DISQUS

That was a pretty good game - but without Yao, it just did not feel the same. But a win is a win and I applauded the effort of Ron Artest, Scola, Battier, and perhaps Wafer. I guess AB has hit a rookie-wall, as they say. Hopefully, he will come out of it soon.

Thank you, John, for the recap. - it's like watching the game live!

I now have a concern ( sort of). When Tmac comes back which is expected soon, will Wafer play a lot less minutes? Will this interupt the momentum he is building or having now? What if Tmac plays half-heartedly and yet Wafer can not contribute as much because of less time on court? I really like the team (which is playing like a team) we have rightnow and will hate to see the return of Tmac break the flow.

You will love this game - it was thrilling and nerve-wrecking. With only 7 seconds left on the clock, when Denver, which was two points behind, called a time-out, even the Rockets TV announcers Bill and Clyde agreed that the Nuggets had a better chance of winning the game.
As usual, lots of bad calls from the officials on Yao. In one particular defensive play, all Yao touched was the ball, and the official called a foul on him. He also got a technical for complaining to the official ( not sure it was on the same play). It is nice to see him stand up to the refs. more and more. Remember him kicking the ad. sign in one previous game?

I understand why Yao was upset and I actually applauded him showing his frustration by kicking the advertising board. In fact this was the first time I had ever seen him got upset and doing something like this. Bad officiating has been troubling him since he joined NBA. It is about time he showed he is human and would get frustrated with bad calls. Hopefully the officials will get the message and accord him with the same respect they give to other star players.

Thank you, John for the effort and this great report. You sure deserve some rest.

About the game, boy, what a night! They went from defeating a team with one of the best records one night to almost lose to another team which won only 5 times so far this year the next night. As I said a few times before, if they play like this, they are not going to get out of the first round if they get there at all. The chemistry just does not seem to be there.

I think the two most critical plays for the Rockets to secure the win were the 3-pointer by V.Wafer ( with the assist from AB) and the clean-up basket by Yao at the 11 seconds point. To hit a three at the dying seconds of the game from a rookie was phenomenal. And Yao, with all the celtic players around him, managed to grap the rebound and put it in showed his determination. No matter what, like you, I was almost 100% certain that Houston would lose that game. So, to me, it was one of the most satisfying wins. Just hope that the team could continue with that type of emotion and energy.

It's great to see Yao with more energy, authority and confidence last night. He looked a lot less tired. The few games before last night, he did not look energetic, and his eyes seemed to indicate that he was taking some medications, perhaps to control a cold or something. Just my observation.

The bone-chilling cold weather of the Great White North must have got to them, lol.

But seriously, they had played one of the most pathetic games last night. Sadly though, they had played quite a few of those (pathetic games). It has been very unpleasant to watch Rox games lately. I agree with you, John, something Major has to happen. I won't be surprised if they get rid of T-Mac.

OMG, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your email.

Welcome, back, John! We really miss you!
Have a very happy New Year!

I really miss reading your blogs and updates for sure. Not only that, I could read comments from other mature readers and fans as well as making my own comments and opinions known without getting spammed or ridiculed.

Hi, John,

I have been out of town for the last week, and I am very sad to read that you may be leaving this site for good.

Like many of your readers here, I have been reading and visiting this site since the very beginning. In fact, I looked forward to reading your updates of the games in my office and it was one of the must-do's for me no matter how busy I was. And I have been really amazed at how much enthusiasm and energy you have in getting the updates to your readers. I really appreciate for all the time and efforts you have put in and I wish you all the best.

Hopefully, Yao and company would understand the importance of this great site and decide to do something to keep this going. There is no other better way for Yao's fans from all over the world to come and discuss his achievements.

All the best, John!


Ottawa, Canada

This was definitely a better game, and I am very impressed with Ron Artest's play, contribution and effort.

