Shooting guard Luther Head was waived today, austensibly to give him the opportunity to sign with another team before the deadline for players to be eligible for the playoffs. Realistically, though, Luther just did not fit into the Rockets' plans. This move means that none of the Rockets' guards currently active were on the team two years ago.
Early in the season, McGrady, Battier and Artest were injured and Von Wafer had not yet earned the coaches' complete confidence. Head got some playing time, even starting a few games, but his .388 shooting percentage landed him back on the bench in short order. An injury sidelined him and he was not cleared to play until this week.
Luther is a "tweener." He is not a great shooter or driver and is not tall enough to guard the big guards; nor does he have the mindset to be a consistent point guard. He does everything fairly well, but nothing extremely well. But in his four years with the Rockets, Luther Head was a consumate professional, giving all he had in practice and games. He represented himself and the Houston Rockets admirably. I wish him the best.
Rumor has it that he will be replaced by high-scoring D-League player James White of the Anaheim Arsenal. White has averaged 25.9 ppg this season, but his most impressive stat is that as a 6'7" guard/forward, he shoots 54.9% from the field, including 36.8% from beyond the arc. He might be fun to watch, but playing time will be in short supply.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Plusminus
The “plusminus” stat is the least known, but one of the most revealing stats in pro basketball. When it was originally employed in the 2006/07 season, it was called the “Lenovo +/- stat,” after the computer company that compiled the numbers and wrested the “Official NBA Computer" title from Dell. When the NBA reached a new deal with HP this season, Autotrader.com took over sponsorship of the stat.
The meaning of the stat is pretty simple. The number represents the amount of points a player’s team scored while he was in the game minus the amount of points the opposing team scored. A positive number means his team gained ground while he was in the game; a negative number means they lost ground. It was designed to show which combinations of players played the best together, but the stat is even more telling as to which individual players really benefit their team. For instance, Shane Battier is often besmirched for not piling up the big scoring, rebounding and assist numbers. The plusminus stat, however, reveals that the Rockets have scored 168 points more than their opponents this season while he was in the games. On a per-minute basis, that is second only to Yao Ming on the Rockets and 34th in the league overall, despite missing 22 games early in the season due to injury.
The stat has its weaknesses. It does not take into account the rest of the team on the court at the time. On a really bad team, even the good players may have bad plusminus numbers. Like most stats, it is also not very valuable for short periods of time, but over the course of a season, when comparing apples to apples (factoring in the team around him, for instance), it is a very interesting indicator of which players help their team to win and which don’t. Mostly, the best players on the best teams have the biggest numbers. That is as it should be, since the best players make their teams better.
Check it out at http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusminus/plusminus.jsp.
The meaning of the stat is pretty simple. The number represents the amount of points a player’s team scored while he was in the game minus the amount of points the opposing team scored. A positive number means his team gained ground while he was in the game; a negative number means they lost ground. It was designed to show which combinations of players played the best together, but the stat is even more telling as to which individual players really benefit their team. For instance, Shane Battier is often besmirched for not piling up the big scoring, rebounding and assist numbers. The plusminus stat, however, reveals that the Rockets have scored 168 points more than their opponents this season while he was in the games. On a per-minute basis, that is second only to Yao Ming on the Rockets and 34th in the league overall, despite missing 22 games early in the season due to injury.
The stat has its weaknesses. It does not take into account the rest of the team on the court at the time. On a really bad team, even the good players may have bad plusminus numbers. Like most stats, it is also not very valuable for short periods of time, but over the course of a season, when comparing apples to apples (factoring in the team around him, for instance), it is a very interesting indicator of which players help their team to win and which don’t. Mostly, the best players on the best teams have the biggest numbers. That is as it should be, since the best players make their teams better.
Check it out at http://www.nba.com/statistics/plusminus/plusminus.jsp.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Chemical Reactions
Sometimes small lineup changes have a domino effect on the chemistry of a team. In other years, one would never refer to Tracy McGrady being lost for the season as a small change, but this year his performance to date had not influenced many games for the home team - at least not in a positive way.
In the six games since McGrady decided to have surgery on his ailing knee, Ron Artest seems to be fitting in better with the rest of the Rockets. Is it because he didn't fit well with Tracy or because he is just more comfortable in the starting lineup? With Artest starting in McGrady's shooting guard position, Battier has settled in as the starting small forward and is performing better than he has all season.
