Rockets Song

Here's about one minute of a hip-hop song called "Make Way for the Rockets" by Houston artist Pitre:

Make Way for the Rockets

If you want the entire song, call this number: 832-264-9614.

The CD single is being sold for $5.

Rafer after Game 2 win

After the Rockets 98 to 90 win over the Utah Jazz, Rafer Alston told the media the Rockets made a conscious effort to attack the Jazz by driving the ball to the basket.

Mission accomplished: the Rockets attempted 38 free throws and made 34 of them.

Listen to Rafer's remarks: "...driving the ball..."

Sloan Mentions Free Throws

Jerry Sloan hammered home one particular point to the media after his team lost Game 2 (98 to 90) to the Houston Rockets: free throws.

The Rockets attempted 38 free throws to just 17 for the Jazz; however, I believe Utah was not nearly as aggressive as the Rockets Monday night.

Take a listen:

Sloan: "...free throws..."

Chuck after Game 2 Win

Chuck Hayes has turned into the 'X Factor' for the Houston Rockets versus the Utah Jazz. Hayes scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Rockets Game 2 win Monday night giving the Rockets a 2 - 0 lead in the best-of-7 series.

Here are some of Chuck's post-game comments from the locker room:

Hayes: "...just staying active..."

JVG after Practice

Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy wants his team to play basketball as simple as possible. Despite the win, he believes the Rockets will need to play more efficient basketball in Game 2 versus Utah than they did Saturday night.

As always, rebounding will be important.

JVG: "...as simple as possible..."

T-Mac after Practice

After Sunday's afternoon practice session, Tracy McGrady spoke with the media horde. Though the Utah Jazz players and coaching staff believe they missed "makeable" shots in Game 1, McGrady told the media he did, too.

Game 2 is Monday night at the T.C.

Tip-off is set for 8:30 pm.

T-Mac: "...shut all your critics up..."

HRR w/ Deron after Practice

After the Jazz finished their practice, The HRR had a brief sit-down talk with Deron Williams, Utah's starting point guard. Deron talked about learning from teammate Derek Fisher; what he wants to learned from the Game 1 loss to the Rockets; and Monday's Game 2.

Deron Williams: "...long playoff series..."

HRR w/ Okur after Practice

Sunday morning, The HRR spoke with Utah Jazz big man Mehmet Okur after Utah's practice. Memo talked about the difficulties defending Rockets center Yao Ming; the shots he missed versus the Rockets Saturday night; being a veteran player; and what it will take to beat the Rockets in Game 2.

Hear Memo's comments: "...too many weapons..."

HRR w/ Harpring after Practice

The HRR spoke with Utah Jazz forward Matt Harpring after today's practice. Matt summed up Saturday's loss to the Rockets; discussed the shots Utah missed in Game 1; and talked about Game 2 on Monday.

Take a listen...

Matt Harpring: "...give them credit..."

Boozer after Practice

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer spoke to a few members of the media after Sunday's Jazz practice. Except for making a mistake on the number of points the Rockets scored in Saturday's win over Utah, Carlos talked to us about bouncing back for Game 2; making shots; defending Yao Ming; and Jazz teammate Andrei Kirilenko's crying...

Listen to Boozer's comments --

Carlos Boozer: "...the right game plan..."

Battier after Game 1 Victory

Shane Battier didn't put up big numbers in game 1 versus Utah; but, the Rockets defeated the Jazz 84 to 75 to take a 1 - 0 lead in the best-0f-seven first round playoff series.

Battier scored six points. He made only 2 of his 6 three-point field goal attempts.

After the game, Battier told the HRR, the Rockets simply needed "...to settle in..." during the second half.

Mission accomplished.

The Rockets outscored the Jazz 51 to 33 in the second half.

Rafer Alston after Game 1 win

Rafer Alston narrowly missed a triple-double in Saturday's 84 to 75 Game 1 playoff victory by the Rockets. Despite shooting 3 for 11 from the field in the game, Alston scored nine points; grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds; and dished out 8 assists.

