tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91306868245307736492024-02-07T02:00:52.998-06:00ROCKETS ADDICTSchrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-87303293722993240182010-08-23T14:02:00.032-05:002010-08-26T23:46:55.032-05:00The Smallest Big Man in the NBA<blockquote style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2010/08/08/chuck-hayes-smallest-big-man-in-the-nba/">"You ain't gotta be 7 feet to handle business, man. You just go out there and do your job"</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The wise words of the </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.nba.com/playerfile/chuck_hayes/career_stats.html">Chuck Wagon</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> as he answers the question so many Rockets fans with </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tTaOAUbI5A">crazy eyes</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> ask themselves, "Why does this guy start against the seven footers?"</span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Most accept the truth: Hayes did start at the big spot last year. Even so, I still come across ignorant criticisms of his game written all over forums by oblivious fan-writers. Obviously, I'm a big fan of Chuck. <strong>NOT</strong> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.talk-sports.net/nba/girlfriend.aspx/Chuck_Hayes">this big of a fan</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">, but I always pay close attention to what he does <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">ON</span> the court... and not on </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.tmz.com/tmztv?mediaKey=ffb7a67f-9bec-417c-9895-a13ee9ccec9e&isShareURL=true">TMZ</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">. I won't try to awe you with some kind of percentage I came up with while attempting calcululator acrobatics. It's really <strong>hard</strong> to prove how effective he is, but why should we have to? His positive impact is <strong>easily</strong> recognizable. Just note the effort and hard work </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aNpIeG5RwE&feature=player_embedded">#44</a> puts in before and during every game. If you're one of those fans still having trouble seeing Chuck's "intangible" skills, just remember: Chuck Hayes was the guy Van Gundy threw out there when no one could stop the Dirks and the KGs and all the other All-Star PFs in the league. Van Gundy's endorsement, not to mention <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4030154.html">Thibodeau's</a>, should mean a whole lot. It seems people are forgetting, or never understood, how useful Chuck was in that defensive specialist role.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chuck's starting minutes at the 5 prove he can bang with the best of the bigs, but I buy into the theory that he played the entire '09-'10 season out of position. He could always stop and control a Dwight Howard, a Bynum, or another young center easily. But, over the course of the season, his body could only take so much. I remember noticing Chuck decline last year, when he stopped stepping in to take charges, nursing that knee, half jogging and half limping down the court. I've come to the conclusion that Chuck's self-preservative decisions had a lot to do with the Rockets' incapability to make it to or really compete in the postseason. Why give up your body if you know we can't even make the eight seed?<br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">However, I believe that, coming off the bench to fill the role of the back up PF, Chuck will exceed expectations. We lose nothing defensively; we actually upgrade. Offensively, he's like a coach out there: creating in the high post, setting wide picks for our guards, setting up shots and sneaking in points when no one cares to guard him. I can already see our second unit with Chuck handling the ball at the high post and finding Lowry, Bud, <strong>OR</strong> the newly acquired <strong>Courtney Lee</strong> on a back door cut. That should not be very hard to visualize.<br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">On a side note, could you imagine if we were to release or trade him after the JVG era, as many people believed we should? My guess is that he would have followed Tom Thibodeau to Boston, and we would all have to bow down and kiss the rings.<span style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" >And since Morey has decided to keep him on for this next year, I have started to think about the past off-seasons. The off-seasons during which he helped Chase, Carl, Aaron and the other rookies at the Toyota center, remind me how devoted to winning this guy actually is.</span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><blockquote><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Until recently, the Rockets might have figured Jordan Hill or Patrick Patterson would compete for minutes at the 4-5 positions. But Chuck Hayes has had such a terrific summer that it will once more be virtually impossible to keep him off the floor.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-size:100%;">At the NBA's big man's camp, he has been leaner and stronger and faster and absolutely determined not to be overlooked. Around this time every year, we doodle with different playing rotations and almost always have someone playing for the Chuckwagon. Forget that. The Chuckster will be playing.</span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2010/08/thoughts_on_the_1.html">Richard Justice</a></span></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2010/08/thoughts_on_the_1.html"></a></span></blockquote><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: courier new;font-size:100%;" ></span></p><blockquote><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" >If we're done making any more <em><a href="http://www.dui.com/dui-library/celebrities/images/Carmelo-Anthony---Slam-Dunk-Over-Jerome-Williams-Photograph-C12188613.jpg">melo</a></em> moves before the summer ends, this could be one possible line up for our bench: Lowry , Lee, Bud, Hayes and Miller.