Likewise, the trade of Rafer Alston to Orlando allowed for the promotion of Aaron Brooks to starting point guard and Brooks has taken the bull by the horns. He makes mistakes - both physical and mental - mostly because he is young and inexperienced, but he has talent, speed and grit. Time will tell if he has the "Stockton factor." That is the mental accuity to run a team, see the floor, know his personnel and generally get more out of his team and himself than he could with just his athletic talent. Kyle Lowry, one of two players the Rockets received for Alston, has played well in limited minutes. It will be interesting to watch the competition between Brooks and Lowry in the future, but for now the combination of the two seems to have sparked the Rockets with renewed enthusiasm for the game.
Luis Scola has been a stabilizing force all year at power forward. He is playing very good basketball and has etched his name in stone in the starting lineup. Carl Landry has missed four games since spraining his ankle in the New Jersey game. When he returns, the team will have even more options at backup for Scola's position.
Subtract McGrady and Alston. Add a pinch more of Artest, Battier and Brooks. Stir in a little Lowry and what do you get? A six game winning streak!
In the six games since McGrady decided to have surgery on his ailing knee, Ron Artest seems to be fitting in better with the rest of the Rockets. Is it because he didn't fit well with Tracy or because he is just more comfortable in the starting lineup? With Artest starting in McGrady's shooting guard position, Battier has settled in as the starting small forward and is performing better than he has all season.
Likewise, the trade of Rafer Alston to Orlando allowed for the promotion of Aaron Brooks to starting point guard and Brooks has taken the bull by the horns. He makes mistakes - both physical and mental - mostly because he is young and inexperienced, but he has talent, speed and grit. Time will tell if he has the "Stockton factor." That is the mental accuity to run a team, see the floor, know his personnel and generally get more out of his team and himself than he could with just his athletic talent. Kyle Lowry, one of two players the Rockets received for Alston, has played well in limited minutes. It will be interesting to watch the competition between Brooks and Lowry in the future, but for now the combination of the two seems to have sparked the Rockets with renewed enthusiasm for the game.Luis Scola has been a stabilizing force all year at power forward. He is playing very good basketball and has etched his name in stone in the starting lineup. Carl Landry has missed four games since spraining his ankle in the New Jersey game. When he returns, the team will have even more options at backup for Scola's position.
Subtract McGrady and Alston. Add a pinch more of Artest, Battier and Brooks. Stir in a little Lowry and what do you get? A six game winning streak!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Bellwether Game
After Tuesday's victory over the Trailblazers, I deferred judgement as to whether or not this Rockets team has turned the corner and found their long-lost chemistry. Tonight's game against the Cavs was a bellwether. The Rockets beat (according to the standings) the second best team in the league, and did so in a convincing fashion.
Based on their current six-game winning streak, and considering that it includes victories over three very good teams (Dallas, Portland and Cleveland), I am saying that the chemistry is back! Is it enough to change my prognosis of a couple of weeks ago? Not quite yet, but at least I am becoming more optimistic than pessimistic about the possiblities.
Based on their current six-game winning streak, and considering that it includes victories over three very good teams (Dallas, Portland and Cleveland), I am saying that the chemistry is back! Is it enough to change my prognosis of a couple of weeks ago? Not quite yet, but at least I am becoming more optimistic than pessimistic about the possiblities.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Modern-Day Athletes
I apologize in advance for this post because I do not like to do rants, but something I read yesterday called me to action. I know this is not a Rockets-related item, but the attitude I describe seems to pervade all sports these days.
In an interview with Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, Miguel Tejada said that he was leaning toward not playing in the WBC for his native Dominican Republic team. The Astros shortstop said, “It’s always been really important for me to represent my country. It’s something that I’ve done for a long time. … At the same time, I have to realize that this is the last year in my contract, and I need to work hard because I want to show all the other teams that there’s still a lot left in me."
