Photo. Marc MorrisonAnyone who’s actually watched the Rockets/Jazz series (not just the highlights) can tell you this much: Tracy McGrady didn’t play any differently in last night’s Game 3 win than he did in the previous two losses. But because he knocked down some shots in the fourth quarter and found a way to shake loose from Andrei Kirilenko, McGrady’s performance (27 pts, 5 rebs, 7 asts) will be viewed as being significantly better than what he’d done in the first two games in Houston. If T-Mac had been following any of the media coverage, he went into Game 3 knowing there were gargantuan question marks hanging over his head. We heard one ESPN Radio host — one of those guys you can tell doesn’t actually watch basketball but has an expert complex because his fantasy team does pretty well — yammering for literally hours on end about T-Mac’s “lame excuses” following Game 2, when Mac admitted he’d worn down and that AK-47 had him stumped defensively. That’s not an excuse; that’s a guy being honest. Don’t we always say we wish pro athletes were more humble and not so delusional? And here we have one superstar admitting a flaw on his end and praising an opponent, but it gets labeled as making excuses … Anyway, it’s not like McGrady went berserker in the fourth; he scored 7 points, sticking a couple jumpers and getting to the line a few times. What really made the difference for the Rockets was the return of Rafer Alston (20 pts, 4 threes) and a Kurt Thomas Memorial “That Guy” performance from Carl Landry, who pulled down 11 boards. Landry came up with the play of the night when Deron Williams (28 pts, 12 asts) went for the game-tying layup in the final seconds — ignoring an open Carlos Boozer — and Landry swatted it … Is there a “Passing” or maybe a “Not Gunning” DVD in the Better Basketball series? If so, can someone please mail a copy over to Mehmet Okur’s house? This is gonna lead to a scene where an end-of-his-rope Jerry Sloan borrows from Juwanna Mann and makes Memo play 1-on-1 with Vivica A. Fox until Memo “gets it” about playing with his team … You saw a different DeShawn Stevenson last night than you did earlier in the Wizards/Cavs series. Chalk it up to going back home and getting to sleep in his own bed (or wherever DeShawn Stevenson sleeps) or getting a fresh mohawk and a shave, but DeShawn’s swagger was off the meter in Game 3 as the Wizards served up a near 40-piece. DeShawn (19 pts, 5 threes, 3 stls) had his own hand in his face more than any Cleveland defender’s hand, and by the end he was really feeling himself knowing that all LeBron (22 pts) could do was chew his fingernails on the bench … And yes, Soulja Boy showed up for the game … The Wizards in general looked like an entirely different team, despite losing Gilbert Arenas in the second quarter when he banged up that problematic knee. If anything, Washington looked like the team that stepped it up after Gilbert got hurt in the regular season. This is quickly starting to resemble the Vince Carter situation in Toronto (as is the Yao Ming situation in Houston), where the offseason will give people more time to contemplate whether the team is actually better without their most high-profile player. And in Gil’s case there’s an added wrinkle in that he can decide to opt-out of his deal and go somewhere else where he might be more appreciated. (The Clippers?) … Jeff Green, a Maryland native, was at the game. And on a related note, we had a random Georgetown sighting at the Dime office yesterday. Christian and Jed stepped out for lunch and right there on the street outside the building saw Smush Parker and Patrick Ewing Jr. chilling in Smush’s white Mercedes … Who has been the best player in the League this postseason? Before Thursday’s games we unveiled the Hit List: Playoff Players edition, where we ranked the Top 25 playoff performers so far. Kobe’s on there, but he’s not #1. And ‘Melo didn’t crack the list … In Thursday’s other upset, the Raptors looked like a legit playoff squad for the first time in what seemed like months, routing the Magic in front of the rabid — and surprisingly upbeat despite the 0-2 deficit — fans in the T-Dot … Even local villain T.J. Ford was shown love as he dropped 18 of his team-high 21 points in the first half, taking turns dominating along with Jose Calderon (18 pts, 13 asts). The Raps were up 15 at halftime and withstood a second-half rally, executing a precise offense that made the Magic appear a step behind on everything … Toronto also did an effective job on Dwight Howard (19 pts, 12 rebs), limiting his deep post-up opportunities and making everyone beat them. The Magic responded by going 6-for-27 beyond the arc … Interesting things going on in the post-game press conference. Stan Van Gundy, on one hand, was pretty amazing. He threw up zero asterisks regarding the loss, talking about how well the Raptors played — especially the point guards — how Jason Kapono’s threes in the fourth quarter were backbreakers, and how his team gave a great effort but haven’t been hitting threes since the first quarter of Game 1. Van Gundy credited Toronto’s close-out D for the poor shooting, and took all the blame himself, saying he needs to find better ways to put Orlando in position to be more successful. (We’re waiting for some radio dope to say SVG is making “excuses” now.) … And then there was Sam Mitchell. When a reporter asked if he was gonna take credit for