<br />Though this lineup will most likely be used sparingly, it would be one fast front courts, especially with Chuck and Brad providing the full court outlet passes. I would take that lineup over a whole bunch of the league's starting fives.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jr8PdubeTak?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jr8PdubeTak?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jr8PdubeTak?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object></object></span><p></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /></span><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em></em></span></p><blockquote><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Replace the word "Trevor" with "Courtney" in this video about Outlet Passes. Good commentary. </em><br /></span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;">I really appreciate the off-season work Daryl Morey has done. I really am ecstatic about our draft pick, Patty Patterson. From the interview on draft night, and from what I have been reading in other interviews, I get the impression that he is a very honest, respectable player, eager to learn under our system. I see Chuck becoming somewhat of a mentor to Patterson and Hill. Having two high-IQ players in Chuck and Brad should really help these young bigs develop. </span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:100%;">Overall, it will be really nice to have Chuck back in a more fitting role: the backup 4. I think his familiarity with Yao and the rest of our veterans will be the key to his success and to the Rockets' success.</span></p></blockquote><p style="FONT-FAMILY: arial"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;" ></span>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-34867556899857115242010-03-03T13:51:00.002-06:002010-03-03T14:00:45.956-06:00LackingSo through this ridiculously tough season what have we learned?<br /><br />-Tmac is still "Tracy McGrady"<br /><br />-Aaron continues to improve as a dominant six foot and under scorer.<br /><br />-Kyle Lowry might be our team MVP. Probably wont have enough stats to back that up, but there is no stat line for energy and chemistry.<br /><br />-Jermaine Taylor started out selfish but with some d league time he seems to be improving. <br /><br />-Chase Bud is stroking it hard... What?<br /><br />- Trevor is gonna have to impress me more offensively off the dribble, but seeing his length on the court and the thought of him with Yao next year seems pretty dynamic.<br /><br />- Shane finally lost whatever the hell was growing above his lip. He was starting to look like a Nascar driver.<br /><br />- Carl!! lets get that guy back.<br /><br />- Scola is now known as the Argentinian Ice Cream Man. <br /><br />- Chuck is passing the ball great this season, his shots look better and his drives to the basket are becoming nifty against slow defenders.<br /><br />- Brian Cook was invited to that Tiger Woods Apology... Thats about all the news youll get on him. oh ye and hes gone!!!Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-53924849576269768912009-10-29T16:06:00.011-05:002009-10-29T16:42:36.177-05:00"The Cooler"<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Basically, it's about damn time. Chuck Hayes gets minutes and everyone can see how great he is. I don't know how many posts I've written about Chuck, but I'm going to revisit a few just to save time. (beware! quotes from old posts below)</span><br /><br />(1) "For me sitting out, it was good and bad because I had a chance to develop and watch the NBA game," he said. "I had a chance to watch the defensive schemes and everything and watch <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck Hayes</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">as great of a defender as he is on our team -- I had a chance to watch him all year and look at tape this summer to work on my defense.</span>" -Joey Dorsey<br /><br /><span>(2) “It hurt so bad once we lost Game 7,” recalls Dorsey. “We went into the locker room and everybody came together and I was the only one in the locker room that cried. I told coach, ‘I want to come back next year and be a defensive stopper. I want to work on defense in the perimeter and the low-post with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck Hayes; he’s one of the great low-post defenders on the team</span>. It just hurt so bad that we didn’t have that size to dominate the glass against the Lakers...</span><br /><br /><span>...I look at [Luis] Scola,” Dorsey says, “Because he’s one of the best low-post players I’ve ever seen; his footwork and everything. I’m waiting for him to get back from Argentina so I can start working out with him. And getting with Chuck Hayes. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck is one of the best low-post defenders and when (opponents) go on the pick-and-roll, Chuck is like a guard when he’s out there defending, so I just need to learn from Chuck</span> and learn from Yao and Scola – who better to learn from than from those three?”</span><br /><br /><span>(3) ...#44 Chuck Hayes in '07-'08:</span><br /><span>Defensive Rating</span><br /><span>1. Kevin Garnett-BOS 93.8</span><br /><span>2. Tim Duncan-SAS 96.6</span><br /><span>3. Chuck Hayes-HOU 96.7</span><br /><br /><span>and Chuck in '06-'07:</span><br /><br /><span>Offensive Rebounds</span><br /><br /><span>14. Amare Stoudemire-PHO 222</span><br /><span>15. Erick(a) Dampier-DAL 217</span><br /><span>16. Tim Duncan-SAS 213</span><br /><span>17. Chuck Hayes-HOU 204</span><br /><br /><span>Defensive Rating</span><br /><br /><span>1. Tim Duncan-SAS 94.5</span><br /><span>2. Ben Wallace-CHI 94.8</span><br /><span>3. Marcus Camby-DEN 97.2</span><br /><span>4. Yao Ming-HOU 97.7</span><br /><span>5. Manu Ginobili-SAS 97.9</span><br /><span>6. Chuck Hayes-HOU 98.0</span><br /><br /><span>(4) from chron.com & clutchfans:</span><br /><br /><span>By the time Chuck Hayes was given one of the NBA’s toughest assignments, matched up with Boston’s Kevin Garnett on Wednesday, the job had become even tougher. Garnett was already on a roll before Hayes got in the game. Hayes, however, slowed Garnett long enough for the Rockets to turn things around in a performance they later called a key to the win.