After the Rockets' game against the Trail Blazers, Uncle Mu, who played 5 rebounds in 5 minutes, said happily: "I don't have much playing time, because my teammates performed well, David did a good job, but the Rockets still need me now, and I want to win a championship before leaving." As early as before the start of this season, NBA president Stern reserved a position for Uncle Mu. However, the African Mountains did not think that his mission to the Rockets has ended. He said: "First of all, I want to see what will happen later. I don't think I'm old. If we enter the finals this year, I want to win a championship and then walk away from this team. I will continue to cheer for my teammates in the later games and give young players some advice. When they need me to play, I will protect our rebounds."

Mutombo's age has always been a "secret". The official statement is that he is now 40 years old. According to Mutombo's close friend Ewing, Uncle Mu is actually more than 40 years old. Previously, when all walks of life speculate about their age, Uncle Mu, who has always been open-minded, always smiles and does not make positive responses.

Major TV media have been constantly making up various jokes about Mutombo's age problem. For example, the legend is that Mutombo cuts a knife on a tree every first birthday in his hometown, but when he left home, the tree was cut off, so he couldn't figure out how old he was. Similar jokes made Mutombo's family feel uncomfortable. Mutombo revealed in an interview with espn this week that he planned to ask the league president David Stern to prevent TV commentators from publicly accusing him of concealing his age.

Uncle Mu explained the reason for the whole incident: "I don't think the media jokes are troubled by me. My daughter is only 9 years old now. She already knows all this. When people think your father is a liar, it will make you feel embarrassed in front of your daughter."

After the Rockets won the third game with the Trail Blazers, they became the focus of media attention. Whether it was Yao Ming, Marbury, Scola or David Lee, their performances were unanimously recognized by the media, and some media even began to imagine that they could reach the Finals. In fact, the Rockets have the best chance to break through the first round of the playoffs this year, and it is indeed possible to reach the Finals. Here are four reasons why the local media in Houston:

1. Defensive

The Rockets' defense this year is relatively not as good as the past few seasons, but it is still one of the league's best defensive teams. Their defense is fully capable of helping them win the playoff series. The Iron Curtain of the Forward, Bathir and Ariza are a natural danger for all breakthroughs and jump shot enthusiasts, and Mutombo's skill also makes the opponent's inside line have a layer of worry in addition to Yao Ming.

2. Leadership

Since 1997, the Rockets have never won the first round of the playoffs. Without Tracy McGrady this year, Yao Ming has got a completely his own opportunity. He will prove that he will be a qualified leader and can lead the team through the haze of the past. Of course, the talents displayed by the airborne general Stephen Marbury, Battier and Scola in the team will also be Yao Ming's most reliable helper.

3. Equilibrium

Rafael Alstom is not bad, but compared to Marbury, one is a normal starter and the other is an All-Star. Under Marbury's organization and breakthrough, Bathir, Ariza, Brooks and himself in the Rockets can all get very good three-point opportunities. This forms a very balanced offensive firepower distribution with the inside led by Yao Ming, Louis Scola and David Lee.

4, depth

Everyone is saying that the Lakers and Clippers have very good benches, but in fact, the Rockets are not bad either. Moreover, even Houston's substitutes must surpass their starting lineup in athletic ability. Brooks, Lowry, Weaver, David Lee and others are all able to run and jump, and they have good offense and defense. This is the case in the second and third games. After Yao Ming was in a foul crisis, the Rockets substitutes still did not give the Trail Blazers any chance.

If the Rockets can stick to these four points above, it is not impossible for the Rockets and the Clippers to meet and win in the second round. After all, the strength of the Rockets' Yao Ming and the forward guards is obvious. The Clippers' luxurious lineup does not have a much better strength gap. The Finals are not just a dream for this year's Rockets.

The Clippers did not comment on this. The American media deliberately interviewed Yao Ming and his twin brothers, but none of them were deceived. They all said that they are now considering the first round opponent and the next round. It will not be too late to consider it when they really qualify.

The next day, the Spurs and Mavericks' match was preceded by the Clippers, and the game time was scheduled to be 19:00 pm.

