Another playoff appearance, another first round knock out. For those of us (including 
yours truly plus spousal unit) who were at the two Rocket’s NBA Championship series of not too long ago, instead of having confidence going into each season that we can at least compete for the top, we are getting trained in the habit of early exits, thoughts of what might have been and what changes should be made.
Thoughts of what might have been are not productive, as they always mean discussing injuries (Yao and Rafer), bad trades and signings (Mike James, Steve Francis) and bad luck.
Inevitably, there is the “trade Yao” or “trade McGrady” conversation that comes around. My two cents is below, the overriding opinion being: the Rocks have and always have needed a decent third scoring option, and a “microwave” off the bench. Luis Scola may end up being #3, but they still need a dependable bench scorer or two: (more…)
Normally, I don’t fall for them, I inflict them. My wife and I had our combined bachelor/bachelorette party on April 1st, and some people didn’t show because they thought we were joking (we weren’t….at least I wasn’t, my wife some days reserves judgment).
But this year: Hakeem’s return and The Legend of Zelda…both nailed me (and my son, for the second one). (more…)
Hall of fame recently and statue honoring his career dedicated today.
And impeccable taste in hardware.
After the break is a video of my favorite Hakeem moment (and, as we had season tickets through his entire Houston career, there were many): taking David Robinson to school on the day the Admiral (or the Seaman as we called him in Hou) won the league MVP.
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Following today’s 109-88 mauling by the Spurs, the Rocks are 3-4 following their record setting 22 game winning streak.
There’s not much to speak about today’s game: Scola and Landry showed why there is still hope for the Rockets; T-Mac’s shoulder and Rafer’s reversion to poor shooting showed why there is worry. (more…)
1st place in the Western Conference must feel good, but how they got there, with many people playing a part, must make them feel even better. Lakers down, Celtics next up in Tuesday night (after playing in SA on Monday night).
Watch the ESPN highlights for a nice graphic of Shane Battier’s hand in Kobe’s face…on almost every shot. And a nice 4th quarter block of a Kobe jumper. (Fran Blinebury from the Houston Chronicle has a nice shout out to Shane on the work he does every night).
T-Mac gets zero points in the first half but the Rockets still lead by 15.
Rafer Alston cements himself into the elite point guards of this season with trey after trey after trey.
And Bobby Jackson, whom I and many others were about to dismiss and start a “play Aaron Brooks more” campaign, finally shows why Adelman traded for him.
Playoff season is looking better and better.
We are still not sure which was better:
- Mutumbo getting 5 blocks + finger wagging opportunities….all in the first half (bless
his 41 year old body);
- Richard Jefferson of the Nets dunking on Mutumbo, trying to wag his finger at Deke, and getting T’d up for taunting (yes, we know Deke is protected by a double standard, and we like that);
- Novak the designated three point shooter draining a few 3’s;
- T-Mac having only 2 points for a long time, then moments later he has 19 and can sit out Q4;
- Rice University grad Mike Harris making the most of his playing time with some hustle plays;
- Carl Landry, the rooking Harris is replacing, looking sharp in a suit on the bench (resting up for the Lakers this weekend).
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I was traveling yesterday, didn’t get the news until I turned on the Rockets vs. Wizards during the 3rd quarter when I got home.
Statistics usually don’t lie (people make them lie, but that is another story). If you look at the statistical leaders in the Rocket’s games before the All-Star game (when the stress fracture apparently happened, or got worse), Yao led the team in points and rebounds (Cleveland, Atlanta, Portland, Sacramento). In the four games after, he led in rebounds twice and did not lead in points.
McGrady led in points in three of those four games after the break (i.e., there is always hope however slim it may be). (more…)
The Rockets have gone 17-3 since January 3, the best record from that date to the
current All Star break. But with 30 games left in the regular season, in spite of that run they are still in 9th place in the Western Conference and out of the playoff picture. The Rockets are 4.5 games behind the Conference leading Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets.
This is an indication of both how poorly the Rockets played before Jan. 3 (15-17) and how competitive the Western Conference is. Plus, of the 20 games in the 17-3 record, six were against Western Conference foes ahead of them in the schedule (wins vs. SA, Golden State and Portland twice, losses to New Orleans and Utah); there was no Dallas, Lakers or Suns in that mix. The Rockets are playing well, but the opponents have not been the cream of the crop. (more…)
After beating Portland on the road last night, the Rockets wake up to find themselves one game out of the playoff picture and a game and a half behind the 7th seed. They’ve won 4 in a row, and 8 of their last ten; if not for a let down at home against Philly, their recent string (including a win at home against the Spurs) would have all taking notice.
But it is not the players who were heralded as the ones to take the team over the top at the beginning of the season that are making a difference. Stevie Franchise and Mike James, proclaimed as difference makers, are getting little to no playing time.
It is the kids, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola who are proving to be the difference makers. Though they are rookies and make rookie mistakes, they are bringing energy and desire to the talent that Yao and McGrady have, and seem to be energizing the old timers on the team. (more…)
In previous seasons, one team or another has run away from the pack by this point in the season. Last year it was Dallas (until they hit the Golden State buzz saw). But this year, with the exception of Boston running away from the rest of a very weak Atlantic conference, most of the top teams are taking turns beating one another.
It would be the prefect setting for the Rockets to get their act together, as the team in the Western Conference with two starting all-stars. Maybe this last stretch of games has shown they just might. (more…)
yours truly plus spousal unit) who were at the two Rocket’s NBA Championship series of not too long ago, instead of having confidence going into each season that we can at least compete for the top, we are getting trained in the habit of early exits, thoughts of what might have been and what changes should be made.
