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Rockets Fall Back to Earth, Far Below Season Expectations

“All those moments will be lost in time, like tears of rain” is one of the final lines in Ridley Scott’s seminal, innovative, 1982 science-fiction classic Blade Runner. Spoken by Batty (Rutger Hauer’s finest hour), the antagonist, before his death as he reflects on his experiences and imminent mortality, the line is part of one of the most moving soliloquys in film history. And if the Rockets want to start moving out of their current slump, they’ll need to take these words to heart. Last year was exciting and record setting, yet painful in the end. The Rockets need to forget about last season. It’s lost in time. We can look at all the glossy records and stats from last year but if the Rockets think they can sleepwalk their way into the playoffs this season, and then decide they want to play hard, they’re mistaken. This team is NOT last year’s team. Trevor Ariza isn’t walking through the door (not that I’ve heard of), even Luc Mbah Moute, who tailed off production-wise after a shoulder injury last year, is sorely missed early on this season. This year’s Western Conference is as savagely cannibalistic as ever. 14 of the 15 teams currently sit fighting for a playoff spot. This is unheard of in NBA history, even only a quarter into the season, with the Rockets currently sitting in 14^th place, only above the Phoenix “full-rebuilding mode” Suns. Undoubtedly, some of these teams will slide, but the crowded race for the playoffs won’t get any easier as the season moves on. It’s still only November, yet we are officially a quarter of the way into the NBA season. 20 games in and the Houston Rockets’ roller-coaster start to the season has been the biggest disappointment in the NBA thus far. A ride that’s contained more lows than highs. The Rockets have a 9-11 record that places them in 14^th place (yes, 14^th) out of 15 teams in the West. Sure, the 5-game winning streak was nice, but the Rockets never really recovered from their 1-5 start. However, it’s all in the past. The Rockets need to, as cliché as it sounds, forget the past, and move forward. Whether they want to admit it or not, the Rockets are still suffering from a hangover, one Chris Paul even said they shouldn’t have, because they haven’t “won anything”. CP3 is right. But his body isn’t. And if he can’t get kick his annual injury bug soon, Houston will have a serious problem on its hands. The Rockets are still basking in the glory of setting a franchise-record 65 wins last season. Those 65 wins… they’re lost… in time. Sure, it’s was nice to win 65 games but when it doesn’t come with a ring, frankly, all those wins, they really don’t matter that much. At all. It was a nice accomplishment but the Rockets need to move forward and realize you don’t just get 65 wins returning mainly the same core roster. Yes, the Rockets have had injury problems. Chris Paul’s injury bug has hit sooner than expected, Nene, and Brandon Knight have yet to play in a game. Gerald Green is still out with an injury. Eric Gordon missed a few games. The biggest disappointment, in all of this, would be the lack of help the Beard is getting. James Harden, despite the Rockets struggles, and getting off to a slow start himself, is currently playing out of his mind, and some of the best basketball of his life. The Beard is in his prime. RIGHT NOW. He’s set records in the last two games and is visibly worn out by the end of games without CP3 on the floor and the lack of Houston’s depth on the bench. Trevor Ariza really was THAT important. His absence is felt on both ends of the floor as the Rockets could really use a catch and shoot perimeter player who isn’t hesitant on offense and plays hard every single possession on defense. P.J. Tucker can’t guard everyone. If he could, the Rockets would be Champions every year. P.J.’s defense is that good and underrated. Sometimes it seems like Tucker’s out there by himself trying to guard 5 opposing players as the rest of his teammates squander around the court trying to find their man or their proper switch assignment. Hopefully, the Rockets defensive guru Jeff Bzdelik is finally getting used to the new roster changes, as the squad has only been worse defensively since he rejoined the bench after Thanksgiving. New roster additions James Ennis III, rookies Gary Clark and Isaiah Hartenstein have been a few bright spots for the squad, but their lack of experience will surely show in the playoffs. Houston needs to ditch MCW, whose been plain awful, and find a veteran talented wing player who can help fill the gaping holes that are evident when watching the Rockets play. Brandon Knight and Nene have yet to play, the young rookies Clark and Hustlestein look like future role players at worst and are slowly developing their games, but there’s no more time for excuses. Or the 2018/2019 Season will be known as the “Season of Excuses”. We’re a quarter of the way into season. Soon, Act 1 of the 2018/2019 regular-season will be in the books. If the Rockets keep acting this way on the court (lack of defensive intensity, poor communication, a sense of entitlement they haven’t earned) don’t be surprised if in April they’re fighting for a playoff spot the last week of the regular season. Yes, they’ll be better when CP3 returns. Houston is 8-4 in the lineup this season when they both play. The problem is, Houston won’t have the opportunity to rest their stars for the playoffs, as they will be fighting for their playoff lives if they continue to play this style of basketball. With CP3 super injury-prone, the odds are he won’t be healthy for the full season. It just stacks the odds against the Rockets. But last year, no one thought The Beard and CP3 could play together effectively. And that turned out all right. They weren’t listening to everyone’s preseason expectations, they just went out and proved their games and styles of play could complement each other perfectly. This season, Houston needs to forget the fact that they won a franchise-record 65 wins, were the talk of the league, and got the #1 seed in the West last season. That’s all in the past. Last season is dead. Move on Red Nation. This season still has life. James Harden is yet again playing at an MVP-caliber level, the rest of the squad needs to follow his lead. Or this season could be… as Blade Runner’s villain says at the end… “time to die”.

