SAY GOODBYE TO THE HOUSTON ROCKETS

You might have heard this statement before but it is so apropos in this situation it must be written…HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!!!

The Houston Rockets played game two like their playoff lives depended on it. They played as if there was no tomorrow if they lost. The plan the Rockets seemed to have was to leave nothing in the tank. Who cares if we run Tracy McGrady, Luis Scola, Bobby Jackson and Shane Battier into the ground. It was a decision that had to be made and a right decision it was for Rockets Coach Rick Adelman. Even in the best of circumstances the Rockets chances of willing four out of six against Utah would be slim to nil. Without the Great Center from China known as Yao Ming and Skip to my Lu Rafer Alston, Houston would have to value their home court advantage as the greatest positive in their favor. Now since that is gone, what is left?

Please don’t blame either of these losses on T-Mac!! McGrady has done everything he possibility can to get the Rockets into a position to win each game. I understand people will point to the fourth quarter, see once again that McGrady disappeared from the stat sheet, and make the conclusion that the so called leader failed to deliver. But also please remember that T-Mac is not Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan or Chris Paul. Battling injuries for what seems like the past five years, McGrady is not the kind of player who can carry you for 48 (or at least tonight 43) minutes. He can go stretches when he looks like a legit MVP candidate, but to ask him to do that for an entire game (especially when Houston is undermanned) in this situation is completely unfair.

Houston gave all it had in game two against Utah. They have nothing to feel ashamed about. Now it’s just a matter of time before the season ends with no 2nd round of the playoffs in sight.