if the rockets dont lose their red glare tonight, it will be wednesday. did you tear up during the sunday night convo? i know i did.
I wasn't really a Rockets fan in the '90s but started pulling for them during the last couple of years for Sir Charles. I've lived in Houston since 2001 and may have even been a Stevie Franchise fan at some point. I had a good feeling about this team before Yao got hurt but naturally thought the West is too damn tough to get through without him. There are so many unheralded guys that want to prove they belong or just play their role like Battier, Hayes, and Scola. The energy that the old guy (Bobby Jackson) and the young D-leaguer bring could be the difference at playoff time. If they can find a way to win tonight, the superlatives will be flying tomorrow and especially focused on the "team" concept. The roles seem well defined although they'll have to get Landry and the D-Leaguer both a lot of minutes. Disclaimer: I watch Rockets games often and consider myself a big fan but would probably have to root for Shaq Daddy in his "Final Chapter" if they met up. Hopefully I can root for both until they battle in the West finals.
Finally it ends.... oh and if Rafer ALston comes anywhere near me on Wednesday he will be killed: "What's funny is everyone is saying we're getting lucky because we are playing everyone without their superstars. Oh they beat Dallas without Dirk Nowitzki. Well people have to realize we're without Yao Ming, we're without a superstar too. We beat New Orleans and people say they were without David West. Well David West isn't a superstar. He may be a star to their team, but he's not a superstar like Yao Ming."
Did Clair go to the game? Began as a very sloppy game all around. Celtics slowed it down from the get go in the 3rd and that was the difference tonight. Alston needs to shut it and play smart ball because I look at him as one of the main reasons for the loss tonight. His play can spark a team if done right but I would hate for him to blow one in the playoffs because of him and the target he puts on his back. Not trying to downplay your team at all Clair because it is only one game and the Rockets have shown who they are throughout the season. Clair, do you ever wonder how Scola keeps his hair behind his ears all game?:huh:
yes. I went to the game. Will be in the owner's suite tomm for the Hornets game (it's great to be family friends with the minority owner of the team). They just didn't play tonight. I am not saying they lost on purpose by any means, but they are glad the streak is over. Having the whole country tracking every game you play is a strain and was becoming tiresome. About Alston... We tried the whole "calm Rafer" thing under JVG and it didn't work. When he plays with passion is when he is at his best. If you weren't referring to the little mini-scuffle with Rondo and were referring to the comments about West brought up by Hornet Fan A: 1. They're true. When West makes an All NBA team: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, honorable mention, etc... then come find me. He was barely 1st-team All Hornets until the past 2 or so years. 2. The Hornets have said way, way worse about him, so they have been back and forth for a while. Anywho... I have a plane to catch. I'll try to get some pics from the owner's box tomm to share. And good luck to the Hornet fans out here.
You're family friends with the minority owner, and your still a Rockets fan over the Hornets? Really, man. What do you have against Louisiana pro teams? I don't suppose making the All Star team for the West counts?
A number of things about Alston bugged me during the game and I had no knowledge of anything he said about West at that time. I sure they were magnified for me because I was specifically watching him after the pointless scuffle to begin the game. After the scuffle and throughout the game he looked just lazy with his trying to be fancy left-handed bounce passes while no stepping into them at all. One was his 1st pass seconds after the altercation. And he did the same thing 2 other times during the game. Second, during his halftime interview he said the post players need to step it up in the paint. It looked to me as he was the main reason for the stagnant play based on his turnovers, etc... Third, he was smiling and laughing to himself at the end of the game when his the backups were in the game. Anyway, as you have said he can provide the needed spark when he is focused on the game. I don't think he is as bad as Rasheed Wallace has been in the past but I cringe thinking about what his attitude could do during a crucial period in the playoffs.