Mavs Steamroll Through Houston, 128-108, Leave Rockets Shaken and Stirred

Houston, we officially have a problem. Many problems. The majority of which were exposed for all to witness in Wednesday night’s 128-108 thumping, courtesy of their interstate rival, the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic was sensational for Dallas, putting on his own highlight show, en route to 20 points to lead the Mavs. It didn’t help that Devin Harris had his best game of the year off the bench for the Mavs with 20 points, many of which came after the Rockets had cut the halftime deficit from 18 to 7 start the 4^th quarter. Overall Dallas had 8 players in double figures, and another posted 9 points, highlighting their overall depth. The Rockets had five players in double figures, but mainly all starters, as their bench remains depleted due to recurring injuries that have plagued the team since last season (Nene and Brandon Knight still have yet to play a game this season due to injury. Chris Paul’s yearly hamstring injury has come earlier than expected this year and he remains questionable for games this weekend. James Harden was great. In fact, he was record-setting for the 2^nd night in a row as he became the 2^nd player in NBA history (joining Magic Johnson) to garner 25+ points, 17+ assists, 11+ rebounds, and 6+ steals in a single game. The previous game The Beard became the 1^st player in NBA history with 5 games of recording 50 points and dishing 10 assists in the same contest. But without his backcourt mate, Houston is a completely different team. Harden gets worn down, including other key players who have to do more (Tucker, Gordon) and it shows the most late in games when fatigue is an obvious factor on the team. Still, CP3 or no CP3, the Rockets should be able to beat this young Mavs team at home. Or at least make the game competitive. They didn’t do that. They couldn’t do that. The Rockets have become a team who no longer has championship aspirations, but only hope to make the playoffs. They sit 14^th in a Western Conference that takes no prisoners 14 of the teams in the West will be fighting for a playoff spot. The Rockets need to hope Chris Paul can get healthy, but more importantly stay healthy. Looking at his recent history in the past two seasons, that’s wishful thinking. And there’s no time to rest him. Houston’s already behind in a crowded race in the standings no one saw coming. Maybe Daryl Morey can execute some magic and get the Rockets some much-needed defensive presence on the wing. A presence that’s absence has made the most difference in Houston’s baffling struggles through 20 games this season. A presence that vanished when the team lost Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in Free Agency last season. There’s no time for dwelling on the past. The next game is HUGE. A win puts the Rockets one game within .500, while a loss knocks them 3 games below .500. As the season gets longer, Houston’s playoff hopes will diminish if they don’t start winning as a team. No matter who’s on the court, other guys need to step up. We all know the squad is better than this. Hopefully the Mavs beat-down finally woke up some spirit and sense of urgency in Houston. Otherwise, it’ll just be another game in a season full of painful defeats. The Rockets’ Texas Two-Step continues when Houston visits San Antonio to battle the Spurs (one of many teams in the crowded Western playoff race). Houston looks to break its losing streak and avenge the Dec. 10^th loss they already suffered earlier this season in the Alamo City. Hopefully, D’Antoni and The Beard can stir up a winning cocktail while CP3’s status remains in limbo. Otherwise, the season will be in limbo. Big time.