</span><br /><span>“<span style="font-weight: bold;">He came in in the second quarter, and he just battled Garnett when he really had it going,” Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. “I can’t give Chuck enough credit. He hasn’t been playing, and he took on the challenge. He kind of set the tone in that first half for us.</span>”</span><br /><span>Though Hayes has often been used as a defensive specialist against the top-scoring power forwards, Garnett is a particularly tough matchup because the shots Hayes usually forces opposing big men to take — jumpers often a step or two deeper than usual — are the shots Garnett covets.</span><br /><span>“He does such a good job of not bringing (the ball) low so I can’t swipe it down,” Hayes said. “He has a high release and a fade to his shot. My best position is if he is going to fade and shoot that shot, try to get him as far away from the basket as I can and try to do what Shane ( Battier) does so well and get a good contest of his shot.</span><br /><span>“I did my best. He started off the game tremendously hot. He had them on fire. He was in rhythm. When I got in there and got on him in the second quarter, they tried to get him going again. I did everything in my power to try not to let that happen again.”</span><br /><br /><span>(5) "You can’t say enough about the second group. Aaron gave us a huge lift and Brent (Barry) and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck Hayes was terrific defensively in the second half.</span> Just showed we can be pretty good if we just stay with it. We’ve got a lot of guys that can help.”</span><br /><br /><span>"Ron was terrific the whole game," said Adelman. "Took some big shots, defended well. It was a great team win... <span style="font-weight: bold;">And all along I was hoping to play Chuck. I didn’t even worry about Chuck getting three fouls in the first half. I had to put him in. He’s got to do the best job, he’s got to stay solid. He does so many things for us when he’s on the court.</span>”</span><br /><br /><span>(6) "Everyone wants Kevin Garnett—he's got the perfect height, body, mentality—but most times, you're going to have to do with less," Morey says. "Behind Yao and Tracy, we've been willing to give up an inch of height, let's say, for more skill, a person who plays harder and creates for others, who defends and rebounds well." Morey's "basketball players" don't pop off a stat sheet, but they give coach Rick Adelman interchangeable and versatile parts that are capable of creating offensive and defensive advantages. "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck can guard anyone from 1 to 5</span>; Shane can play 2, 3 or 4; Luis Scola can play 3, 4 or 5; and Brent Barry can go 1, 2 or 3," Morey says. "We're limited only by our strategic insight."</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />Discussion with the "experts" at The Dream Shake</span>:<br /><br /><dl class="" id="comments-block"><dt class="comment-author blogger-comment-icon" id="c6190690266292393676"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/03618624498084343808" rel="nofollow">grungedave</a> said... </dt><dd class="comment-body"> <p> Name me one "skill" Chuck possesses that would be NBA-quality? <span style="font-weight: bold;">He can't dribble. He can't shoot. He can't pass. He can't jump. He's not tall. He's not quick</span>. ... basically he's smart and he hustles, but that's not exactly a basketball skill.<br /><br />... of course, that's why I love the guy (but I like winning more, so <span style="font-weight: bold;">I won't shed a tear when Chuck is traded soon, like Novak</span>).</p> </dd><dd class="comment-footer"> <span class="comment-timestamp"> <a href="http://rocketsaddicts.blogspot.com/2008/08/other-addicts-talking-shand-and-chuck.html?showComment=1218062040000#c6190690266292393676" title="comment permalink"> August 6, 2008 5:34 PM </a><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-591642506"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=9130686824530773649&postID=6190690266292393676" title="Delete Comment"> </a> </span> </span> </dd><dt class="comment-author blogger-comment-icon" id="c516702929189874933"> <a name="c516702929189874933"></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399" rel="nofollow">chris</a> said...<br /></dt><dd class="comment-body"><p><br />You -will- cry when Scola is our big trying to protect the low post.<br /><br />I guess Dorsey is supposed to fill that role, but he's only a rookie.<br /><br />Even if he has comparable defense, it will be hard to see him getting key minutes.<br /><br />Smarts probably would be the basis for most skills, and I didn't really want to discredit that.<br /><br />Still, I think Chuck does have a high skill level. People, maybe even me, would have to describe them as 'intangible' skills, just because I'm not knowledgeable enough to pinpoint the defensive body positioning that he uses.<br /><br />He shuts down (or at least can handle guarding) opponents ranging from Ron Artest to Lebron to Boozer.<br /><br />He strips balls better than any non-All-star PF in the league.<br /><br />He knows where to be all the time (smarts, yes) but he's not just a coach with all the answers.<br /><br />You have to actually combine your intelligence with athleticism (not limited to how high you jump) to play in the league.<br /><br />I just hate when people sell Chuck short. He does so much to help the team.<br /><br />I guess we're talking semantics here when you say 'skill,' but I don't limit skills to dribbling and shooting.<br /><br />He <b>is</b> quick and he <b>can</b> pass. And as I said before, jumping is not the only important athletic part of basketball.