Finally!!!!!!! After eight long years of disappointment, my Rockets have finally gotten past the first round of the NBA playoffs! I am just really happy today. The city of Houston has not gotten past the first round in 12 years and they had so many frustrations. I know it is only the first round and that to most teams it wouldn't be a big deal, but to Houston it is a big burden lifted off of the team and the city. I had so many congratulations from people who have worked for the Rockets in the last 12 years and had never had any playoff success. I am glad that many of these people finally got their first round win as well. I said after the game that winning a playoff series would not ultimately change my life. Even if I had never won a series, I would not have called my career a failure. I would have been upset that I never had a chance to win a championship, but I wouldn't have had any regrets. The only change for me now is that I won't have to answer the question that I had heard at the start of every training camp "Are you going to get out of the first round this year?" To be honest, I am glad I don't have to answer that question any more, haha! I am also happy for Yao, I know that he faces a lot of pressure to win and carry the Rockets. His countrymen have such high expectations for him and the team. I know that he was as frustrated as anyone with the inability to get out of the first round. I am proud to say that he led our group against the Portland Trail Blazers and was responsible for our win. Yao was so happy after the game and I was happy for him. I will give you my thoughts on the Lakers in a few days, I have an off day today and want to enjoy this feeling. A feeling that I have never had as a professional! Talk to you soon, Shane Link
Really like this guy. Hope he retires as Rockets. He is a piece which Rockests need to get a championship.
He won a national championship, thats got to be way more exhilirating than winning the 1st round of the playoffs.
there are very few class guys like Battier in the NBA...is to root for guys like that....our team acutally has a bunch of players that are easy guys to root for...scola, battier, DEKE, yao....etc not many teams can say that....we really do have a bunch of good guys...
Hope these guys are not content with just winning a first round series. Though I'm happy for them, there is more basketball to be played. We can't just settle for a 2nd round entrance.
He seriously should consider running for the presidency four years from now. I would vote for him even if he ran on the Democratic ticket.
Shane Battier the President... yeah I am glad to see these guys make it and maybe now this will put some fear into teams that wasn't there before. Like wise give them hope and let them confirm in their minds that what they're doing is the right way to win NBA playoffs... They've gotten over the edge of what it takes to be good, and are now ready to continue on their path.