the Raps playing better after Games 1 and 2, Mitchell said, “No, I’m not going to take any credit, because I’d be scared to death if you actually gave me some. We’re not going to do that. You just keep on doing what you do; chopping me up, putting me in the meat grinder. And that’s fine, because I’m not going to read it anyway. It doesn’t bother me. That’s what I keep telling you guys. How can something bother you that you’re not conscious of? I don’t ever read what’s spoken about me or printed about me. I’m just going to coach the basketball team.” Really? That sounds a lot like someone who is VERY MUCH aware of and bothered by what’s written about him … What’s your favorite basketball movie of all-time? Gearing up for Saturday’s Tribeca Film Festival debut of the new hoop flick Ball Don’t Lie, we’re giving away free tickets to the person who provides the best story on why they like their particular favorite b-ball movie so much. The winner will also possibly get a chance to meet Ball Don’t Lie stars Grayson “The Professor” Boucher and Nick Cannon. Submit your answer HERE … Yesterday on DimeMag.com we debuted a new feature called “Pass the Mic,” where we hand over the keys to one of our readers and let them write a column. First up is the infamous Gee, the biggest Rockets fan we know. For his debut, Gee put on his David Stern hat and talked about how the rules changes he’d enact to make the League a better place. Are you ready for a 4-point shot? … Did you see where Yankees manager Joe Girardi banned candy from the clubhouse? Little-known fact, but Isiah Thomas actually tried that same thing with the Knicks earlier this season until Eddy Curry, Jerome James, Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson threatened to walk out … We’re out like over-sensitive NBA coaches …
April 25th, 2008 at 4:51 am
cora says:
McGrady is a great player,though his team is in trouble now,we believe they will laugh at last.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:23 am
iain. says:
get that bulls**t dating crap outta here. TMacs “blame me” interview was a classic, im starting to see that dude is a real warrior.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:24 am
kobeef says:
@cora
thanks for the free promotional message (gag)……..
The Arenas situation in washington has to be the most interesting storyline of the playoffs so far. This coment from Eddie Jordan uels the fire:
“We can be a good ball club without Gil”
It is obvious now that Gilbert is not ready to be back and is doing more harm than good to his team’s offensive attack. Big decision ahead for Eddie Jordan and even bigger decision for the Wiz (re-sign Gil this summer?)
April 25th, 2008 at 5:32 am
foscheezeeee says:
Gil heading to the Clips. Mavs win by 20 tonight. But only way they win the series is if CP3 is abducted by aliens.
And they need to give T-Mac a break, the guy can ball and has just had some tough luck w/ injuries or with Yao being injured most of the time. I think he is a “superstar” tho. Not like your boy Melo
April 25th, 2008 at 5:35 am
chance says:
There IS a “BETTER PASSING” Better Basketball Video. I think Mike Bibby’s in it… If I remember correctly…
Good point on the radio jocks’ comment on T-Mac though… too many delusional players out there… read Deshawn “Wipe My Face” Stevenson
April 25th, 2008 at 6:27 am
GayforRudy says:
I am SHOCKED - shocked I said - to see a picture of Captain Lazy Eye on today’s Smack column. Didn’t see that coming a mile away Austin. Are you going to scold everyone that doesn’t understand how clever your article title is today?
Homecourt teams are supposed to win in the playoffs. I can’t recall if Toronto & Washington were at home last night or not. How about you tell us. Considering that the Rockets had home court advantage… and therefore “should have” won the first two games… people could argue that they didn’t “upset” the Jazz either.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:37 am
sans says:
Dime, i can’t believe y’all actually watched Juwana Man. I know it’s a basketball movie (in a limited sense) but damn did that look stupid in the previews. I’d rather watch Ernest Dunks On Everybody or whatever his basketball movie was called. C’mon…don’t ever make a reference like that again. Embarrassing.
What’s with announcers, specifically speaking ESPN, thinking that Stevenson’s “Can’t feel my face” move is “you can’t see me, now” move. Is Stu Scott really that dumb. He’s a dork and all, but man, i thought everyone knew about that ish. Maybe the networks are just taking the high road, you know, for the kids.
When’s JayZ gonna show up at courtside? Next time the Nets do anything?
Oh, Carl Landry, way to show everyone why Gerald Green is not in the L anymore: no heart. Pure heart performance by Landry, losing a tooth and coming back to save the game at the end with his swat and subsequent save of the ball so the clock could tick out. He even got some man-love from Skip. In Utah. Nothing like beating the Jazz at home and scaring the mainstream Mormon population all at once. Beautiful night for ball, even though my Cavs got crushed.
April 25th, 2008 at 6:45 am
GayforRudy says:
WOW you guys walked outside and saw Smush Parker AND Patrick Ewing Jr.? That’s amazing. But I bet I can top THAT!
One time I went to the Spectrum and I saw Shawn Bradley AND Dana Barros. Right there in front of my eyes! They were only a couple hunred feet away!
