Vacations Rule!

It’s Lee bitches…
I’m back and the Rockets are too after a long layover from the playing like shit tour. I had a great vacation and it’s extending into tonight because I just got back from some gumbo and fried shrimp at Pappadeaux’s and forgot to start the DVR so it’s there were only 9 minutes left in the first when I started watching. The Rockets are back to the scene of the start to their downfall, their first loss of the season and the awful, yet talented Memphis Grizzlies’ Fed Ex Forum.

So far Yao seems to be taking the game seriously with TMac out resting his laurels, or whatever you rest when you aren’t really hurt but don’t want to play. Unfortunately his aggressiveness tonight has got the best of him and he has 3 fouls. Again though, he doesn’t whine when he actually fouls someone, so I don’t get why refs don’t see this.

Aaron Brooks is a better passer than I remember him being at Oregon and has really impressed me with his, “I don’t give a shit, I’m a good player” attitude. He shoots the ball ridiculously fast; his release is perfect for creating his own shot. I am beginning to like him similar to how I liked Sam Cassell his rookie year, and that is a huge compliment from me. The best part about him is that I don’t have to bitch about how much Rafer sucks because he is taking some of his minutes. Don’t get me wrong, Rafer still sucks shit through a straw. (That has to be a top ten phrase for how much someone sucks, right?)

Mike Miller kills me; he is way too good of a basketball player to be as shitty as he is.

Dikembe is one of the best arguers in the league. I have literally never seen him leave a call alone. I have no idea what he says though, it could be like Dick Bavetta and Charles Barkley, just a lot of jawing but him asking how the ref's kids are. But regardless, he talks after every single foul called against him. And because he’s the cookie monster, it actually doesn’t bother me. The guy makes me laugh. I think the guy in charge of that commercial with all the foreign NBA players lets him speak just so I can get a chuckle.

Rockets have been really good about the 2 for 1 situations this year, and it’s no different at the half this time. They run Adelman’s offense perfectly in those situations. The rest of the time you ask? Not so much… This half time they actually get a 3 for 1 because Stromile Swift traveled, but couldn’t capitalize on the third chance. To be fair there were only .3 seconds left, so it was a touch and toss situation for Bonzi. We were up 12 at one point and the Grizz got it to one, but a 9-4 run by the boys in red got it back to 7 at the half.

You know what sucks about Rafer more than anything? He seems like an okay guy when it comes to charity off the court. Obviously he’s had his breaking laws fun, but it’s mostly been little stuff. He always seems to be on at half time doing stuff for da kids. Also, his girlfriend Ashley Walker is kind of hot. Of course he’s got some bank so that’s really not a surprise.

I’m headed to the Texans game n Sunday, and then every second of my sports energy can be focused on the Rockets. The Texans have a chance to finish 8-8 and give the city of Houston (or at least those non-Titans traitors) a little hope going into next season. Seriously, I love my Longhorns, I love Vince Young, but on the field, in the NFL, he is the enemy. I wish him good luck, but nothing but losses against the Texans. And speaking of the Horns, congrats to the good guys in Burnt Orange for their 7th consecutive 10 win season, the third best such streak of all time, one better than the poster boys of ESPN USC I will add.

The Rockets come back from half time with a bit of hustle; I like it when that happens. I don’t like it when Rafer shoots the “tearput” though, that thing always infuriates me. Clyde actually said he thought he was at his best when he was doing that, I guess he just sucks a little less when he does. Though I will give him some backhanded credit, he has been playing better since Aaron Brooks became a factor; it’s too bad he couldn’t do it on his own. I’ll take him sucking less in any way I can though.

Seriously, Mike Miller has all of the tools, he can shoot, jump, pass and rebound, but still sucks, his lack of motivation pisses me off. I had all of the drive, but just didn’t have the natural skill. Truthfully, the Grizzlies as a whole are a bunch of disappointments. Miller, Gasol, Swift, Darko, all potentially great players, all woeful underachievers. The entire team seems to be exactly what the Rockets aren’t and that is crazy athletic. I guess I’ll take what we have if that is what you get with athletes.

