Houston Rockets: Resilience Takes a New Meaning in the Playoffs

Resilience, a word that is tossed around like currency in the bustling city of Houston.

Overused would be an understatement.

But it is fitting, isn't it? There isn't a better word in the English language that better summarizes a somewhat nail-biting and perturbed Houston season.

Indeed, after a physically draining first round in the postseason, that sapped an already heavily fatigued Houston team, they have shown their astounding collective wherewithal to sustain crucial focus, and dispatch a lowly Portland team in all but six games.

And now heading into what promises to be an infamously capricious series with the LA Lakers (and after Games one and two, I'm sure you'll be inclined to agree with me), the Rockets will be once again hard-pressed to convey this cold blooded approach, that brought them success in Game one, and a heart breaking loss game two.

However, even when staring in the face of adversity, they sent a message, and amidst the callous acts we witnessed in game two, conducted by an uneasy Lakers team, the Rockets are still resilient.

The very image of, none other than Kobe Bryant (a man who is sheer the definition of arrogance), abruptly raising his hands in a priestly fashion to rapidly discern himself of any involvement from a situation he created, made me sick to the core of my being.

And provoking the already volatile Ron Artest as he, somehow, retained years of frustration and long over due revenge, behind a face savagely pressed against the conceited Mr.Bryant is a despicable act in its own right, not least accompanied by Bryant's vicious premeditated lunge at Artest's throat.

But surely Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher are innocent, aren't they? Yeah, right, and Shaq possesses the most lethal mid-range game in NBA history.

So where Artest and Battier among others remain the victims of LA's brutal "sporting" tactics, they are also the perfect example of what has been Houston's calling card all season long.

Resilience

A word that is thrown about like currency in the bustling city of Houston.

And its true, overused would be an overstatement.

But that word was the driving force that got Houston into the playoffs, and you can bet your bottom dollar that's whats gonna keep 'em there.

A word of advice to Los Angeles:

LA, Houston is now a problem.