April 25th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Austin Burton says:
Did you wake up this morning and find roaches in your cereal or something? You’re mad bitter, GayforRudy.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:44 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
HUH?
Houston Up all ova yo #$$! Wooo.
I forget the rapper but he said “D*&% it feels good to see people up on it!”
Last night not only did Houston beat Utah but they beat the refs. Anyone that watch that whole deal knows that Houston was getting it raw from the refs in the first half. Even the announcer talk about the big difference in how many free throws Utah had compared to Houston’s in the first quarter and half.
Still Landry, Alston and T-mac really came through. Scola did his thing too. They was looking like the 22 streak gang last night.
Floppin was at it best between AK and Okur. I even got to say Scola got his flop on too.
I pretty much put it in writing last night that we were going to beat Utah. Check WWGD and you will see that ya boi put it out their that Houston was getting the W.
I don’t know if it means that much though considering I always say Houston is going to win pretty much lol.
I really like the “You can’t see me” deal from DeShawn rather than that corny borderline gay dance he did after one 3. It’s amazing what some cats do when they really feeling it.
TORONTOOOO! I can’t even make fun of Jose today. Last night he laid it down like it was supposed to be laid. I wish he would play like that all the time. TJ did his thing too. So I have nothing but praise for Jose today.
Congrats to Jose supporters that know I gave plenty of grief about him (in GEE’s opinion) deservedly being snubbed during the All-Star deal.
Last night I heard that Boozer said it was even going to go back to Houston. Aaaaahhhhh just making me dislike Duke and things and players associated with them all the more. So much for his prediction.
Oh yea thanks to all that came through and supported a plaiya on his article and showed love. Even those that came through to hate, thanks to you too lol. Won’t lie the support and all (plus a Houston win) had me on cloud 22!
Thanks to all.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:46 am
jz_smoove says:
i been telling people at work that kapono shouldve been playing and shooting more. i am not really impressed with sam mitchell as a coach(even as a coach of the year last season). kapono should have 15 touches a game. if he is averaging more than 45% shooting rate(3’s and FG), theres a good chance kapono knocks down a good chunk of baskets.
Sam doesnt seem to get it and he makes ill-advised decisions in end games. This one convincing playoff win will just cover up his deficiencies for at least another next game.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:49 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
Wait wasn’t that rapper Biggie?
Da*& it feels good to see people up on it, flipped 2 keys in a week and didn’t flaunt it?
Something like that.
I think Biz Markie might have said it once too.
So what team will be swept and who will be the first to go 0-3….Not Houston!
Oh funny thing of the night that had my wife and I cracking up was the end of the game. T-Mac going “What is he doing” when Scola hits the second free throw. Of course I was not only laughing but screaming at the tube as well. Then again I was screaming and talking to the TV during that whole game. Games like that are not good for the pressure (blood).
April 25th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Austin Burton says:
@sans — Juwanna Mann actually isn’t that terrible. It’s a cute little movie if you catch it on TV when you’re cleaning the house or something; background noise for a couple of hours that’s enough to hold your attention but not make you sit down and stop what you’re doing.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Logan Light says:
Well, Houston got a present… too bad they lost the liitle home court advantage they had. Does anyone, yes even you GEE, think the Houston still has a chance in this series having to play games in Utah? AND - if they do win, you think they can beat the Lakers? Just all seems futile to me.
So the Cavs and Wizards series might be the interesting one that we thought it would be… I was hoping for the sweep, but it looks like the Wiz got it together… WITHOUT agent Zero. Any coincidence? I think not. At this point, if Gil isn’t on another team this summer it’s cause his knee has fallen off.
Sam Mitchell… oh boy. You just won Coach of the Year. Who is grinding you up? DIME, you had it right, he does sound like he knows EXACTLY what is being said about him right now… and I bet TJ Ford is the dude telling him about it! Can’t you see TJ slipping newspaper articles into the playbook? Highlighting text and his box score… and then blaming Calderon for the whole thing! Hilarious.
Here’s to the Mavs, Nuggets, and Hawks being the other teams to get swept… not getting swept.
LL
April 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
fallinup says:
The Rockets got a crucial play from a toothless Landry, that’s the only way they won that ugly game. It’s good thought to see them win one.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:03 am
E$ says:
Great wins by the Rockets_Raptors_Wizards! Charles Barkley was pretty upset with the blow outs, but hey you got to take it on the road if you want to win in the “L”!
“When in doubt, flop” - AK-47
April 25th, 2008 at 8:06 am
rathauneak says:
Somebody really should call in and give those guys the correct name for Stevenson’s hand motion. That “you can’t see me now” name has to come from Cal Naughton, Jr as “The Magic Man” in Talledaga Nights…lol. “Now you see me…Now you don’t!”
April 25th, 2008 at 8:07 am
E$ says:
I would like to know how many players would come back after losing a tooth?? I wonder if Jordan would lose a tooth & come back to still kill Byron Russell?
