Category: Uncategorized

Victory Pains:  Rockets Top Pelicans, 122-116, As a Familiar Bug Returns

Dents in the Machine.    The Case for 2.    Late to the Party.

“You can change what you do, but you can’t change what you want” proclaims Tommy Shelby, in Peaky Blinders, one of Netflix’s best offerings. Despite bumping their winning streak to four games, the Rockets are going to have to change what they like to do… if they still want a legit chance at the title. Houston escaped the Big Easy with a win over the Pelicans, 122-116, on Monday night. James Harden had 19 of his 39 points in the final quarter. Clint Capela continued his domination on the glass with 20 rebounds. Westbrook put on the best mid-range show from a Rocket since… I can’t remember. As a result, the Rockets won their fourth consecutive game, and improved to 5-0 against the West (albeit against non-playoff teams). Although, this victory came at a high price. Danuel House Jr. took a hard fall on his back late in the first half. House didn’t play in the second half. Tuesday, news broke that the Houstonian has a back contusion. House has no timetable yet for a return, and will miss at least the the next game. More bad news came later in the day. After having his best game of the season, with 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting, Eric Gordon is due to have knee surgery. Houston’s sixth man, who finally seemed to find his groove during Monday night’s win, will miss the next six weeks of the season.

Hence, the injury bug is officially back in Houston. This is nothing new for the Rockets. Time and time again, Houston has dealt with losses to key players, especially durning the Harden-P.J. Era (the last two seasons). Only ten games into this season, and the injury bug is buzzing around for a new year of pestering. House was in the midst of a breakout season for Houston, with his name even in contention for the NBA’s Most Improved Player. Gordon, after having the worst start to a season in his career, finally appeared to shake out of his funk on Monday night. House and Gordon are huge losses for the Rockets. Both are a heavy-minute players in Coach Mike D’Antoni’s rotation. House had been the most consistent Rocket, and Splash Gordon was molding back into the guy who’s won the NBA Sixth Man Award (at least in the latest game). Guys like Ben McLemore and Thabo Sefolosha will receive more playing time due to the injuries to House and Gordon. They’ll be seeing the most increase in minutes, but each Rocket needs to bring more to the table.

Fortunately for Houston, Harden and Westbrook had their best collective shooting game of the season in New Orleans. The superstar duo continues to make progress with each game. In Monday’s win, the Beard and Brodie collectively shot 24-for-46 from the floor. That’s an astounding 52.2%. If Harden and Westbrook keep that up, the rest of the league’s in trouble. However, it was the shot selection in this game that made all the difference. The Beard shoots more three’s than anyone in the NBA. Harden’s not going to stop shooting from long range, and neither are the Rockets. However, a serious case needs to be made for the old-fashioned 2-point field goal. As witnessed in the Big Easy, the trigger-happy Beard needs to step-back a little less, and drive a little more. If Houston can follow suit as a team, the differences in potential game outcomes will be astounding.

Let’s look at Monday’s win for instance. Harden finished with 39 points, on 13-for-25 shooting. Westbrook went 11-of-21 from the floor, for 26 points. Taking a closer peek at the shot selection reveals why Houston won the game. The Beard and Brodie were horrendous from 3-point land. Combined, they shot a dismal 4-for-19 (21%) from deep, resulting in only 12 points. However, Harden and Westbrook were unstoppable when they refused to settle for three. The star backcourt duo shot an astounding 20-for-27 from inside the arc. That’s equivalent to 74%. NBA players don’t even shoot free throws with such ease. I don’t know if Harden finally realized he needs to drive the ball more, but the Beard attempted more shots from inside the arc than beyond (14 to 11). That almost never happens in this day-and-age for for Harden. The Beard has patented his style of play around his step-back three. He loves to shoot from downtown as much as anyone in the NBA. If Harden truly wants a championship, he needs to change what he likes to do most: isolate and step-back from three (as open driving lanes scream at him from the paint). The Beard needs to listen to these lanes, and drive it more to the hoop, as seen in the Rockets latest win. Hopefully, Harden’s learned how tweaking elements of his game vastly improves Houston’s chances of winning games. Ironically, just as the injury bug arrives, the schedule happens to get tougher over the next few weeks. Beginning with a potential preview of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday night, as the Clippers come to town for the biggest game of the young season. The Rockets need Monday night’s version of the Beard to avoid falling in the West standings. The playoffs are in the distant future… but Harden will need to play drive-style of ball in the postseason for Houston to win it all.

