Category: Uncategorized

Rockets Return Home to Face Orlando, Seek to Reclaim Their Own Magic

Lucky Break.    Knocking on Wood.    3-6 or 4-5.

Houston returns home after a short one-game road trip to face the Orlando Magic. Orlando is off to one of the best starts in the league this season, boasting a 6-2 record, good for second-best in the entire NBA. No one expects the Magic to make playoff noise, they’re simply a young team off to an unexpectedly good start. However, Houston happens to be entering the Magic’s hemisphere during a distraught time for the franchise. Unfortunately for Orlando, bad news came during their last game. Their starting point guard, and former number one overall pick in the NBA Draft, Markell Fultz, suffered a torn ACL, and will miss the remainder of the season. Fultz, after years of progressing and attempting to reach his potential, was off to the best start of his young career, with career highs in points and assists, the former top pick could’ve been on his way to an All Star nod. But, as the Rockets know too well, injuries are a part of the game. Hopefully Fultz’s rehab goes well, and he can make a comeback to being an efficient NBA player.

Luckily for Houston, considering Christian Wood is a game-time decision just like last game, the Magic will be without one of the best front players in Aaron Gordon. Gordon is off to a solid start to the season, and his absence gives the Rockets one less big body to focus on. However, Orlando still boasts one of the best big men in all of basketball, Nikola Vucevic. “Vooch” will be a handful for Wood (if he plays), P.J. Tucker, Demarcus Cousins, or whosever guarding him on the Rockets. They’ll need to help and communicate effectively on defense. Vucevic is a legitimate All-Star in this league, with Superstar skills on some nights. Houston can’t afford to let Vooch beat them.

This game’s hugely important for several reasons. First of all, the Rockets are trying to snap a two-game skid. A win or a loss tonight marks the difference between being 3-4 or 2-5 after the game is over. And Houston’s next two games are against the defending champs, the Lakers. Friday night’s jostle with the Magic is a must-win for the Rockets. Considering it’s highly unlikely they’ll beat the Lakers in back-to-back games, Houston needs to enter its series with L.A. with a 3-4 record, as opposed to a 2-5 mark. The Rockets are slowly trying to get back to the .500 mark, and climb the standings out West. Games like Friday against the Magic are ones Houston needs to put away early, to ensure they’re ready to face the Lakers fresh off a win. Even if it’s just a short winning streak, the Rockets need confidence heading into their upcoming battles agents the Champions. A short, easy victory over an inferior Orlando team is just what Houston needsas they begin to right the ship.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Orlando Magic (6-2):  Black

Houston Rockets (2-4):  White

 

TV:  7 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Can’t Keep Up with Pacers in Indy, Drop Second Straight Loss, 114-107

Lacking Firewood.    Silver Lining.    Waning Ship.

“He quit,” Rockets broadcaster Calvin Murphy was caught saying about James Harden, thinking his microphone was off as the broadcast headed to commercial. The sad thing is, Murphy’s right. Harden did quit late in the game, as the Rockets couldn’t keep pace in Indiana, falling to the Pacers 114-107. The Beard had another sub-par performance. Despite dishing out 12 assists, Harden scored a meager 15 points, almost twice as less as his average. Simply put, the Beard wasn’t aggressive, and settled for poor shots late when the Rockets mounted a comeback to try and pull off the upset. John Wall was spectacular for the Houston, leading the Rockets with a season-high 28 points. But Houston had no answers for Domantas Sabonis inside. Indy’s star big man had 22 points and grabbed 12 boards, but he was the least of Houston’s problems.