He wants to work hard because it's his contract year. Not because the Astros are paying him almost $15 million dollars a year, but because this is the last year of his contract and he's worried about not getting another massive deal next year. His income is the equivalent of winning the Texas Lottery every ninety days, for eight months a year of work. Correction - make that 8 months a year of play. I have no problem with his not wanting to play for his country for free. That's his business. What I can't understand is not having the motivation to work hard because he's being paid by the Astros this year to do so. And should I mention that the Astros stood behind Tejada when he pled guilty to lying to congress about his steroid use and when he was caught red-handed lying about his true age?
My kingdom for the days where an athlete performed to the best of his ability because it was the right thing to do. Hell, forget the philosophical approach. How about just doing your best because it's what you agreed to do when you signed the last damned contract?
In an interview with Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, Miguel Tejada said that he was leaning toward not playing in the WBC for his native Dominican Republic team. The Astros shortstop said, “It’s always been really important for me to represent my country. It’s something that I’ve done for a long time. … At the same time, I have to realize that this is the last year in my contract, and I need to work hard because I want to show all the other teams that there’s still a lot left in me."
He wants to work hard because it's his contract year. Not because the Astros are paying him almost $15 million dollars a year, but because this is the last year of his contract and he's worried about not getting another massive deal next year. His income is the equivalent of winning the Texas Lottery every ninety days, for eight months a year of work. Correction - make that 8 months a year of play. I have no problem with his not wanting to play for his country for free. That's his business. What I can't understand is not having the motivation to work hard because he's being paid by the Astros this year to do so. And should I mention that the Astros stood behind Tejada when he pled guilty to lying to congress about his steroid use and when he was caught red-handed lying about his true age?
My kingdom for the days where an athlete performed to the best of his ability because it was the right thing to do. Hell, forget the philosophical approach. How about just doing your best because it's what you agreed to do when you signed the last damned contract?
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Trends
The Rockets beat a good team tonight in the Portland Trailblazers. Even so, I hesitate to call their five game streak a trend. The four previous games have all been at home against less-than-stellar opponents. Even with Dallas included, the last four wins have been against teams with a combined 92-135 record. I understand that they are still NBA teams and that on any given night... blah, blah, blah. Let's face it, did you give Muhammad Ali the same credit for beating Chuck Wepner that you gave him for beating Joe Frazier?
Well, we won't have long to wait for a more accurate barometer of the post-McGrady Rockets. The Cleveland Cavaliers come to town Thursday night. Now you're talking NBA basketball!
Well, we won't have long to wait for a more accurate barometer of the post-McGrady Rockets. The Cleveland Cavaliers come to town Thursday night. Now you're talking NBA basketball!
Monday, February 23, 2009
It's official - T-Mac is Out for the Season
The announcement came through today, both from the organization and from Tracy himself. He will be having micro-fracture surgery tomorrow. Following the news, McGrady went on to say (from http://www.t-mac.com/):
"I would like to apologize to Les Alexander, the Rockets organization, and of course all the fans out there for this entire situation. Les and the Rockets have been nothing short of amazing to me and my family during my entire time with them, and for that I thank them. The organization has invested so much in bringing a championship to Houston this season, and there’s nothing I want more than to be a part of that."
The apparently sincere apology included his promise to be diligent in his rehab so he can return asap. The surgery is chancy, but it's on a non-load bearing part of the knee, so his odds of success are pretty good. So I don't know about you, but I say give him the benefit of the doubt, wish him well and hope he comes back healthy next year.
"I would like to apologize to Les Alexander, the Rockets organization, and of course all the fans out there for this entire situation. Les and the Rockets have been nothing short of amazing to me and my family during my entire time with them, and for that I thank them. The organization has invested so much in bringing a championship to Houston this season, and there’s nothing I want more than to be a part of that."
The apparently sincere apology included his promise to be diligent in his rehab so he can return asap. The surgery is chancy, but it's on a non-load bearing part of the knee, so his odds of success are pretty good. So I don't know about you, but I say give him the benefit of the doubt, wish him well and hope he comes back healthy next year.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Fun to Watch
With the changing of the (point) guard from Rafer Alston to Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, the Rockets exponentially increased their entertainment factor. These two young waterbugs zip around the court with speed and enthusiasm that has rarely been seen in Toyota center - or the Summit for that matter. With the exception of the John Lucas/Lewis Lloyd/Mitchell Wiggins era (otherwise known as the coke squad), the Rockets have always been something of a plodding team, enjoying their most successful seasons when relying on defense and a great center.There may be a dearth of defense at the point guard position and turnovers will be plentiful, but this team is going to be fun to watch. Brooks scored 19 points and handed out 8 assists against the Dallas Mavericks tonight in his first game as the starter. Kyle Lowry had 6 points and 3 assists in 14 minutes of action. Not bad for having only one shoot-around under his belt. More importantly, the Rockets beat their I-45 rivals 93-86 and had the fans on their feet for most of the night.
