The truth Rudy Tomjanovich didn't like to admit, even to himself, was that he was worried. He avoided the topic, pulling out the safe canard that it is best not to worry about those things he can't control.

But Tomjanovich watched the preseason slip by without ever putting together the same starting lineup. Half of his active Rockets roster was not on the team a year ago, and four of those players weren't in the NBA then.

He had a new starting frontcourt and new captains. Glen Rice barely had shared a court with Steve Francis. Kevin Willis barely had met Francis.

Tomjanovich believed the Rockets' schedule over the first two weeks demanded they get off to a fast start, but nothing pointed to starting quickly.

"It was a big concern, very much so," Tomjanovich said after the Rockets had secured a mixed-bag 5-2 start heading into a three-day break and a meatier part of the schedule. "I like to start out on the road because of the plus-minus deal. If you're going to be putting it together and not winning games, it doesn't hurt you as bad if they're road games."