Determination

After playing 40+ minutes Yao and with the double overtime about to start, he was clearly exhausted. I'm sure Artest noticed this and said to coach, "Hey put me on the low post and I'll get us the win." Adelman agreed and the rest is a vivid memory in the minds of Rockets' fan all around the world. Determination goes a long way when tired legs and aching injuries remind you of your limitations as a human being. With the crowd chanting your name as you step up to the free throw line, Artest nailed each of his shots as if he's a 90% free throw shooter.

Honorable mention goes out to Yao for pushing himself past exhaustion to battle each of the guys Jerry Sloan threw at him last night and for Luther Head for bringing his offensive & defensive game while replacing McGrady in the starting line up.

He's Back

An often criticized player, Tracy McGrady joined the team last night after missing 7 games to rehab his knee. To show his detractors how much his play was missed, the guy flirted with a triple double. If only Alston and Yao would have made good on a solid pass from McGrady, he would have gotten the triple double. His teammates were aware that he needed only 1 more assist, but neither Yao nor Alston scored after McGrady dished it to them. Its sad that their lack of determination to score robbed McGrady of the triple double, but at least the team won the game. McGrady is no stranger to the feeling of his teammates letting him down, blocking him from achieving stats that Jason Kidd accomplishes with some regularity. I can't count how many times McGrady was 1 assist away from getting the trip, when a dish to Hayes ended up as a blown lay up.

McGrady, I feel your pain and I hope one day soon, your teammates will help you take your career to heights yet unachieved.