The Beard was late to the party on Monday night in New Orleans. Harden scored 28 of his 39 points in the second half, including 19 in the final frame. Houston’s schedule toughens over the next few weeks. Harden can’t afford to show up late to party as playoff-caliber competition approaches. The squad needs MVP-caliber Beard for four quarters a night, especially with the newfound injuries. Speaking of MVPs, Harden passed Michael Jordan on Monday for the most points scored over the first 10 games of a season in NBA-history. After leading the league in scoring the past two seasons, the Beard is the NBA’s scoring leader once again this season, averaging 37.3 points a game. We all know he can score. Harden seems to pass a Jordan scoring record every month. Harden has to realize what’s best for the Rockets as a team. It might require less step-back threes. More drives to the basket to open up shooters. More easy layups. Some necessary change to the way they usually operate. But if the Beard and the Rockets want to win a championship in this era… it’s time to change the way they do things… just a little bit. Who knows… maybe they’ll be rewarded with what they want most: a championship.

Rockets Aiming for a Smooth Win in New Orleans

No Rest Test.    Weekly Player.    Big Easy Birds.

Houston hits the Big Easy to face their divisional rival, the New Orleans Pelicans, on Monday night. New Orleans has struggled this season, starting 2-7. The Rockets narrowly beat the Pelicans in the second game earlier this season, back in Houston. Records don’t matter in this one. New Orleans is much better than their record. If the Rockets overlook the Pelicans, the result won’t be pretty. Houston has a busy week ahead. Tonight’s game is the first of four in six nights. The Rockets won’t get much rest, but still need to double down on their defensive effort, if they want to go at least 3-1 during this span. Otherwise, Houston’s looking at 2-2, optimistically.

James Harden is coming off Player of the Week honors, after he led the Rockets to a 3-0 record last week. The Beard is putting up insane numbers yet again this season. Last week, Harden averaged roughly 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. He started the year struggling with his shot, but the Beard looks better than ever, primed for another MVP-caliber season. His ability to mesh well with Russell Westbrook, has only opened up more opportunities for the Beard himself. Harden looks to keep it rolling, and lead the Rockets through a busy week. Harden doesn’t play the load management game. He’s licking his chops at this week. Especially with the Clippers next on the slate. For now, Houston has to focus on the Pelicans, and get the win in New Orleans.

A date with the Los Angeles Clippers looming this Wednesday back in Houston poses possible problems for tonight’s game. The Rockets can’t afford to over look the Pelicans. Despite the shooting struggles and desire to play no defense early on, 7-3 would be respectable start to the season for the Rockets. They currently sit tied for third in the jammed Western Conference standings. Only a game out of first, Houston needs to seize the opportunity at hand. The bottom line is the Pelicans aren’t on the same talent, experience, or basketball IQ level as the Rockets. Not an insult, just a fact. Houston needs to prove this by continuing the trend of the previous two games: Blowout W’s. It won’t be easy tonight. New Orleans is better than Chicago and Golden State, Houston’s blowout victims this season. It’s time the Rockets add another to that list: New Orleans. Expect Harden to keep it rolling, and the Rockets to win tonight. A blowout is feasible, but look for contested close game. These are divisional rivals, and Houston’s had letdowns this season. But that was the past. They’re learned from their stakes. Blowout or nail-biter, Houston’s smart enough to execute a victory over the Big Easy Birds. A loss? That would be an insult.

 

Smoothie King Center:  New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (6-3):  Black

New Orleans Pelicans (2-7):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Outgun, Run Bulls Out of The Chi, 117-94

Return of the Swiss.    House Steals the Show.    Appreciation.

