Morning outrage: Shame on the Rockets’ fans!

Not all of them. But quite a few of them.

The Rockets got rocked last night at home by the Celtics. It was close at half, but it was a blowout by the fourth quarter, and the fans (at least in the televised seats, near the floor) responded by fleeing the scene of the crime en masse.

What the hell?

Seriously… what the hell?

Your team just had the second-longest winning streak in the history of the NBA. Last night was ugly, and everybody wants to get home as early as possible, but your team just revived basketball in your city and made you the center of the basketball world for weeks. In a really exciting year for basketball.

The Rockets did leave the court last night to a standing ovation, but the vast majority of the “fans” had already left. T-Mac and company should have departed to a packed house celebrating their phenomenal/captivating/inspiring run. I’ve never cared about the Rockets before, but that squad deserved better last night. (Making some shots would have helped.)

Skip 2 My 22

It’s pretty sad that someone that talks about the NBA as much as I do has never really mentioned the Rockets’ streak on here. A glaring omission.

It’s true that they’ve had a relatively easy (for the West) schedule and some favorable opponent injuries. But they also lost one of the best offensive big men in basketball. What they’re doing is completely, to use the NBA’s chosen word, amazing.

I know I’m lame, but I was getting chills watching Rafer Alston, the street artist formerly known as Skip 2 My Lou, drain three after three on Kobe’s Lakers today. Very few people thought that his skills could translate to the league. And now he’s only leading a squad on the second longest win streak in NBA history. This is why we watch sports.

Breaking: Yao done for the year

Too bad. T-Mac can’t get a break in his career. I like that guy.

Pat, who you cheering for now?

TMac on Darfur

Via the Fanhouse.

Rocks at Spurs

The Spurs had to work very hard tonight at home to beat a TMac-less Rockets squad. I’ve always been a little more skeptical about Houston than a lot of people. I love TMac, and I love Yao’s game in the abstract, but—at the end of the day—is there a single guy on there who has ever won anything? Who has any killer instinct?

That being said, the Rockets’ role players showed me a whole lot, especially Luis Scola (who the Spurs had the rights to but could never get onto their roster before they traded him.) Maybe the Spurs know something that we don’t—you have to give them the benefit of the doubt at this point—but everyone said that Scola was going to be really good and he looks really good. Not only is he big and talented, but he brings a ton of energy and attitude. He was yelling at Yao, yelling at the refs. Not passive whatsoever. He’s the most polished “rookie” in the league by about three miles. I could be wrong, but I thought the trade was bad for the Spurs at the time and it looks worse now. It’s going to come back to bite San Antonio in the alamo.

The starting point guard of the Detroit Pistons

Mr. Flip Murray. What happened to the youth movement?

I’m starting to remember how much I love Chauncey.

Also, I watched the Rocks-Lakes game last night.

Advice: Yao needs to follow the Spurs example and shave. T-Mac’s elbow needs to be okay. Kobe needs to be traded.