I would like to wish him speedy recovery and that we are thinking of him.

I’ve been putting in too many late nights and all-nighters myself for work — it takes its toll.

Then again, this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But then again, it might not — if you hang around long enough. Not to sound morbid or anything. Sh*t, maybe I’m going delirious and incoherent from lack of sleep.

Anthony, great comments. I enjoyed reading them. I’m addicted to this subject because like you said, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal so I’m trying to enjoy the moment as much as possible, and the way I do that is to write about it. I just got off a plane (1st of two legs) where I wrote for over 2 hours to talk more about last night’s game. I should be able to post more thoughts here within the hour after I clean it up. Thanks again for your comments. Keep them coming. — John

TMac definitely has to be given MVP consideration now. He’s really matured into a true leader of a championship-caliber team, making this team better in so many ways beyond just scoring — just as Hakeem finally matured into a champion back in the day.

At some point, you have to wonder though when you give this guy some rest. Eventually, you have to wonder when the streak becomes less important than the playoffs. (OK, maybe we might need 48 minutes for just one more game against the Lakers). Granted, they are playing for more than the streak, and looking to improve their seeding. But this is a long season. And the playoffs is a second, whole other season. The Spurs better than anyone understand the importance of pacing — and preserving their best for when it counts most.

Speaking of the Spurs, I think their ability to play multiple styles of games is what sets them apart. (I hate praising them, because I’ve pretty much hated them since the DRobinson days. I still gloat over Dream’s clinic on him in 95. But I’ve always respected them). That’s where not having Yao will hurt them most.

I’m also just looking for a way to inject Yao back into the discussion, as he’s easily forgotten during this run.

On the other hand, the loss of Yao has been a blessing in some ways for the team — and maybe for Yao in the long run. Multiple guys have had to step up, and in the process have blossomed into their roles. It may not have happened as quickly with Yao in the lineup.

(As an aside, this type of blossoming probably wouldn’t have ever happened under JVG. Props to Adelman for providing a system and environment that lets these guys contribute so quickly. But no disrespect to JVG — he laid the bedrock and foundation for this team, put them into a position to grow into a championship team, and made it much easier for Adelman to take the team to the next level.)

Back to Yao’s injury — maybe not being stuck in the day-to-day grind of playing will make it easier for Yao to step back and see how TMac has grown into a championship-caliber player. Maybe somehow this will help Yao learn those intangibles which are so hard to learn — let alone articulate — even for the most talented and smartest players.

Either way, the feeling is great. Just trying to live in the moment, enjoy what they’re doing now — with the knowledge that (bar injury — knock on wood), when Yao is back, this team is on the verge of extended greatness.

I WAS WONDERING…SINCE YAO MING IS RECOVERING FROM HIS SURGERY AND IS RESTING HIS BODY AND HAS A LOT OF TIME NOW…DOES HE READ THE COMMENTS POSTED HERE?…OR DOES HE KNOW HE HAVE THIS PAGE IN HIS HONOR???

Wilson, I don’t know if Yao reads the comments here. He might since he now has more down time. But he definitely knows about this site since I’ve interviewed him several times, and each time I’ve seen him, he has been very accommodating. — John

Awesome writing!! Fans like me can’t say enough at your great work! This Rocket is unbelievable!

Thanks for the compliment. — John