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The P.R. firm representing Reebok sent me this YouTube video of Yao working out from a couple of weeks ago and being interviewed:
I’m going to do something that I rarely do. Because I have to wake up early in the morning, I’ve got to make this short. So I won’t be commenting much about the Rockets victory over the LA Clippers Wednesday night. They did what was expected of them, and that can’t be taken for granted compared to previous Rocket teams that underachieved in the past. So kudos go to them for taking care of business. Luis Scola led the way with 22 points.
Now we know they’re going to play the Jazz in the first round, and will have homecourt advantage in that series. What a relief! Thank you San Antonio (for once)! This time last week, I was hoping the Rockets would be a 1st or 2nd seed in the West which would match them up with Denver or Dallas. But I’ll take a first-round matchup against the Jazz. I’d much rather play them than the Suns or Spurs, which would be happening if they were the 3rd or 6th seed, respectively. If that had happened, I would have been pissed.
I like the fact the Rockets, not expected to beat the Jazz in the series, have some unfinished business to take care of from last season’s series loss. If this rematch can’t motivate the Rockets to play their best, then nothing will. So much pain was experienced from that series, the idea of getting revenge has GOT to be a factor for the Rockets. That’s why I liked Tracy McGrady‘s quote after the game on Wednesday:
“I want to play the Jazz, because they are the team that beat us. That’s just being a competitor. As a competitor, you want to play them again.”
It reminds me a little bit when the Rockets had such a hard time beating the Sonics in the early to mid-1990’s, but finally beat them in a playoff series after acquiring Charles Barkley. It took awhile, but they finally made the adjustments to beat that team. Hopefully everything the Rockets did in the off-season in getting more athletic power forwards – Luis Scola and Carl Landry, an improved Rafer Alston (hopefully he can play starting in Game 3), speed in the backcourt (Aaron Brooks), and a veteran point guard (Bobby Jackson) will be enough.