If a silver-lining can be found in the Rockets latest loss, Christian Wood was a late-scratch and didn’t play due to knee soreness. The Rockets sorely missed Wood’s versatility on Wednesday night. Victor Oladipo had 18 points, and Justin Holiday had 20 off the bench for Indy, but the real story of this game was Malcolm Brogdon. Houston had no answers for Brogdon, who had a season-high 35 points, and looked like a perennial All-Star on Wednesday, a night where he was by far the best player on the court. The Rockets held a 10 point lead early in the first quarter, 22-12, but after that, it was all Indiana on Wednesday night, as the Pacers lead from basically start to finish. Houston made it competitive late, even grabbing the lead in the fourth quarter, but they needed more than 15 points from Harden, who really never came to play int he first place. And that signals big problems for Houston.

Since Harden missed the Rockets last win due to injury, he hasn’t been the same player by any means. I don’t know if playing with John Wall isn’t sitting well with Harden, but the Beard needs to show Houston he’s interested in winning, or the Rockets might as well trade him elsewhere. The Rockets can’t win with a fully-invested Harden. And with more losing, comes less potential for Houston’s superstar to stick around. The Rockets have to put these first six games behind them, and focus on their upcoming schedule, which doesn’t get any easier. Houston is 2-4, and has suffered a substantial amount of early-season absences from key players. Still, the Rockets should sitting at 3-3 in the standings at worst this moment. They’re going to have to right the ship, and quickly, before things become disastrous.

Up next for Houston is a matchup with the surprisingly hot Orlando Magic, who are off to a 6-2 start, and sit at 2nd place in the East. And then, the Rockets have two straight games with the defending champs, the Lakers. It’s hard to beat the sane team twice in a row, especially the Champs. The Rockets need to get back on track, and regain some of that magic on the court, and beat an inferior Magic team, before two huge matchups against the LeBron and the Lakers. Someone who never quits. Hopefully, Houston gets Christian Wood back for their game against Nikola Vucevic and the Magic. A loss to Orlando at home, featuring another sub-par performance from Harden, could signal the dreaded foreshadowing of the end of an era. With a new coach and a new system, along with all the injuries, 2-4 after only six games into the season is no time to panic for the Rockets. But with two meetings with the Lakers coming up after Orlando comes to town on Friday, Houston’s matchup with the Magic is a must-win. They can’t enter the bloodbaths with L.A. at a 2-5 record as opposed to sitting 3-4 in the standings. I hope Wednesday’s loss in Indy was just an off-night for the Beard, who was lacking his favorite lob-threat in Wood. It’s still early for the Rockets to right the ship, but Friday’s game, in particular Harden’s performance, will tell you if he’s actually quit on the Rockets, giving Houston a waning ship on their hands. 

Rockets Visit Indy, Face-Off Against Pacers

Beasts Out East.    Eyes on Five.    Prep the Hardwood.        

“I promise you, if you need us… if you need me… I’ll be there” is a quote from Captain America: Civil War that brought tonight’s contest to mind. As the beginnings of the United States of America’s modern civil war gets under way this afternoon, the Houston Rockets take part in another basketball game, this time against the upstart Indiana Pacers. Sure, it’s just a game, but tonight’s match is huge for the Rockets. With a record of 2-3, a win tonight would get Houston back to .500, while a loss pushes them two games below .500. It might just be one game, but there’s a huge difference between starting the season 3-3, or 2-4. Especially with this team, and the level of uncertainty that remains hovering around its superstar. The Pacers are a dark-horse threat to win the East, and they’ve shown what they’re capable of, getting off to a hot 5-2 start.

Indy boasts five players the Rockets will have to focus on. The Pacers have the best backcourt in the Eastern Conference, with Malcolm Brogdon running the show at point, and Victor Oladipo, Indy’s best player, and star swingman at shooting guard. Indy also boasts one of the NBA’s most powerful, and dynamic inside duos: Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. Christian Wood, DeMarcus Cousins, PJ Tucker, and any Rockets who are plan to bang bodies inside needs to be ready for all-out war in the pain tonight. Turner is one of the best role players in the NBA, and Sabonis is an All-Star, who’s teetering on the verge of superstardom. The son of Hall-of-Famer Arvydas Sabonis is off to the best start of his young career, and is a lethal scoring and rebounding presence inside. Justin Holiday plays the Sixth Man role for Indy, and is the other guy who could go off for a big night, if the Rockets defense is shaky once again. But, this one comes down to Houston’s newest combination: James Harden and Christian Wood, the Hardwood.

