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Yesterday, I wrote on the uncertain future facing the damaged but effective Rockets, and what they might learn from the 2007-08 Celtics. Then last night, Houston edged out Boston, who last season broke up the Rockets' 22-game winning streak. "We sometimes forget that hard work is more important than talent. Last year, Boston had hard work and they had talent. That's why they ran through everybody. I think we're just as talented, but we have to work hard. Sometimes we think Yao is just going to bail us out all the time, or me or Tracy are going to bail us out. Sometimes Tracy thinks his talent is going to take him. He can just cruise his way. But we got to work hard. Tonight, we worked hard."At first glance, you might think this is the ultimate platitude: No matter how good individual players are, they have to discover chemistry and work together well. But, as is often the case when Artest spits some wisdom, the real point is unexpectedly subtle. It's not a question of losing sight of that "talent", but of synthesizing it with a one-for-all ethos that values individual sacrifice. Everyone's the man—"they ran through everybody"—and yet no one is. Stars had to tone down their roles while remembering how to be stars. That's what made the Celtics such a unique case, and why they're probably the best model for any successful 2008-09 Rockets venture.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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Artest calling out McGrady. "Sometimes Tracy thinks his talent is going to take him. He can just cruise his way. But we got to work hard." Talent wise I would take Houston’s depth over Boston. Think that Houstons second unit is far and away better than Boston.
by afishman_80 on Jan 8, 2009 2:26 PM EST reply actions
Surely you jest. THESE Celtics are one of the all time great teams. You mean you didn’t know that they could have easily beaten Showtime and MJ’s Bulls? I don’t see any reason why the entire team shouldn’t be inducted into the Hall of Fame TODAY!!!
;)
by J Bone A on Jan 8, 2009 2:51 PM EST reply actions
They’re like the 1972 Lakers, with a 7’6" Chinaman.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jan 8, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions
"Also, Dude, Chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature. "Asian-American", please."
by afishman_80 on Jan 8, 2009 7:20 PM EST reply actions
Um.. I think that Dude is a Dudette, and perhaps a smurfette at that. Secondly – Yao Ming is not an American citizen. Back home in China, he’s Ming Yao, and Chinese (sans the American).
Um.. I think that Dude is a Dudette, and perhaps a smurfette at that. Secondly – Yao Ming is not an American citizen. Back home in China, he’s Ming Yao, and Chinese (sans the American).‘Chinaman’ maybe isn’t the best phrasing, but she’s French and not quite PC. It’s part of the charm.
by Not_bob on Jan 8, 2009 11:33 PM EST reply actions
You know, it’s just no fun goading Beaners when there are none to be found. Bandwagoneers all.
Where are ya Boston? Any of ya man enough to predict a Celts win tonight in Cleveland?
by J Bone A on Jan 9, 2009 12:10 PM EST reply actions
Chinese people call Americans "gon di soc," which loosely translates to "deficit generating scum."
F*ck the Chinese. They’re our next World War. They should be watching Ming more closely.
by L'etat, c'est moi on Jan 9, 2009 7:48 PM EST reply actions
Be nice to the Chinese – they’re your next employer.
by Not_bob on Jan 11, 2009 12:08 PM EST reply actions
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