Spring Corporate League Playoffs

Wednesday's Line
(L) Team AXA-BENSON (5-6) v. DB Covert Ops (7-4)
10 pts, 2-7 FG, 2-6 3FG, 4-4 FT, 4 asts, 4 rebs, 3 stls, 4 TOs

We should have won this game. After a nine point lead going into the second half, they dropped back in a 2-3, cheating on the wings. And I couldn't get a high post consistently at the free throw line. So we couldn't get even get our offense started. Sted being Sted... stubborn. Hovering out on the wing. Big Man for Covert Ops even told me after the game had we put him at the free throw line and hit a couple of shots, they would have come out of the zone. Benson, we missed you.

Shoulder didn't bother me so much as the back-to-back-to-back games. Just had no legs... but still enough to put down a couple of 3s late in the game to keep us in it. But we didn't have enough to finish.

And we had no answer for Big Man's turnaround and mid-range game. Butter. Can't believe he's never played pro ball anywhere. Even caught a drop-step from the post late in the first half.

Tuesday's Line
(L) Team AXA-RODD (5-6) v. Scholastic (8-3)
6 pts, 2-4 FG, 2-3 3FG, 0-1 FT, 3 asts, 1 rebs, 2 stls, 2 TOs

Had no answer for 'em this time. Ol' boy outta FLA State came to play. And point guard outta Bucknell had a sick put back dunk from outside the box in the second half over Sted. He's 5' 11".

Limited minutes for me, but Scholastic didn't complain. Bobbito held it down as long as he could, but they threw everybody at him. Sted still can't get a call in traffic. But he can't make a free throw either. We need a legit big man.

No real surprise for either of these games--though we still should have won Wed.'s. We had a good second half season run, but could find no identity as a team. Don't know whether to run or to slow it down. Too little for half-court, not in good enough shape to run all game. 'Til summer then...

Spring Corporate League Week 11

Monday's Line
(W) 69-65 Team AXA-BENSON (5-5) v. Fred Alger (3-7)
17 pts, 5-11 FG, 0-1 3FG, 7-8 FT, 4 asts, 4 rebs, 4 stls, 6 TOs

In limited action due to last week's re-aggravating my shoulder injury... you know when Martin Riggs pulls that trick in Lethal Weapon where he wrenches his arm out of its socket to get out of a strait jacket? It's just like that. But we made the playoffs on both nights. Barely.


2nd Half Season Stats (7-0 run)
17.8 pts (107), 7.7 apg (46), 4.2 rpg (25), 3.8 spg (23), 3.5 TOpg (21)
FG% .522 (35-67), 3FG% .438 (14-32), FT% .958 (23-24)

Season Stats
14.1 pts (253), 6.0 apg (108), 3.4 rpg (61), 3.2 spg (35), 2.9 TOpg (53)
FG% .439 (83-189), 3FG% .402 (41-102), FT% .900 (54-60)

Spring Corporate League Week 10

Tuesday's Line
(W) 75-69 Team AXA-RODD (5-5) v. Scholastic (7-3)
26 pts, 7-14 FG, 6-10 3FG, 6-6 FT, 6 asts, 3 rebs, 2 stls, 3 TOs

We're giant killers... now a couple teams have to lose.

Monday's Line
(W) Team AXA-BENSON (4-5) v. Goldman Sachs (5-4)
16 pts, 5-11 FG, 2-5 3FG, 4-4 FT, 8 asts, 4 rebs, 5 stls, 3 TOs

Good team, big sharpshootin' white boys, reminded me of those days in the Mormon league except Mormons aren't usually this big. This win means we've beaten the first, second and third place teams in consecutive games. Got another first place team tomorrow.

Yo Giff Nielsen, where's that state championship trophy?

Spring Corporate League Week 9

Monday's Line
(W) 75-71 OT Team AXA-BENSON (3-5) v. Zurich NA (5-3)
14 pts, 5-9 FG, 2-5 3FG, 2-2 FT, 10 asts, 5 rebs, 5 stls, 4 TOs

18 pts behind with less than 10 min. left, we come back with a flurry of threes after Sted and I start a yelling match due to his questionable shot selection. It was purely motivational...

Time now to watch the 'Stros?

It's over. Time to resolve our expectations.

Let's face it. This was not that championship run. The Jet mentioned it on TNT some months ago, during a Run, the whole team feels it, the fans feel it. Everything goes their way. But we didn't feel that, certainly not in Games 4 and 5.

So even though it seemed at times that it was, this wasn't... the Run.

Yes, another first round exit. But this time, progress. Seven games... but alas, the Mavs handed our team their shorts and told them they were too old. Speed kills. Especially the elderly.

But this makes for an inspired T-Mac (hopefully for the duration of the offeseason) and maybe we'll be looking at next year's Steve Nash. And maybe with a Tony Battie (or a... dare I say it, Robert Horry?) and a Greg Buckner, or a Flip Murray, the Rockets can make that Run.

