Comments on: Another storyline leading up to Game 2 http://www.yaomingmania.com/blog/2007/04/23/another-storyline-leading-up-to-game-2 Where fans of Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets can find out the latest on Yao Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:40:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Jeffrey http://www.yaomingmania.com/blog/2007/04/23/another-storyline-leading-up-to-game-2#comment-898 Jeffrey Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:31:06 +0000 http://www.yaomingmania.com/blog/2007/04/23/another-storyline-leading-up-to-game-2#comment-898 I hate how everyone seems to be jumping onto Andrei Kirilenko and chewing him out because he's, as you said, an easy target. The guy makes, what, $12 million a year and has made very little impact on his team. Of course he'd be disappointed with his performance. The guy clearly wants to <b>earn</b> his paycheck and not let his peers down. Give him a break. And you're right; if Utah is really as mentally worn as they seem to be, the Rockets need to take advantage. A Houston loss would be the morale boost the Jazz urgently needs. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if Houston has the killer instinct to do it. <em>Very well put on both counts, Jeffrey. Furthermore, regarding AK, he could have had his face buried in a towel in anguish (which we have seen athletes do before), and when he pulled the towel off, his face and eyes could have been red because of the pressure he was putting on them. Who knows, much of this could be a Utah reporter (who is also a fan of the team, which isn't unusual) taking liberty to interpret what AK looked like ("crying" when he actually wasn't) to write a story about it to motivate him as a last ditch effort. Using the word "cry" is a very strong word to use in the sports world Also, I saw an interview with Derek Fisher on TNT last night, and he said no one on the team saw AK crying at the end of practice. So the reporter conspiracy may hold true. Finally, the guy may have other issues going on in his life, like mental imbalance. If that's the case, we wouldn't be hearing Barkley and others jumping on him if something terrible happened, like when Van Gundy was concerned when Bonzi went AWOL. Regarding your doubts about the Rockets' killer instinct, I agree. All we have to do is look at the 2-0 lead they blew against Dallas two seasons ago in the playoffs.</em> I hate how everyone seems to be jumping onto Andrei Kirilenko and chewing him out because he’s, as you said, an easy target.

The guy makes, what, $12 million a year and has made very little impact on his team. Of course he’d be disappointed with his performance. The guy clearly wants to earn his paycheck and not let his peers down. Give him a break.

And you’re right; if Utah is really as mentally worn as they seem to be, the Rockets need to take advantage. A Houston loss would be the morale boost the Jazz urgently needs. Unfortunately, I’m not sure if Houston has the killer instinct to do it.

Very well put on both counts, Jeffrey.

Furthermore, regarding AK, he could have had his face buried in a towel in anguish (which we have seen athletes do before), and when he pulled the towel off, his face and eyes could have been red because of the pressure he was putting on them.

Who knows, much of this could be a Utah reporter (who is also a fan of the team, which isn’t unusual) taking liberty to interpret what AK looked like (”crying” when he actually wasn’t) to write a story about it to motivate him as a last ditch effort. Using the word “cry” is a very strong word to use in the sports world

Also, I saw an interview with Derek Fisher on TNT last night, and he said no one on the team saw AK crying at the end of practice. So the reporter conspiracy may hold true.

Finally, the guy may have other issues going on in his life, like mental imbalance. If that’s the case, we wouldn’t be hearing Barkley and others jumping on him if something terrible happened, like when Van Gundy was concerned when Bonzi went AWOL.

Regarding your doubts about the Rockets’ killer instinct, I agree. All we have to do is look at the 2-0 lead they blew against Dallas two seasons ago in the playoffs.

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