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- The Rockets played awfully well in the most recent "most-important" games of the season. They played hard for a full 48 minutes in Portland beating a Blazers team that had been nearly unbeatable at home and has been phenomenal in late game situations down the stretch. They played well enough to beat Utah without Yao Ming Sunday night, but had some matchup issues in the 4th quarter which ultimately cost them the game. Tuesday was about an impressive win as they've had considering they basically had to keep scoring all night in order to hold off the Warriors. I talked to Rafer after the game and asked him about how important it was to value all their possessions and really focus on attacking Golden State, knowing that it's basically inevitable that GS is going to get hot. He said attacking early and converting was what really carried them through. Also Yao being there to knock down 7-8 FT in the 4th qtr (14-15 overall) was a major factor.I really do believe they can avoid a letdown and really take advantage of their next 9 games. Just one comes against a team in the Western conference playoff chase (POR 2/11 in Hou) and they'll get Cleveland twice in the next 9 games. The other 6 games must be wins. Thus a 7-2 or 8-1 record is what they need to grab.
You may have noticed over the last two games that Steve Novak has found a home in the Rockets rotation. That'll usually happen when you hit 7 straight shots. Heck hardly any of those 7 of the 2-game stretch even hit the rim. He is below average at everything else. But it's not like he's replacing all-world players to begin with so the difference isn't even that pronounced. There is just simply no reason why you wouldn't want to find a handful of minutes every night, just to find out if he's clicking or not. It's also been good to see that he is not just camping out at the 3-pt line and he has found a way to fire off some mid-range jumpers as well.
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Surfin' the Net- I check the Hoopshype site all the time and have noticed the Gabe Muoneke blog all year, but had yet to ever check it out until today. Great entry from December 30th regarding his time here in Houston with Jeff Van Gundy. He turned out to be camp fodder - but his story regarding the whole experience is outstanding. Check the whole blog out for a great pic of Novak and a note on the great Dennis Lindsey, formerly of the Rockets, now in the front office for San Antonio.
- PGA Tour members sure think highly of themselves. Frank Lickliter is even threatening gun play. All this just because they might ahve to pee in a cup. (ESPN)
- Great site to check out most of the recent Super Bowl ads. I'm sure you never would have thought of this domain name. (Super Bowl Ads)
- UFC 81 this Saturday. What better way to get ready than a sex story from Tim Sylvia when he refused to take off the belt - even after she asked nicely. (With Leather)
- Now that Tony Parker is out with his bruised heel, Mrs. Eva Longoria Parker won't have to worry about him faking it anymore...Injuries I mean. (
---------- more on the way------- WEX
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