If the Beard can have a bounce-back game and reach his usual scoring numbers with efficiency, it should trigger more alley-oops to Wood, and more potential to get Indy’s lethal bigs in foul trouble. If Harden and Wood can be in sync in on the road against one of the best teams in the East, the Rockets have a chance. But they’ll also need John Wall to look like he did in his first two games, as opposed to his Monday night below-average showing. Houston will need to put as much offensive pressure as possible on the Pacers, and really drive to the basket with ferocity. Eric Gordon in particular, needs to finish strong, and not look for the contact (which usually results in embarrassing turnovers). This one should be close in Indy tonight. Expect the best game of this young season for Houston. The Pacers are at home, off to a good start. The Rockets are still adjusting to a new coach, new teammates, and a new system. But Houston still has the Beard on their side. Ready to play like the world needs saving. And on Wednesday night in Indy, when the Rockets need him… he’ll be there.

 

Bankers Life Fieldhouse:  Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets: (2-3):  Red

Indiana Pacers (5-2):  White

 

TV:  6 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Fall in Frustrating Fashion to Mavs, 113-100

Pondering Toss.    The New Jet.    Not Enough Beard.

“New system. We’re definitely still adjusting. Can’t forget about that,” Eric Gordon said after Houston’s disappointing 113-100 loss at home to Dallas on Monday night. It’s not an excuse, and the team is still adjusting, with John Wall, Christian Wood, DeMarcus Cousins, and plenty of other new Rockets, including a new coach, in Stephen Silas. The coolest cat in the room almost lost his cool, and rightfully so, as DeMarcus Cousins was ejected in arguably the worst call of the entire NBA season. Boogie simply argued a call like every player does after it doesn’t go his way, and was thrown out. Cousins has a reputation for barking at refs, but this is a new and improved DeMarcus, and he had no right being thrown out of Monday’s contest. It’s especially frustrating, considering how well Boogie was playing. He only saw limited action due to the ejection, but Cousins seemed to be on pace for his best game of the early season. We’ll have to wait to witness that. His first technical was a very questionable double-tech, and the ejection was downright based on his reputation. Official John Goble simply didn’t want to deal with officiating Cousins on Monday night, and given the slightest crack of opportunity, he tossed him out game with glee.

Boogie’s ejection is by no means why Houston lost to the Mavs, with Dallas leading basically from start-to-finish. Luka Doncic led the Mavs with a sensational triple-double, scoring 33 points, to go with 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Despite those gaudy numbers, it was Doncic who was the real thorn in the Rockets’ side, the finishing dagger. That role on Dallas belonged to Tim Hardaway Jr., who, when he plays Houston, resembles a form of Ray Allen in his prime. Hardaway is the new Jason Terry, a former Mav who used to always have big games against the Rockets. And it seems now Hardaway Jr. has assumed that role, always having monstrous games offensively against Houston. Don’t believe me? Look it up. The Rockets will have to be more prepared for THJ next time these two Texas rivals meet.

There are very few players for whom you look at the box score, and see 21 points, and it stands out in an odd way. But for James Harden, who’s going for a league record fourth straight scoring title, and averaging before Monday 37 points a game, 21 points does stand out quite a bit. Houston simply didn’t get enough from Harden, who, along with the rest of the squad, just had an off-night offensively. John Wall posted an underwhelming 14 points. Despite trailing nearly the entire game, the Rockets tied it late in the fourth and had a chance to take the lead several times in the quarter, but the Mavs continued to hit big shot after big shot. Most of them being from Hardaway Jr. and Doncic. Houston was without Danuel House, and Ben McLemore is still out, but the Rockets need to start winning and get a comfortable peek above the .500 mark. They can’t afford to fall behind early in the standings this season. Who knows what’s in store this year and how the pandemic will effect the league, now operating outside of what seemed like the perfect bubble in Orlando last year, in the future of this upcoming season. Up next for the Rockets, they face one of the best teams out East to start the season, in the Indiana Pacers. As for Monday’s game, it was a frustrating loss. The Boogie ejection spiraled things out of control in a night that never seemed destined to be in Houston’s control. The Rockets got a painful reminder from Mr. Hardaway Jr. that Dallas boasts more weapons than just Luka Doncic. Houston simply can’t forget about that.

