleans after playing at home against the Spurs the night before.

However, Bickerstaff wasn't looking to make excuses and even went as far as to say his team is disrespecting the game, per Herbert. 

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We play San Antonio last night, we play a wonderful game, we play a beautiful game on both sides of the ball. We come out here tonight, things aren't easy, things don't go our way and we turn into the ugly Rockets again. That's frustrating for me, frustrating for all of us I'm sure, but it's not treating the game the right way. Over and over again, we've disrespected the game. Our priorities need to be clear. And I need to do a better job of playing the people whose priorities are clear.

"

Bickerstaff is right in the fact the Rockets, who went to the Western Conference Finals last year, have beaten current would-be playoff teams in the Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks. Yet they are just 16-16 and on their second coach of the season after Kevin McHale was fired 11 games in.

Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle echoed Bickerstaff's opinion on the team but disagreed the head coach should take any of the blame:

Per Herbert, Bickerstaff said it's time the team gets its priorities straight.

"Our core issues have to be resolved," Bickerstaff said. "We have to buy into what we're doing. We've proven against the best teams in this league that we can do it and we can do it at a high level. It's the decision of whether or not we want to do it every night. And so far we've chosen not to." 

Houston isn't back on the court until Dec. 29 when it plays host to the Atlanta Hawks before welcoming the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

They then head west for two straight road games against the Spurs and Utah Jazz. It's a tough stretch that could set the tone for the rest of the season. If they don't get on the same page as their coach, the Rockets, who are currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference, could be battling night in and night out for a playoff spot.