3..2..1..LIFTOFF!!

Mark Lin

Sports Writer

The second half of the season is underway, and it’s time for the Rockets to prove that they are a team to be reckoned with.  Prior to the all-star break on February 19, 2005, the Rockets were on a season-high eight game win streak.  But with the recent back problems placing starting Point Guard, Bob Sura, on the injured list, the Rockets have started the second half of the season with two straight losses.

Carroll Dawson, Rockets GM, made some drastic moves to reshape the team.  On February 24, 2004, they traded power forward, Maurice Taylor, to the New York Knicks for Vin Baker and former Rocket, Moochie Norris.  Norris had been traded to the New York Knicks last season in a deal that sent forward Clarence Weatherspoon to Houston.  When asked about his being traded to the Knicks last December, Moochie replied, “ I broke down in tears.  I didn’t want to leave Houston.  I didn’t want to leave the fans who embraced me as one of their favorites.”  The deep attachment with Houston still remained as he wore a Knicks uniform, for he watched the Rockets every chance he got.  “I’ve been watching them [Rockets] all season long,” Norris said after landing in Houston on Friday.  “I’ve missed Houston that much.  I’ve seen them struggle in certain situations, especially at point guard, where I had an opportunity to fill that void when I was there.  It just didn’t happen at the time.  I feel I have a second shot at it though.”  The Rockets also traded Reece Gaines anddraft picks to the Milwaukee Bucks, for veteran point guard, Mike James.  James has proven himself as a solid point guard, averaging 11.4 points and 4 assists in his short stint as a Buck.  He also has the luxury of adding a championship ring with the Detroit Pistons on his resume.  The acquisitions of the new players will hopefully fill Bob Sura’s shoes and add depth behind the guard position.

Before the all-star break and Bob Sura’s injury, the Rockets were playing their best basketball of the season, averaging over 100 points in their past ten games and limiting their opponents to 40 percent shooting.  Even five-time all-star Tracy Mcgrady and his shooting slump couldn’t slow down the Rockets’ bulldozing anything that got in their way.  Things were turning around and the Rockets seemed to be walking on water, and finally eyeing the championship.  However, two straight losses after the all-star break brought them back to mortality, and the absence of Sura was missed more than ever.  Perhaps it is all for the better though, for having Sura injured enabled the Rockets to shop and make some trades to acquire veteran help and add depth, rather than having Sura not injured, and going into the final stretch of the season where it’s too late to trade.  I give the Rockets organization two thumbs up for their smart decisions and keen nature.