Rockets big man Christian Wood thinks the team’s impressive turnaround is for real, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN. The Rockets started the season 1-16, but had won seven in a row prior to Friday’s 123-114 loss to the Bucks. Wood admits he wasn’t necessarily expecting the winning streak, but believes in the team.
“A little surprising, but we’ve always believed,” Wood told ESPN on Friday. “We’ve always stayed together and always had that team chemistry. We know that we’re better than a 1-16 record and better than what we were showing. We never put our heads down. We just stayed together.
“I believe it’s real. Especially with Jalen Green being out, which is a key piece, points that [would be] on the board that are not. We’re still managing to win games. And with Kevin Porter Jr. out. I think we’re even better than we’re showing. We’re just clicking.”
The two young guards are sidelined with hamstring and thigh injuries, respectively.
Here’s more from Houston:
- The Rockets have benefited from excellent shooting from players like Eric Gordon, Garrison Mathews, and Armoni Brooks of late, Rahat Huq of The Houston Chronicle writes. Gordon has even been taking some mid-range shots, a relic of the past in Houston with its analytically driven approach. The shooting and ball movement has led to better spacing for the entire team, Huq notes.
- Ethan Fuller of BasketballNews.com writes that the Rockets have been successful with an unlikely group of heroes. He mentions Mathews, Brooks, and Jae’Sean Tate as being particularly noteworthy.
- Josh Christopher, the 24th overall pick of the 2021 draft, had a breakout performance on his 20th birthday on Wednesday, notes Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Iko takes an in-depth look at Christopher’s development, stating that stints in the G League have been beneficial for the young rookie.
- Green says he’s “making good progress” in his recovery, but there’s still no timeline for his return, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle.
So let’s get rid of the obvious stupid trade. The Warriors don’t need Christian Wood from the Rockets. It doesn’t fulfill a need for the Warriors. It makes the worse. Why do you guys want the Warriors to lose? Why are fighting against something that has worked out so well. You guys are weird. The Warriors are winning and you are upset.
I like when the Warriors are good and running on all cylinders, as a fan of basketball, they’re a fun bunch to watch.
Idk who you’re referring to that’s mad the Warriors are winning, but I think Golden State has alot of supporters. The only time I don’t like to see them win is against my favorite team, the Bulls..lol
Still though, they run like a well oiled machine when they’re functioning properly, and they play a winning style of basketball. For me, the Warriors being really good is only a positive for the sport.
Actually, there are a lot of posters that think the Warriors should trade Wiseman. What is really bad is the player that they think will win the Warriors a Championship is player that has been proven to not be part of a winning formula. They want a Manure Bol.
What are you talking about? *yawns*
There’s some talk that the Rockets are “not seriously thinking about trading Wood”. I don’t understand what this franchise is doing anymore. The win streak was supposed to be a showcase for him and Gordon but I guess not.
Trade Green and Porter while you still can.
If you could get Primo and Pels Murphy it would be great.
Lol what
December 15 is when trades really start happening. Not to much longer!!
Nice W streak showcase, at the end of the trade deadline pass HOU will suck again till they play more experienced balanced rosters … Next season Wall may play at this time
I’d be surprised to see a SUPERMAX expiring contract traded. Even if it’s an expiring, it’s still 47M.
I was not thinking about a trade for Wall, he probably has to show some BB skills if he and Houston FO want to work on a buy out
How do you work on a buy out with a guy that refuses to give anything back? The guy’s best chance at playing for a contender is declining his player option but he’s not going to do that because he’ll likely never ever come close to that amount again.
Wall will buy out @ 2023 TD so maybe he will play some games before to show some skills
It’s nice to see them winning but at the same time, Wood, Gordon, and possibly Wall should be traded to contenders within a few days. It will be harder for Sengun and the Rockets will rely on him a bit more after Wood is traded. Then you have KPJ and Green taking the reins upon their return. This leaving Gordon expendable. With Christopher, Green, KPJ, Brooks, and potentially Wall (if not traded) getting the minutes. The Rockets are going younger and sticking to the game plan going into the season.
This Hou FO is about tanking 2 more years to get top #4 picks … Pure BS for the fans and the roster’youngsters not to developp as a a whole team by just prioritizing KPJ & Green potentials.
Why is it BS? Warriors, Pistons, 76ers, Bucks, Trailblazers etc have done what the Rockets are doing now. And to be honest, Rockets usually have 2-5 years of “rebuild” before competing again. So the Rockets are in that phase right now. After Yao and T-Mac and before Harden, it was roughly 5 years in between them. Those 5 years they were not relevant. They experimented before the Harden trade with other players. Rockets are doing that before making a big splash or really waiting to see how these youngster develop. Technically this is year 1 and by year 2, will be an indicator of where the Rockets are at.
This W streak is a proof of how good this team can be by not playing KPJ and Green together … The playing time given to those 2 hurts the all team and specially the other good rooks … The 2 have to be bench way more after TO, selfish playmaking, bad shots selection.
They could be even better if they let John Wall play. He wants to play and his contract is untradable. If he’s healthy, why not? It could be a win-win for both sides. I think it’s BS that they’re worried about screwing up the chemistry.
The worry is him helping the team win even more and ruining the tankjob. This winning streak didn’t help as is.
The only way i see him play is injuries and may not if Hou gets a PG with trades.