Rockets Greet Mavs in Season’s First Duel

Texas-Sized Showdown.    Imperfect Imitation.    I-45 Revived.    

“From the moment I slapped eyes on this hombre, I smelled trouble,” a line from the 90’s Western film, Maverick. And as the Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, I smell trouble coming to town. Trouble in the form of Luka Doncic, the Mavs third-year superstar sensation, and preseason pick to win league MVP. Doncic, along with James Harden, both missed their previous games due to injuries. But both will be back on the court tonight, and Luka has flourished against Houston since entering the league. Dallas lost their last game, and sits at a disappointing 2-4 in the standings. Don’t let the record fool you, these Mavs are for real, and with Doncic running the show, can beat anyone on any night. The Rockets have to be prepared for a desperate Dallas team, eagerly seeking to improve their early-season woes. Houston is coming off back-to-back home victories over the Sacramento Kings. Tonight marks only the second time Houston’s Big Three (James Harden, John Wall, and Christian Wood) all suit up for the Rockets. Wall and Wood have been sensational, if Harden joins the party, Houston should handle any problems the Mavs throw their way. But don’t expect tonight’s game to be easy by any means.

Dallas is coming off a disappointing loss to the Chicago Bulls last night. Houston has more rest, home-court advantage, and more talent and depth. The Rockets should win if they can match the Mavs sense of urgency. Dallas has had one of the toughest schedules so far, already falling to the Lakers, Clippers, and Heat earlier this season. The Mavs are still without their second-best player, Kristaps Porzingis, aka “The Unicorn.” Regardless, Luka is deadly enough at controlling the game to be able to will his team to victory by himself. Hopefully, the Tatewagon lineup can give Houston’s second-unit the needed energy to take advantage of the game when the stars aren’t on the floor. Speaking of stars, the guy Luka Doncic has gotten compared to most often is James Harden. Luka boasts a deadly step-back from the perimeter and the poise of a 15-year veteran in only his third season at the age of 21. Still, at least at this moment in time, Harden is the better player, and should roast Doncic on the offensive end. The Rockets will need to communicate on defense and switch effectively to keep Luka from having one of those “Lukamania”nights, where he shows why he’s favored to be the MVP this season.

Despite not even being close to playoff time, tonight’s matchup is a Texas-sized showdown as the I-45 rivalry gets back under way between these long-time enemies. The Beard and Luka will both be looking to put on a show. And don’t think John Wall or Christian Wood are going to shy away from the action, as the new Rockets-duo will attempt to continue their hot start to the season. Houston Coach Stephen Silas was an assistant for Dallas last season, and worked diligently with Doncic. We’ll see if Silas’ knowledge of Luka’s game benefits the Rockets on Monday night. It’s been an odd start to the season in the NBA overall. The highly-touted Denver Nuggets started 1-4, and the Phoenix Suns were atop the West for awhile. The Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks (teams with opposite expectations) have the same record after six games. The offseason was the shortest in NBA history for some, the longest for the teams that didn’t play in the Orlando Bubble last season. So, it’s no surprise it’s been a stranger start to the season than usual. And with all signs pointing to a Houston victory tonight at home, Dallas is due for an inspiring victory. Luka always seems to play great against the Rockets. I hope I’m wrong, and Harden’s return, along with the continued rise of Wall and Wood, push Houston past the Mavs, en route to a third straight Rockets victory. But I have to be honest… I smell trouble. 

