Houston Rockets Suffer Tough Break

Columnist Written on May 09, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Yao Ming #11 of the Houston Rockets reacts in pain after injuring his knee in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Ming returned to the game later in the quarter. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets have been through a whole lot this season, yet they always seem to overcome the worst that was happening. They survived the loss of their normally top-scorer Tracy McGrady, who had his worst season in years, before having season-ending microfracture knee surgery.

They survived the controversy of coach Rick Adelman finding out about T-Mac's surgery: through the media. Heck, they even survived the loss of Rafer Alston, after he was dealt to the Orlando Magic for Brian Cook.

Through all their hardships, the Rockets managed to not only make the playoffs, but defeat the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, advancing to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time since the 1996-97 season. Pretty damn good, right? Oh, they also survived Ron Artest....until now.

If it was not bad enough Artest got ejected in two games against the Lakers during the second round, then perhaps this is a bullet even H-Town cannot afford to take.

Yao Ming is injured. It is not bad enough to require surgery, but impacts the Rockets' chances this postseason. It was announced today Rockets center Yao Ming would be out for 8-12 weeks a.k.a. the rest of the postseason with a broken foot.

With the Rockets losing their composure and the Lakers getting a 2-1 series lead, everything seems to be going against them. The Rockets may still have a chance to make this series competitive against the seemingly unstoppable Lakers.

It is up to Luis Scola and stellar defender, yet volatile personality, Ron Artest to step up big time. You never know, stranger things have happened in the NBA Playoffs.

Just ask Dirk Nowitzki how the hell his top-seeded 60-plus-win Mavericks lost to the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round back in 2007. He won't have an answer.

There may be an answer for the Lakers, but it might not be in Houston. A tough break for the Rockets indeed.

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written on May 09, 2009 Opinion

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