Houston Rockets: Seven reasons why the team should have more titles

2008 – Moneyball but better

If there is anything that defines this season, it’s two words: The Streak. 22 games in a row where the Rockets won. You would think Houston had a season that reminded us of a baseball team out in Oakland in 2002. But alas, this led to more heartbreak as Houston fell defeated in the first round to the Utah Jazz. Part of the problem was the injury to Yao Ming that hurt their chances.

Now, I won’t give Yao the satisfaction of returning here. But how would the Rockets have done if they had defeated the Jazz? Houston would’ve faced the Los Angeles Lakers. Let’s see if anything changes.

2008 Western Conference Semifinals – Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Game 1 in Los Angeles: Lakers 101-97 (1-0 LAL)

Game 2 in Los Angeles: Lakers 108-99 (2-0 LAL)

Game 3 in Houston: Lakers 88-85 (3-0 LAL)

Game 4 in Houston: Rockets 120-109 (3-1 LAL)

Game 5 in Los Angeles: Lakers 94-81 (4-1 LAL)

Los Angeles Lakers win series 4-1

Pretty much the Rockets had no chance of beating LA without Yao. The only positive was that the Rockets didn’t get swept. But the NBA Gods would not allow us to move to the finals. They wanted a Celtics-Lakers finals matchup that year and they wouldn’t be disappointed.

If Yao Ming had not been injured, perhaps the result would’ve been different. But we have to accept the fact we weren’t good enough to win the title that year.

However, Houston will get a chance to avenge their loss to the Lakers in 2009. Let’s see how the results play out there.