Whatever It Takes

Have you ever tried so damn hard to lose, that you ended up winning?
No?
Neither have I.
Losing is about as fun as an emo concert. Lots of unnecessary pain and confusion.
But I digress.

The point is that I just witnessed the Houston Rockets try valiantly to blow a nationally televised game against the Detroit Pistons. We tried so damn hard! But after 48 grueling minutes, the Rockets failed and emerged victorious.

After two straight losses in which they played more like the St. Paul Alter Boys of the U-12 Reverend’s league than an NBA team, you would think the Rockets would play up to big boy standards against Detroit.
Not exactly.

On the same day the Houston Chronicle posts an article with a Yao Ming sized chart listing every category the Rockets suck at, the team decides to up the anti. Apparently they thought 74% free throw shooting was too good. So why not add another category to that list of things they suck at.
Free throws.
How’s 27.3% for ya’? That’s 6 for 22. How clutch.
Especially considering you’re playing one of the elite teams in the league at home on national television wearing throwback jerseys to commemorate an era when short shorts frolicked and free throws fell. How do you choose such an elemental night to try and lose a game.

One might say they just weren’t trying hard enough.
I disagree.
It wasn’t just the free throws. We knew 27.3% might not be enough to lose. So we deemed it prudent to go ahead and miss a whole slew of lay-ups and easy shots as well.
I mean, if you shoot 6 for 22 from the charity line AND miss easy baskets, how can you win?
The Rockets obviously thought it would be enough to lose.

But somehow, someway, Sumner Redstone, the Rockets beat the Detroit Pistons and regained an edge in their battle against mediocrity. It’s amazing how this team works. They constantly throw their loyal fans into an emotional labyrinth of pain and confusion. Just like an emo concert.
That’s just how we roll. Better get used to it.

Welcome to the roller coaster ride that is The Houston Rockets.