“The world is perfect. Appreciate the details,” observes Dean in the 2019 film The Dead Don’t Die. Something that hasn’t died in the NBA is James Harden’s ability to score. At will. On Saturday night, the Beard dropped 42, and casually drank Chicago’s milkshake. In the process, the Rockets blasted the Bulls for a 117-94 victory at United Center. Harden finished one assist shy of a triple-double,  and went a solid 9-for-19 from downtown. It wasn’t his season high, but the Beard put on quite a show with a 42-10-9 performance on Saturday night. Russell Westbrook continues to mesh well with Harden. Brodie finished with 26 points and 7 boards, on 50% shooting. After a dominant performance against Golden State in the previous game, Clint Capela looks like he’s back in All-Star form. The Big Swiss dominated the paint in Chicago. Capela had 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 blocks in his best showing of the season. With Eric Gordon still stuck in some sort of Sunken Place, Capela’s resurgence is needed for the Rockets to keep moving up in the West.

Houston now has a season-high 3-game winning streak. Much due to the improved effort on defense. It’s visibly noticeable the squad’s playing harder. Hopefully they got the message. Or, maybe they were out of shape, like Coach D’Antoni had said. Or maybe they just followed House’s lead. Danuel House has thrived as the best role player in the entire league this season. From his defense to his overall efficiency, House is thriving with the Rockets starting unit. In his first full season as a Rocket, House is bringing infectious defensive energy to the floor. Danuel had a career-high six steals, and those weren’t forced errors by the opposition. House forced those steals with his relentless effort. It seems like he’s everywhere on D, and his teammates are starting to follow his lead. During their current 3-game winning streak, Houston is 3rd in defensive efficiency, behind only the Lakers and Nuggets. The Rockets still haven’t played anyone decent since Opening Night. The season story remains a long way from being written, but for now, Houston’s moving in the right direction.

The NBA world’s not perfect. It never will be… it’s not supposed to be. And neither are the Houston Rockets. Although seeing though their imperfections, this year is shaping up to be special. In a league full of parity and new teammates, Houston’s core has been together longer than any contender. And the Rockets added an MVP in the offseason… who has fit seamlessly. The Beard and Brodie have gelled better than most expected. Westbrook has no problem playing Robin to Harden’s Batman. It gives the Rockets two true MVP’s in their primes… fighting towards the same goal that’s eluded them their entire careers: a championship. In their own House, Houston has the league’s best role player, a selfless, gritty hustler who’s efficiency is tops on the team. At 34, P.J. Tucker still plays harder than most 24 year-olds. Clint Capela is set to burst out of his early season funk, and return to All-Star form. Ben McLemore has been a more-than-pleasant surprise addition. And James Harden is 30 years old this season. A generational player in the prime of his prime. Still etching his groundbreaking style of play into NBA lore. Continuing to improve when it seems he’s already touching the sky. Don’t take it for granted. Harden’s durability, despite all the fouls he welcomes. His hatred for load management. Never missing a game. Playing every night for the love of the game. And those step-back threes, with the lull-you-to-sleep footwork… Appreciate the details.

Rockets Set to Outrun Bulls in the Windy City

Built to Outrun.    45-Piece.    Passing Batman and Robin.

After Houston’s previous win over Golden State, James Harden finished with the most points through 8 games to start a season since… the Michael Jordan, in 1988-1989. Saturday night, the Rockets head to the House Michael Built to face the Bulls, pitting them against a team they were built to outrun. Houston leads the league in pace of play. Chicago has been burned by fast teams all season. Eric Gordon is returns tonight for the Rockets. There’s no reason Houston shouldn’t win easily Saturday night. Obviously, if they come out with no energy and have a performance like the Miami Disaster, anything could happen. I think the Rockets have learned their lesson. Entering tonight’s contest, Houston had 2 days off in a row for the first time all season. It’s given the team needed time to work on their defensive schemes, and hopefully reassess their effort as a group. Eric Gordon and anyone else feeling banged up had to time to heal. Look for a Rockets taming of the young inexperienced Bulls tonight.