April 25th, 2008 at 8:08 am
P... says:
@ sans
john cena made that “you cant see me” popular
no ones checkin for tony yayo
April 25th, 2008 at 8:15 am
PALakerFan says:
All the criticism of McGrady is deserved. Yeah, he’s good. But until you take a team to the 2nd round of the playoffs, your superstar credentials should be questioned. We’re not talking ’bout Finals or even Conference Finals. 2nd round??? I got nothing against T-Mac, but the fawning and delusional love for him is ri-goddamn-diculous!
AI single-handedly led a team of scrubs to the FINALS! Snow, McKie, Lynch, Tyrone Hill? Mutombo was the only other player on that team worth anything. McGrady has and has had better supporting casts than that and can’t even get to the 2nd round.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:24 am
fallinup says:
One thing that got me about TMac, was at around the 9 minute mark of the 4th. Houston was down 2, and the game was back and forth. Tmac went to the basket and got fouled, but it wasn’t called. He trotted back up the court with a pouty face and Deron Williams blew by him for a layup that was rebounded and put back in. All I saw was TMac trotting back, and watching the play. I think Doug Collins even eluded to it after they came back from the break because the guy he was supposed to guard had the put back.
TMac gets razzed because that killer instinct isn’t always there on the defensive end. Yeah, they eeked out a win…but it was more because Utah couldn’t get buckets when they needed…credit to TMac for finally finding his shot at the end….but he’s gotta stop being so damn lazy.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:24 am
whoa buddy... says:
@ PALakerFan: don’t ever call that 6ers team scrubs. Role players maybe, scrubs never. That whole team had the most heart I’ve seen on an entire roster. Not a lot of athletic talent but heart and desire still count for something if you put the right people together. I’ll never forget the hype after the game 1 win…Too bad they lost the next four in a row.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Suciniac says:
Hold the T-mac horses right there.So,he happened to score 7 points in the 4th quarter of a win.Big f###ing deal,unless he gets past the 1st round he ain’t shit.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:28 am
djKianoosh says:
dang, a trifecta of upsets last night. nobody saw that coming.
on another note, here’s the real reason Isaiah coached the Knicks:
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/isiah_thomas_my_time_with_the?utm_source=onion_rss_daily
April 25th, 2008 at 8:30 am
BALLZ says:
Thanks for the review on “Juwanna Mann” Austin. Since you’ve given it two enthusiastic thumbs up, I’ll be sure to clear out some space on my schedule this weekend for it. Hopefully they’ll have “Eddie” in too so I can watch all the hot ball movies in one weekend.
“Deadly, when I play a dope melody anything less than the best is a felony.”
I don’t remember who dropped that line, but damn that ish is hot.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:36 am
GayforRudy says:
Relax dude. I’m bustin balls.
Though I did find this comment by you (on Sunday’s Smack)to be interesting. As though you are the King of Clever and all of us sheep readers sole purpose in life is to figure out your witty Smack titles.
“April 20th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Austin Burton says:
I’m kinda upset no one got the title of Smack today.”
April 25th, 2008 at 8:36 am
fallinup says:
BALLZ, that would be Robert Van Winkle. LOL
April 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
GayforRudy says:
Ballz,
That was Vanilla Ice
April 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Amar says:
T-Mac *Did* play differently, he actually was posting up in the 4th quarter and yes, while the first 6 or so mins he didn’t want any of AK, in the last few he was doing what he had to do. See, this is much better than a utah sweep would have been. And T-mac is doing what he has to do to win games. (no thanks to Yao, go eat your ramen noodels, all-star)
This is the playoffs, baby!
Deron missing Boozer is one thing, another thing is Utah missing 13 ft’s (not in the smack article). Lots to improve on, on the jazz front.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
BALLZ says:
You sure it wasn’t Nas? LMAO.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Brown says:
Logan Light, that shit about TJ Ford was hilarious, cuz you know dude looks at his own box scores to justify that he’s playing “well.” I won’t hate though, last night he was working Carlos Arroyo something fierce. That’s what the Raps PG tandem is supposed to play like, but they just haven’t done it too many times this year. Jose is still the better PG, cuz when he’s rolling, the Raps usually win. Jason Kapono looks like a different player these playoffs. He didn’t shoot well in the regular season, now he’s shooting the rock with no conscience. Sam Mitchell definitely has the biggest chip on his shoulder of any coach I’ve ever seen. He gets irked by any question the media asks him, even the generic ones.
@Gee, I can’t believe you didn’t know that was Biggie right off the bat. Good win for Houston last night though. Hopefully they can make a series of it, although I still think Utah is gonna beat them. For a team NOBODY is talking about as a championship contender, they don’t seem to have the underdog mentality, and might be a little too full of themselves at this point.