</p> </dd><dd class="comment-footer"> <span class="comment-timestamp"> <a href="http://rocketsaddicts.blogspot.com/2008/08/other-addicts-talking-shand-and-chuck.html?showComment=1218064620000#c516702929189874933" title="comment permalink"> August 6, 2008 6:17 PM </a><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-419409489"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=9130686824530773649&postID=516702929189874933" title="Delete Comment"> </a> </span> </span> </dd><dt class="comment-author blogger-comment-icon" id="c8238382524008206304"> <a name="c8238382524008206304"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399" rel="nofollow"></a></dt><dt class="comment-author blogger-comment-icon" id="c6428590178080860249"> <a name="c6428590178080860249"></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399" rel="nofollow"></a></dt><dt class="comment-author blogger-comment-icon" id="c1371837451833142131"> <a name="c1371837451833142131"></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13258777834462286523" rel="nofollow">UofTOrange</a> said... </dt><dd class="comment-body"> <p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck doesn't any NBA level skills, he has a TON of almost NBA defensive skills</span> and those together add up to him being a viable NBA backup PF. I really like the guy, but intangibles aren't skills, they are intangibles. Either way, I love Chuck, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I also don't think he has a place on the Rockets anymore</span>.</p></dd><dt><br /></dt></dl><br /></div><br /><br />Chuck highlight from Lakers series:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zqk2LW2vHZ0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zqk2LW2vHZ0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Travel then an airballchrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-14133116395601937812009-10-10T14:35:00.003-05:002009-10-10T14:39:50.256-05:00Morey's Foreward"Jeff Van Gundy, our former coach, is my favorite broadcaster on TV and consistently gets kudos for the fantastic job he does. One key to his success is that every time you tune in and listen to him you learn something you did not know before. This book is like that... Basically, if you consider yourself a basketball fan and you are not reading this book, then you aught to turn in your serious fan credentials." -Morey<br /><br /><a href="http://www.basketballprospectus.com/downloads/Foreword.pdf">PDF</a> of Morey's Foreward for <span style="font-style: italic;">Basketball Prospectus<br /><br /></span><span><a href="http://www.basketballprospectus.com/downloads/HOU%20essay%20sample.pdf">PDF</a> of Rockets essay from</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> BP<br /></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-57359346229218123222009-10-10T14:17:00.005-05:002009-10-10T14:22:05.081-05:00Hayes and Alston "get it"<span style="font-style: italic;">"Rafer is a guy who just gets it," Frank told the Newark Star-Ledger.</span><br /><a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/38388/nets_frank_gives_alston_high_marks"><br />The Baseline</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Chuck Hayes gets it." </span><h3 style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6659394.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jonathon Feigen - Houston Chronicle</span></a></h3>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-70844379762688272692009-08-27T12:40:00.004-05:002009-08-28T19:01:39.071-05:00Some Sherman Alexie<div>Not sure about the legality of posting this much word-for-word, but he can write me a letter if he wants.</div><div><br /></div>Excerpt from Sherman Alexie's <i>Whatever Happened to Frank Snake Church</i> in his collection of short stories <i>Ten Little Indians</i>:<div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div>Seven days a week, Frank drove the city and searched for games. He traveled from the manicured intramural courts at the University of Washington to the broken-asphalt courts of the Central District; from the violent and verbose games in Green Lake Park to the genial and clumsy games at the YMCA; from the gladiator battles under the I-5 freeway to the hyperorganized leagues at Sound Mind & Body Gym. He played against black men who believed it was their tribal right to dominate the court. He played against black, brown, and white men who didn't care about any color other than the green-money bets placed on every point and game. He played against Basketball Democrats who came to the court alone and ran with anybody, and Basketball Republicans who traveled in groups of five and ran only with one another. He played against women who endured endless variations of the same dumb joke: <i>Hey, girl, you can play, but it's shirts and skins, and you're running skins.</i> He played against former football players who still wanted to play football, and former wrestlers who wanted only to wrestle. He played against undisciplined young men who couldn't run a basic pick-and-roll, and against elderly men who never missed their two-handed set shots. He played against sociopathic ball hogs, wild gun runners, rebound hounds, and assist-happy magicians. He played games to seven, nine, eleven, and twenty-one points. He played one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three, four-on-four, five-on-five, and mob rules, improvisational, every-baller-for-himself, anarchist, free-for-all, death-cage matches. He played against cheaters who constantly changed the score, and honest freaks who called fouls on themselves. He played against Basketball Presbyterians who refused to fast-break, and Basketball Pagans who refused to slow down. He played against the vain Allen-Iverson-wanna-be punks who dribbled between their legs, around their backs and missed 99 percent of the ridiculous, driving, triple-pump, reverse scoop shots they hoisted up but talked endless and pornographic trash whenever they happened to make even one shot. He played against the vain Larry-Bird-wanna-be court lawyers who argued every foul call and planted themselves at three-point lines and constantly called for the ball because they were open, damn it, more open than any outsider shooter in the history of the damn game, so pass the freaking rock!</div><div> Frank played so well that he earned ( and re-earned) a playground reputation and was known by a variety of nicknames: Shooter, Old Man, Chief, and Three. Frank's favorite nickname was Oh Shit, given to him in July by a teenage Chicano kid in MLK, Jr. Park.