Oscars? What Oscars? I was busy watching the Rockets shoot lights out in Houston, I don’t know about you. By the way, if you don’t have HD I feel sorry for you and promise you, seeing that fat guy’s nipples in the Amp’d commercial is amazing.

Anyways, the Rockets played a hell of a game in the second half. They were 13-24 from three, and shot 50% overall against a bad Bulls team. I know, there’s not too much to brag about there, but what I did see from the Rockets is that they’re are a truly balanced team. Seven players scored in double figures on a night when Yao struggled (he showed some of his past weakness against small, quick defenders). T-Mac continued to play hard and Bobby Jackson played like he’s been with us all season. That guy is still quick, can play some defense, and knows exactly where to be in this system…this trade may have rejuvenated him a bit. Another thing to note is that Rafer’s minutes were down tonight, presumably because of his six turnovers, and we didn’t miss a beat with Bobby at the point. One player that I see benefiting from the trade is Luther Head, unless of course we get Brent Barry. Luther can now play at the two…really his natural position.

Some other notes…why the hell do people sit in the Lexus Lounge during the game. I know the Bulls are bad, but this team is playing so exciting now, and I know if I was in Houston I wouldn’t want to miss a second of it. The refs sucked. Yao was posterized by Drew Gooden. The announcer called Dikembe a cheerleader, which I found a little disrespectful. And did you see that casual 360 dunk by T-Mac? I didn’t know he still had it in him.

In other sports…Memphis finally lost…a team in C-USA should never be first. Tiger Woods won the Accenture Match Play; yet another reason to call him the most dominant athlete of his time. Limas Sweed (I do go to UT by the way) had a very good combine, surprising the scouts with a 4.45 40′ and a 35″ vertical. And the Auto Club 500 was delayed….who cares?

DARYL MOREY IS A GENIUS.

So it’s been a couple days since I’ve posted something, but I’ve been behind on some reading and had to study for a couple tests. ANYWAYS, lets get started…

So the Rockets’ effort on Friday was simply outstanding. In the 10 years or so that the Rockets have consumed my life I’ve never seen them work so hard for the ball, play tough defense, and pass the ball so fluidly on offense. We came into a hostile Hornets sell-out arena on a back-to-back night against a team that has been feasting on the top teams of the west like Charles Barkley at a donut buffet. The Hornets had been averaging a 20-point margin of victory in their last eight home games and were playing smooth as butter.

I told you how T-Mac would come to play in the playoffs, and he gave us a taste of that last night. From tip-off Mcgrady had an obvious swagger and you knew he was gonna kick some ass. Yao had a normal Yao night and Landry and Scola couldn’t be kept off the boards.

Rafer Alston, on a bad shooting night, stifled Chris Paul. I never understood people’s criticisms of Alston’s defense, but have always seen him as a smart, effective defensive player. And Yao proved in this game what a dominant defensive force he has become. Sure, he only had one block, but he has become so adept at using his size that no one, including Chris Paul who killed our guards and Yao in the past, can get to the basket without being contested.

Tonight we have Chicago at home and if everything goes our way we have a chance of being tied with Dallas for sixth place and only 2.5 games away from the first seed. By the way, did you notice the Suns went from first to fifth today in their loss to Detroit? The west is TOUGH, the Suns are 1-2 with Shaq, and Detroit now looks like the favorite in the east.

I have one more rant…the Miami Heat and Pat Riley are dropping games purposely for the #1 pick. I hope to god that they do not get it and a much deserving team like the Wolves (one of the worst NBA franchises in history) does.