Clearly the Houston Rockets' streak of 22 straight victories is impressive especially given that they are only the second team in NBA history to rattle off such a lengthy streak and they have done so in the exceedingly difficult Western Conference while missing their All-Star centre Yao Ming for the last 10 games. But let's keep this all in perspective: Houston's schedule has been remarkably easy over the duration of this run with the team facing playoff bubble or lottery squads in 16 of the 22 affairs and the vast majority (14) of its matches having been played in the friendly confines of the Toyota Centre. This reality and the Rockets' inability to advance past the first round of the playoffs with practically the same cast of characters gives this achievement a flukish quality.
On the other hand, Tiger Woods appears to have taken his game, amazingly, to a new level. Already by far the best player on tour and soon to be the top golfer in history, Tiger has put the PGA on notice this season, winning his first four events this year and since the end of his last campaign, he has finished at the top of the field in his last five appearances. This last win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational was clinched in typical style when Woods drained a 25 foot putt on the 18th hole after not having successfully connected with his flat stick from more than 20 feet out all weekend. Tiger's streak is even more impressive, however, when you consider that he has won in his last seven outings, as the PGA does not count his wins at the Dubai Desert Classic (European Tour) or at the Target World Challenge which he hosts himself; additionally, dating back to last season, Tiger has won nine of his last 10 tournaments-including the PGA Championship-with his only loss coming at the Deutsche Bank Championship where he tied for a pitiful second place.
Anyone who has ever played golf knows that it is the most frustrating and inconsistent game on the planet and for Tiger to be so overwhelmingly dominant and steady against the world's top competition is simply ludicrous. While Byron Nelson's PGA record of 11 consecutive victories is essentially impossible to match or break in today's golfing environment, taking the field over Woods in any tournament is no longer the logical or safe bet. And that is the most impressive part.
2008 Woodie Awards
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