It was a pleasant evening and a nice change from the McGrady melodrama.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Bye Bye Rafer
The Rockets made a big trade today. They sent starting point guard Rafer Alston to the Orlando Magic and got guard Kyle Lowry from Memphis and forward Brian Cook from Orlando in return.
Rafer had been consistent this year. He was careful with the ball and knew his role, but his shooting percentage was down and he didn't drive to the basket very well. If the Rockets had McGrady available to penetrate and dish off to the open man, that might have been enough. But without a slasher or a point guard that could score, opposing teams could play zone defenses that collapse on Yao Ming, shutting down their best weapon. That made Alston expendable.
The big question is why did they trade him for the players they got in return? Brian Cook has been a journeyman backup in his five-year career with the Lakers and Magic, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. This year, he has averaged just 7 minutes per game in only 21 games. Third-year guard Kyle Lowry has never been able to consistently break the starting lineup on one of the worst teams in the league, though in fairness, he has played significant minutes this year behind highly touted rookie O. J. Mayo. Oh, and did I mention that Lowry can't hit a three for squat?
So the Rockets have traded a starter for the last guy on the bench of a good team and the first guy off the bench for a lousy team. OK, Daryl, I'm going to go with you on this one. It's a leap of faith, but based on the team you've put together, I guess we owe you one.
Rafer had been consistent this year. He was careful with the ball and knew his role, but his shooting percentage was down and he didn't drive to the basket very well. If the Rockets had McGrady available to penetrate and dish off to the open man, that might have been enough. But without a slasher or a point guard that could score, opposing teams could play zone defenses that collapse on Yao Ming, shutting down their best weapon. That made Alston expendable.
The big question is why did they trade him for the players they got in return? Brian Cook has been a journeyman backup in his five-year career with the Lakers and Magic, averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. This year, he has averaged just 7 minutes per game in only 21 games. Third-year guard Kyle Lowry has never been able to consistently break the starting lineup on one of the worst teams in the league, though in fairness, he has played significant minutes this year behind highly touted rookie O. J. Mayo. Oh, and did I mention that Lowry can't hit a three for squat?
So the Rockets have traded a starter for the last guy on the bench of a good team and the first guy off the bench for a lousy team. OK, Daryl, I'm going to go with you on this one. It's a leap of faith, but based on the team you've put together, I guess we owe you one.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
T-Mac Out for the Season
From Tracy's official web site http://www.t-mac.com/:
Some players have returned to play well after microfracture surgery, but others have had their careers ended by it. Love Tracy or not, he is a talented player that is fun to watch when he is healthy. I hope he comes through the surgery ok and returns to entertain us for years, whether with the Rockets or not.
Microfracture surgery is serious and risky. From Jonathon Feigen of the Houston Chronicle:Wed, Feb 18th 2009, 09:28
Season has come to a close
Hey everyone,As some of you may have heard, my season has come to an end. My knee hasn’t been right all year, and we can’t seem to get the pain to go away. We’ve tried just playing through it, taking back-to-backs off, and extended periods of rest, but none of it has really been effective in limiting the discomfort and allowing me to just go out there and play. I’ve met with numerous doctors and gotten a number of opinions, and unfortunately I will be undergoing microfracture surgery on my left knee immediately. Microfracture surgery is a serious procedure, but I’m confident that I will be able to return next season with the same strength and explosiveness you are all used to seeing from me. It has been extremely frustrating dealing with the knee injury this season. It’s been tough on me both physically and mentally and while we’ve come to this conclusion after much deliberation, we truly feel this is best for both me and the Rockets in the long term. As I’ve said before and will say again, I have the best fans in the world. Thank you for all your continued support through the good times and the bad. I will make sure to keep you all posted on what’s happening with me.