Spurs head coach ** Vicci was unhappy and complained that why the Spurs' games were always scheduled to be held in the evening and played just after having enough food. Can players be in good shape? Why are the Clippers' games always the best time? Why are live broadcasts in the United States always favoring the Clippers? Vicci accused the league of taking too much care of the interests of the TV station in terms of arranging the schedule and ignoring the players' status and rest. He did not hesitate to believe that the Spurs were the biggest victim, and the Clippers, Lakers and Cavaliers obviously got cheaper from the schedule.

**Vicci said angrily: "I have never complained about the team's schedule before, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. They designed such a schedule, and it can only be said that this schedule is the most ideal for live TV broadcasts, and the TV station is a huge sponsor of the league. I don't want to foolishly say 'TV broadcasts should not affect the schedule', because the TV station has made our purses stuffed, and everyone saw this." Well, the only old man in the league dares to complain like this, that's willful.

In the last game, the Dallas Mavericks' defense line became Magino under Parker's impact. Mavericks center Danpier claimed to strengthen his defense after the game and "destroy Parker". His remarks attracted attention, and the NBA officials even intervened in the investigation, but ultimately did not fine him.

Danpier expressed an attitude that the Mavericks will play more tenaciously after returning to home. Facts have proved this. The Mavericks' defense at home is different from the previous game, but they don't need to "destroy Parker".

Nowitzki regained his feelings, making 5 of 6 shots in the first quarter and scored 12 points. The Mavericks started with a 10:0 wave and continued to widen the gap since then. With 3 minutes left in the quarter, they won a double-digit advantage with 24:12. Parker still kept breaking through, but was blocked twice, one of which was given to him by Danpier. Parker also scored 10 points in the first quarter, but the Spurs fell behind 16:27.

In the second quarter, the two teams fell under high-intensity defense, and the Mavericks still maintained their advantage. Kidd made two three-pointers in the second quarter, which once helped the team lead by 21 points. The Mavericks ended the first half with 46:30.

Nowitzki and Howard made frequent shots after the start of the third quarter, but Ginobili and Jamison continued to play with each other on the outside, especially Jamison, who scored 11 points in the third quarter to help the Spurs catch the score to 68:60.

The Mavericks sent Barria and Kid to partner with the backcourt in the fourth quarter, and with Nowitzki's power, the Mavericks once expanded the score to more than ten in the middle of the fourth quarter. With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks led by 12 points at 80:68.

In the last five minutes, the game fell into a ***. Ginobili broke through and made two consecutive layups, and the Spurs narrowed the gap by 80:72. Terry made a layup and Ginobili broke through again and scored 3 points successfully. Then the Spurs increased their defense and the Mavericks suddenly fell into scoring drought. Parker's breakthrough once again made the Mavericks collapse again. The Spurs overtook the score 8:0 with one round. Nowitzki scored 4 points in a row in the last moment, and the Mavericks overtook 1 point. However, Parker made three consecutive mid-range shots at the critical moment, and the Spurs established the victory.

The Mavericks once led by 21 points in this game, but facing the Spurs' strong hard power, they could only use this to slightly save face. This night did not belong to them.

Duncan of the Spurs scored 10 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, Parker scored 30 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists, Ginobili scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Jamison scored 20 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

Nowitzki of the Mavericks scored 25 points and 9 rebounds, Howard scored 11 points and 8 rebounds, Barrea scored 12 points and 7 assists, Terry scored 13 points, and Kidd scored 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

From the data, we can see that the Dallasians are still not strong enough this year, and the team has great flaws in their lineup. Being able to compete with the Spurs is enough to make the Cowboys leave with their heads raised.

At the post-match press conference, a reporter mentioned his past six years ago. At that time, Kidd's contract with the Nets expired and he was about to become a full free agent. He had the opportunity to join the Spurs, but in the end, a gap made him choose to stay in New Jersey, and he missed the championship.

"This may be a stupid reason, but I wanted to win a championship with my own efforts. We had this opportunity in New Jersey, but unfortunately the Nets went in a completely different direction." Speaking of the original choice, Kidd's words revealed regret, "San Antonio did everything right, but I made the wrong choice at a critical moment."

So does that mean that if he is given a chance to do it again, Kidd will rush to meet Duncan without hesitation?

Kidd replied: "They have won two championships since then, and if I go, I should have already won a ring."
Chapter completed!