[official] TNT Inside the NBA thread for the Rockets

Daryl Morey's current status on Facebook is this:

"Crowd was awesome today - an overlooked big factor in our win. Jet says he will wear the Battier red blazer on TNT - he will have it manana!"

Sweet...the Rox are sending a suit to Kenny!!!!!!

 

Chuck has come a long way. He has been bashing role players all his announcing career. I think he is finally realizing the value of the Kenny's, Horry's, Cassell's, & Elie's of the world.

 

what about Chucky Brown?

 

44 long, that's my size too.........

 

Guess rehad really changed the man.. Since he came back he's been loving the Rockets.

 

Well of course they've become mentally tough with Ron Artest. How could they not after watching him call his own number over and over and over again, jack up bad shots, and make horrible forays to the basket when he should pass it? That would make anybody mentally stronger...or crazy.

Don't get me wrong, I like Ron Artest, but sometimes...

 

I agree. His poor shot selection bugs me at times, but we don't take s*** from anybody. I think we're starting to wear out the Lakers.

 

I agree...I worry about his shot selection. But about a week ago I did not want to resign him for that reason, plus he was too much of a risk in my mind. But now I am willing to take that risk because the vibe and attitude he brings to this team. That is something you cant put a price on.

 

ron ron is far, far from perfect. we have to take the good with the bad with him. as far as wearing out the lakers, i hope you're right. if we don't let up energywise, they may just give up. i don't think they have the heart of a champion.

 

Did you see the "HOUSTON" spelled out on his other side now? I think I want to get that. It's fresh.

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6419606.html

Smith gives Rockets a shot
Yao’s absence surmountable, says TNT analyst
By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle
May 12, 2009, 12:11AM

Having witnessed some fairly spectacular events during his career with the Rockets, TNT analyst Kenny Smith isn’t quite ready to include Houston’s Game 4 win over the Lakers in the team’s Improbability Hall of Fame.

Yao Ming’s absence after a season-ending foot injury, Smith said Monday, did not alter certain strengths by the Rockets — and weaknesses on the Lakers’ part — that remain in place as the teams prepare for Game 5 tonight in Los Angeles on TNT.

“I probably was one of the few people who thought (the Rockets) would win Game 4,” Smith said. “The advantages they had weren’t all Yao Ming. A big part was, but it wasn’t just him. … In a close game is where they will miss him, but the Rockets will be in every game.”

While Yao’s absence has reduced the Rockets’ margin for error, Smith said, it has not necessarily increased the Lakers’ chances to prevail in the series.

“The advantage (the Lakers) have is that Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet. They have that whether Yao Ming is there or not there,” he said. “They had trouble posting Lamar Odom, whom Yao Ming did not guard, and Kobe Bryant does not go into the lane because the perimeter defenders are making him take jump shots, not because of Yao Ming.”

Smith said the Rockets now remind him of a Don Nelson-coached team, but with better physical strength among the big men.

“The Lakers have size, but they don’t have size and bulk,” he said. “So the same things that gave them problems last year in the Finals (against Boston) could happen, which is that teams can get physical with them because their big guys are so skilled.

“One way to handle skilled guys is to put them out of their comfort spots, and then you have a chance because you make things uncomfortable for them. That is what the Rockets are trying to do. The Lakers want to use their speed and quickness, and if they can do that, they probably can beat the Rockets easily. But it’s easier said than done.”

While Smith seems to have a good handle on things, his TNT counterpart, Charles Barkley, isn’t quite sure how the Rockets are keeping pace with L.A.

“Coach (Rick) Adelman, I don’t know what the hell you’re doing, but congratulations. Keep doing it,” Barkley said.

What is clear to Barkley is that the Lakers clearly lacked a sense of urgency in Game 4.

“The Lakers are guilty of having so much talent, they win because they are good, but they never play with a sense of urgency unless there is a (real) sense of urgency,” Barkley said. “In Game 3, there was a sense of urgency.”

david.barron@chron.com

 

tinman, thanks as always. Great thread!

 

So does anyone think Kenny Smith is going to wear the Rockets blazer tonight????

i sure hope so