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Rockets Look to Bounce Back in Memphis in Second Game in as Many Nights

Role Swap.    Back in a Flash.    Come at Ja.

 

It’s hard to beat an NBA team back-to-back, as the Rockets have learned twice this season, their latest in Wednesday night’s blowout loss in OKC. Houston doesn’t have to wait long. It’s even harder to beat a better, talented team, on the second night of a back-to-back. The Grizzlies aren’t a powerhouse, but they have one of the best young point guards in basketball, Ja Morant. John Wall sat out yesterday so he can try and slow Ja down tonight, as they will likely be matched up with each other frequently on the court. Victor Oladipo will be resting tonight, as he played in Wall’s spot as the primary ball-handler in last night’s loss.

Despite the poor performance in their last game, the Rockets can get back on track with an impressive win. A road victory on the second night of a back-to-back is always a positive sign, regardless of the opponent, rather for building chemistry. It’s Houston’s third game in four nights, and the Rockets are bound to have tired legs. Wall rested yesterday, so he should have more energy, and hopefully put on an inspiring performance against one of the NBA’s best point guards. Eric Gordon’s led the scoring charge the last two games for Houston. The Rockets need EG to be splashing from deep if they want a chance to escape Memphis with a victory.

Memphis is 9-7, and had been hit by the coronavirus earlier in the season, hence the reason they’ve played 4 less games than Houston. The Grizzlies are coming off a blowout loss in Indiana, to an underrated Pacers team. Before that, Memphis won seven games in a row, which, at the time, was the NBA’s longest winning-streak. Expect a good matchup tonight. Hopefully tired legs don’t down the Rockets, and Wall can attack Ja, and maybe get Memphis’ MVP in foul trouble. Otherwise, Houston could be in trouble on Thursday night. Playing their third game in four nights, it won’t be easy in Memphis tonight, but these hard-nosed Rockets were built for difficult situations. And on a Thursday night in Memphis, anything can happen when these two hard-headed divisional rivals clash. If you thought last night’s game was difficult… expect tonight’s matchup to be much harder for Houston.

 

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (10-10):  Red

Memphis Grizzlies (9-7):  Black

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Thunder-Snapped:  OKC Repays the Favor, Snaps Houston’s Win Streak, Blowout Rockets, 104-87

Needing Johnny.    Oh No Dipo.    Singing the Blues.

As expected, the Rockets regressed to the mean after their record-shooting night on Monday, and without John Wall, had their six-game winning streak snapped in OKC. The Thunder won this one handily, 104-87, giving the Rockets a taste of their own medicine, with Houston never in reach, this game was uglier than the final score states. Houston trailed by 23 going into the final period, and without Wall to lead the way, and Oladipo, struggling (for other reasons I’ll touch on in a moment), the Rockets had no hopes without the shots not falling on Wednesday night.

The Rockets are now 8-4 when John Wall suits up, and only 2-6 when he doesn’t play. Houston needed thier most valuable Wall on Wednesday. Despite not having their best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder won from start to finish. It just shows it really is difficult to beat the same team twice in a row, regardless of who’s on the court. The familiarity leads to adjustments, which leads to closer rematches, with often a different result. Houston’s split both their mini-series this season, 1-1, first in San Antonio, and now in OKC.

Eric Gordon, the only Rocket who played up to par, led the way for Houston with 22 points. Victor Oladipo only managed to score 19 on a night where the Rockets really could’ve used a performance similar to his Houston debut. And now, the trade rumors are swirling. After just one loss, Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker have been in trade talks recently, according to sources close with the team. I wish they would let this group gel. Despite the poor Wednesday night, the Rockets are still 7-4 since the trade, as opposed to 3-6 before. Allow this team time to get synchronized on the same level, and the Rockets can definitely contend in the West. But if they trade Victor Oladipo, and P.J. Tucker, they have no chance. Maybe if they trade Oladipo and get a valuable player in return. But if you trade the heart and soul of the Rockets, especially their defense, the side they struggle most with… you’re basically tanking.

