The Rockets played a horrendous game for three quarters, then turned it on in the fourth. They overcame one of the worst field goal percentage days of Yao Ming's career. Some of that was done by Yao going a perfect 10-10 from the line and pulling down 14 rebounds. They also survived a triple double from Bron Bron, who basically set out to tell Dave to suck it. He had 11 assists and the rest of his team made 23 shots, so without his help they were only able to make 12 shots. That's just sad. I now agree that his teammates are awful (Except for Gooden, I like that guy) and understand why he is begging for new ones. Of course Dave has a great point, he also begged for Big Z to stay and to get Larry Hughes, so he reaps what he sowed. Maybe they should just tell him to shut up and not let him player evaluate.
There isn't a ton to say about the game, both teams shot horribly, the Rockets just found a way to close it out, they are the better team, plain and simple. That makes the streak 9 in a row on the road, 18-4 in 2008 and 9 in a row overall. The 9 in a row on the road is the longest streak in club history, tying the streak set in the first championship season.
Next game up is against the lowly Miami Heat on Thursday night at 7:00PM CST to make it 10 in a row. Of course I probably shouldn't get too excited as the Rockets are actually one of their NINE wins on the season, so maybe I shouldn't be so cocky, but come on! It's the freaking Heat!
Now we just need GS to lose (Utah would win, again putting me in a dilema) and Boston to take out Denver
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
That's 9, One more till I say I told you so
On Notice - LeBron James??
Rockets v. Cavaliers tonight in Cleveland. 6pm CST
(that's really early guys - I'm still going to be at work. Can we change this? No??)
Oh, well - anyway, the Rockets are riding an 8 game winning streak and yet would not be in the playoffs if they started today. Fortunately for all of us, the playoffs DO NOT start today - so we can save all the mathematical "what ifs" until early April.
Moving along, over the past year or so, I've noticed something. LeBron James is starting to irritate the #@(&# out of me. His first two years in the league - he was great. I made time to watch him play whenever he was on TV. Now? Let's just say I'm putting him ON NOTICE:
A few caveats before we begin:
1. I firmly believe that LeBron James is the second best player in the NBA, behind Kobe Bryant. (Yao Ming excluded from conversation for obvious bias issues I have.)
2. I realize LeBron is only 23 years old.
3. I have no doubt that LeBron will win at least one championship before he retires.
That said... LeBron, you are coming dangerously close to being categorized among the "Players I Despise" along with Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, Emmitt Smith, Mike Piazza, Donovan McNabb and Hines Ward. Yes, I despise Hines Ward. That f--ker smiles all the time and yet his TD dances/celebrations consist of nothing but imitating someone else's signature dance. Get some originality, asshole.
Why is LeBron pushing the limits?
First, he's been handed the keys to the NBA without ever really doing anything. Yes, he's been to the NBA Finals. Where he lost. Say, Karl Malone can say the same thing - and we all consider him to be a huge choke artist still. Yes, LeBron is a two-time NBA All Star MVP. (Ray Allen should have won it Sunday, btw.) Yes, LeBron is always a threat to achieve a triple-double.
Nonetheless, I have one important question, Bron Bron - have you ever made any of your teammates better? The supposed knock against Kobe is that he never made anyone else play better alongside him. Yet it's pretty clear that his pushing and prodding have made Bynum, Farmar, Derek Fisher, Ronnie Turiaf and even Chris Mihm... play better than they ever have before. LeBron? Name one player who has improved because LeBron is his teammate?
Larry Hughes? All Star for the Wizards, unfortunate namesake of a blog dedicated to futility now.
Big Z? Was an All Star before LeBron. Now reduced to begging for shots and time on the court.
Donyell Marshall? Was a huge contributor for nearly a decade. (Do you realize he co-owns the record for most 3s made in a game... with Kobe?). With LeBron - Donyell is now reduced to forgetting to even put on a jersey before the game.
Damon Jones? Important contributor to a Miami team... comes to Cleveland and immediately becomes a bench scrub.
Drew Gooden? Hahahahahaha... I can't even finish the thought. LeBron didn't even have the decency to tell Gooden to cut that duck tail hair thing off last year.
Hell, even Carlos Boozer may have been held back by LeBron. Boozer is a prick but he's a stud PF for Utah now. Hard to say he made the wrong choice in leaving the Chosen One behind.
Meanwhile, LeBron James has referred to himself as a "Global Icon" - or has at least expressed an interest in this being his true goal in life. Yet when a teammate asks him to take part in a campaign to stop the death and destruction in Darfur, LeBron claims ignorance and wants no part of it.
Hell, even Tracy McGrady is getting involved in the Darfur issue!
Then there is this. There is absolutely no explanation for this:
Yeah, taunt your home fans! Good plan!*cough*Douchebag!*cough*
Go Rockets!
Rockets vs. Cavaliers Round 2
I'll be out of pocket all day, but wanted to toss this up real quick. The Rockets play the Cavaliers tonight at 6:00PM CST in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers: 29-23 (15-9 at home) and 6-4 in their last 10
Houston Rockets: 32-20 (16-11 on the road) and 9-1 in their last 10
The Cavs are decidedly less hot than they were when they came into Toyota just a few games ago, losing 3 of 5 including games to the Rockets, Nuggetts and Spurs. They beat Atlanta and Orlando.
Can't say much more, need to go.
My prediction? Win number 9 in a row of 10. Let the rest of the season begin!