The Rockets are playing like a team and Yao is not F’ing around when he’s near the basket, he’s emphatically dunking it every chance he gets. I honestly think he’s sick of this crap about not being able to carry a team. He is even running the court and going after every lose ball. That could get him in trouble, but I still like it. If they keep letting Swift go over Yao’s back, I’m afraid Yao may punch him. Yao with 17, 8 and 2 blocks with 3:07 left in the third really seems to be playing well and doing it within the offense. Right after I typed that Yao gets called for a foul on a play where he wasn’t closer than a foot to Gasol the whole way. I’m not sure why I have to stress the fact that Yao does not bitch when he fouls or when he’s not fouled, why the hell do refs not get this? He also reacts pissed at himself when he does foul, so if in doubt, watch Yao’s reaction, he’ll tell you if he screwed up or not. Do I really have to start a letter writing campaign to the NBA???

The Rockets defense tonight is the best I’ve seen them play in weeks. The Grizz aren’t shooting terribly and they are trying as hard as they can. The Rockets are just stopping them. At the end of the third, the Rockets were up by 13, just need to keep it going for another 12 minutes.

Aaron Brooks is in the game to start the fourth; that warms my heart. As ugly as it is, his herky-jerky dribbling is awesome. He brings the ball up efficiently and quickly, it’s exactly what I want to see when he comes in. His defense is definitely lacking right now, but with his speed that can be brought around. His speed is his equalizer for his height, bigs can’t guard him to block his shot so he can go into the trees to penetrate.

This post wouldn’t be complete without talking about Luis Scola or Shane Battier; both are having complete games tonight, and playing good individual and team defense as well as playing well on offense. Scola looks like he should be the second banana at times on a team, I still think after the All Star break we are going to find our stride. It is up to a 20 point lead with 6:45 left in the game. They are using the shot clock and taking time off, I love the slow down, 4 to 5 pass till you find an opening offense when you have a big lead.

It’s nice to be back to blogging and I really enjoy keeping these as running game blogs. I like piecing them together from notes as well, but it always seems to flow better like this. Maybe it’s because I’m not a real writer, I’m something better, more refined for today’s day and age, a blogger if you will. Plus, I get to type and laugh at the same time at stuff like Bill Worrell commenting on Quagmire with something like: “It’s great to be ambidextrous, he likes to use either hand”. Unfortunately he followed it up by saying that it’s good for the Rockets that they are proving they can score without TMac. The problem with that is it can be good, but only if Tracy allows it to be. He has a tendency to try and show why he’s important after he comes back from being hurt. Regardless, I like 15+ point wins anytime they come. Hell, I like 1 point wins, I just like to win.

22 and 11 and 4 for Yao with 2:46 left, yes, he’s good. Just in case anyone was still wondering. His hustle and desire to play as a team is the defining aspect of this game. I love the guy. He’s not Hakeem (and people need to get over that) but he’s a hell of a good player and will easily go down as the best center of his era, that’s all you can ask of a guy. At the end of the game Stromile Swift was apparently trying to prove some crazy point, Yao dominated him on three straight possessions and proved his point wrong. I’m not exactly sure why people think he can’t play defense, it’s just absurd.

Great game by the Rockets, a 103-83 win. Game ball goes to the entire team. Check out this box score.

Six players in double figures and Hayes had 11 rebounds so I’m calling it 7. Towelie still sucks and Bonzi really does not have his shooting touch right now. I’m assuming it will come back since, unlike Towelie, he as had one in his career.

Great game Rockets, let’s keep it up. The Raptors are up tomorrow night, let’s make it two in a row!!

Explosion of Awfulness Game 19

You know what's really sad? Before the game I said out loud to a few people that I was going to try and cheer for Towelie against Memphis, see if that positive karma helped. Then he shot his first three of the night and it hit the right outside of the square and never touched the rim and that's all she wrote. I couldn't do it, he is really that awful.

Here are a few things I said or overheard at the game

Nice D Rafer, God you suck! -Overheard at the game as Damon Stoudamire went right by him for a lay-up, and that was by a man in his early 60s

Can you T him up and get him out of the game? Please? For me?? - Me, when he was arguing a foul that, to be fair, wasn't a foul

Come on man, he’s pretty good.
Ummm, no, no he’s not – Random guys behind us as the guy saying he sucks was cussing at Rafer from the upper deck

Box out Yao, cause it’s coming off the rim – Dave before the ball even left Rafer’s hands. Yao stuffed the ball, that hit only the backboard, down for two. Maybe it was a pass…

Nice hands Rafer! – A lady a section over screamed as Rafer just let a ball go that hit him in both hands.

