Reality Check

Okay, so now I am a little bit scared. I feel a little bit like it's the end of summer vacation and the drudgery of school is right around the corner. I'm living it up right now, but I know the fun is going to end soon.

Let's face it. The Jazz are going to beat the Rockets. Without Yao, they simply cannot keep up with a high-scoring, fully healthy and hungry Jazz team. Every game is going to a blast. A sweep is a definite possibility. Those are good times. But the good times are not going to last forever, just like summer always ends and school always starts back up again. I am talking about the Lakers. Them beating the Nuggets is as much of a reality as us beating the Rockets is. It is going to happen. So the stage is set for a great second round matchup with the Jazz and the Lakers. But I am going to be honest here when I say that I am scared to death. I want to say that I am confident that we can win, but when I do, I feel like one of those Rockets fans (and some national experts) that claimed the Rockets would win the series. I feel like I am being unrealistic. Now, before I get too far into this, let me make something very clear: I KNOW that we can beat the Lakers. Talent for talent, I think our roster is equally matched, if not a little better than theirs. But, it is going to take everything we have in the tank, plus a little extra. We are going to have to play four perfect games to beat these guys. I am talking 25 and 10 for Boozer, 25 and 10 from Williams, and 20 and 10 from Okur. Plus all the other guys doing their thing like I know they can. So my question is, has that ever happened all in the same game? Can we put together that kind of effort? And can we do it on their home floor? I am not saying that we will or won't win this series. I am saving my prediction until tipoff of game one. I am just trying to be realistic. So, rather than cast a dark shadow over the upcoming series, I am asking for help and other opinions. Am I doubting this teams heart? Am I underestimating their abilities? What are your thoughts? Until then, let's kick some Rocket butt and pray that the good times continue to roll all the way to the NBA Finals.