There’s no time to sing the blues, as Houston gets right back in action on Thursday night in Memphis, facing off against the Grizzlies. Memphis is led by stud sophomore Ja Morant, off to his best season, proving he’ll be one of the best point guards in the league for years to come. The Rockets have to tune out the trade drama whirling around the squad once again. John Wall returns on Thursday, and hopefully he can steer the Rockets to an impressive road victory in Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back… I’m expecting it.

Rockets Seeking Deja Vu in Their Rematch with Thunder

Seventh Heaven.    The Mike Jones All-Stars.    Next Man Up.

“When I step between those lines, I want you to be able to go to war with me, and fight for me,” John Wall said on the importance of Houston’s team-bonding dinners and why speaking your mind to teammates is so important. These intimate dining sessions take place more often on the road, as everyone is usually together, instead of in their own homesteads. And tonight, the Rockets didn’t travel, but they’re still on the road, just in the same spot as last time… OKC, where the Thunder almost had to call the National Weather Service after the Rockets’ record-setting 28 threes blasted OKC’s chances out of Chesapeake Bay Arena. Houston will attempt to repeat their electric Monday-night performance tonight, as the Rockets, owners of the league’s longest winning streak, shoot for their seventh straight win. But it won’t be as easy this time.

Tonight is the first of a back-to-back for Houston, as the squad travels to Memphis to face the Grizzlies tomorrow. Therefore, for precautionary matters, John Wall will sit out tonight’s game and rest in preparation for Thursday. Expect Victor Oladipo, who will be resting tomorrow, to have a big game, and Christian Wood to put up what he’s been posting: All-Star numbers on a nightly-basis. Guys like Ben McLemore, Mason Jones, and really everyone will see extended minutes without Wall, and David Nwaba still out with an injury. But unlike Rockets teams of the past seasons, this squad is built for that “next-man-up” mentality. This is a team full of guys, who back in the past, weren’t really wanted in their previous destinations. A group of players motivated with a collective chip on their shoulder. Watching these Rockets play is like listening to “Back Then,” by Houston’s own Mike Jones, on repeat. This squad is playing with that “Mike Jones” attitude: “back then they didn’t want me, now I’m hot, they all on me.” Minus their floor leader tonight, and an expected regression to the mean (the Rockets won’t hit 28 threes again tonight), tonight will be a tougher test than Monday’s blowout by Houston.

Despite not having John Wall, the Rockets are still more talented than this Thunder team. And while they may not win by 30, they should win tonight if they play with their usual hungry Houston intensity. The squad probably won’t set another franchise-record for threes tonight, so expect more drives to the basket, and more of a gritty, grind-out, lower scoring game than Monday’s first affair between these two West foes. The Rockets are still in the midst of climbing their way back up the standings in the Western Conference. There’s no time to celebrate, regardless if they’re riding the NBA’s longest winning-streak, Houston needs to keep beating the bad teams, as their schedule will only toughen in the future. With another game tomorrow night, the Rockets would love to see Deja Vu, and silence the Thunder early like they did on Monday. John Wall’s absence will hurt the Rockets, but Houston should have enough spirit in them to fight for him on the court. If Wall could, he would do just the same.

 

Chesapeake Bay Arena:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (10-9):  White

Oklahoma City Thunder (8-11):  Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Record Rainfall:  Houston’s Long-Range Storm Drenches OKC, as Rockets Dominate Thunder, 136-106, for Sixth Straight Win

First Quarter “Whoas.”    Deep Barrage.    Wall-Star.