</div><div> "Every time the old Indio shoots and makes one of those crazy thirty-footers," the Chican kid had said, "his man be yelling, 'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!"</div></blockquote><div></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-84123335056646907772009-08-08T19:58:00.002-05:002009-08-08T19:59:41.444-05:00Randolph to Grizz Explained<a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/08/08/grizzlies-find-a-way-around-minimum-salary-requirement/#cont">Enlightening explanation</a> as to why the Grizz have been in almost every deal possible this past season/off-season.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-68976180864151477342009-08-08T10:50:00.013-05:002009-08-08T20:06:06.015-05:00There Is No Windowin reply to <a href="http://www.rockets-buzz.com/?p=1483">this</a> from Rockets Buzz<br /><br />No, we are not lottery bound. And no, we are not title contenders. We will lose more games this year than last year, and we will struggle to maintain relevancy throughout the season. Anyone whose fanaticism depends on foretelling the demise of powerhouses like L.A. and S.A. as our Rockets assume their place at the head of the league, should get out while they still can. This season is for the true fans: the ones who watched Rafer and Luther and Juwan and Mutombo when Yao and T-Mac couldn't play.<br /><br />But all is not lost. There is still hope. What is the one thing the Rockets have never had in the Yao era - <span style="font-weight: bold;">youth</span>. The reasoning was somewhat sound - Yao needs veterans who can run half-court sets and get him the ball - but this philosophy merely led us to where we stand today. Now, we move forward. We are not in a rebuilding mode. Shit, we've been quietly rebuilding since Aaron and Carl showed so much promise in their rookie seasons, ever since T-Mac tried to put the team on his brittle back and failed.<br /><br />We've thrown countless fringe veterans onto the floor around Yao and T-Mac, just hoping they would be enough to hold it all together: Kirk Snyder, Juwan Howard, Keith Bogans, David Wesley, Jon Barry, Ron Artest (I loved Artest and maybe I still will. In losing him we may have lost our on-court incendiary, but at this point our burgeoning team needs fewer and fewer combustible elements in this, its most formative season.) What we've been reluctant to do or incapable of doing is betting on development. We've never had time to waste waiting on the young guys to figure it out. We were always worried about Yao and Tmac and their "window of opportunity." You could say the window has shut, but I choose to say that there is no window. Not in the defeatist sense - like Yao or T-Mac couldn't win. Rather in the "think outside the box - there is no box" mentality. <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"Where's the Cat? Where's the cradle?"</span> -Kurt Vonnegut<br /><br />The Celtics may have pulled off a complete roster revamping in one fell swoop, but we're in no position to hope for miracles. Our hopes should rest in development and unity.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-76700364092002620122009-08-08T10:49:00.000-05:002009-08-08T10:50:07.546-05:00Fresh From DM's Twitter<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="status-body"><span class="entry-content">Congratulations to Jermaine on joining the Rockets for many years. JT is doing well at Grgurich camp this week along with Joey and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chuck</span>.</span></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-25701946095207231192009-08-04T10:39:00.001-05:002009-08-04T10:40:57.503-05:00vonvon<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(64, 64, 64); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">thanks to some dude on clutchfans for linking to <a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/090803_clippers_wafer_meeting">this article on myfoxhouston</a></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">While Wafer will meet with the Clippers Tuesday, he is still hopeful he might be able to return to the Rockets.</span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"This is where I want to be," Wafer said. "They gave me my first opportunity. I want to be here."</span></p></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-42123522497539851322009-07-31T14:47:00.001-05:002009-07-31T14:49:32.284-05:00Professor McGrady<a href="http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/sports/nba/090730_mcgrady_expects_return_elite_status">My Fox Houston McGrady Interview</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />"It's really no comparison to how I feel now and I how felt trying to play all of last season," McGrady said. "My knee is feeling extremely strong. The most important thing is I'm confident in it. You guys just stay tuned. I'm out here grinding in Chicago, trying to get back right, but yes I will be playing for the Rockets in the '09-10 season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"I feel that if I go out there right now I could get somebody 30 (points)."</span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-80984376677554253212009-07-22T11:26:00.001-05:002009-07-22T11:27:50.458-05:00Rod Benson's Summer League Summary<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Arial; line-height: 1.54em; "><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Too-much-Rod-Benson-My-Las-Vegas-experience?urn=nba,178061#remaining-content">Too Much Rod Benson - Ball Don't Lie</a></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Arial; line-height: 1.54em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">"I got a simple game called "The Moron Test." It really has nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with patience and diligence. It took me five tries to beat it, so now I get more enjoyment from trying to beat my best time and from watching other people play.