Rockets: (Old) School is in Session

Seeing Houston take the Lakers to Game 7 reminds me of something I saw long ago, but can’t put my finger on.

Oh, yeah. Now I remember: toughness.

The Jazz used to have it, but not so much anymore.

Sloan’s old teammate Rick Adelman has done a great job in the playoffs, coaching the Rockets to a final game in the series against L.A., minus his two best players (Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady).

It sort of gave me a reality check on the condition of the Jazz. Sure, they lost 156 player-games to injury, this year. But those players were back for the playoffs. It was a lack of toughness – particularly defensively – that kept them from challenging L.A. in the first round, not injuries. Mehmet Okur wasn’t at full speed, which is definitely a loss, but Houston is getting by without TWO starters, both of whom are better than Okur.

I hate to resurrect a worn out phrase, but…really, I couldn’t. ALL RIGHT! IF YOU INSIST! I’LL SAY IT: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

I’ve been dying to say that ever since I read it on the wall of the wrestling room in high school. Never got the chance. OK, I’ve had a lot of chances. I just never dared use it. Too trite.

But in this case, I gotta say, it’s apropos.

The Rockets have been everything the Jazz used to be, this year in the playoffs. They’ve shown heart and brushed aside adversity. They’ll still get beat by 20 points on Sunday. Count on it. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve high praise. They couldn’t have been blamed had they simply lain down and given up before the series, or after Yao got injured.

If ever someone thinks Jerry Sloan’s toughness gospel is wearing a little thin, just take a look at the Rockets.

Seems that old school stuff really work, after all.