Epic. Freakin' epic. Smith would not be denied. I like the Max comparison, tinman. When Max was on, he was unconscious. Everything went in. That was Josh tonight when it mattered the most.
I was totally thinking Max, too. Not surprised to see you start that thread, and thrilled. The reference to Max's epic game and the photo you chose for Josh are perfect complements of each other.
You obviously aren't a long time suffering Houston sports fan. You can say anything you want about Mad Max, but he played a HUGE role in bringing the city of Houston it's first Championship!!
I was thinking Mario Elie. The junkyard dawg who wasn't afraid of taking the tough shot and getting the Rockets going when things were down. Really though Josh Smith, and let's give some love to the other brother of the band Corey Brewer, are their won men who just wrote their won chapter in Clutch City. They are joining the tradition of guys like Lewis Lloyd, Robert Reid, Vernon Maxwell, Mario Elie, Robert Horry, Carl Landry, Luis Scola and Shane Battier. Guys who aren't the stars on the team but who aren't afraid of the spotlight to come up with the big shot or light a fire under the team.
You know who was the hero in game 5, home clincher in 1993 vs. Clippers don't you?? Maybe it can happen again!!!
Yeah, don't trash Mad Max. At least not for anything prior to 1995. Game 5 against the Clippers in 1993. Numerous game-winners and clutch shots in the 1993-94 regular season. Game 3 against Phoenix. Game 5 against Utah. Game 7 against the Knicks. That guy might've been a nutcase off the floor(and sometimes on it like when he ran into the stands at Portland), but he made so many big shots for this franchise.
He owned up to Clutch in the interview of the century a few months ago. And the fans understood and told him loud and clear that he is loved forever. So what if he punched some dudewah in the stands. I welcome it.
Mad Max didn't quit on the team because he was a loser. He wanted to compete. He had too much passion and fire in him. He didn't want to sit behind Clyde. Max will always be a hero in the hearts of Rockets fans. Josh Smith summoning the spirit of Mad Max when Fury Road comes out today. Not a coincidence.
Smoove was the epitome of heart last night. He has shown a lot of flashes of it before --- remember who let that near comeback in game 4 against the Mavs? It was Smoove when all others laid down. Jsmoove realizes the night is always the darkest before dawn and rides on.
Smith actually hit rock bottom in his career up until he got waived. He knows what it means to persevere.