</span><br /></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Arial; line-height: 1.54em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">While on the way from Houston to Vegas, I decided to bet some guys on the team if they could beat it in five tries or less. </span><span class="ysp-player" style="line-height: 122%; white-space: nowrap; "><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4649/" style="line-height: 122%; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Chase Budinger</span></a><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4649/news" class="ysp_playernote_icon" id="ysp_playernote_nba.p.4649" style="display: inline-block; width: 11px; text-indent: -99em; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 2px; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/fn/default/full/p_note_none.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; visibility: visible; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 0px; height: 13px; line-height: 13px; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; background-position: 0% 0.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(notes)</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> beat it in six, the rest of the guys gave up after five. The best part was watching </span><span class="ysp-player" style="line-height: 122%; white-space: nowrap; "><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4494/" style="line-height: 122%; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Joey Dorsey</span></a><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/4494/news" class="ysp_playernote_icon" id="ysp_playernote_nba.p.4494" style="display: inline-block; width: 11px; text-indent: -99em; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 2px; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/fn/default/full/p_note_none.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; visibility: visible; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 0px; height: 13px; line-height: 13px; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; background-position: 0% 0.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(notes)</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> miss the first question. The first question simply says, "Press the red button to begin." Joey pressed the green one."</span></p></span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-13347702387800387282009-07-22T10:48:00.001-05:002009-07-22T10:50:35.956-05:00DM Interview<a href="http://sportsradiointerviews.com/2009/07/21/daryl-morey-on-david-andersen-chase-budinger-and-joey-dorsey/">SportsRadioInterviews.com</a><div><br /></div><div>On Andersen:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"We feel like he’s at a good age actually. People are focusing I think on how old he is, but he’s 29, we’re gonna sign him to probably a 3-year deal with some options for the Rockets at the end of it. We feel like he’s just a good player, he’s a good player at a good price"</span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; ">and more on Budinger and Dorsey</span></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-23113479762512493932009-07-21T17:13:00.006-05:002009-07-22T01:55:47.448-05:00The Foot Race For Big MenOkay, so probably a bad title for this blog but more so just an excuse for me to show this.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GuzAbnr_4bY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GuzAbnr_4bY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Man Kaman is still going after despite a pretty big deficit.<br /><br />I would take either of those guys at this point as long as we would not have to give up much. Brad Miller is probably slower now than that video NOW, considering the uniform he was wearing. So yeah, scratch Brad Miller off my list.<br /> I would love for us to somehow get rid of Brian Cook's contract and pick up Haddadi. Any suggestions on that?<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kfc_-_zw8qk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kfc_-_zw8qk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-3862960437434555652009-07-21T11:07:00.005-05:002009-07-21T11:14:30.344-05:00Von<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Wafer listed as 4th best unrestricted free agent on the market by the dudes at </span><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Ranking-the-NBA-s-nine-best-unrestricted-free-ag?urn=nba,177670#remaining-content"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ball Don't Lie</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"He averaged almost 10 points per game last year. He's not a minimum player. But when you walk out on your coach on national TV, in this economy? Deal with what you can get, Von Wafer."</span></span></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: italic; line-height: 19px;font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 19px; font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Also on the list is Nesterovic - deemed fit for Houston.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 19px;font-family:Arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 19px;font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Arial; line-height: 1.54em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">He's a damn good defender, something some NBA analysts would fail to realize when they decide to only look up blocks per game on their Blackberries, rather than watch the actual games.</span> He can score with the floater, and would be a very good backup at a pretty cheap price.</span></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Arial; line-height: 1.54em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The solution? To Houston. The Rockets can talk all they want about running and weaving in </span><span class="ysp-player" style="line-height: 122%; white-space: nowrap; "><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3599/" style="line-height: 122%; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Yao Ming's</span></a><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3599/news" class="ysp_playernote_icon" id="ysp_playernote_nba.p.3599" style="display: inline-block; width: 11px; text-indent: -99em; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 2px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 2px; background-image: url(http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/sp/fn/default/full/p_note_none.