April Fool's explained...

Yes, yes, I know it was kind of mean to insinuate that Yao would return for the playoffs.

But my "joke" served two purposes. (1) It was a damn fine April Fool's joke; and (2) It reinforces my belief that while I would love to have Yao ready and available in May, it is not going to happen -- but the Rockets are still going to be okay. Not ideal, but we'll be okay.

There will be no gloom and doom attitudes on this here blog about the Rockets' playoff chances. We can definitely make some noise in the West. Unless T-Mac also decides to shut it down. Then we'd be relying on Luis Landry and Rafer. Tough task.

And next year? When Yao comes back?
Oh, hell yeah - the Rockets are going to kick ass!

Oh hell yes! Yao to return for Playoffs!!!

It's about damn time the Rockets got some good news!
(we can't live off the Streak forever...)

YAO MING IS COMING BACK FOR THE PLAYOFFS!

It's true! ESPN says it, so it must be!

YES! I knew he couldn't resist coming back to help the Rockets!
Everyone is now in big, big trouble!

Time to get angry again, Big Man!

What's that?
Is that Shaq's fat ass causing tremors from his nervous twitching at this news?

I think it is!

And look at that -- T-Mac is so happy he might cry!

First an NBA Championship... then Olympic Silver (sorry, Yao, but I can't root for you to win the gold there... U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!)

Bring on the playoffs, bitches.
We are ready for the Western Conference now!

Really.