Month: March 2021

Deja Blues:  Rockets Silenced by Jazz, 114-99, as Skid Hits 15 Games

Embrace the Tank.    Star on the Horizon.    Looming Changes.

Facing the best team in the NBA, the Rockets were heavy underdogs coming into Friday night’s showdown in Utah. Despite better effort than the previous night, the losing streak continued for the Rockets, as Houston fell in Utah 114-99, as the skid now hits 15 games for the squad. Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 28 points to lead Utah. Savvy veteran Mike Conley added 20 points for the team with the NBA’s, best-record. And Rudy Gobert controlled the paint, notching 14 points and grabbing 13 boards, while also swatting six shots for blocks, as the Rockets had no answer for getting around the former back-to-back defensive player of the year.

Regardless, there was some hope to be found among all the noise in Utah. In only his second game with the squad, Kevin Porter Jr. had his best game as a Rocket. The promising youngster struggled from long-range, going 1-for-9 from beyond the arc, but other than that, KPJ, along with Christian Wood, looks like the future of the franchise. Kenyon Martin Jr. also had a stellar night in second game back with the team after playing in the G-League. KJ Martin scored 15 points and snagged 10 boards, as he and KPJ have thrived together on the court in their first two games, despite both losing both games. Maybe, just maybe, Houston can turn their dire situation around, and end the losing streak as they return home for a seven-game homestand.

After playing 14 of 19 on the road, the Rockets return to Houston for their next seven games. Hopefully a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center will bring an end to this losing streak that’s quite frankly, becoming embarrassing. Regardless of who or who’s not on the court, no professional team with any aspirations for success should lose fifteen straight games. Looming changes are on the horizon. P.J. Tucker will be traded any day now, and the rumors around Victor Oladipo continue swirling. A recent report stated the Rockets said Chistain Wood is their only “un-tradeable”  player. Regardless of who or who’s not on the court, no professional team with any aspirations for success should lose fifteen straight games. Houston will host the Celtics to begin their homestand. And while Boston isn’t the best team in the NBA, the Rockets will find themselves playing the role of heavy underdogs once again in their next match.

Rockets vs. Jazz Pre-Game 3/12/21

Severely Short-Handed Rockets Face Toughest Test of Season, Battle the Jazz in Utah

The Ultimate Shorthand.    Belly of the Beast.    Tuning Up.

With the losing streak still not at an end, now at 14 games, the Rockets enter the second night of back-to-back about as short-handed as they’ve been all year. Besides Tucker’s departure from the team, Christian Wood, Victor Oladipo, John Wall, Eric Gordon, and Danuel House Jr. will be out tonight. And Houston’s reward: the team with the NBA’;s bets record, the Utah Jazz. With a record of 27-9, Utah has been rolling this season, and looks like a potential threat out West to make a deep playoff run. During the Harden era, the Rockets had Utah’s number, but the tides might be turning tonight.

Houston enters tonight’s contest after playing the night before. Meanwhile, Utah hasn’t played since before the All-Star break, and they’re at home, where despite no fans, the Jazz are tough to beat, especially considering the altitude. The Rockets have a mountain to climb if they want to pull off arguably the biggest upset of this NBA season. But, they’re going to need a lot of luck, and pray that Kevin Porter Jr. and K.J. Martin continue their trend of solid play from last night.

Utah will be revved up, ready to start the second half of the season with the NBA’s best record. The Rockets are shooting right into the belly of the beast. This game’s not impossible to win, but the odds are stacked highly against the Rockets. And if you think the losing streak’s going to end in Utah, think again. Tonight… Houston, we have a problem.

 

Vivint Arena:  Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (11-24):  White

Utah Jazz (27-9):  Green

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Undermanned Rockets Banished by Kings, 125-105, as Houston Loses 14th in a Row

Unforeseen Absences.    Another One Bites the Dust.    Light at the End of the Tunnel.

“Harder to tell the good from the bad, villains from heroes these days,” Felix Leiter says to James Bond in this fall’s upcoming epic for the ages, No Time to Die. A quote that came to mind after hearing P.J. Tucker would not be in the lineup, and as a result, the Rockets got blown out by the Kings, 125-105, extending the skid to 14 games. Houston got out played by a Sacramento starting lineup that combined to score 101 points. Victor Oladipo led the Rockets with 23 points and 9 dimes, but without John Wall, Houston didn’t have enough defensive firepower to stop De’Aaron Fox, who led the Kings with 30 points. And the rest of Sac-Town’s squad just outplayed Houston from the get-go. It was odd to see P.J. Tucker not in the starting lineup. And later it was announced, he and team have agreed to part ways, as the Rockets are currently looking for trade suitors for Tucker. P.J.’s departure is the final sign that Houston’s officially embracing the tank this year.