What’s seemingly become a nightly possibility, James Harden breaking records, could happen again tonight. Ironically, Harden has a chance to pass two Bulls legends on Saturday night, while playing in Chicago. It’s not a big game. The Rockets are heavily favored, even with a letdown (especially on the road) possibly lurking. The stage doesn’t matter for Harden. He loves to hoop. You won’t see Harden taking a game off for “load management.” Not anytime soon. He even scoffed at the idea earlier this week. Hopefully, the extra day off gave the Beard time to find his shooting rhythm. If the Beard can muster a 45-piece tonight, he’ll pass Jordan for most points in NBA history through 9 games to start a season. 45’s also the number Jordan wore when he came back from retirement. It’d be only fitting to see the Beard drop 45 points, in rhythm with his jumper again. Harden is 22 points away from passing Scottie Pippen on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list. A feat that probably will happen tonight. I wouldn’t bet against the 45-Piece. Comparable to 25 points for the average player, Harden is more than capable of dropping 45 on a weak Bulls team.

Houston’s had two days off. Hopefully, they’ve used the extra time to focus on approaching games with more energy. Schedule gods have been kind to the Rockets early in the season, Houston’s only played two teams with a winning record. However, they’ve lost to both teams (Bucks and Heat). The Rockets two road wins have come by single digits, over the Wizards and Grizzlies. Two bottom feeders for their respective conferences. Houston should tame the Bulls easily tonight. Chicago is another one of the worst teams the league has to offer in today’s NBA. In the NBA of the 90’s, the Bulls were the most dominant team of the decade, winning six championships. The reason: the most feared duo in NBA history: Scottie Pippen played Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman… perfectly (that famous Laker duo, Kobe and Shaq, both wanted to be Batman). Chicago started that whole duo trend which is now all the craze in the league today: find a superstar… and team up. Except Jordan and Pippen were both drafted by the Bulls. Two superstars drafted by the same organization, playing together in their primes. Talk about rare. It resulted in six titles in eight years for the city of Chicago. That’s rare. Tonight, Harden has a chance to pass Batman and Robin with another heavy scoring night. More importantly, Houston needs to show the effort on defense from the opening tip. Otto Porter Jr., Chicago’s best three-point shooter is out with an injury tonight. Expect Lauri Markannen to be a pest in the paint against Houston tonight. The young big man can beat his man from inside and out. Chiacgo’s young stud Zach Lavine will look to drive much of the night. Houston needs to be set for his attacks on the rim. A big night from the Bulls’ young up-and-coming All-Stars is the best Chicago has for an upset. Otherwise, the Rockets should blast off against this young Bulls team. Houston needs to show maturity, put away Chicago’s hopes early, and afterwards… they can admire a 45-Piece from… the James Harden.

 

United Center:  Chicago, Illinois

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (5-3):  Black

Chicago Bulls (3-6):  Red

 

TV:  7 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW

Rockets Blow By Weakened Warriors for Balanced 129-112 Victory

Cruise Control.    Sort-of-Revenge.    Bad Habits at Bay.

Finally, the road to winning a game as expected happened for Houston. The Rockets got off to a slow start but broke loose in the second quarter, and hammered Golden State, 129-112, on Wednesday night. James Harden had 36 points and 13 assists to pace Houston. Alec Burks had 28 to lead the Warriors, but they just didn’t have enough talent to keep up with Harden and company. Golden State’s playoff chances look dim, especially after the recent injuries to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. With Klay Thomspson expected out for the season, the Warriors have a mountain to climb if they want to return to the playoffs. After a contested start, the Rockets kept the lead on cruise control in the second half. It was the first time all season they didn’t have to sweat out the victory. Houston had their most balanced game of the season as they try and make a push up the crowded Western Conference standings. Russell Westbrook returned from load management with 18 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists. P.J. Tucker had his season high, notching 22 points, on 9 for-22 shooting. Danuel House Jr. continues to thrive in the energy and efficiency departments. The hometown product was the usual pest for the opposition on defense. House also finished with 17 points, and went 4-for-5 from deep as he continues to thrive from downtown. And Clint Capela finally had a night where he looked like a return to form could be on the horizon. Houston’s big man dropped 19 points, grabbed 16 boards, and blocked 6 shots in his best game of the season. Capela has struggled mightily this year. Hopefully, this result will get him back on track to achieving potential All-Star worthy performances on a nightly basis.

