Well, I hate to waste server space, but after such a streak as this is over, I believe the Rockets need some serious congratulating. I have to admitt, I was a bit weary of the outcome of this game even after the Rocks broke out with a 10 point lead in the 1st, but they proved me wrong. I am damn proud of this team and its effort today. Even Bob Costas could only say positives about this team tonight, as this win adds to the upsets of Miami and Portland in recent games. Albeit there were a lot of mistakes and holes in our game, and the Lakers couldn't shoot if their lives depended on it, but keep in mind this team is VERY young. As for Cato, he was simply a defensive stalwart on the defensive end. Not since Hakeem in '95 have I seen a Rocket center - hell any NBA center frustrate Shaq on so many occassions. Its no easy feat to block the big guy deep in the paint, but to do it twice was simply unbelievable. I feel bad for Stevie after such a spectacular 1st half, the refs simply took him out of it. He had a couple show-stopping moves and virtually carried us in the 1st, but he wasn't able to distrubute the ball like he is capable of (2 assists). As for Mobes, he was awesome in the defensive end, make a couple of HUGE yet questionable shots, and simply played a great all-round game. But you can't forget the Dream, he had some flashes of brilliance, and was just a bucket away from a double-double. He is improving. All in all, a great emotional win that was played with heart. My hat goes out to these guys. Azim da Dream ------------------ No guts, no glory, no brain, same story.
This was a great game to watch because it was so close and there were some awesome highlights. Cato's blocks on Shaq, the Mobley to Francis alley-oop, "The Move" by Francis, and I gotta admit that Kobe slam on the alley-oop was pretty sweet... Looks like you beat me to the post. hehe... it's great to win on national television for once...
A couple notes . . . Its unfortuate that Francis didn't play better ... not saying he didn't play good. But with Costa's sucking up to Francis should help him with his chance with ROY. Im surprised he said anything nice since Francis played his sweetheart Kobe. Also, the Rockets are 11-10 against all-time Phil Jackson coached teams . . . Not a bad record stopping the Zen master ... While others know how to stop the inside-out game, we can stop the triangle, which brings up further debate the Rocks would have stopped the Bulls in 96. -M
I couldn't be happier the jinx is over. Pippen couldn't deliver us a win on NBC. Sorry I just had to get a shot in. Anyways while the streak is over, what I was most impressed with was the fact that Doug Collins and Bob Costas actually started jumping on the Rockets bandwagon and actually went away from there Shaq-Kobe-Laker lovefest. It was amazing I could actually stand to listen to the game. I just can't wait to here what Bill Walton has to say now!!!!!
Wow! When did the media start liking the Rox?!? This is the first time in years where I've heard so much praise from NBC and the likes BEFORE they won a championship. It seems all the praise heaped on Hakeem and the Rockets in the past was grudging. It could be that before Jordan had dominated the press (still does as a GM), but now the NBA is desperately in need of a new superstar so Francis is getting some prime spotlight.
Francis has a charismatic personality (while the Dream does not), which is good for TV copy. There is also a trend in TV and advertising to sell the new guy on the block really hard (eg Penny, Grant Hill) to the detriment of the more established stars.
Hey, that's two jinxes we have overcome....we beat a Floridian team this year too!!!!!! ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
Rocketball is good for basketball. Didn't u see u them end the coverage of the game w/ "Kapayyaa!" Rudy is a hilarious coach and he is in his element with these untested guys. Rudy turns guys into players....always has. Steve is going to be a superstar. An incredible player....and I think cat is really maturing...did u see him actually pass of the iso penetration. I'm a much hapiier man now.
