Here is the way it will play out...

The Rockets behind inspired play from Yao Ming edge up on and pass the Lakers for the 8th spot. Kobe shoots 7 for 63 in the last game of the season that would have clinched it for the men in gold. No other Laker takes a shot, but Odom goes six for nine from the line and gets four boards and a block.

Houston dominates San Antonio in the first round...

Luther Head stays in front of Tony Parker
Wesley and Alston rain threes
Yao averages 35 and at least one Spurs' big fouls out each game
Stromile Swift tears up the Spurs' bench
T-Mac does a Willis Reed walk-on in game 7 and scores 17 in the last two minutes
Howard figures out the game after 12 years and plays up to his potential


Or, Houston continues it nice run with Yao tearing everyone up (30+ in back to back games the past two nights), continues to develop Head and Swift, gets T-Mac well, and Van Gundy has plastic surgery to remove four of the eight layers of bags under his eyes and for the first time in four seasons can see the far end of the court. And they get ready for next season.

Or, maybe I just like typing Stromile.

Admit it though, I had you until I tossed in the bit about Juwan Howard.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

And how about when the Rockets win Dikembe lays down in the middle of the court holding the ball and smiling? That would be a nice touch.

Rats, and I really like typing Dikembe too and I left him out. Some finger wagging would really get this thing going. Look out Spurs.

The finger wagging would be a decided advantage in any matchup between the Rockets and Spurs. Dikembe wagging, Horry grabbing his crotch, the perfect background performers while Tony Parker does his french rap routine. Bizarre and uncomfortable... (read post #4)

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Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

Can only plastic S help bags, that's a low blow.
You have a hard for Houston or just want to see the Lakers sit.
If he shot better they would call him Strokemile.
I'm hoping Dikembe goes into cartoon voice overs so he can be the Taz.
whaahawahwahhawarahrarrrgrahwawahaxraszyuragrowlra haawmuha...