You blew it! - Me when he missed an open three in the third that would have put us up 15 (I think)

Oh my God you’re bad! - Me, on a "defensive" play where the Grizzlies got another layup

Giggity Giggity...alllllllriiiiiightt

It was good to see Bonzi finally hit lay-ups. - Tracy McGrady

I completely agree Tracy, it was nice. Bonzi and Scola were fantastic last night as was everyone else that played more than 3 minutes. Hell, even Rafer almost had a triple double. Of course he also shot three balls that didn’t hit the rim at all, but he still did two things decently, suck and pass the ball.

When we first got to the game we were handed Rockets Power Dancers calendars, and I have to say, they are pretty nice. I’m married and have a kid, so mine will never get put up anywhere, but it was still a nice gesture by the Rockets. It even helped me further prove that July sucks, it had a girl with my ex-wife’s name on it, it’s a long time exes birthday month and it especially sucks for July 24th, Rafer’s birthday. They really try to make the games a fun atmosphere, more than the Astros and MUCH more than the Texans. The only problem we had all night is that they decided that every dog has their day and put Rafer on the cover of the game guide.
The intros were hilarious with everyone looking up at the camera and trying to look hard. Shane Battier trying to be intimidating was a little like someone being scared by a bunny, utterly ridiculous. Is there a whiter man on the planet than Shane Battier?

The Rockets were 3/14 at the first timeout of the game, and unsurprisingly the Grizzlies were up 12-6. I think the Rockets were still on the hangover of Rafer inexplicably getting on the program guide, but maybe it was just that they came out playing like they have in the last few losses they had, completely selfishly.

Shortly after the timeout the Rockets went on a run. One thing was apparent early and often in the game: Rafer’s teammates do not trust him, especially on the fast break. Tracy and Rafer had a two on two fast break and Rafer was wide open completely unguarded and Tracy refused to pass him the ball. Instead he slowed it down just a bit and let Luis Scola catch up. How does it feel to be stranger to TMac’s child Rafer? You couldn’t be more untrusted if you slept with his wife.

Yao was in the game with 1:05 left in the first and he needed a breather. Why was he in the game? He was going to rest, why risk the foul? And of course, he picked one up with 4.2 seconds left on the clock and it proved the point. I know Ricky is experimenting, but that’s just silly.

Bonzi remembered how to play, but he still can’t jump right now. He got more athletic with his moves as the game moved on and really trusted his offensive moves. He looked like the Bonzi from his Sacramento days. I was pleased, and really, let’s be honest, that’s what’s important.

Much like Happy learned how to put: Scola learned how to play…uh ohhh

After the timeout the Rockets outscored the Grizzlies by 19 and were up 55-42 at half.
12 points for Scola and 16 for Bonzi, that’s what I’m talking about!

The low risk, high reward halftime show was by the Society of Karate. The only appropriate response? KICK ASS!! But alas no one got put in a body bag, swept the leg OR did a flippin awesome crane kick. Let’s just say I was more than disappointed. They could have made someone bleed for my pleasure at least!
After halftime Yao came back to kick some ass. He had four reposts on the night that were phenomenal. And because only one had Rafer throwing the entry pass he was able to convert on all of them. Towelie threw the ball to him at his junk, no idea why he doesn’t realize the guy is 7’6. It didn’t matter though because Yao is awesome.

I don’t care what Dave says, Battier = Shoota, choke on that baby!!!
One of my favorite moments of the night occurred during a timeout game where we found out we were on the west side of the stadium and 50% of the crowd on our side shouted Westside! When you get a chance to do that in life, you have to have some fun with it

Scola had an amazing move around a player to a reverse lay-up in the fourth. He touched the guy on the ass and maybe grabbed a little (cause that’s how Quagmire rolls), but it wasn’t hooking at all. They called the offensive foul, but I think even the ref thought it was a bad call. Great move by Scola, he needs to keep his filthy paws to himself though. I swear he wears sex panther cologne.
Tracy rebounded and passed his way to a triple double on a horrible shooting night. I’m glad to see he noticed he sucked from the field tonight and that he had to get the rest of the team involved. I hope he plays like this the rest of the year. I much prefer this Tracy to the shoot until it finally goes in Tracy. And I’ll take either one, he’s a great player either way, but he’s a top 2-3 player when he passes and rebounds like he did tonight.
The end of the game was awesome. I’m not sure if it was just as a big FU to Memphis or if Rafer didn’t know that the shot clock was running out, and I don’t put it past him, but the Rockets took a 24 second violation at the end with 4.2 seconds left. I’ve never seen a team do that.