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Dallas Mavericks (2-4):  White

Houston Rockets (2-2):  Black

 

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

Wall, Wood, Help Rockets Banish Kings, 102-94, as Houston Sweeps Two-Game Series

Sudden Impact.    Most Improved Player.    Second Half Lockup.

“You’re a legend in your own mind,” Clint Eastwood says in the classic film from the Dirty Harry series, Sudden Impact. John Wall was trying to tell us he was back to playing at a level only legends can imagine. He said he felt better than he’s ever felt. Questions arose about whether the injury-riddled Wall would be able to stay healthy, if he had lost his explosiveness. On Saturday night, John Wall put those questions to rest, and led the Rockets with 28 points and 6 assists, en route to a 102-94 Houston victory over Sacramento. An injury could always happen at any time, but for now, John Wall looks like an All-Star in his prime. he’s only 30 years old, and still has a few years left to potentially play at a superstar-level. His defense and scrappiness looked as good as it’s ever been. Maybe I didn’t watch enough of his games in Washington, but the Rockets are getting a sleeker, stronger, hungrier version of John Wall. He became the first player since Michael Jordan to score 50 or more points in his first two games back after not playing for over two years. If Wall keeps up this level of play, the Rockets will be a title contender at full-strength. James Harden was a late scratch Saturday, after he rolled at the end of Thursday night’s game. It’s nothing serious, but the Beard is questionable for Monday’s game against Dallas.

As for Saturday night’s game, the Kings kept it close, but the Rockets stifling second-half defense shut down Sac-Town’s hopes of winning one of their two games in Houston. Wall and the Rockets allowed the Kings to score 36 points in the first quarter, and 64 points at halftime. But Houston buckled down after the break, and only allowed 30 points in the second half. Christian Wood continues to be a revelation. Wood had 20 points, grabbed a monstrous 15 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots, dominating the paint for the Rockets. Wood is the early front-runner for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. And if he keeps playing at this level, Wood could even get an All-Star nod. Eric Gordon had 21 points in his second game back, and provided Houston with a secondary ball-handler behind Wall who attacked the basket and created shots for others. Splash Gordon, inconsistent as a Rocket, has looked good out of the gates so far this season. Hopefully EG consistently plays at this level, back to when he was considered an All-Star caliber player. Gordon did have a 50-point game last year. This man can play, but with EG, it’s all about his consistency. And getting the late notice he would be starting (in place of Harden), didn’t effect his play he brings as the Rockets ultimate Sixth Man. Sterling Brown got the most minutes off the bench for Houston on Saturday, and has shown he’s a natural three-point shooter. Brown scored 11 points, on 3-of-5 shooting from downtown. In addition to Jae’Sean Tate, and David Nwaba, Brown is another excellent new addition of the Rockets bench that provides Houston with depth most teams in the league can’t fathom.

Before the game, the Beard took part in an early shoot-around, but the ankle was bothering him, so Harden decided to sit Saturday night out. The Rockets can’t afford an injury to their best player, and Harden wants to be able to play. Now whether thats to continue to lead this Rockets team to the highest goal possible, or to show his value on the court exceeds anything he does off it, fulfilling his past wishes to be traded elsewhere. We should know soon enough. Harden has been as good as Houston could have hoped to start the season, and the new additions are showing this Rockets team is for real, with or without Harden. Houston’s a surefire playoff team in the West regardless. John Wall showed that last night, as long as he’s around, this Rockets team will make the playoffs. It’s Harden’s mindset to buy-in that will determine whether Houston is just playoff fodder, or serious contenders for the title. With a smooth rookie coach in Stephen Silas, who should be getting Coach of the Year recognition for handling all the drama in Houston with such subtle panache, the Rockets are in position to put all the pieces together. Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the franchise since being hired, Silas has implemented a system that caters to a bunch of guys who haven’t played together. Last night, they showed they’re still a dangerous team with their best player on the bench. If Harden can come back to a Houston-State-of-Mind, and embrace this newfound opportunity, similar to the way Wall and Wood have taken the reigns of their roles, the Rockets are going to be a problem for the rest of their league. Hopefully in the Beard’s mind, Houston’s legend finally realizes this is his best shot at winning at a title. With this team, in this city. The Rockets’ newest point-guard isn’t on James Harden’s level in terms of career accomplishments, but John Wall is back to playing his game, plus… he’s always been a legend in his own mind.

