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Wednesday, February 19, 1997

Barkley on struggling Houston: no problem

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ AP Sports Writer

HOUSTON (AP) - The Houston Rockets have lost eight of their last 10 games and still have one superstar on the injury list. Charles Barkley, for one, is not worried.

"We're going to be just fine," he said. "I'm very excited. This is a good stretch coming up. We've got a lot of home games so we've got a chance to get something going."

The Rockets got a good jump on their recovery with a 127-98 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. They are home against Toronto on Thursday and visit Atlanta on Friday.

Then comes a four-game homestand against San Antonio, the Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte and Dallas.

"This is going to be a big weekend for us," Mario Elie said. "If we can get these three games, I feel we can catch Utah."

The game against the Hawks was marked by sparkling play from the bench and from guard Brent Price, the subject of recent trade rumors.

The bench scored 61 points and Price continued to rebound from a broken elbow that delayed the start of his Rockets career. He missed the first 27 games of the season.

"When things were going well and we were 21-2, everyone thought we were the best team in the world," Barkley said. "But when we get a few injuries and start struggling, then everybody turns against you. That's the way people are, that's the way some fans are and that's the way the media are. That's the bottom line."

The Rockets' biggest problem has been injuries - 150 games missed this season. Barkley has been out 11 games, Hakeem Olajuwon four.

Clyde Drexler has been out seven games with a hamstring injury and will miss at least another two weeks.

"We're 24-5 when everyone is healthy," executive vice president Carroll Dawson said. "There's not a whole lot broke about that. If we get everybody well, what's not to like?"

The Rockets had seven players in double figures against the Hawks and no one played more than 29 minutes. Price was 5-for-8 from the field for 12 points and he had seven assists.

"I've always had a lot of respect for guys who come off the bench," Price said. "You know they're a little cold but they come in and get things going quickly. I played the first part of my career on the bench so I know what it's like."

Price, beginning to push the ball up court, hasn't allowed trade talk to affect his comeback.

"I've been involved in a couple of trades already if you listen to the rumors," he said. "I think it happens because of the contract I signed and then having an injury and a bad stretch. Then everyone wants to say 'let's do something.' "

On Saturday, the Rockets blew a 26-point second-quarter lead and lost to Portland 109-105. Still, Barkley sees progress.

"We have gradually gotten better over the last few days, even though we have lost a few games," Barkley said. "I missed a lot of time, and we're obviously patching together a lineup, so it's going to take some time." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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