When it comes down to facing elimination or staying alive in the playoffs there is something that clearly separates star players from the rest of the players in the league. Star players understand that they must bring all they have to the game, and leave it all on the court afterwards regardless of the way it ends. A lot of people agree that when Yao Ming went down, the Rockets lost a major component to their offense. Hell, Yao was the primary focus for the Rockets offense. And just like in years past he goes down with an injury, leaving the team without an effective threat in the middle. Surely I can’t blame Yao for being injured, because I don’t believe this guy’s intent was to be injured and ultimately not be there for the team. But what I am saying is that regardless of the situation, they were not able to utilize his talents at a time when all teams need there superstars the most. But look at the bright side; at least he’ll be ready in time for the China Olympics. Good news right?!?!
There is no excuse for our early exit again this year. The fact that one of our superstars was injured isn’t comforting and is irrelevant. With a record of 19-7, being a 5th seed, in a competitive Western Conference after Yao went down tells me there is no reason to believe this team didn’t make the adjustments needed t win games. I don’t want to negate at all, what the Utah Jazz did to beat the Rockets. The Jazz is a good team. Calling on the talents of Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, this team continues to be a force in the West, and with this lineup, and Sloan at the helm, this team will continue to be one to reckon with in the years to come.
I for one hope Tracy McGrady returns for another year. In the process Houston has to get on the ball and prepare this team for possible injuries to our top players during the season. To me Dikembe Mutumbo, fulfilled his role stepping up to the role of starter in Yao’s absence, but Mutumbo is not a scoring threat, and just simply isn’t young enough to single handedly fill the gap that is left when and if Yao goes down. If we, meaning the Rockets, are going to ever get out of the 1st round of the playoffs again, then we better make damn sure we have some inside big men, and some viable offensive threats, to reduce the effectiveness of the double teams against TMac . Outside of Scola, and McGrady no one scored in double figures. Outside of the 5 assist from Tmac, no one else dished out more than 2, Tmac followed by Scola were the only two people rebounding yesterday. From a team standpoint, this is just embarrassing. During this offseason, Houston needs to get viable offensive players to ease the double teams on McGrady and we need consistent role players to ensure the team is competitive regardless of the lineup on the field.
Everyone knows it’s a fact that Tracy McGrady is a player who has yet to make it out of the firstround of the playoffs. Why is this negative against McGrady? Is it honestly fair to blame one player for an entire teams inability to advance to the second round or further in the playoffs. No it’s not. We’ve attacked him on occasion here in Houston saying he’s not an all star player in the league anymore. Many have demoted him to just a good above average player in the league. But when you watch the games, and listen to the other coaches in the league, they seem to sing another song. Teams concentrate on T_Mac, defensively, they double team the guy night in and out. This isn’t a complaint though; this is just validation that this guy is more than an average player.
Starting his career in Toronto, McGrady at the time was the youngest player in the NBA and was a rookie on a newly formed franchise in the Toronto Raptors. He played 18.4min ppg with an average of 7 points per game again, just clearly indicates that he was no where near a part of the offense of the team at the time. With the addition of Vince Carter who was the rookie of the year, the teams shift and concentration was on their new player in Vince Carter, with TMac being a role player. McGrady spent 3 years in Toronto, but in all fairness his position on the team at the time ,just wasn’t enough to say that he was the player on the team that would either carry the Raptors to the next level, or carry them to an early exit.
Seeking the desire to become more of an offensive focus, TMac went on to play with the Orlando Magic for 4 seasons. Tracy was to be a part of a move that would have the Magic starting two All-Star players in Grant Hill and McGrady with an excellent supporting cast. The belief of course, was that the team could not only advance but go deep in the playoffs to repeat an opportunity to reach the NBA Finals as they did with Shaq and Penny Hardaway in 94. Needless to say we all no the injuries that plagued Grant Hill quickly turned this optimism into years of just trying to finish above .500 and some respect. There were just no moves made that would’ve allowed TMAC an opportunity to carry this team deep in the playoffs.
Tracy McGrady comes to Houston, after a trade for, Rockets franchise player at the time, Steve Francis. Personally I wasn’t very crazy about this trade, because I liked Francis. But nevertheless McGrady comes to Houston, and fits in well with this team, as the second option to Yao Ming. Unfortunately TMAC runs into the same issue here in Houston with himself being injured for multiple games as well as #1 pick Yao Ming seemingly being plagued with injuries. Once again this year, TMAC will be judged based on how far Houston goes this year in the post season. I don’t think it’s fair, but at the same time, it’s also the responsibility that is given to a superstar like Tracy McGrady. I think the team will do well this year, but if we do suffer the fate of a first round exit, than I believe this puts McGrady’s tenure here in Houston, is serious jeopardy. Either way it goes, McGrady has my respect.
Most NBA players believe in giving back to the community. They understand that their own communities played a big role in what they’ve become today. I want to spot light one individual that has been a big contributor to his native community. He’s also mentoring other players in the league to do the same. The person that I speak of is Houston Rocket’s backup center Dikembe Mutumbo. While Yao Ming is done for this season, Deke has come in to help with filling the gap by contributing 24rebounds and 11 blocks over the course of the last three games. Aside from his defensive prowess some of the more intangibles includes the experience that he brings to the team, which is beneficial to the younger players including Yao and just an overall work ethic for self improvement.
But this is not about Dikembe’s contributions to the game persae. This is more about the contribution he makes to society. During President Bush’s January ’07 State of the Union address he recognized Mutumbo for contributions, as an American, that he has made here in America and to his home in the Congo. Mutumbo came to the US on a medical scholarship to Georgetown University only to be discovered by his coach, John Thompson. It was at the time that his introduction to the game, led his pro career in the NBA. This has allowed Mutumbo to contribute a great more deal to the development of medical facilites in the Congo.
A hospital funded by Mutumbo provides a much needed medical facility with modern medicines and equipment in the Congo. Deke has a charity dedicated to improving the living condition in the Congo known as the Dikembe Mutumbo Foundation These are the examples of the attributes of an ideal role model. His dedication to improving the conditions of his homeland has rubbed off on other players like team mate Tracey McGrady who has pledged to continue to call attention to the situations in Darfur and ex team mate Juwan Howard who joined Mutumbo on a trip to his homeland to be a part of the positive changes being made in Africa. Deke continues to lead by example and I just believe the country is better for it because he demonstrates the blue print of a humanitarian.
