DENVER -- Now that they have taken the controls, the Rockets' rookies might wish this season were not almost over.

It's far too late to change the Rockets' season, now doomed to be the franchise's worst since 1983-84 and potentially even one loss worse than that.

But before letting the schedule end mercifully, Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich has been more generous than ever with playing time for four rookies -- Tierre Brown, Terence Morris, Eddie Griffin and Oscar Torres.

But as nice as playing time might be, even the least experienced Rockets said the time might be right to bury this season and move on.