Who said we didn't need Mo Taylor?

Rockets are history

May 8, 2005, 1:50AM

Margin of defeat sets record for scoring futility in a Game 7

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
• Boxscore

DALLAS - The Rockets heard the rumble and felt the ground shake, until they looked up to see what was heading their way like roadkill does when it is too late to do anything but know it's over.

The Mavericks hit the Rockets faster and harder than they had in any game of the series until the Rockets were splattered in their path. As if overwhelmed by the realization that only the season's end was awaiting them, the Rockets finally cracked.

The Mavericks pounded the Rockets from start to finish, rolling to a 116-76 rout — the worst Rockets playoff loss, Mavericks' biggest playoff rout and most lopsided rout in a Game 7.

"I'm disgusted," Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said. "I'm real mad. I'm angry. All that stuff. At the same time, I won't hang my head. I will be back next year. I will be back. This is all going to make me tougher. I never will fold. I'll be back. My team will be back and we will come back stronger and better."


ROCKETS Q&A
Chronicle writer Jonathan Feigen takes your questions about the Rockets. Send your questions here.

NBA PLAYOFFS 2005
ROCKETS vs. MAVERICKS
Dallas wins best-of-7 series, 4-3
Game 1: Rockets 98, Mavs 86 Photos, Box
Game 2: Rockets 113, Mavs 111 Photos, Box
Game 3: Mavs 106, Rockets 102 Photos, Box
Game 4: Mavs 97, Rockets 93 Photos, Box
Game 5: Mavs 103, Rockets 100 Photos, Box
Game 6: Rockets 101, Mavs 83 Photos, Box
Game 7: Mavs 116, Rockets 76 Photos, Box

LISTEN TO REACTION:
Jeff Van Gundy: • Game 7: Mavs pounded us• On defensive effort
Tracy McGrady: • We couldn't defend anybody• This loss will make me stronger
FAN FORUM: • Post your comments about playoffs

ROCKETS BY THE NUMBERS• Schedule • Movements • Roster • Depth chart

McGrady's Inspired Effort Sets Up Finale in Dallas

HOUSTON (AP) -- Tracy McGrady shouldered the burden of doing it all in Orlando, and had no playoff success to show for it.

With a little more help in Houston, McGrady is on the brink of a postseason breakthrough.

Playing with the desperation of a man on the brink of elimination, McGrady had 37 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to help the Rockets avoid a first-round exit with a 101-83 victory over Dallas on Thursday night.

"He's our superstar and we ride him," Rockets guard Mike James said. "Tonight we tried to help him with the load. We know he's going to lead us, we've just got to chip in."

The series is now tied 3-3, with Game 7 in Dallas on Saturday. The winner will face top-seeded Phoenix in the Western Conference semifinals.

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Mavs take 3-2 series lead over Rockets

May 3, 2005, 10:48AM

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

DALLAS - The incredible was theirs. When they had to be, the Rockets were spectacular. They were doing to the Mavericks what the Mavericks had done to them.

The Rockets finally had turned Yao Ming into Shaquille O'Neal, bending rims but unable to make free throws. They had Tracy McGrady scurrying to take his intentionally missed free throw to the 3-point arc to fling a last-chance shot at overtime.

This time, the miracle seemed theirs. The improbable was within reach. But for the Rockets, the ordinary proved impossible. Again.

The Rockets came back with a spectacular fourth quarter but lost 103-100 on Monday night at American Airlines Center when — as with their consecutive losses in Houston — they could not make the ordinary, game-winning plays.

With that, the Rockets return to Toyota Center for Thursday's Game 6 trailing the Mavericks 3-2 and lamenting the moments that have gotten away.

"It's tough," McGrady said. "We are right there. It's always something down the stretch of the ballgame. We do a good job of fighting back and getting ourselves into the ballgame when we were down 11. It's always a broken play, a rebound, or something. We just can't ever get over the hump."

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Corporate League Week 8

Monday's Line
(W) 85-60 Team AXA-BENSON (2-5) v. Uptown Warriors (1-6)
18 pts, 8-13 FG, 2-5 3FG, 0-0 FT, 11 asts, 6 rebs, 4 stls, 3 TOs

Tuesday's Line
(W) 69-63 Team AXA-RODD (3-5) v. AXA-HOWARD (5-3)
16 pts, 5-11 FG, 2-6 3FG, 4-4 FT, 7 asts, 3 rebs, 3 stls, 2 TOs

Finally...

Mavericks tie series at 2-2

May 1, 2005, 10:19PM

Rockets drop second home game to Dallas

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

These are the days that haunt at night, the kind that keep players awake until they are tormented in their sleep.

These are the ones they never forget.