“Whatever I’ve lost you’ve found,” Sly Stallone tells Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010’s The Expendables, when asked about his weight loss. Outsiders looking in may think Houston lost a lot of “weight” when the team shipped James Harden to Brooklyn. And the Rockets did, but what they’ve found outweighs anything they lost in the past. I’ve never seen a Rockets team have so much fun on the floor. And like the expendables in the film, these guys are having a blast, all bringing something to the table, playing their heart out with a chip on their shoulder… blasting opponents out of arenas in the process. Oklahoma City was Houston’s latest victim, as the Rockets used a barrage of threes (a franchise record 28) to blow past the Thunder on Monday night, 136-106. Unlike their previous games, which saw Houston staring at early double-digit deficits, the Rockets pounced on the Thunder right after the opening tip and never looked back. Houston put this game away in the first quarter. Those first quarter woes turned into first quarter “whoas” on Monday night, as the Rockets connected on 11 of their 14 attempts from distance, an insanely accurate percentage. Houston doubled OKC’s output, leading 48-24 after one quarter. It’s the Rockets second 48-point quarter in as many games, as the squad was firing on all cylinders on Monday night.

OKC simply had no answer for a talented, deeper Houston team. The Rockets had 7 players score in double figures, with Eric Gordon leading the charge off the bench with 25 points. DeMarcus Cousins quietly scored 17 points and 8 boards. Victor Oladipo chipped in 15, and John Wall and Christian Wood each had 18, as the Rockets overpowered a lottery-bound Thunder team on Monday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC with 19 points, but simply didn’t have enough help to get anything going for the home team. Houston will try and repeat their Monday night explosion on Wednesday night, as these two teams face-off in the same place, at the same time.

By now, everyone’s heard of Houston’s WOW (Wall, Oladipo, Wood) Factor. And the three have led the Rockets on this current six-game winning streak. But the leader of this team, is unquestionably John Wall. He’s the leader in the locker room. Houston is 8-4 when Wall plays, and only 2-5 when he doesn’t. Wall may not put up the most points each night, but these Rockets are going as far their “Wall-Star” will take them. After missing two seasons, and several games after an injury, Wall has looked very impressive. After struggling from distance to start the season, Wall’s three-point shot has improved over the last few games. He’s starting to find his rhythm again, and if Wall can stay healthy for the long run, these Rockets are going to be dark horses of an unprecedented kind. They may have lost James Harden, and all the headlines that came with the NBA’s most-famous beard. But the Rockets realize this newfound chemistry they’ve found is better than anything the Beard brought to Houston. There’s no “I” in team. And this team has found each other. Something the Rockets could never do with James Harden. It only took losing the Beard for Houston to realize what they always needed to find, and never could until they could lose Harden: chemistry.

   

Rockets Roll into OKC, Aiming for Sixth Straight Win

Fresh Start.    Second Gear.    Mini-Series.

We’re all used to the sound of thunder, even though we can’t visibly see it coming, we can hear the impact it has on the world around us. On Monday night, the Houston Rockets, a team no one saw winning five straight after the James Harden trade, begins the first of two games against the Thunder in Oklahoma City. These two squads were supposed to square off on Opening Night, but coronavirus intervened, and that game was postponed to a later date. So, this is the first time these teams will meet this season.

The Rockets are on a roll, winners of five in a row, Houston’s found a new positive energy that’s become ingrained in the team’s chemistry. This team’s having so much fun right now. Everyone is playing to win, and there’s certainly a sense of relief Harden and his drama is finally gone. With their latest victory, Houston pushed themselves back even towards .500, and are in the thick of a crowded Western Conference standings. A mere 3 games separate the 5th and 14th seeds out West. OKC sits only a game behind the Rockets at 8-10. There’s no reason the WOW factor shouldn’t be able to push Houston pass a less-talented Thunder team. Other than Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, an All-Star in the making, and Al Horford, OKC poses no real threats, and the Rockets Big Three should be able to silence any thunderous attempts Oklahoma aims at Houston. The Rockets will be without David N’waba tonight, who unfortunately suffered an injury in Houston’s previous game.

