I've been noticing this in recent games and I gotta say I'm impressed. I think I first noticed it when the Rockets played in New Orleans a couple weeks back. Rafer was jawing it up with Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler. It continued when they rolled into town with Tyson being escorted off the court by security. Yesterday, Rafer got up in Sasha Vujacrap's face after going street ball on him after Sasha was unneccesarily up on him. I just heard on the radio that Rafer a moment later pointed at the score board which caused an erruption from the crowd which couldn't been seen on TV. Bobby Jackson hit a three in the last few minutes and stood at their bench and kinda stared at them. Deke with wag... Anyway, I just love the swagger that the Rockets have. I've always felt this team was soft but lately, its been very balanced. With Yao and Tracey usually reserved, this team had a kind of pushover mentality. Not anymore. With guys like Landry and Harris delivering game changing dunks and Scola pick-pocketing a point guard or Lebron James at half court, this team has got it rolling. I like the silent professional type that Shane Battier is but it is good to have a little mix of fire that our guys have been bringing that I think inspires others to turn it up a bit. It's not to the point of cocky but there is def a good balance on this team. Anybody else notice it?
Gotta totally agree with you. Rafer did point at the scoreboard and the crowd went wild. I love how he's tough, think thats the last thing we were missing to this team. Good thread.
I don't think Bobby Jackson sit on Lakers' bench after hitting a 3s. He just stood there for a sec and then head back...body bumping with Rafer afterward.
He didn't say he sat on their bench. He said he stood their for a second just like you did. I completely agree with the OP. I don't like seeing fights from OUR guys, but when Sasha got annoyed and fouled Rafer, it was nice to see him stand up. This team HAS been soft in the past. I mean, the alley-oops and dunks this year are things I've not sen in YEARS it feels like. Blocks, steals, fastbreaks...we SHOULD have swagger. I'm just glad they are confident because that is a big part of our success. They just need to MANAGE their confidence and use it to their benefit and not demise.
Our superstars are leaders by example. They are the ones that hit the big threes and get to the basket to help motivate the team, but neither Yao or Tmac are very vocal. Rafer and Bobby seem to be taking it upon themselves to be more vocal and get everyone going. When Rafer showed some attitude during the last couple of minutes it reminded me of Bobby Sura and his "swagger." I like it.
Sorry, Bobby hit the three and just stood there (not staring at the bench but at the basket with his hand up) with an emphatic kind of 'say what' attitude that probably deflated the bench. Whatever you want to call it, I liked it!
