If the basketball world has its eyes above all on Stephen Curry’s upcoming record, a team is currently defying the rules of sporting and human logic. The Rockets welcomed Brooklyn and a certain bearded man last night, the Rockets therefore imposed their usual tariff: victory 114 – 104, it is the 7th consecutive success for Stephen Silas and his men. We walk on our heads, no more and no less.
Chicago, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City again, Orlando, New Orleans, and now Brooklyn.
Seven consecutive wins, seven in a row after the 15-game losing streak that plagued the minds of Houston fans at the start of the season. No, there is no comparable model, and yes, we are talking about a historic turnaround. Because by winning last night against the Nets, the friends of Alperen Sengun became the first team of the story (!) of the NBA to have a 15-game losing streak and a 7-game winning streak in the same season. It’s unheard of, and above all it’s unheard of… glued to each other. Ultimately, if the season had started with 15 defeats and there had been a transfer in February to make way for a good series at the end of March, why not. Except that there, Houston has chained his series of depression with a peak of emotions. How not, moreover, to understand the power of the context this Wednesday evening. James Harden was back in town, Mr. Bearded, Rockets Man of the Last Decade, multiple All-Star, MVP, iconic figure and… behind a rocky start, too. This, the fans of Texas did not forget, making it clear to James from the start that there was still high dose salt in the area. A few boos here and there, as a matter of principle, before giving way to a thank you video in tribute to Harden, the number 13 making hearts with his hands (rather than correct passes). So it wasn’t just another win, a seventh win against Charlotte or Toronto, Indiana or the Grizzlies. No, this seventh success had a very special flavor because the man of the house was back. What was needed was therefore to welcome him as he should, but also to show him who we are now. Like having coffee with your ex, you do it out of politeness, but you shouldn’t overuse the lease and get too romantic. You have to say things clearly, there is something, but it was good, and now you’re going to take the sauce because things have changed. For one night, the time of this series that defies the laws of logic, the Rockets have shown that things have indeed changed.
How not to smile from ear to ear when seeing Josh Christopher, limited this season with Group A, explode against the Nets? How not to get up and applaud him, for the evening of his 20-year-old birthday, when he slams 18 points at 7/7 shooting including 4/4 at three points, a defense still as intense on the man and a berserk alley-oop with DJ Augustin to finish the match? How not to laugh when hearing the audience of Toyota Center scream MVP, MVP while Garrison Matthews shoots his free throws in full money-time, the man with the bionic arm performing another masterful performance in the final quarter? How not to scream with joy in front of this symbol, a match led by 10 points with one minute from the end, which sees this good Matthews (aka Gary Bird) defend James Harden as a man to man, and who literally throws himself head first on a ball that the bearded man had left lying around to gain a few precious seconds? Everything, absolutely everything was accumulated and compiled in this victory, even more beautiful and representative than the previous ten. No need for an interstellar Christian Wood, or a fluke from across the way. No Kevin Durant, of course, but Harden was there and he had to face a united collective. Sentence that seemed unpronounceable three weeks ago. From Eric Gordon’s hot debut to KJ Martin’s hustle, Augustin’s wisdom, Tate’s muscles or Brooks’ filoche, everyone was putting their hands in the mud. And that’s what has made this series attractive so far, punctuated by this success so important emotionally speaking. It’s the fact that not everything revolves around one man. Stephen Silas has magically been able to count on different contributors every night. A big Tate at OKC, a big Wood at home, a big Matthews tonight with Christopher, who will be the next assassin? Somehow, knowing that Houston will face the Bucks (who just lost) this Friday … we want to put a lid on this great fortnight. A fortnight spent in paradise, and which the fans really needed. Because, in all fairness, how many have suffered so much in the space of 18 months, departures, goodbyes, punchlines, failed transfers, missed poker shots? It’s like this series is a little ride of two weeks in the land of happiness, having spent a good time in the depths and darkness. Whatever the sequel, somewhere, the Rockets have found some sense of their season. Already. They will have young people to develop, projects to consolidate, a Jalen Green to reintegrate, but the most important success of the year was validated last night: to beat James Harden for his return to the fold, with the manner, by punctuating an unpredictable winning streak.
It was mission impossible, but it became an orgasmic mission. Yes, these Rockets do have the longest winning streak in the entire NBA, and while the opponents weren’t all title contenders, these games had to be won. Above all, it was necessary to win this match, and the match was won. Enjoy some more of this high permanent, because if Houston has taught us something this season, it’s that we can go from the biggest joke in the League to a better one story within a few days.