Tonight is the first of a back-to-back between these two, another one of the NBA’s many mini-series during this shortened coronavirus-impacted 72-game season. It’s also officially the beginning of the second quarter of the season for Houston. The squad is 18 games into the 72-game campaign. It’s going to take a lot more winning for the Rockets to get national attention, but that’s no problem. This team loves flying under the radar. And, like the Grizzlies six-game winning streak you probably didn’t know about, it may surprise you that these Rockets are on such a roll. But you’ve been warned now. Unlike Memphis’ winning ways, Houston is only going to get better. So get ready Oklahoma City. A storm’s headed your way. Just like your thunder, you might not hear their approach… no one saw these Rockets coming.

 

Chesapeake Energy Arena:  Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (9-9):  Red

Oklahoma City Thunder (8-10):  White

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Pluck Pelicans, 126-112, Extend Winning Streak to Five

Second Quarter Swing.    “Big Easy” Vibe.    Recognizing Greatness.

“I definitely wanted to show them what they missed out on,” Christian Wood said after the Rockets beat the team that cut Wood in 2019, the New Orleans Pelicans, 126-112. And Wood had plenty to display on Saturday night, as his 27 points fueled a dominant Rockets victory over an upstart Pelicans team. Houston trailed yet again early in this contest, staring an 11-point deficit in the face in the first quarter. New Orleans started hot from beyond the arc, nailing 6 of their first 11 threes, but after that, the Pelicans missed 22 of their next 24 shots from three. And, the Rockets happened to have one of their best quarters in franchise history in the second period. Houston shot 9 for 12 from long range, and outscored New Orleans 48 to 22, en route a 29-point first half swing, turning an 11-point Houston hole into an 18-point halftime cushion. Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 26 points, but the Rockets were never in danger of surrendering their lead at the break. 

Victor Oladipo scored 20, and Wall added 15, as the Rockets are really starting to build chemistry and gel with their new teammates. The oldest tenured Rocket, Eric Gordon, said “this has been fun!!!” after the game. Someone who has his own Fun Meter, familiar to die-hard Rocket fans. And when EG’s Fun Meter’s turned up, that’s a great for Houston, and dangerous for the rest of the league. After the squad extended their winning streak, Splash Gordon said this team is starting to have the same vibe as the 65-win Rocket team that almost took down the Warriors dynasty three years ago. It’s a “Big-Easy”, fun, celebrating mood in the locker room. This Houston team truly loves playing together. The win in the Big Easy extends the Rockets’ winning streak to five games, and there’s definitely a sense of culture change in Houston. All the remnants, debris, and memories of the James Harden trade are gone. The WOW Factor is now officially a “thing” across the league. And you’ll only be hearing more as the season goes along.

One can argue, either Wood, Wall, or Oladipo as being the Rockets best player, as they’re all keys to their success. But Houston’s vocal leader, and in the locker room, is John Wall. Wall continues to throw shade at James Harden after the Rockets latest victory, along with the Nets collapse to the Russell Westbrook and the Wizards on Sunday night, gives Houston and Brooklyn the same amount of losses. Wall said, “as you can see we had 32 assists tonight. That’s the team we wanna be. A team that scores a lot off assists, not one-on-one basketball.” Harden’s Rockets were the definition of one-on-one basketball, and Houston isolated more than any team in the league with Harden. Now, the Rockets can play as a team, and the results, despite losing a superstar-player, have been tremendously on the upswing for Houston. Since the trade, the Rockets have the best defensive rating in basketball, while the Nets have the worst. Not to mention the squad was 3-6 when Harden was still on the roster, and are 6-3 since he departed for Brooklyn. Wall’s leadership since he arrived in Houston has been noteworthy. Expect him to take subtle jabs at Harden throughout the season, as these Rockets are simply much better than anyone realizes. Except for John Wall and company.

