HOUSTON -- Unexpected achievement in the face of incredible adversity isn't quite how the Houston Rockets saw their playoff run unfolding.
But that was certainly the theme that carried the Rockets, minus injured stars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, to within one game of reaching the Western Conference finals this season. One amazing night by McGrady or just the presence of aging Dikembe Mutombo in the paint might have been all the Rockets needed to avoid a Game 7 Semifinals in Los Angeles and overcome the Lakers.
It wasn't meant to be, but still it was enough to re-energize a franchise that seemed in serious trouble a few weeks ago because of it's often-injured stars and nondescript supporting cast. The Rockets hadn't been out of the first round of the playoffs in 12 years prior to this season.
It's time to give Rockets coach Rick Adelman some credit before it's too late. After all, who knows what's going to happen Sunday? But it must be noted that he's doing quite the job on the bench this postseason, like he's done time and time before.
The mere fact that Adelman has been able to guide the Rockets to two victories over the L.A. Lakers since Yao Ming went down makes Houston's coach the MVP of this series right now.
It was one thing to shock the Lakers in Game 4 on Sunday, the first game without Yao. It's quite another to handle the Lakers again in Game 6 on Thursday -- by a score of 95-80 -- to force an anything-can-happen Game 7 back in L.A.
Rockets 95, Lakers 80: Recap | Box Score Series Tied 3-3 | Next Game: Sunday @ Los Angeles, 3:30 PM ET
Let's take our attention for a moment off the NBA playoffs and look ahead to the 2009-10 season. It was a tough year for several players around the league. So tough, in fact, that they'll have some bouncing back to do next year.
Here are five players – and a sixth man -- who should have the most to prove in 2009-10:
--Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets. Technically, a team with McGrady on the roster – this year's Rockets – advanced to the second round of the playoffs. That would be a first. Except we all know McGrady didn't play in the postseason and wasn't around down the stretch for Houston.
You can't keep a good seven-foot Chinese guy with incredible footwork, length, and a solid supporting cast built of metric-positive role players down forever.
The Houston Rockets advanced to the second round for the first time in Yao Ming's seven-year career on Thursday night with a 92-76 win at home over the Portland Trailblazers. And while Yao was his usual productive self with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks, it was Ron Artest shaking off his offensive doldrums to explode for 27 points that helped Houston to overcome their demons. And possibly give Tracy McGrady a few more.
But you're starting to hear it more and more, and with the passing of time, the evidence seems to mount: The Houston Rockets are better without Tracy McGrady.
Sure, that doesn't quite sound right, but the numbers don't do McGrady any favors, either.
With McGrady in the lineup, the Rockets are 20-15; without McGrady, the Rockets are 33-13.
Tracy McGrady has been mentioned in trade rumors that last several weeks, but Rockets owner Leslie Alexander revealed Tuesday that the team has decided to take him off the trading block. "You don't get superstars that often," Alexander told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.
That's kind of Alexander to say, but it seems there's another reason why McGrady won't be dealt: ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported Tuesday evening that McGrady informed him that he'll miss the rest of the season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee. Anyone who saw McGrady get stuffed by the rim on a dunk attempt last week can't possibly be surprised.
Tracy McGrady has complained about not being healthy the entire season. His left knee hasn't completely healed and it's been showing in his production. Tracy's been trying to get the thing right, but Monday night we found out that he obviously still has a long way to go. It pains me to post this video.
A report from the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Pistons faced the Rockets on January 25.
Sunday in Detroit was supposed to be the day that Houston's Big Three became whole again, as both Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest were finally returning to action for the first time in weeks.
Unfortunately, fate intervened: Yao Ming banged knees with Jeff Foster during Friday's game in Indiana and was forced to sit out Sunday's win against the Pistons, missing just his second game of the season.
HOUSTON -- Unexpected achievement in the face of incredible adversity isn't quite how the Houston Rockets saw their playoff run unfolding.
It's time to give Rockets coach 
Let's take our attention for a moment off the NBA playoffs and look ahead to the 2009-10 season. It was a tough year for several players around the league. So tough, in fact, that they'll have some bouncing back to do next year.
On the surface, the statement defies logic.
A report from the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Pistons faced the Rockets on January 25.