The Rockets were there again, right where they were Thursday, leading by the same score. For a second consecutive fourth quarter, a game, a series and perhaps the season were on the line. And for the second consecutive game, the Rockets gagged up a game — and perhaps a series and season.

The Rockets did not just blow another fourth-quarter lead to lose to the Dallas Mavericks 97-93 on Saturday at Toyota Center, evening their best-of-seven playoff series at 2-2. They lost with another late collapse full of bad breaks and worse plays.

"We were awful, awful in the last six minutes," Rockets guard David Wesley said. "The last two games we were at 88-82 and just completely off offensively. We haven't put the ball in the basket. Bad possessions. Turnovers.

"A 20-0 run (Thursday) and a 15-5 run at the end of the game (Saturday). If it's panic or whatever it is, we didn't execute. We were awful finishing this game tonight the way we finished Game 3. Awful."

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Corporate League Week 7

Mid-Season Stats
13.3 pts (146), 5.6 apg (62), 3.3 rpg (36), 3.2 spg (35), 2.9 TOpg
FG% .393 (48-122), 3FG% .386 (27-70), FT% .808 (21-26)

Monday's Line
Team AXA-BENSON (1-5) L 63-56
20 pts, 7-16 FG, 4-7 3FG, 2-2 FT, 8 asts, 3 rebs, 2 stls, 1 TO

Tuesday's Line
Team AXA-RODD (2-5) L
6 pts, 1-8 FG, 0-5 3FG, 4-4 FT, 10 asts, 2 rebs, 2 stls, 3 TOs

Yao and McGrady Propel Rockets

ROCKETS 113, MAVERICKS 111

By Associated Press April 26, 2005

DALLAS -- Yao Ming scored 33 points on 13-of-14 shooting -- with his only miss arguably being more of a turnover -- and Tracy McGrady added 28, but it was their spectacular baskets in the final 1:07 that mattered most in the Houston Rockets' thrilling 113-111 victory over the Dallas Mavericks last night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round NBA playoff series.

The Rockets trailed, 102-95, with 5:36 left, when McGrady hit a jumper that sparked an 11-3 run that gave Houston a 106-105 lead. When the Mavericks tied it at 109, the dynamic duo came through again, with McGrady driving to the rim, then slipping the ball to Yao for an easy dunk with 1:06 left.

Dallas tied it again, though, when Dirk Nowitzki -- who broke out of his series-long slump midway through the fourth quarter -- faked McGrady several times and nailed a jumper from the free throw line with 10.4 seconds left.

McGrady, however, never hesitated. Not even looking to the bench for a possible timeout, he inbounded the ball, got it back right away and went to the top right of the 3-point line. Setting up behind a Yao screen, he buried a long 2-pointer, then made a sneering gesture as the Mavericks called time.

Given one last chance to salvage a split at home, Dallas failed when Michael Finley missed a decent look from near the top of the key.

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Corporate League Week 6

Monday's Line
Team AXA-BENSON (1-4) L 73-69
19 pts, 7-12 FG, 5-8 3FG, 4 asts, 2 rebs, 2 stls, 4 TOs

Tuesday's Line
Team AXA-RODD (2-4) L 81-70
15 pts, 6-13 FG, 1-6 3FG, 2-4 FT, 6 asts, 4 rebs, 2 stls, 6 TOs

Why Can't O'Neal Ask Questions?

By Scoop Jackson, www.ESPN.com

Let's say there was no color issue; let's say everyone in America was green. Green like the dollar bill. Green with envy.

Now let's say there's a group of people, all green, all American, standing at a bus stop on their way to work. The bus pulls up, driver opens the door and the bus driver says, "Good morning everyone! You all know the drill ... dark green people to the back, light green people sit in the front."

Jermaine O'Neal's taking a lot of heat -- for simply asking questions.

At some point we all knew it would come to this. But it didn't have to come to this. The "R." Racism. The word. Groundhogged it's ugly little head again. This time out of the mouth of Jermaine O'Neal. His words inexact: "Racism is part of the NBA's [David Stern's] reason to implement an age restriction on entering the league." I'm paraphrasing. But the point is out. And once out, it stays out, like the cork on the Verve Cliquot.

Somewhere in Toronto, outside the U.S., Jermaine O'Neal got caught off guard, and caught up. Someone asked him a question. An American question. Unparaphrasing. "Is it because you guys are black that the league is trying to put an age limit on the draft?"

The question demanded an answer. A real one. Not one of those scripted, toeing-the-company-line responses. So Jermaine gave the Charles Barkley answer. The Isiah Thomas and Dennis Rodman-on-Larry Bird answer. He gave the answer that many needed to hear, but hundreds were afraid to say. For lack of misunderstanding and misquotes, O'Neal basically called David Stern's intent to mandate an age requirement for induction into the NBA race related.

Then came the drama.

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