Run It Back: Rockets, Kings, Square-Off Again in H-Town

Part Two.    Back At It.    Deja Vu.    

After the Rockets beat the Kings on New Year’s Eve, Houston and Sac-Town tussle for the second-straight time at Toyota Center on Saturday afternoon. The Rockets will try and make it two straight victories, over the same team, in the same building. Part One was close, nail-biting down the stretch, and don’t expect much difference in Part Two. James Harden and John Wall are still learning tom play with each other, and Christian Wood, along with DeMarcus Cousins, is finding his spot in the offense. Ja’Sean Tate’s energy has been infectious throughout Houston’s first trio of games. The Rockets need to continue to feed off Tate’s energy as a unit, and burst out of the gates and give Houston a chance to build a lead.

The Kings will be without their stud rookie, Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a hard fall on Thursday night, but everyone else will be back on the court for Sacramento. Houston has to do a better job of guarding Buddy Hield on the perimeter, and stopping De’Aaron Fox’s penetration inside. It’s easier said than done, but those are the Kings’ two most lethal players. If the Rockets can contain Fox and Hield, Houston should be able to make it two victories in a row on Saturday. 

James Harden and company are back to what they’re most familiar with in the regular season, winning. The squad will hope for some deja vu on Saturday afternoon, expect a game that’s not as close down the stretch. After a hellish 2020 (especially for Houston), it would be nice to start 2021 with a victory. Houston has the healthier roster, is a more talented team, and is once again playing at home. There’s no reason the Rockets should lose this game, unless Houston doesn’t bring the required level of energy for a professional basketball game. And we’ve seen that many times in the past, with the Rockets playing down to their competition, just not with this unit. Let’s pray Houston keeps it up, and take down in the Kings in more dominant fashion, for their second-straight time in Saturday afternoon’s matinee affair.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (3-2):  White

Houston Rockets (1-2):  Red

 

TV:  4 PM CT  –  NBATV,  AT&T Sportnet SW

Rockets Knock Off Kings, 122-119, For Season’s First Win

Final Swing.    Best Trio?    The Closer.

After a tightly contested contest, the Rockets finally got their first win of the season, 122-119, over the Kings to close the calendar year. Houston trailed by 5 points with around 5 minutes to go in the game, but Harden, who scored 16 of his 33 in the final quarter, couldn’t be stopped, and helped the Rockets gain the final swing of momentum late in the game with some clutch free throws. John Wall looked terrific in his debut, scoring 22 points, dishing out 9 assists, to go along with 6 boards. DeMarcus Cousins was solid in limited playing time. Boogie saw 14 minutes of action, registering 8 points and 3 rebounds. Eric Gordon had 17 points on 50% shooting in his first game of the year. And the Christian Wood coming out party continued. Wood had another double-double for the Rockets, finishing with 21 points and 12 boards, as he continues to be the early season favorite for the Most Improved Player in the NBA.

Sacramento stayed with Houston the entire contest, and they nearly had four different players reach the 20-point mark. The Kings had contributions from the usual suspects Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox, but also got solid contributions from Harrison Barnes, and Richaun Holmes was a beast in the paint, grabbing 13 boards for Sac-Town. However it was too much Harden in the end for the Kings, and he showed once again why his value is sky high in this league. The Beard scored or assisted on 16 of Houston’s final 18 points. Despite their record, the Rockets can make an early case for having the league’s best trio, in Harden, Wall, and Wood. If these three guys keep playing at their respective levels, the sky’s the limit for Houston’s potential.