Rockets Host Mavs, Return to H-Town In Hopes of Continuing Home Streak

After a disastrous road trip, which saw the Rockets drop all 3 games to teams they should have beaten, including two heartbreakers in overtime, Houston returns home to Toyota Center, where they have won their last 4 games. The Dallas Mavericks come to town. Dallas is one of the more surprising teams in the league this season given their expectations, and they boast Luka Doncic, rookie European sensation who is quietly taking the NBA by storm. The Rockets will look to quiet any noise the Mavs attempt to bring to Toyota Center as Houston aims for 5 in a row at home. They’ll have to do it without their floor leader, Chris Paul, who is questionable (more on the doubtful side) to play with a hamstring injury. The Rockets are 0-4 without Chris Paul this season and if they want to get their first win without him they will need other components to step up. Gordon’s been great. Gary Clark’s shooting has cooled slightly. Hopefully Clark and fellow rookie Isaiah Hartenstein can bring the energy and get the crowd going to help the Rockets get their 5^th straight win at home. Currently, at 9-10, the Mavs sit at 9-9. Houston still remains only 3 games behind the Warriors in the loss column in a bunched-up Western Conference. But, they can’t afford any more lengthy losing streaks this season. Houston aims to snap its 3-game slide, while getting back to .500 and climbing up the standings in the Wild West.

Toyota Center – Houston, Texas

7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet

Harden’s Wizardry Not Enough as Rockets Squander Lead, Falter Late in Overtime, 135-131

The Headband Harden era started with a flourish. The Rockets led by as many as 17 points in the first half and the Beard’s new look gave his game a smooth, yet visceral intensity we had yet to see this season. Last year’s MVP finished with an astonishing 54 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists. Still, this was not enough for the Rockets to beat one of the worst teams in the league. Granted, the Wizards played well. Wall and Beal combined for 68 points against Harden and Gordon’s (who had another fantastic game with 36) record-setting 90 points for a backcourt. Yet, despite all the glossy stats and numbers, only one thing remains clear. The Rockets sorely, really, REALLY miss Chris Paul. His importance and value to Houston, along with his ability to take pressure off Harden’s responsibilities on both ends of the floor, really make the Rockets an entire different beast. There’s a reason Houston is 0-4 without CP3 on the floor. James Harden is the Rockets’ motor and executioner, but it is Chris Paul who is the true floor leader of this team. His absence turns the Rockets from a Championship contender to, at best, a measly playoff contender. Harden was excellent tonight. He put on one of the great individual performances in NBA history. But he ran out of gas, something that has become commonplace when CP3 is out. Harden had 5 of his 11 turnovers in the final 8 minutes he played. The man with the headband was just gassed. It didn’t help matters that the Wizards streaky backcourt had their best game of the season against the Rockets. Entering this season, the Rockets, like the Warriors, have a target on their back. Every team is giving Houston its best shot. The Rockets need to wake up and get healthy before they’ve taken too many shots to get back up. Up next, the Dallas Mavericks travel to Houston to take on the Rockets on Wednesday night. Houston hopes to have their floor leader back against a young Mavs team that is slowly rising above season expectations, led by the stellar European rookie sensation, Luka Doncic. The Rockets have won their last 4 games at the friendly confines of Toyota Center and look to continue that streak as they battle to get back to .500.

Houston Travels to D.C. In Attempt to Regain Winning Spell

The Rockets were on a roll, beating some of the league’s best, before losing their previous two games to inferior opponents. Houston will try and get back on that roll as they face a Wizards team that is, without question, the most disappointing in all of basketball. They boast a stellar All-Star backcourt, consisting of John Wall and Bradley Beal. However, things in D.C have gotten dicey. John Wall has been a poor teammate for a few season as the team leader, the organization is now saying they’re looking to trade the star point guard. So, as the Rockets play their 3^rd game in 4 nights, they will be taking on a squad that is on the verge of breaking up (literally). Trade rumors surround the Wizards, and they lack the chemistry that is needed to show the true potential of their talent as a group. This game could not have come at a better time. The Rockets are trying to prove the last two games were a fluke and tonight’s contest in the nation’s capital should provide Houston with plenty of opportunities to compensate for their recent losses with an all-around team effort. The squad will need it, as Chris Paul is listed as questionable with left-leg soreness and Gerald Green is also uncertain to play. Fingers crossed, the Rockets should have enough magic on the court to cast out any spells the Wizards try and place on Houston as Washington tries to win their 3^rd game in 4 contests. Last year’s MVP has certainly been on a magical run of late and will try and lead the Rockets back into the win column. Harden will need more help than he got Saturday night if Houston wants to avoid losing their 3^rd straight contest. Expect the Beard to have the usual tricks up his sleeve and Clint Capela to feast on the Wizards’ lack of a solid interior presence to help the Rockets get a much-needed victory.

Capitol One Arena – Washington, D.C.

