Why The NBA Needs The Houston Rockets To Beat The L.A. Lakers

Come on, Houston, do it for Golden State.

For Bryce Drew.

Hey, for Yao Ming.

No, don't do it for that team, or that college player everyone has forgotten. Don't even do it for your center—who can never manage to finish a playoff run.

And definitely don't do it for Tracy McGrady.

Do it for the NBA. Do it for the fans. Win Game Seven in Los Angeles. Be the underdog that actually came through.

Because really, we need this. I mean, we really need this.

True, the playoffs have been intense. With both of the Boston Celtics' series grinding it out into a full seven games, and the Denver Nuggets shocking everyone, it has been a remarkable postseason.

But not remarkable enough.

This hasn't been Muhammad Ali-great. This hasn't touched the Giants beating the Patriots-awesome.

There have been glimpses of what could end up being the greatest modern postseason, yet, it hasn't been enough.

We need that, "Did you see that game" conversation. The water cooler is drying up. The superstar, NBA icon, MVP-feud-fed drama is dying down.

All we have left is those pesky reigning champs (Celtics), a trey-launching Orlando squad, and that ensemble of hard-nosed, ghetto Denver Nuggets (and I mean ghetto in the best way possible).

You're down to your last card, Houston. You've put forth a courageous effort. You've done the impossible; you've shaken Kobe Bryant's confidence. His swagger, as unbelievable as it may sound, is fading.

It's time to pull the trigger. Kick the beast while he's down.

Find your inner-Hakeem Olajuwon, and set him free.

Yao Ming, once again, out for the rest of a season. Check.

Tracy McGrady having nothing to do with the playoffs. Check.

Dikembe Mutombo down, out, and retired. Check.

To the rest of the world, you're nobodies. You're living, breathing, walking cliche's.

Way to hustle, Houston. Way to crash those boards. Great job, Rockets. Atta' boy, and thanks for getting back on defense. Oh, and let's not forget boxing your guy out.

That's all you'll be hearing when this series is over. That is, unless you put the Lakers to sleep.

Not only could you pull off one of the greatest upsets of our era, but you could change the way people look at the NBA. No. 1 seeds will forever be afraid of you, and anyone else who dares to play team defense.

A no-name squad, led by an interim starting point guard and some Luis Scola guy nobody can stand to look at.

You don't even have to get to the Finals. You don't even have to win another game.

Just beat the Lakers. Just shut down Kobe Bryant. Just win, baby.

Do that, and you've done your good deed. Do that, and you've made history.

Do that, and you've made the NBA great, again.