Life Goes On

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but maybe Yao Ming’s season ending injury won’t send the Houston Rockets into a dark whirlwind of playoff neglect after all. One would think that the axing of a 7’6” tree would create such a gaping hole in the canopy of the Rockets’ rain forest that the team’s entire ecosystem would crumble.

Not exactly. In three games without China’s champion, the Rockets have obliterated their opponents with double-digit victories in all three games. The ecosystem still flourishes. The hole ripped in the Rockets’ ozone by Yao’s fall has provided sunlight for new budding life to blossom. Like the rough-rooted Scola vine recently imported from Argentina. Or the light-footed Landry—a quick, high-hopping mammal from the plains of Purdue.

And while new flora and fauna flourish to cover Yao’s roots, the already established native creatures have not panicked about their changing environment. The slithering Alston snake continues to penetrate its prey’s defense and knock down open jumpers. The stoned-face McGrady goes about its business as usual, and the intangible Battier still frustrates opposing fools with class. The most impressive adaptation in the Rockets’ ecosystem so far though, has got to be that of destructive Dikembe—a ruthless dinosaur from Congo that devours rebounds and blocks shots with its long and lethal talons.

While the Rockets surely miss the Great Wall’s omnipotence, the rest of the team has compensated for his 22 points and 10 rebounds. With a superstar like Tracy McGrady, one wouldn’t think it should be that difficult to capture Yao’s stats back, but what’s truly amazing is the Rockets have thrived in their last three games despite the team’s entire offensive scheme revolved around Yao. So it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about completely changing the way you play the game.

Let us laud Coach Adelman for a terrific job trafficking such a drastic change. Adelman might even be able to do more with the current lineup than he ever did when Yao was healthy. The smaller run-and-gun system that the team will inevitably be forced to play seems to fit Adelman as it once did in Sacramento.

Now, the Rockets’ competition hasn’t been too fierce over these last three battles, but the month of March, with games against the top six western conference teams, will rumble the Rockets’ rainforest and test the strength of their trees. Let’s just hope life sustains itself in this flourishing ecosystem.

*When Yao went down with his injury, bona fide blabber mouth Steven A. Smith (an ESPN analyst) spat that the Rockets were doomed unless Tracy McGrady selfishly took over the game and attempted to play one-on-five basketball. Well, Steven, it appears there’s a reason why you don’t play the game. I’m just curious why that same legitimacy hasn’t booted you from the booth. You will never be as obnoxious as Sir Charles, so please, stop trying. (Plus, the only reason Barkley gets away with being a buffoon is because while he may sound like an idiot sometimes, he does know the game of basketball). And if you think ESPN needs its own version of Sir Charles, what do you think Bill Walton is for? Please, Steven, think before you speak.