The Wizards should sign-and-trade Gil. If they can get a quality player or two back for him, or maybe a draft pick, they might be able to contend with the likes of Boston and Detroit in the east. I’d be real concerned about that knee though.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Amar says:
Gee — it’s called homecourt, get over the FT disparity, do you remember the FT disparity when the games were in H-town? They were in the favor of the rockets. don’t act all like you guys beat the persian army in 300 right now. additionally, for all the greatness that was the rockets on this night, if Deron found Boozer they could have won the game. Oh well. Glad T-Mac found his boy parts for once. : )
Just joking around. This is a good series now. Let’s not forget all of those “the shot counts and also let’s give a FT to the rox” calls by noted jazz hating ref (i forget his name, but I think the jazz are 2-44 when he’s ref-ing).
April 25th, 2008 at 9:00 am
doc says:
That Sixers team with AI in 01 had more heart than a lot of these pussies.Good win for Houston but dont get happy about that 2 for 8 fourth Austin because when they get eliminated and CLE crying again talking about how it hurts you’re gonna have to defend him.I bet you he taking the credit for this win with a smile though just like he was when they was on that streak and people was talking about putting him in the MVP race.Why he wasnt saying Im not MVP its a team game then?Its okay to take blame for W’s but not for L’s?How can you say he played no differently.He made 2 shots in the fourth with a couple of free throws thats different right there. But that was the only loss a team took on their homecourt so them other games wasnt upsets.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:04 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
Logan Light - I always support them and yes I feel they have a chance. I would hate for them to go down 3-1. We just need Deron to have an off night. To me he has the best looking 3 stroke in the game. Anyway against the Lakers would be much harder, but being that anything can happen. I like the Lakers a lot to though and right now they are clicking. I do get what you saying though Logan. I still don’t want them to lose no matter how “what’s the point” it may be.
p @ post 19 Tony Yayo’s the dumb out moves the face a little more where as John Cena’s is more hand than anything. I love the dumb out though.
Brown - it took me a minute, cause Biz Markie kept poppin in my head for some reason. Yea it was a good win they squeaked out. Hey I give credit to Utah and various players. They are doing it big. Harping is making a nice contribution. AK is playing the best D on T-Mac I have seen. Deron is just nuts!
April 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
Amar come on now they shot did count and dang I felt like they deserved that after all the injustice till that point. Tell yo boys to stop floppin all over the place.
I get what you saying on the homecourt though.
I really didn’t want it to be a sweep so I am real happy we at least got one and can go back to Houston, which don’t mean alot considering we lost the first two there. Still we were much stronger last night than the first two. If we could just do something about Deron?? Any suggestions?
April 25th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Sam I Am says:
I like Juwanna Mann…it’s funny
April 25th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Austin Burton says:
@GayforRudy — I mean, I am the King of Clever, but I wasn’t calling anyone sheep that day.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:25 am
McLovin says:
gee, tell tmac to step up and guard deron, kobe would!
April 25th, 2008 at 9:27 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
McLovin that crossed my mind last night. I am thinking he wouldn’t have a lot of energy on the offensive end though cause Deron would run him ragged and him having to fight through picks and screens.
Still with a player like Deron, I think a taller player guarding him would hinder the jumper more.
It may come down to T having to guard dude though for real.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
fallinup says:
Deron is half of the dilemma. The big dilemma is stopping the pick and roll.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:32 am
PALakerFan says:
You guys are right. 2001 Sixers definitely had heart and played with a love for the game. They did however lack talent, so “scrubs” was a poor choice of words. Point, being however that a true superstar can lead a group of willing role players very far. T-Mac does have group of solid role players and should able to will his team to at least the 2nd round. Alston, Battier, Scola, Landry, etc. are good role players. Hell, put the 2008 AI on this Houston team and they could make it to round 2.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:42 am
GayforRudy says:
Then you should at least change you name to King of Clever or KOC!
April 25th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Amar says:
way to stop deron — guard him with battier, oh wait, didn’t deron avg. 29 ppg vs. the spurs when being guarded by bowen last playoffs?
well, make him play defense, that should tire him out on offense. i’m pissed that the jazz lost, but i’m happier (in the big picture) that tmac is making his case, and that the jazz will have to earn this series win.
the jazz flop just as much as the rockets do. they are both notorious for it. overall I still think the refs are worse to the rockets than the jazz so far.
April 25th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Remy Nguyen says:
Save your money, Smush, save your money!
April 25th, 2008 at 9:58 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
Amar aside from Scola no one else on the Rockets really flops. Meanwhile the Jazz have Okur, AK, Korver and Milsap. Korver prolly the least of that crew.
Stop Deron by letting Mutumbo hit him with a bony African Elbow lol. Naw just playing
For real fallinup said what the real problem is. Cause once Deron gets the slightest space he is droppin that bomb cold on em.
I think it’s no way to stop Deron persay but you have to have someone on the other end to equal him out. While Skip did good last night, the only one really equal to Deron is CP right now.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:05 am
isotope says:
man! Scola was getting on my nerves last night. Missed layups. Missed free throws. Turnovers. That game should not have been that close. Thanks to Rafer for giving them the lead early. Thanks to Landry for securing the win. Thanks to TMac and Scola for not giving it away.
