Rockets losing streak

[Moranis]

The Rockets have now lost 18 straight games.  26 is the single season record set by the 11 Cavs and matched by the 14 Sixers.  So the Rockets are starting to get near the all time record for futility.

On another note, the Rockets still only have the 3rd worst record in the sport as they are a 0.5 game better than the Pistons and 2.5 games better than the Wolves.

On the flip side, the Nets have won 14 of 15 without Durant and with Irving missing games periodically.  Maybe Harden is really just that good and is certainly making the case that he should be the MVP.

[tazzmaniac]

Harden only played 8 games with the Rockets.  The Rockets were 2-6 in those games albeit against a tough schedule.  Immediately before this 18 game losing streak the Rockets went 7-1 without Harden.  So I don't think Houston's losing streak enhances Harden's MVP chances.   

Harden has only played 27 games so far.  He'll need to pretty much play every remaining game to get into the MVP discussion.   

[Jvalin]

Two random thoughts on my part, cause in all honesty I couldn't care less about the Rockets.

1. I'd absolutely love us to go after Christian Wood. Are they willing to part ways with him? According to rumors, everyone on their roster is available excluding Wood.
2. If the Rockets win the lottery, would they be willing to trade the #1 pick (=Cunningham) + Gordon (=salary filler) for Brown?

[PhoSita]

It certainly demonstrates something about the difference in Harden's effort when he was on the Rockets versus what he's done for the Nets.

That, to me, is not a strong argument for MVP.

[Moranis]

Harden only played 8 games with the Rockets.  The Rockets were 2-6 in those games albeit against a tough schedule.  Immediately before this 18 game losing streak the Rockets went 7-1 without Harden.  So I don't think Houston's losing streak enhances Harden's MVP chances.   

Harden has only played 27 games so far.  He'll need to pretty much play every remaining game to get into the MVP discussion.

Harden has played 35 games.  27 in Brooklyn.  8 in Houston.

[Moranis]

It certainly demonstrates something about the difference in Harden's effort when he was on the Rockets versus what he's done for the Nets.

That, to me, is not a strong argument for MVP.

Fair point, though he did average 25, 10.5, 5 with a TS% of 61.3 in his 8 games in Houston this year.  He has been a bit more efficient in Brooklyn, but aside from a huge uptick in rebounds has performed fairly similarly.  And you would expect an efficiency increase when you play with better teammates.  There is also no question he wanted out of Houston, made it known for months before the season started, and then felt like he had to force his hand when ownership just ignored him.  And he wanted out because he wanted to win and knew the Houston roster was garbage.  Because fans, writers, etc. put so much on winning, a player needs to get out and actually win before their prime is over.  This was a make or break year for Harden and he didn't want to toil on a garbage team.

[Moranis]

They play the Pistons at home tonight.  So a very winnable game.  If they lose, the probably hit 22 before having back to back games at Minnesota. 

So they should win at least one of those 3 games and not set the all time record, but they are bad so who knows.

[GreenCoffeeBean]

Two random thoughts on my part, cause in all honesty I couldn't care less about the Rockets.

1. I'd absolutely love us to go after Christian Wood. Are they willing to part ways with him? According to rumors, everyone on their roster is available excluding Wood.
2. If the Rockets win the lottery, would they be willing to trade the #1 pick (=Cunningham) + Gordon (=salary filler) for Brown?

Absolutely not. Brown is far more valuable to a contender than a team about to rebuild.

[celticsclay]

It certainly demonstrates something about the difference in Harden's effort when he was on the Rockets versus what he's done for the Nets.

That, to me, is not a strong argument for MVP.

Fair point, though he did average 25, 10.5, 5 with a TS% of 61.3 in his 8 games in Houston this year.  He has been a bit more efficient in Brooklyn, but aside from a huge uptick in rebounds has performed fairly similarly.  And you would expect an efficiency increase when you play with better teammates.  There is also no question he wanted out of Houston, made it known for months before the season started, and then felt like he had to force his hand when ownership just ignored him.  And he wanted out because he wanted to win and knew the Houston roster was garbage.  Because fans, writers, etc. put so much on winning, a player needs to get out and actually win before their prime is over.  This was a make or break year for Harden and he didn't want to toil on a garbage team.

For what its worth, several people in the media have alluded that they would not vote for him for MVP basically no matter what because of how his time in Houston ended.

[Moranis]

It certainly demonstrates something about the difference in Harden's effort when he was on the Rockets versus what he's done for the Nets.

That, to me, is not a strong argument for MVP.

Fair point, though he did average 25, 10.5, 5 with a TS% of 61.3 in his 8 games in Houston this year.  He has been a bit more efficient in Brooklyn, but aside from a huge uptick in rebounds has performed fairly similarly.  And you would expect an efficiency increase when you play with better teammates.  There is also no question he wanted out of Houston, made it known for months before the season started, and then felt like he had to force his hand when ownership just ignored him.  And he wanted out because he wanted to win and knew the Houston roster was garbage.  Because fans, writers, etc. put so much on winning, a player needs to get out and actually win before their prime is over.  This was a make or break year for Harden and he didn't want to toil on a garbage team.

For what its worth, several people in the media have alluded that they would not vote for him for MVP basically no matter what because of how his time in Houston ended.

I certainly understand that.  Even some sports casters that have generally supported Harden have said that.  I personally wouldn't eliminate him, though I wouldn't have him as the MVP right now.  I think is Lebron as this point.  I'd still probably have Embiid at 2, but the more time he misses the further down he goes.  I have Jokic 3 at the moment.  He has been amazing of late which has coincided with a big Denver winning surge.  I'd have Lillard at 4 at this point (to keep Portland where they are with all the injuries has been super impressive) and Giannis at 5 (stats still awesome but they aren't winning like the last 2 years).  I think Harden, Leonard, Curry, and Doncic are the next 4, so the best I'd have Harden right now is 6. 

[Moranis]

Rockets snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  Streak now at 20.

[nyceltsfan]

Rockets snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  Streak now at 20.

Why do I get the sense that the streak ends on Friday April 2 against the Celts?  Didn't the Celts snap a Houston 22 game winning streak during the PP-KG era?

[Donoghus]

Rockets snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  Streak now at 20.

Why do I get the sense that the streak ends on Friday April 2 against the Celts?  Didn't the Celts snap a Houston 22 game winning streak during the PP-KG era?

Yup.  The '07-08 team.  That was a huge Texas triangle sweep for them.

[nyceltsfan]

Rockets snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.  Streak now at 20.

Why do I get the sense that the streak ends on Friday April 2 against the Celts?  Didn't the Celts snap a Houston 22 game winning streak during the PP-KG era?

Yup.  The '07-08 team.  That was a huge Texas triangle sweep for them.

This team is just begging to break the Rockets' futility streak now.  It would be the icing on the cake for this season.

[Moranis]

They will have tied the NBA record if they haven't won by the C's game.

On another note, they were 11-10 when the streak started and they still have a better record than the Wolves.