Are Ron Artest and the blue-collar Houston Rockets destined for playoff success?

April 26 09

Blue-collar muscle could end the heartbreak in Houston.

After years of bitter first round defeats, the Rockets, thanks to a one point win over the Blazers on Sunday evening, hold a commanding 3-1 series lead and are on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference Semi-finals.

Simply put, this new-look Houston side is suited for the playoffs.

Contenders have a lockdown guy. And coach Rick Adelman has the luxury of using two defensive specialists: Ron Artest and Shane Battier. In game four, these two took turns against Brandon Roy. Ron-Ron’s strength slowed Portland’s star, while the CEO (Battier) did a great job playing angles.

Artest and Battier’s efforts have had a trickle down effect. Power forwards Luis Scola and Carl Landry have produced on both ends of the court. Deadline acquisition Kyle Lowry is a heady point guard, while Chuck Hayes, although undersized, provides infectious hustle.

This group, with Yao Ming leading, have chemistry. Consider that the Rockets won game four despite shooting a measly forty percent from the floor. Instead of getting down about their misses, they simply outworked the Blazers for extra opportunities.

Most importantly, as a team, they defend. In the final minute of Sunday night’s contest, Houston got three key stops before Rudy Fernandez hit a three-pointer. The highlight was Battier and Roy combining for a block-charge combo on Roy.

Immediately following the game, the television cameras zoomed in on Artest and Tracy McGrady congratulating teammates. Slowly, the cameras left the injured T-Mac, who was decked out in a flashy three-piece suit, for the muscular Artest.

The image was ironic. Artest, with all his baggage and in just his first season with the Rockets, will likely win a playoff series –something the talented McGrady has never achieved. Chalk it up as a victory for blue-collar grit.

Is this blue-collar Houston crew destined for playoff success? Why? Why not? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of erimanila.

14 Comments: Are Ron Artest and the blue-collar Houston Rockets destined for (...)

Posted by
J.K
on 04.29.2009

I mean the Shooting Guard position my bad .

Posted by

on 04.28.2009

Houston simply has the more popular star in Yao ming. Hence the obvious bias of the officials is giving them the series on a plate. No sweat they will face the same problem in the next round, for the nba Kobe finals >> Yao ming finals. .

Posted by
J.K
on 04.28.2009

Hi, Oly. I’m always keeping up with your article and you always bring up a good points that make people think about the issue over and over again. I like how you pin-point the issue and give a backup in both ends of the argument. I was wondering if you could talk about Utah Jazz. I really don’t see any big weakness in them, other than the point guard position and bench. Yet, they are playing worse than ever. I thought they would do better than this, but this is doesn’t feel like the same team that played Lakers in WFC last year. .

Posted by

on 04.28.2009

I think Denver will suffer from lacking a legit center. I don’t understand how they could withstand Lakers and Houston who has a caliber scoring ability. Bynum and Yao, they are too tall for Nene and Anderson .

Posted by
Jack
on 04.28.2009

Ekwe: Houston is a very good defensive team and an above average offensive team, but the Nuggets if they are on their D game, are unbeatable, because their offense is probably the league’s best. .

Posted by
Ekwe111
on 04.27.2009

The word is ’Defence’ from begining to the end. If Houston kicks it up, Denver may stagger. All said and done, the big monkey is there waiting. Go Lakers!!!!!!! .

Posted by
J.K
on 04.27.2009

Houston was a team that had a lots of talent, but inefficient. Although injury has some contribution to this team’s disability to get past the first round, Ron-Ron contributed what this team needed the most; Intensity. Before Ron came to Houston, their leaders were soft players. I mean, we are talking about Yao Ming and T-Mac, the softest 1-2 punch in the league. When Artest came in, he raised the Rockets’ standard of toughness. For example, back in the days when T-Mac was in charge, Houston would defend like Suns. Let them score, we will score more. When Artest came in, they would defend their opponent as if they are in the playoffs. Basically, the reason why Houston can get over the 1st round go-home, is because they have the toughness they lacked before. .

Posted by
JK
on 04.27.2009

"The highlight was Battier and Roy combining for a block-charge combo on Roy. "I believe you mean Battier and Hayes ... on Roy.Unless Roy somehow made an invisible copy of himself and put him on the Rockets team... which would be cool considering how beastly Roy is. An invisible Roy is probably more effective than an injured T-Mac.. .

Posted by
melo boy
on 04.27.2009

why is there so much hate on tmac. he a great player no matter what and artest looks good because he stepped up. All that needs to happens when tmac gets back is someone has to go to the bench. Tmac can do what jr smith is doing for my nuggs. Hes still a beast no matter what and you guys wanna throw away talent? The only true big issue for housten is the money. .

Posted by

on 04.27.2009

T-Mac was the problem. It wasn’t inentional. But like his cousin, he lacks the toughness to really produce and win playoff games. .

Posted by

on 04.27.2009

With TMAC = no round 2without TMAC = Round 2 baby! .

Posted by
No T-Mac
on 04.27.2009

T-Mac may return ... next season, not this year, and the Rockets are better for it! He should stay on the bench and watch how a real team does it!!!! .

Posted by
Jack
on 04.27.2009

They are a good team, but I still think they’re 3rd banana in the WC. Denver’s looking like the best team in the conference right now. Apart from LA of course. .

Posted by
rishi
on 04.27.2009

t-mac is a talented playerhe MAY return he’s still not dead.&yes if he clicks on wid artest than they r deadly .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Are Ron Artest and the blue-collar Houston Rockets destined for playoff success?

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