Yeah. Deron was killing last night. And when Okur is hitting his shots, he’s a huge matchup problem.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:07 am
GayforRudy says:
Yeah but when Scola flops he then gets up off the floor and acts as though his mommy took away his candy and no one is going to do anything about it.
It’s not so much the flopping. It’s the poor acting afterwards that is so agitating.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:11 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
GfR I will say he is over dramatic. I don’t like that aspect of his game. Overseas cats just do to much in that regard.
The Rockets keep going to double at times where doubles are not needed. Then someone kicks to Okur and I am sitting screaming no at that television!
Houston has to fix that.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Dave says:
Gee, why is it that you can’t just take the win and be happy. No doubt your Rox looked tough as nails and had more heart than Boozer from Adelman all the way to the end of the bench. But to say you had to beat the officials too is weak. If you’ll notice there were three ticky tack fouls called early in the fourth on the Jazz that shouldn’t have been called, ensuring the Rockets of free throws the last 9 1/2 minutes of the game on every foul. Stop your whining, it’s not very becoming. Take your win and be proud instead of sounding automatically like a crybaby.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am
doc says:
I’m going to see my own superstarless team tonight when we bust Detroit ass.Sixers in 5.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
K Dizzle says:
Gee
go easy on dave lol
I need to thank the Raps, Wiz and Raps(someone’s gotta slap Mitchell - Why exactly would you take Moon out of the startin lineup just to play a hunch, that’s bush league. Go with who got you there. Damn, always overcoachin) anyways those three teams paid my mortgage next month but I almost lost on the Rockets-Jazz cuz five points is a tie and I didn’t want no crazy buzzer beaters or overtime. Every Rockets fan watchin the game hadda lose they damn minds when Scola hit that free throw. If they were the Raps and the game was in Atlanta, I woulda been sweatin. I’m lovin Houston now cuz I didn’t want the Jazz sweepin and chillin while the Nuggets were maybe gettin a split at home with the Lakeshow, which I fully expect. So now it’s up to Mavs and Suns to get some games cuz you know atlanta done
April 25th, 2008 at 11:26 am
isotope says:
Dave you gotta understand. Its hard to just take that win and walk away. It was closer than it needed to be. If Deron had passed the ball instead of getting his shot blocked by landry, the outcome could have been different. Its really furstrating watching the game. Especially after seeing the Wiz and Raps really take care of business in their game 3.
Plus Houston and Utah have history. We dont like u guys. lol. We aint forgot after all thwse years.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:34 am
doc says:
Yeah Dave its okay because Kobe gonna bust yall ass in round 2 and you gonna be on here pissd.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:46 am
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
LOLLLLLLL he said I was sounding like a crybaby lol. I haven’t heard the “crybaby” in a minute lol
Dave you might has well just said “You crybaby” and left it at that.
That was honestly to funny for me to be mad, and plus with the way things are going for GEE right now I don’t have room to be mad pimpin.
Now Dave I am not saying that the Rockets didn’t get love too. Still the lead the Rockets had early could have been double digits easy without some calls.
I am happy with the win, and if you read some previous post I have been giving Deron and Ak and Okur credit. The Jazz are doing outstanding.
But as Iso put it plainly. We (Rockets Fans) don’t like Utah or their fans. So I am going to make my feelings and opinion known regardless.
LOL sincerely,
The Crybaby! lolllllll
April 25th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Sir Lix-a-Lot says:
I am sick of thugz in the NBA. Watching DeShawn and others make me sick! Deshawn looks like that bad guy Stripe from Gremlins, “Bright light, bright light”. Can we trade coach Mike Brown for Cousin Larry Brown?
The Cavs came up “shorter than 5 Danny Devito’s” in the W column.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
DaPro says:
Mac did alter the plan but it’s because he has his point guard back. He couldn’t post alot in the first two games because he had to bring the ball up the floor and distribute more. He can facilitate the offense from the post position now that Skip is back to keep the defense honest. This series can seriously go 7 games now. B-Jax is more effective off the bench and he can come in for Mac and give him a break.
Battier should cover Deron on a few possessions to give him a different look and take him out his rhythm. Play him like Sloan is playing Mac.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Boyez says:
Good Job by the rockets in winning where not many teams this season…..They were getting screwed by the refs in the 1st half….Hopefully the go 6 or 7 games…That way the lakeshow will have an easier road to the west conference finals…..
April 25th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
control says:
After watching most of the Cavs/Wiz last night, I can honestly say that Anderson (sideshow bob) Valjero is going on my list of people who I dislike just looking at them. There is something about him, his body language, his playing style, his stupid facial expressions and his reactions to ALL calls that really pisses me off. It’s like the guy is on the verge of crying at all times. The guy is like Manu 2.0 (new clutchless version!).
I haven’t seen many Cavs games this year, but damn does LeBron have a pretty sorry team around him. I don’t know how he could be happy playing with those guys…Kobe would have evil eyed the whole team until they fled the court in shame.