Peace
T-mac
In a microfracture procedure, a surgeon creates small fractures in underlying bone to form replacement cartilage known as a "super clot." Rehabilitation can take from between six months to a year, depending on how much cartilage must be replaced.That means that a year from now, the Rockets could be in exactly the same situation in which they now find themselves. But at least then there will be light at the end of the tunnel. With McGrady's contract expiring after next year, over $20 mil of cap space will be cleared just in time for the 2010 free agent sweepstakes.
Some players have returned to play well after microfracture surgery, but others have had their careers ended by it. Love Tracy or not, he is a talented player that is fun to watch when he is healthy. I hope he comes through the surgery ok and returns to entertain us for years, whether with the Rockets or not.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Les Has Spoken
Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander said today, "I don’t think we’re going to part ways with Tracy. Everybody wants us to. We acquired a great superstar and everybody wants us to trade the great superstar. You don’t get superstars that often."I've never been a huge fan of Les Alexander, though I freely admit that he has brought more success and stability to the Rockets than any owner in their history. That should be the criteria by which an owner is judged, but Les has always seemed like a New Jersey carpetbagger to me. I know that is a totally unjustified feeling, but you have to remember that I was twelve before I learned that damn and yankee were two separate words.
OK, Les, you've earned some slack. I'll try to shut up about McGrady.
Monday, February 16, 2009
A Second Opinion
McGrady is on a quest. A quest to find a second opinion on his knee that excuses his unwillingness to play basketball. Rockets fans are growing weary of the roller coaster ride on which Tracy has taken them. One day proclaiming that it hurts too much to play, the next day saying that it doesn't hurt, but he has lost his confidence in his ability to play on it, the next day again saying it really is still injured - and all while the Rockets team doctors can't find a thing on the MRI that shows it to be other than completely healed. Who is with me in thinking that Tracy will keep getting second, third and fourth opinions until he finds a doctor that says he really is hurting for a reason?
I say fine. Let him go seek the holy x-ray. The team is better off without the distraction, especially the way he's been playing. In fact, just put him on IR and declare him lost for the season. The Rockets are stuck with his salary no matter what through the end of next year. Maybe he will get better over the off-season. Many players suddenly find their game in their contract year. He won't turn 30 for a couple more months, so he should still have at least one more good year in him.
I say fine. Let him go seek the holy x-ray. The team is better off without the distraction, especially the way he's been playing. In fact, just put him on IR and declare him lost for the season. The Rockets are stuck with his salary no matter what through the end of next year. Maybe he will get better over the off-season. Many players suddenly find their game in their contract year. He won't turn 30 for a couple more months, so he should still have at least one more good year in him.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A Gift of Wisdom
Here's a Valentine's gift for all Rockets fans. It is my mother's favorite bit of wisdom and it applies to all aspects of life.
A man who works with his hands is a laborer.
A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.
A man who works with his hands, his brain and his heart is an artist.
-anon.
The world needs more artists, don't you think?
A man who works with his hands is a laborer.
A man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman.
A man who works with his hands, his brain and his heart is an artist.
-anon.
The world needs more artists, don't you think?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Prognosis
A few posts back, I promised a prognosis for the rest of the season, so here it is. The Rockets will make the playoffs, but lose in the first round yet again.
Why so dour a prediction? The Rockets are a good team on paper, but the chemistry is not there for greatness. The reasons are threefold. Ron Artest, Tracy McGrady and injuries.
1. Ron Artest: Ron is a tough, determined player that will do almost anything to win. Almost anything. The one thing with which he has trouble is playing within a team framework. He has a reputation for freelancing. Some will say he tries to take too much onto himself and others say he is just a hotdog who has no faith in anyone but himself. Since I don't know him personally, I'll leave that argument alone and just state the circumstantial evidence that makes the accusations ring true. Despite spending part or all of five seasons with a good Indiana team, he has an overall losing record. Everywhere he has been (before Houston), he has been in trouble and every locker room he has graced has faced discord. Coincidence? I, for one, don't think so.
2. Tracy McGrady: An anonymous player in the Rockets clubhouse said that Tracy enjoyed the status of superstar, but did not want to pay the price. Again, I don't know Tracy, so let's examine the evidence. He has been at about half speed all season due to a knee injury that still lingers. A few games ago, he had a resounding slam dunk that he said "gave him back his confidence." My question is, why hasn't he been testing that knee all this time trying to make it do all it could do? He has been reticent to go all out because of the pain. Let's be kind and say that ain't "old-school." Thousands of players over the years have given everything they had despite the pain for a tiny fraction of the money McGrady makes. It's time to gut it up or shut it up.