6 PM CT – NBA TV, ATT Sportsnet

Despite Harden’s 40, Rockets Suffer Bad Loss To Cavs, 117-108

Give Cleveland credit. The Cavs beat an outstanding Sixers team on the road in Philly the previous night before handing the Rockets their most disappointing loss of the season at the Q in Cleveland. Their point guard of the future, rookie Collin Sexton, is finally starting to show signs of prominence. They’ve have won two straight and are on a mini-roll. But, mind you, they’re still the Cavs, without LeBron, and in full-rebuilding mode. They’ll be one of the many teams in the Zion Williamson sweepstakes come June. As of now, they have no business beating Houston. The Rockets were without Chris Paul and just aren’t a Championship contender when he’s not on the court. But Houston doesn’t need to be a Championship contender to beat teams like Cleveland, teams in the tank race for the next evolution of talent, courtesy of Mike Krzyzewski and co. at Duke. The Rockets have James Harden, back to playing at an MVP-caliber level. The Beard had a great night, dropping 40 points and dishing out 13 dimes, but he didn’t have enough help without his backcourt mate CP3. Eric Gordon played well starting in place of Paul, scoring 28 points, the only other player who had much of an effect on the game besides Harden. EG, however doesn’t posses the same leadership skills that make CP3 one of the best point guards in NBA history. CP3’s importance is evident more than ever for the Rockets, as they have yet to win a game this season when he doesn’t take the floor (0-3). The Rockets are back to .500 with a 9-9 record. Things are not all doom and gloom. Despite losing half their games this season, Houston is only 2 games behind the Warriors (in the loss column) in a crowded, Western Conference that is as ruthless as it’s ever been. Clint Capela, who’s been playing out of his mind prior to this game, showed fatigue from the night before and was outplayed for the first time in many games, by the less-established Tristan Thompson, on the downside of his career, but nevertheless had one of his best games of the season, manning the paint for the Cavs with 16 points and 20 rebounds. Houston will hope to have CP3 back for the next game as they will take on one of the better point guards in the league, talent-wise, John Wall and the Washington Wizards. The Rockets will just have to put this game behind them and focus on what they can improve on moving forward. As we are already approaching a quarter of the way through the season, there is no time to dwell on the past.

Rockets Look to the ‘Land to Start a New Streak

The Rockets, fresh off their most heartbreaking loss of the season last night in Detroit, get back to work tonight in Cleveland as they will try and build on Capela’s dominance and start a new winning streak. The Cavaliers, in their first season since LeBron James left for L.A., is in full rebuilding mode and is arguably the league’s worst team. The Rockets will try and capitalize on this fact and get back on the winning side of the box score. Being the second night of a back-to-back against a clearly inferior opponent, Houston is thinking long-term and resting Chris Paul. As we all know, the Rockets’ floor general is injury prone and nothing would sting more than CP3 getting injured in a game Houston should win without his contributions. James Harden has a chance to redeem himself after a scoreless overtime last night in which his shot selection was poor to say the least. The Cavs played last night as well, and had their best win of the season, shocking the Sixers in Philly. The Rockets will need to mainly focus on the Cavs young backcourt of Collin Sexton, Rodney Hood, and Cedi Osman on the perimeter. They’ll also rely on Capela to hold back the feisty Tristan Thompson in the paint, which shouldn’t be an issue with the way Clint is playing. Houston is determined to avoid any poor losses against inferior opponents for the rest of the season. Despite this being the second night of a back-to-back, the Rockets should be able to battle any fatigue from last night’s grueling, physical overtime loss. The Cavs shouldn’t put up much of a fight, and if the Rockets stick to the fundamentals of the game plan, this game should be the first W of a new winning streak.