And Wall also is well aware how important P.J. Tucker is to this Rockets team. Tucker’s name has been in the trade rumors all season, and fans have complained about his shooting and lack of offense. But Houston knows they can’t contend for a title without P.J. Houston’s vocal leader, John Wall, brought up the importance of P.J. Tucker after the game. And his teammates followed suit. On P.J., Oladipo had high praise, “P.J. Tucker is a rarity… we’re gonna need him if we’re gonna win at a high level.” EG said, “no question, everybody needs a P.J. Tucker on every team. We’re lucky to have him.” Speaking of luck, Houston’s fortunate to realize they snagged the free-agent of the off-season, in Christian Wood, who’s slowly developing into an All-Star. Wood’s another Rocket with a chip on his shoulder, who wanted to show New Orleans, the team who passed on him in 2019, what they’re missing. And on Saturday night… he gave them front row seats to the show.

Rockets Hit the Big Easy, Battle Zion and the Pelicans

The Drive for Five.    The Road Back.    Rest Ahead.

Houston hits the road to begin a four-game road trip on Saturday night against one of the NBA’s evolving teams. Their first stop is in the Big Easy, where John Wall, Victor Oladipo and the Rockets will meet Zion Williamson and the Pelicans. After a slow start to the season, New Orleans is coming off their best win of the season, a victory over the Bucks last night. Houston’s also coming off their best win of the season, a 20-point comeback victory over the Blazers. The Rockets need to dig deep if they want to make it five wins in a row tonight. The Pelicans are clicking at the right time. Led by Zion Williamson, who’s coming into form, getting better with each game, New Orleans also boasts another Duke product, lethal swingman Brandon Ingram. Eric Bledsoe is hitting a groove after a rough start to the season. And Steven Adams will give Christian Wood rebounding nightmares in the paint. It should be a good one in New Orleans tonight. If the Rockets play with fiery intensity, they should be able to escape with a victory.

Tonight marks the beginning of a four-game road trip, and a stretch of six out of seven games away from Toyota Center for the Rockets. Houston would love to start the trip with a win, and get back to .500 for the first time this season. At 8-9, a win tonight puts Houston a step closer to rising in the standings. New Orleans is 7-10, and a loss puts the Rockets in the same camp as the Pelicans. Tonight’s game is immensely important as Houston continues to dig itself out of their early season hole, victims of the James Harden-drama. The Rockets have the advantage in the rest category. Houston hasn’t played since Thursday. New Orleans beat a tough Milwaukee Bucks team last night. If the Rockets play with Jae’Sean Tate and P.J. Tucker’s energy, they should be able to contain the Pelicans tonight.

This matchup marks the end of the first quarter of this NBA season, as the Rockets will have played 18 out of their 72 regular season games. After a rough start, and adapting to continuing changes, Houston seems headed in the right direction. A win over a hot New Orleans team would give the Rockets a huge confidence boost to start this road trip, as the squad hasn’t been as good on the road compared to home. Regardless, it’s a matchup of two of the NBA’s hottest, evolving teams, finding their respective rhythms at the same time. Expect an entertaining Saturday night affair in the Big Easy… and appreciate the evolution.

 

Smoothie King Center:  New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (8-9):  Black

New Orleans Pelicans (7-10):  Red

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Rally, Hold-Off Blazers, 104-101, For 4th Straight Win

Comeback Kids.    Home Dipo.    Best-Kept Secret.

“Is that a thing?” Rockets Head Coach Stephen Silas replied after he was asked about the WOW (Wall, Oladipo, Wood) factor in Houston. The WOW Factor played together for the first time on Thursday night, as the Rockets stormed back from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Blazers, 104-101, and extend their winning streak to four games. Houston trailed by 15 after a miserable first quarter, but led by one at the half, and were able to hang on by the skin of their teeth for a nail biting victory. Damian Lillard dropped 30 points for Portland, but with no C.J. McCollum to save them this time, the Rockets were able to fend off the pesky Blazers. Victor Oladipo led Houston in scoring with 25 points. Christian Wood made another claim for this year’s Most-Improved Player. Wood posted a double-double again, which is starting to happen on a highly basis, notching 22 points while grabbing 12 boards. And John Wall chipped in with 20 points, and 6 dimes, as the Rockets improve to 8-9 on the season. Houston’s right in the thick of the playoff picture in the West. The squad needed a grind-out, comeback victory. And Thursday provided the Rockets with a character-building victory, as we approach the end of the first quarter of the season.