About Josh Howard's trip on Yao, this was very low and dirty and he had an intention to injure another player. I saw Yao fell and thought he just tripped on himself. The league should do something about this - a dirty play like this should not be tolerated.

Thanks Bernie H. for the links.

That was a great start of the season for the Rockets. But as John stated, the game was closer than the score indicates. I will keep my fingers crossed for the health of our big 3 - it they stay healthy, I think we'd stand a good chance.

I could not believe it when I saw it on TV - it was like a nightmare! We had pinned so much hope on him. It was a total shock!

I hope Bogut did not get away with a play like this - a hand on Yao's head and another on his shoulder ?

I am fine with the idea of our version of BIG3 - ie. TMAC, Yao and Artest. However, I am not too comfortable with the injury - prone nature of them. I hope at least both Yao and TMAC can play injury-free for a change this upcoming season.

As usual, visiting this site and reading your blog were the first thing I did after the game this morning. But I was too disappointed to make any comments this morning when I read your report.

When they pulled within one point, I was elated and thought they were going to make it. But it was not going to be. Anyhow, the team actually achieved more than anyone predicted they could after Yao's injury. So, we could not fault them too much. As I wrote previously, they should find a good backup for Yao. In addition to your suggestion, ie. keeping him as a third string backup, I would suggest that due to his incredible contribution in the locker room, perhaps hire him as an assistant coach may not be a bad idea.

Anyway, thank you for all you have done and - have a good summer! I will come back here often to check up on your news stories especially on Yao's contribution to the Olympic team.

Thanks, Luckyme. You're welcome. About Deke: I don't think he would be interested in an assistant job. He is set with enough money, the job is a lot of work, and I think he's probably more interested in continuing his philanthropy.

No doubt we will need decent shootings from the three big guns Tmac, Rafer and Bobby -- as well as Battier and Scola.

I think Luther Head can turn things around - he should rush the basket more often as well as not to be too hasty in releasing the ball in his jumpshots. I had seen him contributed much more previously to lose faith in him now.

No need to apologize, John. Your analysis is always fun to read and informative. But most of all, it is timely and accurate.

The game was well-played; like during the 22-games stretch, they believed in themselves and played like there's no tomorrow. They show time and time again, they can beat any teams if and when they put their minds into it and play with confidence.

The next game is touch, but if they pick up the momentum and play with confidence, they should come out victorious. Of course, a few lucky pounce here and there will not hurt.

Thanks for the compliment! -- John

Thank you, John - they are all working now. Great funny videos! We need something comical like these to cheer up when nothing seems to be working on the court front.

It seems it is " Deja vu" all over again. When they are facing a good team, they cannot buy a basket. Where were the supposedly "shooters" - Carl Landry, Lutter Head, AB, Steve Novak etc??

Thank you, John, for these funny clips. I am realy impressed how relaxed and comfortable Yao was when he was speaking. It's amazing how much he has progressed in learning the English language.

I want to call to your attention that the second video (JVG's) does not seem to work - it says the video is no longer available.

Take care.

Thanks, Luckyme. You might want to try refreshing your browser while holding down the shift button. I updated those videos late yesterday so you might be looking at the old ones. -- John

I think it seems both Yao and Tmac are very vulnerable to injury. It may be just a hopeless dream to keep the pair together and hoping to see them win the championship. I am just being practical here. It will make sense for Houston to trade Tmac for a younger less experienced but healthier player to pair with Yao next season. It is also a wise decision to get a younger backup center for Yao who can score.

I think the Golden State Warriors were the most disappointed lots with the Houston's loss last night!

Joking aside, I think the coaching staff and the team figured they would do better on the road than at home. Hence, the poor performance and effort. It is quite clear that they were not too concerned with having home court advantage. They would rather have more healthy players instead.

Wow, this was the game I thought -probably like many others, that the Rockets would be blown off the court! Instead like you said - they played one of the best games this season. And they did it without Yao and Battier. Very convincing and satisfactory win indeed. Hope they could play at this level in the playoffs.