Blog

Rockets Desperate to End Skid, Hawks Swing into Town

Sneaking In.    Decision Time.    Opportunity Awaits.

The Atlanta Hawks come to town as the Rockets try and put an end to the worst losing streak the franchise has seen in decades. And usually, the Hawks flying in would be good sign. The last time Atlanta was actually competent, was way back when Houston last saw a skid this miserable. But this season, these birds are heating up. After firing their former coach, and bringing in savvy veteran Nate McMillan, the Hawks are 5-0, including wins over Miami and Toronto. Trae Young is one of the best young point guards in the league. A lethal threat from deep the Rockets defense has to focus on at all times.

Tonight’s the first of what seems like the third straight back-to-back for Houston, as the games keep coming after the All-Star break. The Rockets host the Warriors tomorrow night, a better squad than this Atlanta team. One has to be honest. The skid will end eventually. And it certainly would be nice to avoid that 20-spot on the franchise’s history of losing streaks. Hopefully, Kevin Porter Jr. has a bounce-back game from the field, and finds his rhythm to lead the Rockets to a victory. Otherwise, Houston will need a lot from Victor Oladipo and Kenyon Martin Jr. The two combined for 47 points in the Rockets last game. And among current healthy players on the squad, Martin is one of the squad’s best facilitators, despite his youth and need for growth.

Opportunity awaits tonight for a young Rockets team, as most of the older guys (Wall, Christian Wood, Eric Gordon) are out with injuries. Not to mention the absence of P.J. Tucker can’t help but be felt on the defensive end, and in the locker room. Winners of five straight, the Hawks aren’t world-beaters. Atlanta’s streak is bound to come to an end soon. Trae Young, former-Rocket Clint Capela, and the Hawks have snuck into the eighth seed out East. But Atlanta’s still a few years away from actually making any noise in the playoffs, if they even make it to the postseason. It’s time. For the Rockets to get back on track, and for the Hawks to get back and relax. The NBA world isn’t used to seeing big winning steaks out of Atlanta. The Rockets would love to put a little normalcy back into matters… and end the worst skid in Houston’s seen in some time.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Atlanta Hawks (19-20):  White

Houston Rockets (11-26):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

16 Oh No:  Houston’s Skid Continues as Celtics Cruise by Rockets, 134-107

Too Many Jays.    The Other Guy.    Stuck on 11.

The misery continued in Houston on Monday night as the Rockets fell to the Celtics, 134-107, resulting in their 16th straight loss. Boston was clearly the better team. And without John Wall or Christian Wood, Houston had little chance in the first place of gutting out a victory. Victor Oladipo led the Rockets with 26 points, but Houston nonetheless got blown out once again. The Celtics were led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who combined to score 47 Boston points. Kevin Porter Jr. struggled with his shot against the C’s, scoring 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting. However, the Rockets have another bright young stud blossoming during this borrowed season.

Kenyon Martin Jr. had the best game of his career, scoring a career-high 21 points, to go along with 4 boards and 3 dimes. Once KJ Martin gets more comfortable playing at the NBA level, Houston will have another dangerous young player on their team. Martin Jr. played with Porter Jr. in the G-League, and both were called up to Houston’s roster at the same time. While Porter’s getting most of the attention, and deservedly so, don’t sleep on Martin. KJ has the potential to be much better than people expect. The Rockets just need their young guns to gain more experience. And now’s a better season than ever.

Houston’s now lost 16 games in a row. It seems like the Rockets haven’t won all year. And while that’s not true (their last victory came in Memphis on February 4th), this losing streak has revamped the shape of this season. The squad was sitting pretty, a game above .500, with a record of 11-10, before all the savagery began. And Houston’s been stuck on number 11 ever since. The embarrassing part is, most of these losses have been blowouts. And yes, the Rockets are undermanned, but getting crushed every night is demoralizing.

Rockets Host Celtics to Start Homestand, Hope to Steal Some Irish Luck

Home, Sweet, Home.    Earn it Black.    Controlling the Jays.

Houston returns home to host the Celtics as the Rockets try to earn their first victory in their last 16 tries on Sunday night. Tonight’s matchup begins a seven-game homestand for the Rockets, their longest of the season. Sliding on the NBA’s longest losing streak, Houston hopes a return to their homes and the comfort of Toyota Center will bring an end to the skid. The Celtics are the Rockets first test. Boston has underperformed this season in the eyes of most basketball analysts. Regardless, the Celtics are loaded with versatile talent on the perimeter, notably on both ends of the floor. Houston has to hope Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kemba Walker have off-nights, or the losing streak may continue.

The squad will debut their brand-new black “earned” jerseys on Sunday night as they host Boston. The 16 playoff teams from the previous season all receive special edition “earned” jerseys, as they’re called, the following season. The Rockets have earned this edition of the uniform the past few years, and hopefully a change of apparel will get the squad back on the winning track. Personally, I love the appearance of these new jerseys, and hope Houston keeps them around longer than expected.

If the Rockets want to stop the misery, and end the longest losing streak in the franchise has season in 20 years, they’ll have to contain the “Jays”: Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Boston’s top two players. Tatum is slightly more skilled offensively, and Brown has an edge on the defensive end, but both are versatile All-Stars who can each explode for 30 points on any given night. Hopefully, Kevin Porter Jr. continues his stellar play in his third game as a Rocket. Right now he’s one the few bright spots Houston can enjoy watching on this roster. And if the Rockets want to earn a win tonight, and some respect back in the league, they’ll have to upset a solid Celtics team at home. It’s not impossible, as Boston’s been prone to play down to their competition this year. If the Rockets can come out with fire and intensity on both ends of the floor… Houston can start the path to earning some respect back in this league. 

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Boston Celtics (19-18):  Green

Houston Rockets (11-25):  “Earned” Black

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW,  NBA League Pass

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.