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; visibility: visible; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 0px; height: 13px; line-height: 13px; color: rgb(0, 105, 170); text-decoration: none; background-position: 0% 0.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(notes)</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">absence, but they'll also need someone to defend the pivot, and not act like a Collins twin once the ball meets the center's hands on offense."</span></p></span></span></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-27597010290961157402009-07-21T10:42:00.004-05:002009-07-21T10:52:02.632-05:00QuotesWisdom from Joey and idiocy from Clyde- the baby-seal-clubber-Drexler: <a href="http://nba.fanhouse.com/team/rockets/">FanHouse</a><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"For me sitting out, it was good and bad because I had a chance to develop and watch the NBA game," he said. "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">I had a chance to watch the defensive schemes and everything and watch Chuck Hayes, as great of a defender as he is on our team</span> -- I had a chance to watch him all year and look at tape this summer to work on my defense." -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Joey Dorsey</span><br /><br /><br />"I'm going to coach in the NBA. I don't know where, but I am. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">And I'll be a good one,</span>" Drexler told FanHouse over the weekend. "When I turn 50, that's what I'll be doing. The timing will be perfect." -</span>Clyde Drexler<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma; line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">"The Race NOT Always WON by the Fastest!!" -</span>Hasheem Thabeet from <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/28549/top_nba_tweets_july_20">The Baseline</a></span></span><br /></div>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-71368676256903639752009-07-14T12:26:00.004-05:002009-07-14T12:28:00.819-05:00Expectations pt2Really cool video. The editor chose some really good games. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2H-Te3HhZA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/f2H-Te3HhZA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-34245900770871489522009-07-14T11:22:00.003-05:002009-07-14T14:05:13.408-05:00Expectations22 games in a row? Lakers to game 7? no injuries(besides Yao)?<br /><br />Why is anyone ruling these things out? Our front court is going to be dangerous.<br /><br />Brooks - The word in the paper is that Artest was giving him some of his "Hood'ism" during the time that AB took over. SO could we expect more from this gem? My expectations for Brooks this year is for him to dramatically bring up his scoring and start to show more signs of a true pg. I want to see the drive and dish out to ariza. Can not wait to see what that looks like.<br /><br />Battier - We all know what this dude does, and he is going to be our leader for these youngsters. He is going to gaurd that two or that three and going to do the best job he can do.<br /><br />Ariza over Artest? - okay, so let us compare the pro's and cons.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PRO</span><br />Artest is a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">GREAT</span> defender, a great spot up shooter and very versatile as he can guard play point gaurds and pf's.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CON</span><br />Artest also tends to overplay, psychs himself out of a shot, he's been know as a "ballstopper" and i believe it from this 1 year. He argues with team mates supposively and I am sorry but his shooting in the playoffs was inconsistent. His numbers might be decent, but he made the crazy shots, not the spot up easy ones. He made like three point fading banks off the glass.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PRO</span><br />Ariza is a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">REALY GOOD </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>defender<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span>and to<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span>some gold and purple bandwagoners he is "great." He is an improving shooter and probably the most athletic Rocket now.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">CON</span><br />I am very optimistic on Ariza's "cons." The word is that he has been known to have bad handles on a break. As long as he knows this, works on it I think it will be fine. Hopefully that means more passing, more ball movement.<br /><br />When I think basketball, I think about teamwork and chemistry. Cheese aside, I believe that Aaron and Ariza making it happen. I can hear Clyde, Bill.. and i guess Matt making up names for the new fast break duo.Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-62688258555780790622009-07-13T23:08:00.003-05:002009-07-13T23:11:15.976-05:00Up Tempo<a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6526199.html">Full Article from Chron.com</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">“All our acquisitions, if you trace them, especially in the last two years, have been anticipating being a more up-tempo team,” general manager Daryl Morey said. “We anticipated our second team to do that. It just happens now that it is probably going to be our first team next year. We wanted players who could play in transition, and also work in the half court with Yao. Our acquisitions have been pretty consistent — more athleticism, play in transition, defensive-minded, attack the hoop.”</span>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-59177444936294635762009-07-11T23:24:00.002-05:002009-07-11T23:30:49.210-05:00I Want To See This Tape<p>YAO<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LzycjijfJ_c&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LzycjijfJ_c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /></p>MIX<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hsd8V5rcED0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hsd8V5rcED0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-56082940331832463102009-07-09T14:32:00.005-05:002009-07-10T02:29:41.877-05:00Wild Wild WestI had high hopes around this time last year.