Brett Pollakoff Is The Only Guy Who Could Actually Dislike The Rockets

13. Rockets (9-8) | Prev.: 11

If you aren’t into the Tracy McGrady saga (and I’m not), there isn’t a whole lot to say here that hasn’t already been said: Houston plays hard, smart, and wins more than they should considering their roster. Yawn. But hey, that Chuck Hayes sure throws a mean outlet pass! (J/K, KA) — BP

via NBA Power Rankings: Rising C’s — NBA FanHouse.

Brett and I have a running gag over at FanHouse. He thinks Shane Battier is an overrated, underwhelming, terrible-at-offense, non-factor piece of meh-ness. I consider him to be arguably the best defensive player in the league, a team leader, an interesting person, and someone that makes the league that much more awesome and who can knock down a three now and then. Much of this comes from the fact that the Rockets, without their best players, took his Lakers to seven games and embarrassed them thoroughly in-between getting embarrassed themselves to a degree that is proper, given their injuries at the time. Or, more accurately, that he recognizes that for all of Morey’s accolades, the Rockets haven’t actually done anything. They’re an okay team, but simply don’t have a lot of talent. I mean, for all the talk about the trouble they gave LA in the WCSF last year, they still, you know, LOST.

But it’s crazy to me that anyone wouldn’t be inspired by this Rockets team, at least anyone that was a basketball-junkie. We’ve all seen so many teams quit when faced with injuries and a talent gap. To play lax, to write off the season, to mail it in. The Rockets have every reason to do so. Their #1 option on offense right now is a #3 option on a mediocre team. And yet Morey has this team again capable of sneaking into the playoffs. Even being in contention with how much money they have on the shelf is insane.  But they play together, they play smart, and they work, constantly.

Kobe is the king of work ethic. You’d think his fans would have a greater appreciation for a team that reflects his attitude, even if they’re not as good as the Lakers. I mean, no one is this season. The flip side, though is that I’ve just told you that you should be inspired by professional athletes who are paid millions and millions of dollars actually working as hard as they can. When you think of it that way…

Shh! You hear that?

…

That’s an awkward silence.

Oster-Tags: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Shane Battier