All in all the Rockets dominated from the 6 minute mark in the first to the end of the game. A 13 point victory in a game that was never that close. We had a great time and we even found a few cool giveaways later in the season as the RPD calendar showed them all. Rock on Rockets, Rock on

An Explosion of Awfulness Game 16

Towelie, I have to give you SOME props for last night, you shot the ball lights out. Even Air Bullard and Bill Worrell were nice to you all game. That's an accomplishment in and of itself.

The problem is that you are the worst entry passer I have ever seen. And I'm a big guy, I've played post with many people at the Y or at the park, and I have never seen someone toss the ball to the post as poorly as you. Note to you: Yao is 7'6 he can get a pass high and it will be okay.


See, Yao is tall, I'm not making it up, I'm being totally serial:

We're going streaking!!!!

Up through the quad to the gymnasium!! Or at least through the Clippers and the Nuggets! That's two in a row boys, if we win tomorrow, that’s called a winning streak; it has happened before.

The Rockets looked absolutely dominant on Saturday night and looked that way in the second half of last nights game with the Clippers. Luis Scola is starting to become the player we all hoped he would be.

Don't misunderstand me, we still are a "struggling to find our identity" team, but I rather like these flashes.

I'm actually looking forward to the rematch with the Suns though. I think Yao puts up 35 on Amare tomorrow night. I also think we will see Stevie more this time around even with Towelie having a "decent" game last night. And by decent I mean decent for him and isn't it a shame that he's had exactly two decent games all year??

Gratuitous Post Du Jour

Last week Dave and I were throwing around the infamous "Rockets as South Park characters" post. At some point in time almost every blog seems to do one. Well, maybe not the ones that actually respect themselves, but almost every other one does. The problem is that we are both such big fans, that it was more difficult to agree on who was who than we thought. Mostly that's because Dave is into this law stuff and it makes him think that because he knows rules that he's always right. Mind you, I'm NOT into law and I actually AM always right, just ask my wife. So, I decided to do something that would probably piss him off because he thinks the young lads from Colorado are better than the family from Rhode Island, but I wholeheartedly disagree. So, without further banter or ado, I present to you, "If the Rockets were on Family Guy":

Rafer Alston = Death, much like the Towelie comparison, this one just makes sense. They are both constant screw ups even though they continue to have gainful employment. Where Death constantly fails, Towelie fails constantly.

Shane Battier = Brian Griffin, reliable and each has one part of their game that is worlds beyond the other parts, Brian is a drunk and Shane is a hellacious defender. They also have other parts of their repertoires that have potential, Brian has a great nose, and Shane can hit the three.
Aaron Brooks = Cleveland Brown Jr., they are both hyperactive and natural athletes. They also both have only bit parts until they grow up.

Steve Francis = Meg Griffin, is actually pretty decent, but for some reason has a negative stigma brought on by Peter’s disdain for her. Sound familiar?
Chuck Hayes = Chris Griffin, does all of the little things, and is consistent but has a fatal flaw: he’s dumb. Chuck rebounds and defends and fills up the box score in consistent ways but has a fatal flaw: his horrific "offensive game”
Luther Head = Bonnie Swanson, tons of potential, can’t seem to really finish the job, much like Luther, he shoots the hell out of the ball, but can’t seem to hold on to it to save his life when under pressure.
Mike James = Cleveland Brown, he's funny in spurts and Mike James is a great offensive player in spurts but both are unwanted by some. Rockets management has traded him before (for fucking Towelie/Death no less) and Cleveland’s wife is always on his ass thinking he’s not good enough.
Tracy McGrady = Peter Griffin, tragically flawed yet he is one of the greatest characters ever in prime time television. TMac is one of the league's greatest offensive players and really does the little stuff well too. That is until the playoffs come around and there is less than 2 minutes in a game. (I still love you Tracy, and we both know this is the year!!)

Dikembe Mutombo = Ollie Williams, they are both fantastic in spurts, but not part of the big time these days.
Luis Scola = Glen Quagmire, I can’t even think of anything witty, but no one can tell me they don’t see this one. Giggity giggity!

