In case you haven't been watching TNT, I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. The guys at the Dream Shake were right. The Rockets are a better team without Tracy McGrady. Tonight they faced off against an "Elite" Eastern Conference team, the Cavaliers. LeBron took 21 shots, and hit 7 of them. The Cavs were held to 34% shooting. Without T-Mac, opposing teams now have to start the game off playing against two of the best man-to-man defenders in the League in Ron Ron and Shane Battier.
Granted, tonight they were really hot shooting the ball, but you cannot not take much away from a 93-74 against the team with the best record in the East (well not anymore.) I think they don't really miss T-Mac that much, and trading Rafer Alston was brilliant. Aaron Brooks is showing that he can start. He had an off night, going 1-7, but he knew when to stop shooting, and to get the ball to the post.
If the Rockets stay in their current position, 4th, they would face the Blazers in the first round. Yes, the Blazers are exciting and all, but I don't know how many points they could put up against a defense this smothering. Also, I really don't think Oden could hang with Yao down low. They have an excellent shot at getting out of the first round this year. Of course, if this hypothetical situation were to happen, they would next have to play the Lakers. If Andrew Bynum isn't back by this time, the Rockets can beat the Lakers in a 7 game series
It was a great game last night for us Houston fans to see the Rockets not give up a lead but instead stay with what was working all game long. I do not agree that they are better without Tracy McGrady remember just last year when Yao went out for the year they said almost the same thing about him on the fact they could now run the fast break without him. I would love to have a healthy T-Mac back playing with this squad any day.
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