3. Injuries: All season long I have been predicting greatness for the home team once they healed up and got all their starters on the floor at the same time. Well, they are as healed as they are going to get this season and the results have been mixed to say the least. Injuries robbed the team of any chance for a good training camp and to get a leg up on the league in the early games. Battier, Artest and McGrady remain at less than full strength and with the NBA grind, are not likely to get any better before playoff time.
Lest I sound too pessimistic, I'll state some positives that may make my prognostication erroneous. Rick Adelman has kept the team together and juggled a dozen different lineups from one game to the next while amassing a winning record and keeping the team in the playoff chase. Daryl Morey has accumulated a fine group of reserves that have stepped up and made their presence known around the league. Yao Ming is a true superstar and has acted like it in every regard. Luis Scola is growing into an excellent power forward. Rafer Alston has been steady and consistent. Actually, there's more good news to talk about than bad.
I love the Rockets and nobody wants my prognosis to be wrong more than me.
Why so dour a prediction? The Rockets are a good team on paper, but the chemistry is not there for greatness. The reasons are threefold. Ron Artest, Tracy McGrady and injuries.
1. Ron Artest: Ron is a tough, determined player that will do almost anything to win. Almost anything. The one thing with which he has trouble is playing within a team framework. He has a reputation for freelancing. Some will say he tries to take too much onto himself and others say he is just a hotdog who has no faith in anyone but himself. Since I don't know him personally, I'll leave that argument alone and just state the circumstantial evidence that makes the accusations ring true. Despite spending part or all of five seasons with a good Indiana team, he has an overall losing record. Everywhere he has been (before Houston), he has been in trouble and every locker room he has graced has faced discord. Coincidence? I, for one, don't think so.
2. Tracy McGrady: An anonymous player in the Rockets clubhouse said that Tracy enjoyed the status of superstar, but did not want to pay the price. Again, I don't know Tracy, so let's examine the evidence. He has been at about half speed all season due to a knee injury that still lingers. A few games ago, he had a resounding slam dunk that he said "gave him back his confidence." My question is, why hasn't he been testing that knee all this time trying to make it do all it could do? He has been reticent to go all out because of the pain. Let's be kind and say that ain't "old-school." Thousands of players over the years have given everything they had despite the pain for a tiny fraction of the money McGrady makes. It's time to gut it up or shut it up.
3. Injuries: All season long I have been predicting greatness for the home team once they healed up and got all their starters on the floor at the same time. Well, they are as healed as they are going to get this season and the results have been mixed to say the least. Injuries robbed the team of any chance for a good training camp and to get a leg up on the league in the early games. Battier, Artest and McGrady remain at less than full strength and with the NBA grind, are not likely to get any better before playoff time.
Lest I sound too pessimistic, I'll state some positives that may make my prognostication erroneous. Rick Adelman has kept the team together and juggled a dozen different lineups from one game to the next while amassing a winning record and keeping the team in the playoff chase. Daryl Morey has accumulated a fine group of reserves that have stepped up and made their presence known around the league. Yao Ming is a true superstar and has acted like it in every regard. Luis Scola is growing into an excellent power forward. Rafer Alston has been steady and consistent. Actually, there's more good news to talk about than bad.
I love the Rockets and nobody wants my prognosis to be wrong more than me.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A Good Win
I know, that's redundant, but this one was better than most. The Rockets beat the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Toyota Center 107-90. Big deal, you say. The Wolves are only 17-32. True, but they have shown vast improvement in 2009 by going 11-5 since New Year's Day and are loaded with young, hungry players.
More important than just a win, the Rockets seemed to play well together for the first time in recent memory with five players scoring in double figures. The defensive effort was also back and three players had six assists apiece.
Minnesota's young center Al Jefferson seems to give Yao Ming fits, tonight amassing 36 points and 22 rebounds, but Yao countered with 30 points of his own and the Rockets held the rest of the Timberwolves to only 54 points.
