What's The Time? It's About Damn Time

Dear Rockets,

I was born and raised in Houston and so have had Jazz-hating blood coursing through my veins from an early age. Simply put, I f'n hate Utah. The state, its lone professional sports team, its Salty ass Lake, its nonsensical nickname, its coach, its Stockton, its Malone, its Boozer, its Williams, and its fans who have never experienced the sweet taste of a championship. We fans in Houston have been so fortunate, but it was so, so long ago. That was back when it was Championship or Bust. Back when we had players who played together as one. Back when teams and the nation disrespected our chances time and time again. Sound familiar? You guys have won 22 straight games. Jordan was never on a team that did that nor was Bird or Magic or even the great Tony Massenburg who whored himself out to more teams than the typical Jazz fan has wives. During that streak you guys reminded me a lot of those championship teams. Sure the players have changed, but the feelings were the same. You exuded supreme confidence when you hit the floor every night and you hit that floor for every loose ball and whether you came up with it or not, you made us proud. You had faith in each other and you played unflinchingly for each other. You stepped on a team's throat when the opportunity presented itself. You battled for all 2,880 seconds of each and every game. Since the streak ended there have been ups, there have been downs. But I know you guys believe in each other and I can't speak for the entire city, but I will, we believe in you. I don't care about the losses in the past. I don't care that Tracy is the best player never to have gotten out of the first round. I don't care that we're missing an All-Star. I don't care that the Jazz is the favorite. I don't care about what the nation's so-called experts think. I only care about the guys in the Rockets' uniforms and what's going on in their minds and hearts. I only care about you playing your best and letting everything else fall into place. I only care about the one longtime Houston franchise that has shown us the heart of a champion. The building may have changed, but that beat is still there boys. I can hear it. I can feel it. I know you can too. This is your time. This is the team that had the Coach of the Year. This is the team that had the Rookie of the Year. This is the team that overcame more adversity than any other still playing. This is the team that won 22 straight games. This is the team that is going to bring back that winning feeling to Houston. It all starts with your heart, your hard work and your faith. I believe. Now let's go remind the basketball world that until further notice this is still Clutch City, Home of the Houston Rockets! And Jazz, well, sorry but you're just in the way.


Thanks,

A Believer

Quick Hitters and Random Thoughts

--Jennie Garth is gonna be on the new 90210?!

--Amanda Righetti won't be Friday the 13th's female survivor after all. It'll be Danielle Panabaker.

--It was Lima Time in Korea. "Was" because the Kia Tigers released Jose this week. The day before he was released he gave up 8 runs on 8 hits in just 3.2 innings. Lima's '08 line was 0-1 in 21.2 innings with a 6.23 ERA.

--David Cross and Amber Tamblyn?! Way to go David she's a mere 19 years younger than you.
Sorry JD you're out of luck again...

--Though David is beaten out by Comrade Putin, 56, who is rumored to have divorced his wife in order to spend more sexy time with former Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, 25.

--Michelle Rodriguez had an interview with Latina magazine the other day and had some interesting thoughts to share with the class. For example, she was asked why she thinks she has no stable love interest:
"Every time you see a woman who walks down the street, you think, 'is she f*ckable?' Any woman who is in some way f*ckable, you know, if she's beautiful, or if she has a nice body, you wonder what kind of things that person does with their private area. It's a very perverse way of thinking, but it's the way that the majority of adults in the United States and around the world think. Or the porn industry wouldn't be the highest grossing industry in the world."
Okay, I can't wait to read her thoughts on reporters and bloggers who try to 'out' her as a lesbian:
"I picture them turning into pigs, slime coming out the side of their mouth, and I picture them jerking off. I don't answer those questions. I just keep it to myself and it's nobody's business. If I wanna f*ck a girl, a boy, a dog—that's my business. That's why there's bathroom doors."
Yeah you nosy ass pervs, if you go into a bathroom and you hear Michelle Rodriguez and what sounds like a dog in pain keep on walking. That's why the bathroom door is shut, a-hole!

--The New York Times had an article about Charley Casserly last week. Charley is filling his time these days by teaching at George Mason. The worst general manager in Houston sports history did have a good line about all the criticism he received here. It was a line former Redskins owner Jack Kent Cooke told him once:
"Criticism is like being in the rain. Once you’re wet, what’s another drop?"

--Despite winning the last time against GSP is Matt Serra a bigger underdog this time around?

--If you were wondering and I know you were the title of the Lost season finale will be "There's No Place Like Home."

--What the hell are these celebrities talking to a VW Bug for exactly?

Questions, comments, or if you're going back to Amstel Light for the playoffs...