They Need More Action, Less Talk

As if such things mattered, the Rockets talked tough Wednesday. Acted tough, too. Almost dared you to say the wrong thing.

Had you stumbled into Toyota Center from out of town, you’d have been impressed.

You’d have thought these guys were ready to draw a line in the sand and dare Shaq and Kobe to cross it.

Never mind that Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were 1,500 miles and two time zones away.

Never mind that these Rockets have yet to get tough when it matters.

Never mind that they lead the NBA in empty words.

This was the day they decided to send the world a message that they’re ticked off and determined, that they’ve suddenly acquired Shaq-sized chips on their shoulders.

First, there was Kelvin Cato blowing off reporters during a post-practice media session.

Then there was Cuttino Mobley serving up a few short answers before leaving in a huff.

Isn’t that perfect?

The two guys who did so little in the two losses in Los Angeles become the two who decide to send some kind of message before Game 3.

Instead of sending a message, how about grabbing a rebound?

How about a defensive stop?

OK, never mind.

Maybe these are the new Rockets. Maybe these Rockets really are angry, and maybe they’ll convert that anger into something tangible.

Maybe they’ve heard Coach Jeff Van Gundy point out their defensive breakdowns and missed opportunities so many times that they really will make a stand.

Maybe Cato is now so mad he’ll actually take a rebound away from Karl Malone.

You’re kidding, right?

Kelvin Cato wants no part of Karl Malone.

You guys spend so much time worrying about Steve Francis playing the point that you can’t see the Rockets’ first off-season priority has to be acquiring a legitimate power forward to play alongside Yao Ming.

Good point.

Maybe the turnaround will begin with Mobley’s being more than a speed bump for Bryant.

At this point, it’s not even about winning.

If the Lakers bring their “A” game, it won’t matter what the Rockets do.

Yet the contest is fascinating because it will be a test this group of Rockets hasn’t faced before.

It’s a test that has nothing to do with next season, because that blueprint is pretty much set. This team is going to be retooled no matter what, with a power forward and a guard at the top of its summer shopping list.