For a moment, let’s go back to the 2009 Western Conference Playoffs. The Rockets had just lost game three of their semi-final playoff series to the eventual champion Lakers. Even more crippling than the loss to Los Angeles was the injury Yao suffered in the process. In the game three loss, Yao suffered a stress fracture to his foot that would keep him out the remainder of the postseason.
At this point, no one expected much from the Rockets going up against the high powered Lakers. However, the Rockets convincingly beat the Lakers in game four two nights later to even the series 2-2. The Rockets did not stop there as they pushed the Lakers all the way to a seventh game. Although they came up short in game seven, the Rockets could hold their heads high after showing so much toughness despite so much adversity.
Soon after the Rockets were eliminated from the playoffs, word spread that Yao Ming would have to have surgery to his injured foot. The surgery would cause Yao Ming to miss the entire 09-10 season. Knowing you are going to be without your best player for an entire season would devastate most teams. However, the Rockets showed as much character as they did in the 2009 playoffs. Although the Rockets missed the playoffs, they posted a very respectible record of 42-40. The Rockets were led by perennial All-Star Aaron Brooks, along with consistent play from Luis Scola, who could very easily be the most underrated player in the league.
As the 2010-2011 approached, Yao Ming was cleared to play again. Although Yao was only expected to play 24 minutes a game, many people felt having Yao back on the lineup made the team a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. With that being said, the team struggled out of the gate this season, losing seven of their first ten games. On top of that, in the middle of December, Yao suffered another stress fracture to his foot. The current injury could possibly end Yao’s playing career.
Despite their slow start, and another injury to Yao, the Rockets are once again showing the grit we have seen time and time again. The Rockets are currently 16-17, and only 1.5 games back for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. Without their best player, and playing in a stacked Western Conference, the Rockets undoubtedly have trials and tribulations on the horizon. However, as we have learned in the past, when the road ahead gets tough, the Rockets get tougher.
Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.