The Rockets accomplished what they needed most: A team win. Next up, they fly to Milwaukee for a Monday game, then enjoy a six-game homestand against a mix of good teams and bad, culminating with a nationally televised game against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Feb. 26th.
More important than just a win, the Rockets seemed to play well together for the first time in recent memory with five players scoring in double figures. The defensive effort was also back and three players had six assists apiece.
Minnesota's young center Al Jefferson seems to give Yao Ming fits, tonight amassing 36 points and 22 rebounds, but Yao countered with 30 points of his own and the Rockets held the rest of the Timberwolves to only 54 points.
The Rockets accomplished what they needed most: A team win. Next up, they fly to Milwaukee for a Monday game, then enjoy a six-game homestand against a mix of good teams and bad, culminating with a nationally televised game against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Feb. 26th.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Frustrating Inconsistency
The Houston team blew one last night to the hapless Memphis Grizzlies. It seems the Grizz found their hap just in time for the flu-ridden Rockets to ride into town.
Aaron Brooks was out sick and Yao Ming had to leave the court twice because of "stomach issues." Just what they needed, to add illness to injury. That excuse aside, the real reason for the loss is that the Rockets did not play well and the Grizzlies did. Credit O.J. Mayo, Memphis' rookie phenom, for an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points and leading his team like a mature veteran. McGrady scored 21 points, but it took him 21 shots to do it and he missed all 5 of his threes. Yao played pretty well on offense, but was slow to respond to the young, quick Grizzlies. Ron Artest was 1-10 and couldn't seem to get anything right.
Sooner or later, Rick Adelman needs to either find the reason for his team's inconsistency or start making some changes. If injuries are the reason, the players that are hobbled need to sit until they are ready to play at 100%. McGrady is a shadow of his former self, Artest can't seem to get going and Battier is a step slow. It may be time to trust the reserves. That strategy may also pay dividends in the future by seasoning the young guys. And whoever said that Tracy, Ron and Shane can't come off the bench? Shake 'em up, Coach.
Aaron Brooks was out sick and Yao Ming had to leave the court twice because of "stomach issues." Just what they needed, to add illness to injury. That excuse aside, the real reason for the loss is that the Rockets did not play well and the Grizzlies did. Credit O.J. Mayo, Memphis' rookie phenom, for an outstanding performance, scoring 32 points and leading his team like a mature veteran. McGrady scored 21 points, but it took him 21 shots to do it and he missed all 5 of his threes. Yao played pretty well on offense, but was slow to respond to the young, quick Grizzlies. Ron Artest was 1-10 and couldn't seem to get anything right.
Sooner or later, Rick Adelman needs to either find the reason for his team's inconsistency or start making some changes. If injuries are the reason, the players that are hobbled need to sit until they are ready to play at 100%. McGrady is a shadow of his former self, Artest can't seem to get going and Battier is a step slow. It may be time to trust the reserves. That strategy may also pay dividends in the future by seasoning the young guys. And whoever said that Tracy, Ron and Shane can't come off the bench? Shake 'em up, Coach.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Rick's Rockets Hall of Fame
My selections are based on the players' overall contribution to the Houston Rockets. Players such as Charles Barkley, Elvin Hayes and Rick Barry are all truly hall-of-famers, but they had their greatest years with other teams.
Centers
Moses Malone (1976-82)
Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2001)
Yao Ming (2002-09)
Forwards
Rudy Tomjanovich (1970-81)
Robert Reid (1977-88)
Clyde Drexler (1994-98)
Otis Thorpe (1988-95)
Guards
Calvin Murphy (1970-83)
Mike Newlin (1971-79)
John Lucas (1976-78, 1984-86, 1989-90)
Tracy McGrady (2004-09)
There it is. Disagree? Convince me. I have an open mind.
Centers
Moses Malone (1976-82)
Hakeem Olajuwon (1984-2001)
Yao Ming (2002-09)
Forwards
Rudy Tomjanovich (1970-81)
Robert Reid (1977-88)
Clyde Drexler (1994-98)
Otis Thorpe (1988-95)
Guards
Calvin Murphy (1970-83)
Mike Newlin (1971-79)
John Lucas (1976-78, 1984-86, 1989-90)
Tracy McGrady (2004-09)
There it is. Disagree? Convince me. I have an open mind.
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