<br />Dreams of this:<br />PG Alston<br />SG Battier<br />SF McGrady<br />PF Scola<br />C Yao<br /><br />When it came to Texas teams, Rockets beat out SA and Dallas. We were far more of a contender for a championship. Then like these other teams, we were plagued with injuries that set us back.<br /><br />All of the signings and trades that have gone on recently, are really going to benefit these Texas teams.<br /><br /><br /><br />The Mavericks have traded for Shawn Marion, re-signed Jason Kidd, and found a reliable center in Gortat. I see all of these players working out. I see Shawn Marion getting talked about more next season. Jason Kidd will be able to utilize him correctly. Also, Q- ross was signed.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />San "Antonio" McDyess<br /><br /></span><span>As </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span>much as I hate the Spurs, they have made some pretty reliable moves. Richard Jefferson has always been a player that has looked good when I see him play, but always flew well under my radar. After they traded for him I was curious who they were going to have protect the paint. But according to sources, Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen have said they will come back. And with the aquisition of McDyess, gotta be a lil' scared as a Rocket's fan.<br /><br /><br />With the lack of big man and the rumors going around about Amare in Houston. I am very very optomistic to see where Morey takes us.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>Robbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18438672220336676729noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-22198287198213903642009-07-09T00:57:00.000-05:002009-07-09T00:58:38.424-05:00Ariza<p style="font-style: italic;">"It had a lot to do with it," Ariza said. "I was approached by some really, really good teams. I felt like I could help myself a lot more and I could help myself also. But [that series] was definitely a good way to woo me.</p><p style="font-style: italic;">"This is a great young team that has a lot of potential. It's very, very scrappy. They never give up and I believe that's the type of player I am. No matter what the situation is, up by 100 or down by 100, these guys still fight and continue. I'm happy to be part of that."</p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/fran_blinebury/07/08/rockets.ariza/index.html">from Fran Blinebury? writing for NBA.com?</a><br /></p>chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-70110481799529671462009-07-09T00:27:00.002-05:002009-07-09T00:31:25.210-05:00StackhouseThrough all the <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/28146/mavericks_acquire_shawn_marion">sign-and-trade stuff in the Marion deal</a>, Jerry Stackhouse's contract will be bought out by the Grizzlies, and he will become a free agent.<br /><br />Seems like a safe pickup if he comes on the cheap. Even with Ariza, we need someone else to create their own shots from the wing. I guess if/when Tracy comes back, it won't seem necessary.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-769437391507203302009-07-08T11:10:00.004-05:002009-07-09T00:40:21.646-05:00JoggingNeed an incentive to hit Memorial Park's running track? What about keeping pace with a 6'11 beast named Joey.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Went out to Memorial and did the three miles this weekend."</span> -Joey Dorsey<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Houston_Rockets_Summer_League_-318427-34.html">Video/Article from Jason Friedman @ nba.com/rockets</a><br /><br />also when asked who impressed him he noted Chase Budinger's athleticism.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9130686824530773649.post-4457365589931020382009-07-08T10:14:00.009-05:002009-07-14T16:31:43.721-05:00Relevant:<a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/28098/signing_day_signals_start_of_next_phase_in_offseason">"...Next Phase of the Offseason</a>"<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sean Deveney @ The Baseline</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6518619.html">Chronicle article</a> - <span style="font-style: italic;">“It’s early,” Hinkle said. “No player has changed hands yet. No one has even signed a contract yet. Remember two years ago at this time? The only power forward on our roster was Steve Novak.”</span><br /><br />Let's think minutes for a second.<br /><br />PG: Aaron and Kyle will split all 48<br /><br />SG: Ariza <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4310284">will start</a>, that much we know. James White <span style="font-weight: bold;">seems</span> to be next in line, but who knows what our draftees will play like in training camp or what Brent Barry is going to do for the team next year. I'm imagining that Ariza holds 20-25 minutes at the 2, with other minutes spent at the 3. That leaves 10-20 minutes to split between James White and our rooks.<br /><br />SF: Battier will hold this spot down, possibly switching defensive roles with Ariza depending on matchups. He and Ariza should play 40+ minutes at the 3 spot. The other options are about the same as those at the backup 2 spot. Budinger is 6'7 and seems like he'd slide to the 3 if he can't keep up with the NBA's 2 guards' pace. Our bigs are stretched too thin to slide Carl over to the 3, even though he could pull it off against bigger opponents.<br /><br />PF/C: Who knows. This is our deepest and weakest position. We have a lot of talent, but none of them can protect the rim. Chuck can dig people out of the post and slide in front of slashers, but, beyond that, we have no shot blocking. Carl can get up, but he hasn't got the timing or positioning polished yet. Scola is crafty and can get steals, but he can't really stop the post up -or- block shots. The scoring load will fall heavily on Luis and Landry, but what we really need is an inside presence: rebounding, changing if not blocking shots and taking up space.chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08041486000046541399noreply@blogger.com0