...I'll keep supporting you and be grateful for what you've given me as a fan. Not to say I wouldn't support you no matter what. After all, I've stuck with you through the post-championship years, the injury-riddled years, the Pippen year, the lottery years, the Francis/Cuttino years, the getting-beat-in-game-seven-of-round-one years. I'm just saying this now because I can see how spoiled I've become. After every little turnover, bad shot selection, missed rebound, I'm complaining. I've come to take it for granted that somehow, someway, you'll find a way to pull out the game- because you always do. I can tell that if or when the team finally loses, I'm going to be so disappointed. I'll say "How could you miss that shot, that pass?" I should ask: "Why can't you continue being perfect?" So I'm preparing myself now. Only three games separate the top seed (us!!) from the seventh seed. It would only take a seemingly small three-game losing streak to land us in the bottom half of the bracket. But if that happens, I won't forget. I won't forget how you've outworked every single team you've faced in 2008. I won't forget how you've shared the ball, outhustled, outrebounded, and outsmarted every opponent for months now. It's so easy to forget what the word "teamwork" means. Thank you for showing us that. Thanks for showing the whole league. What you're giving us is a fan's dream come true. Time and again you teach us that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts. All those cliches about trust and faith and teamwork suddenly have meaning. So thank you for giving your all. I want you to know, the next time you stumble, I'll still be there for you, because I believe in you too. [this post is not a jinx becuase it was posted immediately following a big win and I knocked on wood.]
I have the highest respect for this TEAM. This is a TEAM. Bunch of no-namers (except T-Mac) win 22 games in a row is just unbelievable! Congrats to Houston. You guys are very fortunate to have this team in your city. Keep belittling this team, all the critics. Keep make yourself look silly and foolish. I am enjoying every bit of it.
I think you mean aetheist. But I concur in either event. Let's not forget how special this run has been, come what may.
great post Nolen. I agree. The Rockets have continued to spoil us. I mean, even in the worst of times ... those worst of times delivered Akeem and Yao into our lap. What I love about our Rockets through all the yrs (Moses in '81--worst record to make the finals; Akeem destroying the defending champions...arguably best team ever...in '86; two parades--including worst seed to win; and now this 32 game winning streak of ours--worst team to win that many) is they do it without giving a damn about the national media dissing them while they are doing it. Plus, I just love how much the team loves Yao Ming to play this hard for themselves and him. Yao is the type of man who will never forget this. He will always be a Rocket now and he will elevate his upmost best for this team. Yao so deserves a team like this who inspires him to give his best...that makes him want to give his best...that makes him feel that all the expectations his country thrusts on his shoulders are all worth it. I really love this team
Wow, so well put. This is exactly the sentiment that I am feeling right now. Whatever happens, I have been honored to stand and cheer for this team. I will be at Toyota Center for every game until we either stand crowned as champions or are humbled as the defeated. Either way, this team has come to mean what this city means - it doesn't matter your background, where you are from, or how much money you make - just work hard and be humble, and you'll get somewhere.
Very well timed posts, this game brought out many fair weathered fans who jumped at the opportunity of dissing TMac and whoever didn't/couldn't perform. They all conveniently forgot what TMac and this team has given us in the past 2 months. I am with you OP, no matter what happens, I won't forget! GO ROCKETS!
Team chemistry rates way more than super stars, that's why I disagree with what JVG said about European basketball, their so called Dream team lost to them year after year for a reason.
Dude that's some good post, baby. You got it goin' on. I have never been so proud of a Rockets team in the regular season as I am right now. -G
