The Rockets have won 22 games in a row. Yes, in a freakin' row. 22!!!
For all those who said the Rockets' Streak was just a fluke... that we didn't play any good teams... that we're really not that good of a team? Yeah, suck it - we just beat the Lakers. Who were the #1 team in the West until the Rockets decided today that it's our turn at the top.
So, yeah, that's 22 consecutive wins. The 2nd best Streak of all time.
And, in case anyone has forgotten - that is now TEN (10) consecutive wins since the Ming Dynasty abdicated his throne until next season.
It's like a double-double... 12 wins in a row with Yao. 10 wins in a row without Yao.
Before anyone says anything about it... yes, I saw Rafer score 31 points. And make eight (8?!?!) three-pointers. I am still in shock and in total disbelief. He'd have gone for 40 if he could make a layup!! (Hey - I can't completely be nice to Rafer - even after a career day on national TV!)
Okay, okay - Rafer killed the Lakers and gave a double-middle-finger to my season-long criticism. I admit it.
On the flip side... Rafer's career day effort was sorely needed. Tracy McGrady had a rough and I mean really rough day. Maybe not as rough as Kaz Matsui's backside... but rough nonetheless. 4-16? In a huge matchup against Kobe? 0-4 from the three-point line? 11 total points? Ouch, babe - very ouch.
But this is why the Rockets are a true team. And why this team kicks ass. When T-Mac has a bad day - it's not a problem. Rafer steps up. Or Scola steps up. Or Mike freakin' Harris steps up. Or Bobby Jackson? Bobby Jackson?!? Wow - awesome game from Bobby, by the way.
Of course, the real MVP of today was one Shane Battier. Considering he's a Duke grad and all - it should not be surprising given that today was Selection Sunday for the NCAA tournament. It's kind of a big deal at Duke I hear. As an SMU alum, I would not know. But back to Shane. The MVP of the NBA this year is Kobe Bryant. It is, just trust me. What does Kobe do with Shane guarding him? 11-for-33. Yes, that's not a typo. THIRTY-THREE shots. 33%. It's like Evil Rafer played for the Lakers today and wore #24. And in those 33 shots, Kobe only scored 24. That's a phenomenal defensive effort.
Shane Battier must have earned himself a spot on the NBA All Defensive First Team with today's effort (he already belonged, but today's performance should get him all the votes).
Kobe? pwn3d, bitch.
The Houston Rockets - #1 in the Western Conference. #1 in the Southwest Division. #1 in the hearts and minds of NBA fans and all of America. 22 and counting.
Next up? Rockets host the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. We did a Q&A with the guys over at CelticsBlog. Their answers to our off-the-wall questions should be posted here sometime on Tuesday morning.
Also - for a gameday live-blog of today's Rockets/Lakers game - head on over to Hardwood Paroxysm. Matt did a bang-up job blogging Rafer's big day.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Rockets vs. Lakers - a new kind of double/double!
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4 comments:
Hey Guys,
Great blog. I'm a die hard Rockets fan (since 92-93) and have been hoping to find a good Rockets blog. I stumbled upon this one a couple of weeks ago and am hooked.
Keep up the good work.
I live in Boston, so I am looking forward to the Celtics-Rockets matchup and the media coverage over here. It'll be interesting to see what angle the Boston blogs and newspapers will take.
Our angle is easy though: Go Rockets! #23 is within reach!
RedsArmy.com is already guaranteeing the victory. I don't think you'll see CelticsBlog guaranteeing anything, but I bet they are pretty confident as well.
Wow, excellent defense Kobe Bryant by Shane. Shadowed Kobe all night long. The Whitest Man alive isn't going to jump high enough to block your jump shot but he sure is going to stick a hand in your face as you release the shot. Which I might add is a completely legal play, unlike "defensive stopper" Bruce Bowen's karate kicks to the groin/head/back and basically anywhere if he can get away with it, not to mention the "ankle breaker" move on jump shooters. Battier >> Bowen for me any day.
Kobe being Kobe hit a couple of fade-away shots but you could tell that he was frustrated from all the shots he bricked. Granted, there were a few non-calls that could have been shooting fouls on the Rockets when Bryant drew contact on the offensive end, but hey, the refs aren't going to pamper you every game.
Basically a nicely played game by the Rockets on an off-shooting night by T-Mac.
Either Rafer reads The Dream Shake and played inspired or he sold his soul to the devil. I'm not totally sure he can read, though, so it's probably the latter.
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