Whoever said that 2008 AI on the Rockets instead of Tmac would mean a round two appreance has shit twisted. The 2008 AI isn’t going to even get a look at the second round…and he has ALOT more skill around him than Tmac does.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
TP9 will also give Deron the business, not just CP3. These guys can’t really be stopped, only contained/limited or like someone else said, balanced out by another player’s output.
Amar, Deron averaged nice #’s against the Spurs but I can’t remember who WON that series…
April 25th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Dave says:
I guess anytime there is blame put on officials it’s an excuse and who wants to hear them? Bryon Russell should’ve known Jordan was going to cross him over and hit a jumper, everyone else in the gym knew it so when Jazz fans whine about that it makes me cringe. Play some freakin’ D B-Russ!
Glad nobody got upset at my little rant there, didn’t mean to sound so bitter…… but if Boozer had half the heart that (insert any Rocket player or coach name here) has the Jazz wouldn’t have lost.
DWill didn’t pass Boozer the ball at the end because he knew the shot should be going towards the basket and since Boozer made the allstar team he hasn’t taken the ball hard to the basket once. Boozer has disappeared, is afraid to get his shot blocked, and rarely catches the ball and takes it hard or catches and shoots in rythm. Fork!
April 25th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
control says:
Oh yeah, forgot.
Those mohawks HAVE to go. You know who I’m talking about. Those fools ain’t Mr. T or Chuck Liddel, they just look like assholes.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
SWAT says:
Landry is a beast! He is a big reason that we went on that 22 game win streak. Good point that someone made earlier about Gerald Green and Landry. But those refs, or maybe it’s just stern, really do not like us. More than a few of those calls are so suspect, I would rather just watch these guys go at it and play hard nose ball. I fell you Gee when you say you were cursing at the tv…I was yelling and damn near about to throw things at the damn screen. My boys pulled it out though and I am damn proud of them. “You see he’s not a machine!” These fools can be beat! On another note as much as I love home court against Utah it really means nothing, especially in the playoffs.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
doc says:
Delonte West and Ben Wallace need to be banished to Euroleague.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dave says:
Kobe looks good when nobody plays defense. He’s amazing, super, the best, and makes the thuggets look like little girls. Everyone should be afraid, right now nobody in Salt Lake is thinking about that, we’re too worried about the Rox.
Doc, I’m looking forward to your further insights on the Lakers-Jazz, from the first one you gave it looks like we’ll all learn stuff from you. Go K-Mart hmmffphhfd…ggguh.
April 25th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Amar says:
the mohawk is more than just Mr.T, fools. it’s a sign of mental preperation and focus. you know, like if you are going to win a home game vs. lebron, or attempt to kill president ronald regan in order to impress jodie foster.
learn your history kids.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
control says:
Amar, can you enlighten me to the details of the science that explains the correlation between shaving the sides of your head so you look like an asshole and mental preperation? People with mohawks, with the exception of Mr. T are assholes, period. They maybe mentally prepared assholes, but they are still assholes.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Mohawks make you more aerodynamic
April 25th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Faux Hawks, however, are the mullets of the 00’s
April 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
GayforRudy says:
Come on Control. Since when was Mr T not an A-hole? Guy is walking around sporting those gold chains and mohawk since the 80’s. What did the guy do after the A-Team?
SAS Sizzle, since when does Chris Paul own Deron? Go look at the record when the two teams play.
Oh and calling Tony Longoria “TP9″ makes me feel certain that you walk have the words “jerk off” tatooed on your forehead!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
You all got me crackin up on the hair.
I wonder who was the last NBA player to have a jerri curl!
LOL slippin all on the floor.
Dave Chappell should have done a skit about a basketball player with a jerri curl! Would have been funny!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
GayforRudy says:
That was supposed to say…
that you have the words “jerk off” tatooed on your forehead!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
daquest?on says:
houston is done man let it go let it go im starting to let it go too that the nuggets are done…yea right
April 25th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
isotope says:
All the Jazz/Rox games have been close so far. Look for a Rockets blow-out on saturday.
u heard it here first.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Okay don’t go putting words in my mouth, I never would say something like CP3 OWNS Deron, my point was that these cats: Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Tony Parker all give each other the biz as good as they get it. Like I said, they cannot be stopped, only limited or offset.
And TP9 as a nickname is no worse than CP3, buddy, that’s the only reason I threw that out there. The WORST and most common nicknames are the combo of first initial and first part of the last name: T-Mac, D-Will, J-Rich, J-Will, you know, ish like that. How freakin’ unoriginal can you possibly be?
And the only tattoo I have is on my leg, it is a depiction of me and your mom during your conception. You were that little sperm, minus a couple of chromosomes of course, that made it to her scrambled eggs somehow. But I am only assuming it was my fault and not the fifteen truckers that were lined up behind me waiting for their turn, GayForRudy. You are proof that childbirth is NOT a miracle.
