Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy spoke of the need for change, which would seem the inevitable conclusion for a team staggering to a 4-12 record and coming off perhaps the worst loss of the season.
He did not specify if he meant the change must come in the caliber of play of the players he is putting on the court, or if he must change the players. But he said he has "hard decisions" to make.
That could mean many things, but the Rockets have reached the point where they believe there will be changes to the rotation, the roster or both.
"I would think the only people I can be sure they won't change would be Tracy (McGrady) and Yao (Ming)," Rockets guard David Wesley said. "Other than that, it could be me, it could be anybody."
Veterans have seen enough not to be surprised. That was how Wesley got to the Rockets last season when they got off to a poor start that showed little signs of imminent change. They were never this low last season, falling to 6-11 at worst. But the return of point guard Bob Sura and trades for Wesley and Jon Barry helped turn things around.
This season they can hope for the return of point guard Rafer Alston and of Tracy McGrady's good health and usual prowess. But there is a sense that greater change could be coming, again.
"I would assume," guard Derek Anderson said. "The way the league is going, you change the lineup. Some things you see you can accept, but some things you can't. I've seen it before. It's a business. Things change. You can't be surprised. We'll see what happens."