Kirk Snyder = Tom Tucker, solid, but never gets his shot at the big time, much like Kirk Snyder, I can’t help but think they he would be better off on another team that would utilize his athletic talent.
Bonzi Wells = Joe Swanson, excellent athlete but always has his one handicap slow him down at the wrong time, only Bonzi’s handicap is his thought process

Yao Ming = Stewie Griffin, each is awesome in every way but one: Stewie is a baby, Yao doesn’t yet have that killer attitude. The bad ass thing is that eventually both of their flaws will be corrected, though Stewie will never grow up "on camera" and Yao will never get credit for it.

Rick Adelman = Mort Goldman, it's the best I could do.

Leslie Alexander = Carter Pewterschmidt, the wealthy billionaire, just fits

The Streak is over!!

Let's recap my Thanksgiving vacation:
Wednesday - Rockets lose a game they dominated for 3+ quarters
Friday - Longhorns lose to aggy, a team that we typically own
Friday - Rockets lose to Miami and are generally beaten up all game

So it wasn't really looking too good, then Saturday came around and almost redeemed it all!

Saturday - Longhorns are 5-0, I guess it's officially basketball season for me. They took the fake UT to school with an absolute pasting. Chris Lofton meet a much more mature DJ Augustin
Saturday - Rockets pulverize from beginning to end, the small boot/circle/rectangle shaped fellas from Mickey D's just couldn't hang
Saturday - After both games were concluded, USA HD was showing Elf in HD and right now as I am writing this, they are showing Happy Gilmore in HD. (Holy shit! That house is like 400 yards away! Is that good?")

Remember just a few days ago when I said there were times in my past life as a Rockets fan that I was excited we were back at .500? This is one of those times. During the losing streak I wanted to yell "Cut that out, you're making me sick!" But my boys just fuckstomped the Melo/Answer led? Nuggets and they don't even have to win money to get the house their grandfather's built WITH HIS BARE HANDS! Now THAT is the team I want to see every night, they played like they were primed to make the big bucks. For the first time all season I didn't hate what I saw from Rafer, he ran the offense well and only shot the ball 5 times and all of the ones I remember he absolutely had to shoot (Wow that was easy, he should should try to do that every time). Sadly, that might be the last time you see me complementing Towelie this season, and really it boils down to a 5 to 1 turnover to assist ratio. Don't let him fool you though, Towelie will "wanna get high" soon enough and screw up. That brings me to Stevie playing his first substantial minutes of the season (Stevie learned how to stay on the court Rafer, uh oh...), and hey, look at that, the Rockets didn't blow a lead while he was in, the Rockets have led big in almost all of the last 6 games and somehow found a way to take defeat out of the jaws of victory. The goddess Nike has not exactly been divining things our way. I offered up Rafer to her and she laughed at me, I think this was her gift to me for my intense begging to take him. She saw the hurt in my eyes. I mean, there were times I wanted to test a rakes durability and then place it in the woods cause it's made of wood and I thought it should be with it's family.

So I was sitting there and thinking about the Nuggets. This is one of those teams that has no chemistry but has some truly great players. They have four all stars and could very well still not be a top 6 seed. Granted they are better in the standing than the Rockets right now, but I attribute that to schedule and to the Rockets needing to learn how to maintain a lead, something they showed a predilection to tonight. Maybe it's just that the Rockets matched up extremely well with them tonight, or that Battier punked Carmelo Anthony repeatedly (The Price is Wrong bitch!) but they did not impress upon me that they even liked each other at all on the court, much less off it. Even Najera who I hate because he's a Sooner but is usually a great team guy doesn't seem right there. (Of course he seems like he owns a few records like taking his skate off and trying to stab someone with it). This lack of chemistry is exactly what I was afraid would happen with the Rockets. The point of all of this is that even in the 6 game losing streak I never got the sense that this was the case with the Rockets. They seem to all get along and know that they can/will put it together sooner or later, and probably sooner.

Something I really can't decide is whether I like Scola coming off the bench or not. On the one hand, Chuck Hayes is truly underappreciated. On the other, Scola looks like a semi-star in the making. They both play good defense, but Chuck has absolutely no offensive game. That said, it might lend itself more to Scola off the bench, especially when Yao comes out.

All in all, the weekend has shaped up a bit better, now I just need the Texans to kick the shit out of the Browns and all faith in the world will be restored. I don't want to have to resort to going to my happy place