Them’s jokes son
April 25th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
GayforRudy says:
Daddy? I’ve been looking for you for so long!
April 25th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
GayforRudy says:
That’s funny stuff right there. I hate the first intitial & part of last name nicknames as well. It’s lazy.
But I really hate K-Hova as a nickname. But I won’t speak on that or else the “s” will hit the fan when a certain someone reads that.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
I’ll send you a check for the inconvenience…
Check these out tho, this is the real issue:
http://images.google.com/images?q=faux%20hawk&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
April 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Don’t hate on Mr. T too much, B.A. Baracus has done some fantastic work for those AT&T commercials since the 80’s, we can’t discredit him as an artist for selling out to the man…oh wait, yes we can and should. The only guy that has exemption is Willie Nelson, he has those tax bills. That’s a Bill Hicks reference FYI.
And yes, Youngfed is the master of disastrous nicknames, but those are not common / widely accepted so I wasn’t gonna go there, but we can agree on something so hey, thereyago.
April 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
nicky says:
@brown: i hate to have get up on a basketball message board to correct folks about hip-hop, but come on now you have to know that the “damm it feels good to see people up on it” that Gee quoted is really Biz Markie.
“The Vapors”, from the album “Goin’ Off” with the video clip, back in like ‘88 or something.
Maybe I’m getting old, and all yall other cats aint old enough to remember the Biz, and that’s why youre confusing him with biggie.
or maybe you were on some strictly ironic ish
April 25th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
See I knew Biz was in my head for a reason.
Thanks nicky and I and I think I am just old enough to remember lol.
He did do it first and then if I am correct Biggie to that line and flipped it when he added “flip two keys in a week and didn’t flaunt it” (something like that).
Vapors video used to crack me up.
Just so I can go on record and I don’t consider this talkin behind dudes back cause I will gladly print it while he is here lol.
I can’t stand that K-Hova ish either.
As far as hair what yall know about the gumby?
Worse hair style I ever seen, I think I will go with Floyd Mayweather’s dad. The bald spot with the braids around it. W.T.F! lol
April 25th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
for real says:
@ GEE - Post #70
Michael Cage
April 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
GEE...Until you do right by me... says:
http://nbaplayoffs.com/media/sonics/cage_140.jpg
Hope this link works
Michael Cage…thanks for real!
C.T.F.U. dude look like he related to Jerome off “Martin”
Wooooooooow!
April 25th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Holy crap he looks like he dove into a can of Crisco with reckless abandon
April 25th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
for real says:
1987-88 rebounding champion
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L0IuDnQyxVY
April 25th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
isotope says:
dude was grabbing on to Oakley a lil too much in that vid
April 25th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
K Dizzle says:
I heard ‘Damn it feels good to see people up on it’ on a K-Os track and a Murs track but originally, we gon need someone to educate
Back to the greasy curls, AC Green kept his for a looooong time
April 25th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
They call him “10W-30″
April 25th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Austin Burton says:
About Michael Cage…
1. Since the ‘88 Clippers stunk (they won 17 games), I wonder if guys on the team were intentionally missing shots in that last game of the season to help get Cage the rebounding title.
2. I still remember going to Seafirst Jammin’ Hoops Camp when I was a kid and getting to meet Michael Cage and Eddie Johnson when they played for the Sonics. Then there was the day we had an assembly in middle school and they told us two Sonics were gonna be there. The first guy introduced: SHAWN F’N KEMP. We all went nuts. The second guy: Chris King. Crickets…
April 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
daquest?on says:
lmfao michael cage loooks soo funny with the jerri curl
April 25th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
What is this!? says:
Control (the ultimate Iverson hater)
T-Mac has a lot more people around him that play defense. Iverson doesn’t on this Nuggets team. And all for all the bashing Iverson takes for supposidly not playing any defense, he has actually done a decent job during the series so far. I agree that if you switch him with Tracy on that Rockets team, he’d get them out the 1st round.
And I agree with everyone that said that 01′ Sixers team had more heart then half the teams playing right now. Which is a big reason why they did so much damage. Too bad only Iverson and a few other players on that Nuggets team play with heart. If that entire team played with the heart Iverson has they’d be where they should be…a top five team in the league.
Also, yikes at that blow out lastnight the Wizards had against the CAVS. Whats going on with all these blowouts in the playoffs so far? I may be pushing it but I am starting to think the Wizards are better without GIL. I may be wrong, but things are starting to look that way.
April 25th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
GEE..Until you do right by me... says:
LOL NBA is just to physical to have jerri juice getting wiped on you.
AC Greens curl was always a little dry to me.
I like the way Terry stepped up to CP when he pushed Dirk down. I ain’t even a Dallas fan but, I can’t stand when a player gets fouled hard and other players with the dude who got fouled just stand there. Man take up for your team! Fa real!
CP didn’t want it either lol. Say what you want but CP didn’t waaaaantttt nooonneeeee.