Quicken Loans Arena – Cleveland, Ohio

6:30 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet

Rockets Comeback Falls Short, 116-111, Lose to Pistons in OT

Houston trailed by as many as 14 in the 3^rd quarter and stormed all the way back to even take the lead. Questionable calls were abound, including a mysterious pardon by the refs to give Andre Drummond free roam to do whatever he wanted on and/or with the rim. On Friday night, the refs allowed Drummond to touch the ball when it was in the cylinder, and even two egregious offensive interference calls that would have resulted in four more points for the Rockets were dismissed in preference of letting Drummond coax on the rim all night (literally, at one point after a free throw, the Pistons center just hung on the rim until the ball dropped in, a motion that has been against the rules since they were invented). Nevertheless the Rockets trailed by two with 2.6 to go in regulation. EG made a splendid layup with 0.01 left to tie the game and send it into overtime. However, the OT session proved to be too much for Houston as they were thoroughly outplayed by the Pistons in the extra period. Nevertheless, The Clint Capela Emergence continued and the Rockets Swiss stud had another monstrous game with a career-high 29 points to go along with 21 rebounds. He held his own against Detroit’s All-Star big men, but his contributions weren’t quite enough as the Rockets fell just short, a bad call or three away from winning the game in regulation. Harden failed to score in overtime, and the Rockets were just plain outplayed in the final 5 minutes. It’s too bad one of the best games of the season resulted in a loss, but the Rockets are showing that they are back to the team they were last year. The loss in Detroit isn’t as catastrophic as earlier season losses. Houston has historically struggled in the Motor City, now with an all-time record of 18-49 when playing the Pistons in Detroit. Despite this and the terrible officiating, the Rockets still were in position to win the game but didn’t have enough gas left in their motor. The squad will try to begin a new streak in Cleveland tonight as they take on a Post-LeBron Cavaliers team who is arguably the worst team in the entire NBA. The Cavs are in full rebuilding mode, and the Rockets are even resting Chris Paul tonight on the second half of this back-to-back. There’s no such thing as a “good” loss in my opinion, but Capela and the Rockets battled hard in Detroit. Hopefully, they’ll build from this tough loss and start an even longer streak, one that begins in the ‘Land, on Saturday night.

 

Rockets Motor Into Detroit, Seeking 6^th Straight Victory

Only 5 games ago, the Rockets were 4-7, staring into a possible abyss of a season lost, expectations throttled, and hopes dashed. Now, 5 games later, Houston has its mojo back. The Rockets have won 5 in a row and cruise into the Motor City seeking to make it 6, and sweep the season-series with the Pistons in the process. Detroit’s frontcourt, consisting of Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin will be another handful for Capela in the war in the paint. But, as Clint proved last game, he is more than up to the task. Capela has been playing some of the best basketball of his life and is out to prove that he belongs in the discussion with the NBA’s dominant big-men. James Harden has been fantastic, improving his defensive intensity with each game, while at the same time demolishing defenses with his arsenal of offensive tricks, using them sparingly whenever he feels a defense is worthy of his dominance or the Rockets need a bucket. Chris Paul has been a leader to the younger players (especially Gary Clark, CP3 went and bought a car as a gift for Clark’s birthday). Clark, Hartenstein, and the other younger Rockets are improving their hustle with each game and are becoming more comfortable in D’Antoni’s system. And with the addition of Jeff Bzdelik, who will now officially be joining the team on the bench for the rest of the season, the Rockets will be more than ready to “Run It Bzack”. Although, the squad will need to continue to play with the hustle, heart, determination, and girt they’ve shown over the last few games. Because, nothing in the NBA comes easy, especially when Chris Paul and Blake Griffin share the court. It should be an exciting game but if the Rockets play with the intensity that has gotten them 5 straight wins, number 6 should be just around the corner.

Little Caesars Arena – Detroit, Michigan

6 PM CT – NBA TV, ATT Sportsnet

 

Rockets Hold Off Pistons, 126-124, Keep Winning Motor

For the second consecutive game, Clint Capela made his presence felt in another Rockets victory. Despite 37 points from Blake Griffin, Capela held his own against Detroit’s big men en route to his second straight excellent game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in the process. Clint is really blossoming into an All-Star this season, and should get reasonable consideration come February as the Rockets big men have been among the league’s best. The Pistons hung around and just wouldn’t go away but the Rockets were able to outlast them in the process courtesy of Harden’s 43 points, Capela’s big night, and a strong overall team effort. James Ennis had another solid productive game with 14 points in 33 minutes. The new Rocket is starting to prove he can stay on the floor and out of foul trouble, a key factor to Houston’s depth and defense. Chris Paul’s midrange game was on-point per usual, and the Rockets were just too much for the Pistons to handle. Houston showed hustle and grit on Wednesday night that was lacking in the early part of the season. Isaiah Hartenstein is a joy to watch blossom into a hard-nosed, hustling big man who has the potential to develop a shooting stroke with dedication and practice. It’s not just “Hustlestein” diving on the hardwood, the entire group is finally hustling and running as one, and the results show in the squad’s current winning streak. Detroit is an up and coming team in an improving Eastern Conference, but this game showed they have miles to go to being considered on the same level as the Rockets. The Pistons won’t have to wait long for a chance to redeem Wednesday night’s loss. The two clubs meet for the final time this season in the second half of this home-and-home in Detroit on Friday night. The Pistons will be looking for revenge in front of their home crowd, but the Rockets don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon as they look to rev their winning streak up to six games in the Motor City on Friday night.