If matters couldn’t get any worse, another Rocket fell victim to the injury bug. Eric Gordon suffered a groin injury, and is expected to miss around 4-to-6 weeks. This leaves Houston with little veteran playmaking outside of the frequently injured Wall and Oladipo. Looking at the bright side, Kevin Porter Jr. was spectacular in his Rockets debut. The promising youngster scored 13 points, and led Houston’s facilitation on offense, garnering 10 dimes to lead the squad. K.J. Martin also provided a promising look for the franchise’s future, scoring 13 points as well. The young duo, along with Christian Wood, are the focus of the franchise’s future.

Whether you’ve been clamoring for P.J. to get traded, or whether you appreciate his grit and sacrifice over the past three seasons, Tucker is the embodiment of the player every coach would love to coach. P.J. never established a spotlight on the level of Harden’s, but that was never meant to be. Tucker was a fan favorite, and Houston’s going to miss what Tucker brought to this team. Got ahead and call him the villain. He never scored 30 points a game like Harden. P.J. never had the fancy SportsCenter-worthy highlights that the Beard possessed on a nightly basis. Tucker didn’t score a lot of points or compile up the glossy stats. P.J. Tucker literally sacrificed everything for the betterment of the team. The stuff no professional basketball players enjoy doing: hustling like your life’s on the line, diving for a loose ball like it’s your newborn baby, defending some of the best players in the world, playing almost 40 minutes a night while hardly missing a single game… characteristics of a true hero.

Rockets Resume Action in Sacramento, Look to Blast out of the Break

Welcome Back.    Chip in the Wall.    The Debut.

The Rockets play their first game in over a week on Thursday night, as they look to start the post-All-Star break portion of the season with a victory over the Sacramento Kings. Unfortunately, John Wall will be absent tonight with an injury. The rest of the squad needs to step up, as Eric Gordon isn also questionable.

In good news, the Rockets called up Kevin Porter Jr. from their G-League affiliate, and the conversation surrounding his potential is bright. Some are even considering him with the ability to be a franchise player. Porter’s had off-the-court issues, but he played stellar in the G-League, and looks like an energizing boost this fading Houston team needs. Hopefully, Porter Jr. will see some action tonight. And with Wall’s injury, it’s more than likely we’ll see his Rockets debut tonight.

It’ll take time to integrate Porter into Houston’s system, but with a squad that’s seemingly had a different starting lineup on a nightly occasion, it should be easier than expected. He has all the skill sets this Rockets team is looking for: perimeter shooting, energy, athleticism. Hopefully he lives up to the hype. Porter won’t be the King of Houston like James Harden was, but he can aspire to by helping the Rockets get a win in Sacramento tonight.

 

Golden 1 Center:  Sacramento, California

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (11-23):  White

Sacramento Kings (14-22):  Purple

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

Stepping Back:  Harden Notches Triple-Double in Return, as Nets Down Rockets, 132-114, for Houston’s 13th Straight Loss

Still Dreaming.    Recycled Return.    Necessary Break.

“Dreams feel real while we’re in them. It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange,” Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) mentions in Christopher Nolan’s classic film, Inception. A quote that makes me question if I’m in a dream, considering all the craziness that has been this Houston Rockets season. Well the dream, or nightmare, however you want to analyze this phase of Rockets basketball, continued on Wednesday night in Houston. And the best player not nicknamed “The Dream” to ever sport a Rockets jersey, James Harden, returned to Houston for the first time since his departure to Brooklyn. And in typical Beard-fashion, Harden led Brooklyn, snagging a triple-double, as the Nets cruised past the Rockets 132-114. Number 13 for the Nets made sure Houston lost for the 13th time in a row, showing fans glimpses of past glory, only in different apparel.