He also played a game-high 46 minutes and 30 seconds.

After the game, Rafer told the HRR he wanted to "...get him (Tracy McGrady) going..." in the third quarter.

T-Mac scored 16 points in the third stanza and outscored the Jazz 16 to 11 by himself.

Luther Head after Game 1 win

Luther Head wasn't thrilled with his 2 for 8 shooting in Game 1 versus the Utah Jazz; however, the Rockets won the game 84 to 75 which is the most important thing to Luther. He'll definitely remeber his first NBA playoff game.

In the locker room after the game, the HRR got a few comments from him.

Take a listen...

Luther Head: "...keep playing hard..."

Jerry Sloan after Game 1

Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz head coach, told the media his team simply "missed shots" in the second half of Saturday's Game 1 loss to the Houston Rockets. Utah shot 27.9% (12 for 43) in the second half as they lost to the Rockets 84 to 75.

Sloan: "...we missed shots..."

T-Mac is extremely confident

Tracy McGrady knows he's facing criticism from numerous people because he has not been on a team which advanced past the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Point blank, he doesn't care what the critics are saying about him.

T-Mac believes this year's Rockets team is the best team has been a part of since he's been in the NBA.

He's "...extremely confident..." going into this year's playoffs.

JVG: any pressure is on Me

After today's lengthy Rockets' practice, Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy spoke with the media. As usual, he didn't offer any "bulletin board material" for the Utah Jazz.

JVG stated he doesn't want his players to play with any unnecessary pressure on themselves during the playoffs nor in this series. He wants his players to see the playoffs as an opportunity to play as hard and as free as they possibly can. No pressure whatsoever.

He added the only person who should be feeling any pressure is JVG himself.

Take a listen: "...then that's on me..."

JVG Talks Playoffs

Jeff Van Gundy is not a dumb person. He is not giving the Utah Jazz any bulletin board material; so, if you're looking for any of those type of statements, you're asking the wrong individual.

JVG believes the major difference in playoff basketball compared to the regular season is the level of intensity.

Pure and simple.

JVG: "...an intensity adjustment..."

JVG discusses home court advantage

"Home court advantage is a little bit misunderstood."

Coaches, not players, make statements like that.

Jeff Van Gundy made said statement after the Rockets clinched the 4th seed (and home court) in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

Take a listen: "...championship caliber team..."

Yao Ming after win over Hornets

Yao Ming was a force on offense (30 points, 11 for 16 from the field) versus the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets; however, he did grab just two rebounds in the Rockets 123 to 112 win.

A big reason for Yao's low rebound total could be due to him trying to defend the Hornets' high pick-and-roll offense.

Or perhaps not.

Yao Ming: "...mistakes in pick and roll..."

JVG after win Over Hornets

Defense was not at a premium in Saturday night's Rockets win over the New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets. The Rockets won 123 to 112.

Houston shot 58.3% (49 for 84) from the field for the game while the Hornets shot 54.2% (45 for 83). Of those 94 made shots, 59 (33 for Houston, 26 for the Hornets) came from assists.

After the game, Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy did give credit to both teams for good offense; however, JVG did describe both teams' defense as shaky.

JVG: "...not so well defensively..."

Bonzi's latest comments

I don't know if Bonzi Wells is going to get a lot of game action for the Houston Rockets during the playoffs; but, more importantly, Bonzi doesn't know either.

Bonzi: "...watching on the sideline.."

Though one should never assume, I have to believe it's safe to assume, Bonzi is not going to re-sing with the Rockets this summer.

Battier after loss to the Blazers

After Friday's 85 to 78 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier tells the media his thoughts on the loss:

Battier: "...our assists were way down..."

Chuck Hayes after loss to Portland

Houston Rockets' forward Chuck Hayes tells the media:

Chuck: "...I couldn't get my whole palm on it (the ball)."

JVG after loss to Blazers

Take a listen to Jeff Van Gundy after the Rockets 85 to 78 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night:

JVG: "...easy shots easily..."