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Well, it's come to this.
The Rockets are actually looking up at the Utah Jazz in the standings as we fast approach the halfway point of the season. Sure, it's only a half game, but did anyone think this is where things would be as we rounded into 2016?
Fret not, however. If there's one thing that should put a smile on any Rockets fan's face regardless of record, it's a win over these Jazz, even though they may not be quite as despicable as in years past.
There's no longer any John Stockton, Karl Malone, Mayor Jeff Hornacek, Carlos Boozer or Mehmet Okur to loathe indescribably for 2.5 hours through my screen, and the Jazz actually do have a few fun-to-watch young players on their roster, even if the two best- Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors- are not expected to play tonight.
But they're still the Utah Jazz, and the sting of an under .500 record at least momentarily disappears with a win over a hated rival.