All of these stats are somewhat meaningless because Golden State is one of the worst teams in the league this year. Nonetheless, it’s a sign the Rockets are moving in the right direction. Houston needs to repeat these balanced efforts against winning teams to prove they’re amongst the NBA’s elite. Despite the Warriors’ superstars missing the game with injuries, the Rockets some sort of revenge. Beating a team that has been the ire of their dreams for 5 years. Having your season fall short to the same franchise 4 out of 5 years. Something that’s always going to sting, no matter who’s donning the jerseys for Golden State’s franchise. The Beard managed trolled the Warriors in a subtle manner after the game. He responded to a reporter with the remark, “Hopefully Klay, KD, & Steph get back soon.” Acting like he doesn’t know Durant is in Brooklyn, the jab was funny. Harden knows all too well, like the rest of us, that Durant is a Net. The Beard also knows the Warriors won’t be good for a very long time.  His remark was a way of saying “hopefully all those superstars will get back healthy, because that’s the only way Golden State can be a contender.” And Harden happens to be right. The Rockets need to use their defeats, like past crushing ones at the hands of the Warriors, as motivation. They need to channel this energy and balance of play all nights. It can’t just be when you’re beating up on an old rival. This blowout was just one regular season victory, but Houston needs to keep tallying up wins in a Western Conference thats more competitive than ever. The contests against the league’s best will truly show everyone what the Rockets are made of. Unfortunately, they’ve only played one elite team, Milwaukee, and that was on opening night. Houston got crushed by Miami, who is competitive, but they don’t have a chance at the East crown, which is a possibility for the Bucks. The Rockets just need to keep on rolling until the Clippers come to town next week for an early-season Conference showdown.

Houston won’t play at home again until next Wednesday. They travel to Chicago on Saturday to face the Bulls. It’s another very winnable game for the Rockets. But they’ve got to keep bad habits at bay. Houston hasn’t been nearly as good away from home as they have at the Toyota Center. Starting with a win over the Bulls on Saturday, the Rockets can start to put bad habits to bed. Houston’s next two contests are on the road against inferior opponents (Chicago, New Orleans). If the Rockets play like they did in Wednesday’s beatdown, they should win both of these games. Houston needs to get off to hot start. It sounds simple but it’s easier said than done. Unlike against Golden State, there won’t be any added motivation to inspire the Rockets to be the aggressor early, in order to avoid close, nail-biting victories. Houston has to drive themselves to win these games over inferior competition. The squad’s capable of intensity of the highest-order professionally. Guys like P.J. Tucker, Danuel House, and Russell Westbrook all built their names on their aggressive nature. There’s no reason the Rockets can’t bring a high level of aggression every night. Houston’s got a team built to play tough. It’s time the Rockets show that intensity away from Toyota Center. Or else it’ll be the same old story on the road.

Rockets and Warriors Meet for First Time Under Vastly Different Circumstances

A Tale of Two Teams.    Rocket Demons.    Golden Opportunity.

They’re finally back. The team Houston was “built” to beat, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. Except this time, these guys will be looking completely different on the court. The balance of power has switched. Bullies no more are the Warriors to the NBA. They’ve fallen to bottom of the pile. Which could be a nasty trick against the Rockets. Houston needs to respect this Golden State squad, as if they weren’t injured, and were the semi-dynastic team of the past. “Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.” A Lion King quote spoken by the wise Mufasa. One the Rockets need to take to heart if they ever want to wear the NBA’s crown. Houston has fallen back into their nasty habit of playing down to their competition. A trait that could eventually prove the Rockets downfall if they cannot start taking each night’s opponent seriously. No matter the talent-level on the other side. James Harden and company had this bad habit last year and it’s carrying over into this season through 7 games. Well, the Rockets have another chance to prove they can turn the page and show improvements on defense and shooting. A foe that used to be a leaping antelope in this league has now been reduced to a crawling ant. One that should be squashed but won’t, if the Rockets enter the game with lazy confusion and disrespect for their opponent. An occurrence that’s happened far too often this season.