Since being traded to the Rockets, Victor Oladipo has felt right at home in Houston. And the Rockets have actually been a better team since they traded James Harden. The numbers don’t lie, and chemistry and mental toughness goes a long way into playing into whether or not a team’s capable of contending with the elite. Before the trade, Houston was 3-6, with the 22nd ranked defense. Since shipping their disgruntled superstar to the Big Apple, the Rockets are 5-3, with the top-ranked defense in the entire league. After the game, Wall made a subtle jab at Harden, mentioning the difficulties of reaching your goals when everyone doesn’t buy in. And he’s right, as Houston just looks like they’re having more fun without a ball-dominant player with Dennis Rodman-esque shenanigans off the court. The squad is still gelling chemistry-wise. This was the first game in which Oladipo, Wall, and Wood all played. Once these guys are more comfortable with each other, this Rockets team has the potential to be dangerous.

And despite new faces and new teammates on the court in Houston, the Rockets narrowly escaped an embarrassing loss to an injury-riddled Portland team at home. John Wall and co. escaped by the skin of their teeth, and will have to better as the squad hits the road for a five-game road trip starting on Saturday. These new-look, surging Rockets will face another team on the rise, the New Orleans Pelicans. After a slow start, Zion and the Pels are coming off an impressive win over the Milwaukee Bucks. It won’t be easy against Zion, the NBA’s next-best thing, and the Pelicans on Saturday night, but Houston’s capable of starting the road trip with a win in the Big Easy. And for those of you like Stephen Silas still asking if the NBA’s best-kept secret, Houston’s WOW Factor, is a thing, allow me to provide the answer… you bet it is. And it’s just getting started.

Rockets Host Blazers in Rematch of Opening-Night Thriller

Rare Rematch.    Prestigious Points.    One for the Road.

Houston hosts the Trail Blazers in a rematch of their Opening Night thriller in Portland, a classic game, arguably the best of this NBA season so far, and one which the Rockets lost in heartbreaking-fashion. The squad will look to turn the tables Thursday night, as they host the Blazers in these teams’ second meeting this season. This game is technically a rematch, it’s the same two franchises, but with very new looks. For Portland, they’re injury-riddled at the moment. Their second-best player, C.J. McCollum, who lit up the Rockets for 44 points in the opener, is out with an injury. The Blazers are also without Jusuf Nurkic, one of the most underrated big men in basketball. And for Houston, James Harden, who seemed to traded baskets with McCollum, is long gone for the Rockets. Instead, Portland faces Victor Oladipo, whose looked pretty good so far in Houston. And John Wall, who missed the opener due to health and safety protocols.

Despite the absence of McCollum, the Blazers still have Damian Lillard, the most underrated superstar in basketball, and a regular Rockets-killer. Dame Dollar usually has big games against the Rockets. He ended Houston’s season with that infamous shot in the playoffs in 2016. And expect Lillard to be ready to do heavy damage, especially with McCollum, his backcourt mate, out for the night. The key matchup on Thursday night is Wall vs. Lillard. How will Wall perform against one of the most prestigious point-guards in basketball? Mr. Wall’s pretty prestigious himself, as he’s shown on the court this season. Thursday night’s tussle should be intriguing as these two All-Stars go head-to-head. DeMarcus Cousins has looked like an All-Start since filling in for Christian Wood. The Rockets need another Boogie night if they want to fend off Portland’s Enes Kanter, one of the best offensive rebounders in the league.