This game was so close, Sacramento decided to stick around town, and give it another try. These two clubs will be back at it for a Saturday afternoon affair. The Rockets will be looking to deal the Kings another loss over the weekend. Hopefully the group stays focused throughout the New Year’s Holiday, and comes prepared to send Sacramento home empty-handed on Saturday. The Kings will be seeking revenge for their New Year’s Eve loss. If the Rockets can keep the turnovers down, and control the paint, they should be able to take down Sacramento over the weekend. Regardless, I have a feeling it’s going to be a tight contest.

Rockets Return to Houston, Host Kings in Home Opener

A King’s Welcome.    Rearview Mirror.    The Kentucky Debut.

Home. Whether it’s a physical place, a feeling, or a state-of-mind, we all know what home means. “There’s no place like home,” the well-known sentiment Dorothy states in The Wizard of Oz has been echoed countless times since the film debuted decades ago. You’ve heard it somewhere. And now.. finally, the Rockets return home to Toyota Center for their home opener to face a young, upstart Sacramento Kings squad. Houston lost its first two games, on the road in Portland and Denver, so the squad will be looking for a welcome homecoming to get back on track. The Kings are 3-1, with two victories over Denver, the team the Rockets lost to in their last game. Is this the season Sacramento breaks into the playoff fold out West? We’ll see, but to start, Sac-Town looks as good as they’ve had in years.

Houston’s own king, James Harden, returns home, that is, if Houston is still the place he wants to call home, along with his Rockets teammates on New Year’s Eve. And tonight, the Beard will have more help than he did in the first two games. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will make their much-anticipated debuts in Houston on Thursday. The Kentucky duo are both coming off lengthy injuries (Especially John Wall, who hasn’t played a regular season game in over two years), but they looked very promising in the pre-season. Wall looks to have regained his quick first step that allows him to easily slip by defenders. And “Boogie” Cousins looked versatile, being able to play in the post, as well as knock down the Rockets patented three-point bucket. Hopefully, with these two All-Stars in the fold, Houston can start piling on the wins, and maybe, just maybe, convince Harden to stay home, in Houston, where he belongs.

Sacramento and Houston have some eerily similar ties. The Rockets’ Ben McLemore was drafted by the Kings, but he never found his niche in Sacramento before finding a home in Houston. DeMarcus Cousins was also drafted by the Kings, where he averaged over 20 points and 10 boards for six and-a-half seasons, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier big men. Sacramento’s GM, Monte Morris, worked for the Rockets the previous 13 years, and the King’s best player De’Aaron Fox, is from the Houston area. Not that any of this matters, but expect Fox to have an efficient and stellar game returning to his hometown, and look for Cousins to have a strong debut for the Rockets, as players love battling their former teams.

Tonight’s home opener is the first of two games in a row at home vs. Sacramento at this early stage in the season. With Houston dropping their first two games, and the Dallas Mavericks set to come to town after the Kings leave, the Rockets need to win tonight to gain some confidence. Especially considering they have nearly a full-roster, and a clean bill of health. There’s no excuses for losing tonight. Starting tonight, and for the foreseeable future (until something that requires a change happens), will be Wall, Harden, House, Tucker, and Christian Wood. It will be interesting to see how Cousins, a starter for the majority of his career, takes to coming off the bench. It sounds like he won’t have any problems with this situation. Sure, Houston hasn’t played together, this group in particular hasn’t played together much at all. But the Rockets are too talented, with three former All-Stars on their team, to get beat by a Kings team with zero All-Stars. If Houston follows Ja’Sean Tate and P.J. Tucker’s lead, and play with that level of ferocious energy and intensity, the Rockets should win tonight. But who knows what to expect with this new Rockets group. One thing for sure is, it’s good to be back in Houston… there’s no place like home.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (3-1):  Black

Houston Rockets (0-2):  Blue “City Edition”

 

TV:  6 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Denver Demolition:  Nuggets Blast Rockets, 124-111, as Houston Closes Rocky Road Trip

House Problems.    Secret Shuffler.     Dangerous Allegory.