Despite season-highs from John Wall and Victor Oladipo, who scored 36 and 33 points respectively, the Rockets didn’t have enough firepower against the NBA’s most dangerous team. Harden’s 29 points and 14 assists, and Kyrie Irving’s 24 points made sure Houston wasn’t ending the streak on Harden’s Homecoming Night. After an initial mixed reception for Harden, a mix of cheers and boos, the Rockets played a tribute video for the Beard, thanking him for everything he did in Houston. When the video ended, boos silenced, and the crowd embraced Harden, as he also acknowledged the fans. It was a goosebump-inducing moment, and regardless of how the Beard left town. He’s left a permanent mark in H-Town, forever. One only the greatest players ever could dream of accomplishing. And as Houston continues to “embrace the tank,” the Beard, the former face of the Rockets for almost a decade, is in the best position of his career to win a title.

Wednesday night was just a recycled return. The same old Harden. And the same old Rockets we’ve seen get blown-out 13 games in a row. Despite the hype entering the match considering Harden’s return to H-Town, Brooklyn ensured this game wouldn’t be competitive, as Brooklyn controlled the tempo from the tip. The Nets are scary, and even without Kevin Durant, Brooklyn looks capable of winning it all. It would’ve been nice for Houston to beat this Nets team that earlier in the season had a few bad losses, but the Rockets simply were the inferior opponent tonight. And will be on most nights, until Christian Wood returns.

Up next is the NBA All-Star break. Houston will have a full week-off to heal, and get stronger. The Rockets have been battered by injuries this entire season. As we near the second half, Houston needs to hope this trend ends. Christian Wood is supposedly close to returning, as the Rockets are immensely more powerful with Wood on the court. But, they’re going to to need more than their big man’s return to get back on track. Hopefully, the squad comes in with an optimistic mindset after the break, and the Rockets can put this ugly losing streak behind them in the next game. But Houston won’t have Christian Wood. And they’re winless since he went down. The Rockets need to dream big if they want to climb back into the playoff picture during the season’s second-half.

Harden’s time in Houston mimicked a real-life dream of sorts. Our dreams are where anything is possible. It’s where people can dream of their late parents and revisit seemingly long-forgotten relationships. We live to forget some things, but similar to Cobb in Inception, we dream to remember. I know it still feels strange to see the Beard in a different jersey. Whether you love him or hate Harden, if you’re a basketball fan, you’ll remember Harden’s time in Houston. What a time it was, comparable to the best of dreams. But unlike the ambiguous ending in Inception, if Harden showed Rockets fans anything on Wednesday night: it’s time to wake up… the dream’s over.

Houston Eager to Spoil Harden’s Return as Rockets Face Nets

Return of the Beard.    Over the Nest.    Thirteen.

“He who marches out of step hears another drum.” A quote from the classic film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, that brings tonight’s showdown between the Rockets and Nets to mind. After eight seasons of drumming of step-back highlights, dominant performances, and leading the squad to the playoffs every year, James Harden is no longer a Rocket. The Beard returns to Houston for the first time since the trade. And he’s still running the show. Say what you want about Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. KD’s too injury-prone, and Kyrie’s too inconsistent. Harden plays every night. Every. Single. Night. There’s a reason he’s overtaken LeBron James as the MVP favorite after KD went down, and the Nets record improved drastically. As Harden returns to H-Town tonight, expect a vintage “Unguardable Tour” performance.

Harden got out of the NBA’s version of a Cuckoo’s Nest, and has found the perfect fit. The Beard is nearly averaging a triple-double, and despite his superstar teammates, is undoubtedly the Nets’ best player. If the season continues its current trend, Harden should be in line for a second MVP award, with a second team, joining a very elite list of players.

It’s going to be an emotional night in H-Town tonight. No one wanted to see Harden go, but the Beard did so much for the Rockets for nearly a decade. Expect an emotional tribute video. Houston already announced they have plans to retire Harden’s #13 jersey. A little quick to that trigger, but the Rockets are one of the league’s classiest organizations. They realize how Harden put Houston, and the Rockets, on the map for a new generation of fans. And tonight, the best player in the world is amped up to get revenge on his former team, a city he still calls “home.” Hopefully Houston plays with fire. They’ve got to be motivated and inspired to have the desire to beat Harden after he basically quit on the squad early this season. But if you think the Rockets are winning tonight’s game, think again. Tonight’s all about James. He has the chance to give Houston their 13th straight loss, the same number as his jersey. It just seems set up perfectly for Harden to put on a show. Expect to see many nostalgic step-backs, unstoppable drives, free-throws, and probably a definitive highlight-slam. Except all those step-backs, they’re not gonna be in Rocket-red (or blue for tonight’s game). The Beard matched out of Houston, took his step-back to Brooklyn, and’s still drumming along per usual. This band of Rocket players better prepare to march to a different tune. Harden’s back in Houston… get ready to dance to his new beat.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Brooklyn Nets (23-13):  Gray

Houston Rockets (11-22):  “City Edition” Blue

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT – ESPN

Dirty Dozen:  Rockets Fall Short Against Cavs, 101-90, as Skid Hits 12 Games

Stuck in Spain.    Hospital Rockets.    The Baker’s Comin’.

