Relax, non-believersNot sure I understand the criticism from the local populace about the Rockets so far.
Sure the team haven't exactly been second half warriors, but they are 10-5 even after an exasperating effort in
Phoenix last night.
Yao is showing himself to be every bit of the MVP candidate I touted him to be before season tipped. He now takes the reigns as best center in the league from the currently gimpy Shaquile O'Neal. As if anyone needed any confirmation, Yao's 34 points and 14 boards officially took the title away from the "Diesel." His 25.7 points per game rank him 10th overall and his rebounding has improved to 10.1 every time out. He has carried the offensive load in the absence of Tracy McGrady's early season scoring struggles and the disappearing of Bonzi Wells, who appears to be in Jeff Van Gundy's doghouse for being out of shape despite having something to prove after turning down a 5 year contract in excess of 35 million dollars from Sacramento.
Lutherhead has stepped in and become one of the league's best sixth men. He brought the experience from last year's train wreck of a season, when he was thrust into the starting lineup due to a rash of injuries in backcourt to Rafer Alston and Bob Sura, to provide a stout scoring punch off the bench. His 48.6 clip from beyond the arc ranks 5th in the league and has allowed the Rockets to spread the court and give Yao the room he needs to work.
Shane Battier has justified, in my mind, the draft night deal that netted the former Duke star for Connecticut phenom Rudy Gay and that oxygen thief Stromile Swift, who should be serving time for stealing Les Alexanders' money in 2005-2006. His selfless play, often taking charges and sacrificing his body going after loose balls, has tightened up what was already a solid defensive unit in past years. Battier's presence is rarely felt in the box score, but in the final score.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention the contribution of Chuck Hayes at the power forward position. It was rumored in the offseason that Battier would get significant minutes at the "4," but Hayes' Otis Thorpe type effort every night has allowed Battier to guard the quicker shooting guards of the world. His effort hasn't even been slowed by a sprained knee he received in a collison with aforementioned O'Neal in Miami earlier this month.
Frankly, Rockets fans and sports fans in general in Houston want to see more of the same. Yao's domination, McGrady's unselfishness, and Battier and Hayes' unselfishness. Fans, albeit somewhat fairweather and frontrunning, will come out for a winner, and that is what this team is building at 1510 Polk Street.