They keep coming. No, not the losses. Those, too, as Houston dropped their second straight to start the season. But the trade rumors. Despite Harden looking spectacular with his new teammates, rumors continue to swirl, the latest from Golden State, the last jersey I’d ever think I’d see Harden wear. This is something Houston’s gonna have to deal with the entire season. Until Harden says verbally, he’s committed to staying in Houston, the narrative dictates this is his last dance as a Rocket. Something just doesn’t feel right. Harden’s playing too well, gelling too easily with Christian Wood. It just seems too good to be true. Getting blown out in Denver tells us nothing into the mysterious mind of the Beard.

The loss wasn’t surprising, as they were short-handed once again. The final score lies. This game wasn’t nearly that close. Denver controlled the entire contest after going on a 14-0 run after the Rockets saw their final lead, 26-22, vanquish in the first quarter. Not terrible, 0-2 in a parity-ridden league at the moment, against two worthy opponents on the road. James Harden was spectacular once again, but didn’t have enough help for Houston to keep it close. The Beard finished with 34 points on efficient shooting once again, along with 8 dimes and 6 boards. Christian Wood had 23, including 14 first quarter points, but was outmuscled by Denver’s Nikola Jokic inside all evening. David Nwaba and Sterling Brown were the only other Rockets scoring in double-figures. Once Jamal Murray caught fire for the Nuggets, all hope flew out the window for Houston. Nikola Jokic was too much for Wood and the Rockets. The Nuggets All-Star Center had another triple-double, finishing with 19 points, an astonishing 18 assists, and 12 rebounds. The Rockets have to hope a return trip home, where they play 6 of their next 7 games in Houston, will bring positive vibes and victories in the standings.

However, there’s House problems in Houston. Danuel House Jr. has been in a funk to start the season, and it seems to be something mental. He just seems to be out of it, and can’t find the rim to save his life. In good news, the Rockets get John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Gordon back for their home opener on Thursday. So expect House to see less court time, and maybe more time to get his head straight. The Rockets next game comes against the Sacramento Kings, a team who’s already beaten this Denver team twice. The Kings are 3-1, and boast a young, improving core on the cusp of breaking into playoff contention. Hopefully, a full-roster will help Houston slow Sacramento’s speedy-start to the season.

Another issue  continues brewing in Houston. Maybe it’s just me. But, Daryl Morey was officially fined by the NBA for “tampering” a few days ago, after he tweeted a one-year anniversary commemorating the day Harden passed Calvin Murphy on the NBA’s list of career assist leaders. There’s no secret, Morey and Harden are very close. It was Morey who brought Harden to Houston, and gave him the keys to the mansion he has now: the luxury of superstardom. Morey let Harden do whatever he pleased and caved at his every plea. Don’t be surprised if the Beard does get traded, it’s to the Sixers, where his former GM sits, right now, plotting ways to get Harden. it’s only a matter of time. Christian Wood isn’t the player Philly’s Joel Embiid is, but he’s another big. And if Wood is a way of seeing how Harden can fare with a true lengthy center, then this is pure torture. The Rockets would likely get a package with the “prized” piece being the overrated Ben Simmons. Hopefully, none of this comes to fruition, but I’ve followed Morey, aka “Shufflin’ D” and Harden for a decade. There’s too many signals, hidden allegories, and strange signs that shows something doesn’t add up. Something’s on the horizon. All those three point shooters Morey got in Philly, those are merely test-shooters for the Beard. Morey and Harden, two innovators of the game. This is their story. Rockets fans are just the victims. I hope I’m wrong. Regardless, those rumors… they’ll keep coming.