Oscars? What Oscars? I was busy watching the Rockets shoot lights out in Houston, I don’t know about you. By the way, if you don’t have HD I feel sorry for you and promise you, seeing that fat guy’s nipples in the Amp’d commercial is amazing.
Anyways, the Rockets played a hell of a game in the second half. They were 13-24 from three, and shot 50% overall against a bad Bulls team. I know, there’s not too much to brag about there, but what I did see from the Rockets is that they’re are a truly balanced team. Seven players scored in double figures on a night when Yao struggled (he showed some of his past weakness against small, quick defenders). T-Mac continued to play hard and Bobby Jackson played like he’s been with us all season. That guy is still quick, can play some defense, and knows exactly where to be in this system…this trade may have rejuvenated him a bit. Another thing to note is that Rafer’s minutes were down tonight, presumably because of his six turnovers, and we didn’t miss a beat with Bobby at the point. One player that I see benefiting from the trade is Luther Head, unless of course we get Brent Barry. Luther can now play at the two…really his natural position.
Some other notes…why the hell do people sit in the Lexus Lounge during the game. I know the Bulls are bad, but this team is playing so exciting now, and I know if I was in Houston I wouldn’t want to miss a second of it. The refs sucked. Yao was posterized by Drew Gooden. The announcer called Dikembe a cheerleader, which I found a little disrespectful. And did you see that casual 360 dunk by T-Mac? I didn’t know he still had it in him.
In other sports…Memphis finally lost…a team in C-USA should never be first. Tiger Woods won the Accenture Match Play; yet another reason to call him the most dominant athlete of his time. Limas Sweed (I do go to UT by the way) had a very good combine, surprising the scouts with a 4.45 40′ and a 35″ vertical. And the Auto Club 500 was delayed….who cares?
End the season now!! Start the playoffs!! The Houston Rockets have declared GAME OVER for the rest of the NBA. On Thursday the Rockets completed two deals, ridding of Gawen DeAngelo “Bonzi” Wells, Kirk the bench Snyder, and Mike James (who played more golf than basketball).
Not only were they able to rid of the three stooges, but brought in the GREAT Bobby Jackson and the cupcake-blowing-while-dunking hometown STUD Gerald Green!!OK, I know they were not the most mind-blowing or fan-friendly trades, but they were nonetheless SMART.
As much as fans want progress now and could care less about the future, this trade will do a great deal of help to the Rockets in the future. This summer we will have the money to go after someone who can really help us. As much of a homer as I am, I have to look at this trade through the statistical genius of Daryl Morey. Statistically, the chances of the Rockets actually winning the championship this year are slim to none. The west has never been this good, and if we some how do get past the beasts of the west, we would still have to face one of two…scratch that…now THREE very good teams in the east (the Cavs did some dealing yesterday as well). Fans will be praising Morey this summer when the Rockets are vastly improved through some additions and we don’t have to go after players like the Franchise or Stromile Dee Dee Deee Swift.
That is not to say that we don’t have a chance. Adelman has done what none thought was possible in combining JVG’s defensive brilliance and some of his pass the ball like a hot potato offense. And T-Mac seems to be cruising through the second half of the season, a la Robert Horry, where he will likely explode into the playoffs. But lets face it, although Aaron Brooks can play and has a good chance of being our PG in the near future, he is not ready to handle the reins in the playoffs. We needed an experienced backup to Rafer and we got it in Bobby Jackson. Jackson is a competitor in the playoffs, and only old man Dikembe Mutumbo has more experience than he does. Trust me, playoff experience in the playoffs makes a world of difference. Gerald Green is another story…
this guy plays less defense than the Phoenix Suns and is basically a turnover-prone spot-up three-point shooter. I do believe however that with a veteran team like the Rockets he does have the chance of getting his act together and improving vastly. He’s barely 22 and has worlds of talent.