Despite a better effort than their embarrassing Saturday showing, the Rockets lost their 12th straight game, falling to the Cavs 101-90, as Houston digs deeper and deeper into the hole of obscurity. John Wall scored a season-high 32 points, and Victor Oladipo had 20 points, but it didn’t matter. Collin Sexton looked like a superstar-in-the-making, scoring a season-high 39 points to lead the Cavs in Houston. As the Rockets mentioned on twitter, they’re in Spain, but without the S. And unfortunately, if you’ve been following this season, that’s right where this team is at the moment. 

Oladipo limped off the floor with a leg injury, hopefully it’s nothing serious, but the injury bug continues to hamper the squad. The Rockets are running out of capable bodies. Besides the failed-comeback against Philly, every loss in Houston’s current skid has been by double-figures. Basically, the Rockets have had their rear kicked every night. And if they don’t figure out some way to change this. Expect Houston to finish near the end of the standings, with at least a chance to get a top-4 draft pick. Who knows, after everything this city’s been through concerning their professional teams, a #1 pick to the Rockets only seems fair in my opinion. Call me biased, and I won’t touch on it in detail. But the last year in Houston professional sports has been the worst I can think of. Not just in Houston. In any city in the country. H-Town’s been through a lot with the Rockets, Astros, and Texans, pretty much since the ‘Stros won the World Series in 2017.

Some ideas you can’t imagine in life. Well up next for the Rockets, as they try to avoid their 13th consecutive loss, some guy named James Harden who wears number 13 for the Brooklyn Nets come to town. And Brooklyn’s red-hot, winners of nine of their last ten games. Their’s nothing more Chef Harden wants to do than return to Houston and torch the Rockets, baking up another victory for his Nets. Forget about effort… in their next game, the Rockets are gonna need luck.

Rockets Hoping to End the Misery, Invite Cavs to Town

Wall-In.    No Cavaliers.    3/4.

It’s been weeks of scary hours for the Rockets lately, and the NBA’s dumpster-fire that is the current situation in Houston, continues on Monday night, as the Rockets host the Cavs at Toyota Center. John Wall and co. will be looking to put an end to their 11-game losing streak tonight. Wall, who was questionable, considering tonight’s the second of a back-to-back, will give it a go. And if Wall’s in, Houston needs everyone to be all-in to break the skid tonight. Despite beating the Rockets in Cleveland last Wednesday, the Cavs aren’t world-beaters. Houston is more than capable of winning Monday night’s tilt and allowing their skid to rest in peace.

All it takes is effort. The Rockets were way too cavalier in the previous matchup between these teams. As long as Houston plays hard, brings the defensive intensity, and ferocious energy, they should win tonight. That is, if, and only if, the Rockets rediscover the art of making a three-pointer. After being a solid three-point shooting team to start the season, Houston is now the worst long-range shooting team in the NBA, and if the squad can start to knock down their open threes, it’ll be tough imagining the Rockets beating anyone anytime soon. Tonight’s their chance though. Something else entirely waits in their next matchup after tonight.

Monday night’s tussle with the Cavs is Houston’s third game in four nights, and the second of a back-to-back. Tired legs are expected, but the Rockets have to fight through, and play with some pride. These are grown, professional athletes. Even the most laissez-faire of players can’t put up with continuous losing. Hopefully, the squad’s as sick and tired of this sicking skid, and ready to put this nightmare behind them. They better be ready. Because on Wednesday, March 4th, Houston’s worst nightmare comes true. James Harden comes into town with the red-hot Nets, looking for revenge… and those just might be the scariest hours yet in Houston.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Cleveland Cavaliers (13-21):  White

Houston Rockets (11-21):  Red

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Joke City:  Losing Streak Hits 11 Games, as Grizzlies Embarrass Rockets, 133-84

Rocket Bottom.    Noladipo.    Looking Ahead.