After Thursday night’s matchup, six of Houston’s next seven games are on the road, including a five-game trip the Rockets begin on Saturday. Houston has performed much better at home as opposed to the road this season. The squad needs a win against an injury-riddled Blazers team. Portland’s still a dangerous team. Damian Lillard can beat the Rockets by himself if he has one of those “Dame Time” fourth quarters. Houston has a plan to counter a potential Lillard-explosion. Thursday night is the first time John Wall and Victor Oladipo will share the court as Rockets. It may take a little time, as most chemistry does, but Houston’s backcourt has the potential to be one of the NBA’s best, if they can stay healthy. The Rockets need to take advantage of McCollum’s absence for the Blazers. At 7-9, Houston is in a much better position improving to 8-9, instead of falling another step behind at 7-10 in the standings. The first game between these two Western foes was a classic, a double-overtime thriller, that unfortunately ended in a Houston loss. In the rarest of rematches, expect another thriller. Dame Dollar’s in Houston, the Rockets are testing out their new All-Star backcourt for the first time. Houston has health on their side, but the Blazers have a group that’s played together longer than these new-look Rockets. Regardless, just like on Opening Night… expect a thriller in Houston on Thursday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Portland Trail Blazers (9-7):  Black

Houston Rockets (7-9):  Blue “City Edition”

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT  –  TNT

Wall Street: Rockets Stump Wizards, 107-88, in Westbrook’s Return

Not Done Yet.    Beal… and the Bricks.    Seeing Progression.

“They watched me play… they thought I was done,” John Wall said after his Rockets beat his former team, the only squad he ever played for before joining Houston. The Rockets also might’ve shown the world they won the Wall-Westbrook. Russ may be the better player in some people’s eyes, but Wall’s certainly a better fit in Houston, especially with this new group. And these new-look Rockets blew out Westbrook’s Wizards, 107-88, on Tuesday night. John Wall led Houston with 24 points ad 5 assists. Victor Oladipo added 20 points, as he continues to integrate himself into Houston’s system. Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins both continued to thrive on the court. EG scored 20 on, and proved he’s capable of winning the Sixth Man of the Year award this prove. Boogie had another tremendous night filling in for Christian Wood. Cousins once again showed flashes of vintage Boogie and dominated the paint, scoring 19 points while grabbing 11 boards for Houston. The former All-Star hit half of his eight shots from long range, and after a slow start to the season, is really showing he can be a viable role player, given he plays enough minutes to keep his rhythm.

Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 33 points, and Russell Westbrook chip in with 17 on 7-for017 shooting. But former teammates Beal and Wall both shot the same percentages, with Wall leading Houston over Washington, and Westbrook, the guy he got traded for. Other than Beal and Russ, the Wizards didn’t have enough firepower to stop a Rockets team playing its first game with Wall and Oladipo sharing the court. A game that so far, has been Houston’s best of this young season. It will be interesting to see what happens when the final piece of Houston’s big three, Christian Wood, returns from injury.

The victory gives the Rockets a 7-9 record, and puts them with a group of teams clustered in the West fighting for a playoff spot. It’s been a rough beginning to one of the strangest starts to kick-off a season in recent memory, to say the least, but after starting 3-6. Houston is now 4-3 since the James Harden trade, and still have yet to play a game this season at full strength. Once Wood returns, the Rockets can begin their journey to prove they’re much better than everyone believes. Coach Stephen Silas needs to be given a ton of credit. He’s done of a masterful job with the genius group of young players Houston’s GM Rafael Stone’s acquired in the off-season, and the biggest trade in Rockets history. The squad still needs to get fully healthy, to get an ideal grasp of their full potential, but with all the drama, chaos, and injuries, it’s impressive Houston sits at 7-9 in the standings. Things could be a lot worse. Houston no longer has James Harden as the face of the franchise, but as Wall proved with his play on Tuesday night… these Rockets aren’t done contending in the West.