This is the part of the NBA season where I get interested. No, not because my Knicks are making a late-season surge into the putrid Eastern Conference playoff standings, not because those “Where ____ Happens” commercials are appealing (side note: someone should really take a stand alone shot of Nick Anderson in the 1995 NBA Finals and write “Where $#!% Happens”). It’s because I find a team to latch on to and root for them for about six to eight weeks because it’s the only thing happening where a game means something. And for those of you attempting to call me out on abandoning my team, the last time the Knicks made a legitimate playoff appearance was in 2001, the 2004 appearance with Stephon “Thanks for sending another franchise down the drain” Marbury never happened in my mind.
This year’s People’s Exhibit A is the Houston Rockets. I should pull for Boston because KG is due, I should pull for the Suns because they made the right move, I should pull for New Orleans because that city needs this. I’m rooting for Houston. Why? I have a degree in journalism, I like a good story.
10 games ago the Rockets had a modest 12-game winning streak going. Then, part two of the franchise went down when they lost Yao Ming for the season. This should’ve killed the Rockets like a pregnancy to a Disney career. In the West there is going to be a 50-win team that does not qualify for the playoffs, a stark contrast to the East where a 29-38 record currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot.
Surprisingly though, the Rockets have spun off another 10 straight wins withouth their star import, and Tracy McGrady paving the way with an MVP-worthy performance. For those movie buffs out there, this is the equivalent of expecting Will Ferrel to carry Old School without Luke Wilson. Sure he’s not the funniest part of the movie, but when you need some K-Y, who’s your man?
The Rockets are playing flawless basketball right now. Even dismantiling the newly annointed Lakers en-route to their last win. McGrady is playing the best basketball of his career, Shane Battier is becoming the role player that championship teams need (a la Kenny Smith in Houston’s last championship seasons in 1994 and 1995) and Rafer Alston is becoming the difference making point guard that can push your team when they start to tire. These are all the elements coming together at the right time to make a run, much like all the right elements combining to make a Chevy Chase film tolerable.
Next up for Houston is, in fact, Kevin Garnett and the rent-a-championship Boston Celtics. Also this week brings in challenges from upstart Golden State and New Orleans. I hope they make it to 25 because so many of us don’t. It’s the longest winning streak in over 30 years, and the two previous teams to make it to at least 21 wins won the NBA title that year. So what am I going to do through mid-June? I’m pulling for the best story, and right now, kudos Houston, you’ve trumped my celebration of green beer.
Top five things that annoy me in sports this week:
5. Detroit Tigers
I loathe the fact that people are calling this a “World Series team.” Has anyone besides me seen the lack of quality pitching, or maybe that wasn’t the Nationals that hung nine runs on them today.
4. ESPN baseball commentary
There is a color analyst and a play-by-play. You do not just talk over everything.
3. DeAngelo Hall
Like Vick, you’re going to prison, well, the NFL’s version of it. Welcome to Oakland!
2. Green Jerseys
The Sox have an excuse, so do the Celtics, but the Knicks? Don’t do it.
1. Indiana Pacers
I have no basis for this, I just abhor (good word use, right?) their franchise.