If you thought matters couldn’t get much worse for the Houston Rockets, Sunday night showed a glimpse of what Rocket-Bottom feels like. Even if the squad continues to lose games, Sunday night’s embarrassing bow-down to Memphis feels different. In a game where Ja Morant scored only 6 points, the Griuzz gave the Rockets their worst loss since 1986, eating Houston alive, 133-84, extending the Rockets skid to 11 games. John Wall scored 14 points on torrid shooting. At one point Houston missed 25 consecutive threes. If this wasn’t the worst loss in franchise history, it’s certainly on the short list of contenders. A 49-point loss to a team with a then-losing record, throw in the fact Houston was at home, and it’s tough to throw this game aside. This one stings. As they say the truth hurts, and it appears the Rockets are headed for full-tank mode.

Victor Oladipo declined a 2-year, $45.2 million dollar extension from Houston, signaling he wants out of H-Town. Whether he gets dealt before the trade deadline, or the Rockets hold on to him for the rest of this season remains to be seen. Expect Oladipo, along with Tucker, to be dealt as the trade deadline approaches on March 25th. That leaves Houston with John Wall, Christian Wood (whenever he returns, hopefully after the All-Star break), Eric Gordon, and a young new core of supporting role players to try and rebuild a new era of Rockets basketball.

Despite the 11th straight loss, and the vibe surrounding the squad at the moment. All isn’t lost. Houston still has a chance to make the playoffs with more than half of the season still remaining. Obviously, they’ll have to improve their play on the court, but in a season with a lot of parity throughout the league, the Rockets still have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs if they can get back to the way they were playing before the skid. And hopefully, in terms of last night, Houston was just looking ahead. And they might be doing the same on Monday night, the second of a back-to-back, as on Wednesday, the game everyone’s been waiting for hits the bright lights. James Harden returns to Houston with his new team, the hot Brooklyn Nets, in what should be an emotional game to say the least. The Rockets still have one more game before they matchup against Harden for the first time since 2012. It would be great to get a win on Monday, otherwise #13 will be looking to give Houston their 13th consecutive loss. And knowing Harden, he’s also had Wednesday’s game circled on his calendar. And there’s nothing more the Beard would love to do than to put the dagger in the Rockets’ season, and really show them what rock-bottom feels like. But first, Houston hosts the Cavs on Monday night in hopes of avenging last Wednesday’s loss in Cleveland. A loss to the Cavs again, and the Rockets enter Wednesday’s Harden showdown with little confidence, and at the risk of officially hitting Rocket-Bottom.

Rockets Return Home Seeking to End Skid, Host Grizzlies

Hopeful Homestand.    Stopping Morant and Slow-Mo.    Another One.

The Rockets return to Houston, hoping a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center will bring an end to their skid. Tonight, the Rockets face Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that’s just outside playoff contention in the West, and a threat to sneak into the postseason this year. Houston won the first meeting between these squads, 115-103, back on February 4th. The Rockets had Christian Wood in that game. The problem with tonight is Houston hasn’t been able to win since Wood sprained his ankle for the second time this season. And Wood will remain out until at least through the All-Star break. If the Rockets are going to grind out a gritty win over a team that plays its home games in “The Grindhouse”, they need contributions from everyone, and more effort on the defensive end. After being stellar defensively during their six-game win streak that came right before their current skid, Houston’s defense hasn’t been as sharp, and they’ll need a tough outing on that end off the floor to beat a promising Memphis team tonight.

Ja Morant is the Grizzlies best player, and one of the game’s best young point guards. The Rockets need to contain Ja, and keep him from having a monster performance. Houston also needs to slow down Kyle “Slow-Mo” Andersen, who’s quietly having the season of his career. And the Rockets will need to stop the force inside that is Jonas Valanciunas if they want any chance of ending the losing streak on Sunday night.

Tonight’s matchup is the first of yet another back-to-back for the Rockets. Meaning, probably either Victor Oladipo or John Wall won’t be playing tonight. And vice versa for tomorrow’s game against Cleveland. Houston has struggled on their back-to-backs, and need to start this one off with a bang. Get that bad taste of losing out of their mouths with a victory over a solid Grizzlies team. It’s not impossible, but if the Rockets don’t end their trend of falling behind  by double-figures… a return to the friendly confines of Toyota Center might not be so friendly after all.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Memphis Grizzlies (14-15):  Blue

Houston Rockets (11-20):  Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW