This was why the Rockets wanted Ron Artest in the first place. This was why they were willing to live with all the other stuff.
When he’s at his best, he’s one of those special talents, a difference-maker in every sense of the word. The Rockets believed he could help them write a different ending in the playoffs, could help end 12 years of frustration and disappointment.
There he was putting the Rockets on his back Thursday night, bulling his way into the paint for baskets, throwing in jumpers, playing lockdown defense on Brandon Roy.
Artest scored 27 points in all and was the biggest star on a night when the Rockets were almost perfect from start to finish in a 92-76 elimination of the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center.
When it ended, there was a tidal wave of emotion and relief as the Rockets hugged one another amid the roars of a packed house at Toyota Center. Yes, it almost felt like old times.“We’re not finished,†Artest said. “I’m not happy just to be out of the first round. That’s not our goal here.â€
I can’t beleive no one has commented on the Lakers and Rockets game. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was watching a hockey game, because the way the Rockets played, they played a hockey system. It was a GREAT GAME, other NBA teams take note, and NBA wanna be thugs and hustlers, your jobs will be obsolete, for the best of the league. TEAM TEAM TEAM, it brought tears to my eyes, the average fan couldn’t name 4 dudes not names Yao, Tracy ( who cares ) Mcgrady, Ron, AND Captain Duke. Not to mention managers keep sleeping on college kids that stay 3 to 4 years and are battle tested. I woud love to see the Rockets win this series A, because Tracy Mcgrady is on the first Rocketship out of Houston ( that was too easy ) and B I don’t like the Lake Show ( lets just say care for them )