A golden opportunity to get on a winning streak awaits Houston as they take on the Golden State Warriors tonight. A statement I never thought I’d say a year ago. How times change so quickly now in the NBA. Golden State’s time as kings of the NBA has ended. The dynasty is over. Last time these two teams met, they were vying for a spot in the Conference Finals. Tonight, will be much different. The new-look Rockets have Russell Westbrook this time around, among other new pieces. And virtually a team full of new faces will be in the lineup for Golden State. Kevin Durant jettisoned to Brooklyn in the offseason. Other core members from the juggernaut that was (Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green) are all out with injuries as well. Thompson’s expected to miss the season. Curry recently broke his hand and will be out for months, and Green will miss at least the next 3 games. Before the season, the Warriors had hopes of making the playoffs. However, these injuries have hampered their expectations for the season. Curry’s broken hand was the final nail in the coffin for Golden State’s playoff hopes.

One would think Houston would enter this game eager to give the Warriors a beatdown, no matter the competition. It’s still the same franchise that ended the Rockets season 4 of the last 5 years. However, Houston’s been dealing with their own “Rocket Demons.” Through 7 games, it’s been a tale of two teams in Houston. The team with the talent to win a championship. Two superstars, hungry veterans, and players who know their role. Fighting against the team that’s too cool for school, and think they can skate through the regular season. It’s a battle the Rockets will deal with all season long, until their performances begs the differ. Houston against their own inner “Rocket Demons.” It’s the most important battle of all for the squad. And one that will ultimately reveal if Houston is up to the task of winning a championship.

Instead of the famous guys, the Warriors starting lineup will consist of a bunch of unknowns in the NBA, in terms of potential. Something along the likes of: Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole, Willie Cauley-Stein, Glenn Robinson III Ky Bowman. The Rockets should beat the brakes off of these guys. But, Golden State still has Steve Kerr, and they’re going to play hard. That’s not a question. The question is will Houston finally respect their competition and play together. Accomplishing this results in a Rockets win by 20. If not, it could be another close win for the Rockets. A loss? That would be downright embarrassing. Houston can’t afford to fall to 4-4, not at the hands of tonight’s opposition. Eric Gordon had his best game of the season on Monday. EG’s still severely struggled on the season, and he’ll be out tonight with a sore hamstring injury. The rest of the Rockets need to find a groove and hope EG can finally look like the Splash Gordon of past when he returns. Danuel House Jr. and Ben McLemore have been exceptional They should see more playing time tonight. And we’ll see if James Harden has a vendetta against the team that’s been the thorn in his side for the past 5 years. The Beard could drop 60 if he wanted. A win, and chemistry is more important. The game shouldn’t even be close enough for Harden to warrant playing enough minutes to score 50. Until Houston proves they can get off to a hot start and hold the lead, Harden will continue to play taxing extra minutes that will wear down his body in the future. 

The Rockets need to start respecting their opposition, no matter the talent level of their opposition. This is a game Houston should win, easily. However, the Rockets have had one of the league’s easiest schedules to start the year, and they’ve failed to seize this opportunity. Every win’s been within 7 points. All coming against teams with losing records. And to be painfully honest… all ugly games they could have easily lost. Houston has yet to sit back, relax, and win comfortably. Something all champions manage to do throughout the season, especially on nights like tonight. It’s time the Rockets exacts some revenge and blow the Warriors out of town. Houston needs to take advantage of the moment given to them tonight. If they can’t… in this season of golden opportunities… they’ll never be king.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Golden State Warriors (2-5):  Yellow

Houston Rockets (4-3):  Red

 

TV:  6:30 PM CT – ESPN, ATT Sportsnet SW

Harden’s 44 Lifts Rockets Past Grizzlies, 107-100

No Bad Wins.    House Key.    Shuffling the Deck.

It won’t be remembered as the best win of the season, but Houston accomplished their mission. And, there’s no such thing as a “bad win” in this NBA full of parity and new rosters. Not when you’re playing against professionals. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but the Rockets did enough to earn the victory over the Grizzlies, 107-100, on Monday night in Memphis. James Harden led the way for Houston with 44 points, 10 boards, and 6 assists. The Beard had his best shooting night of the season from downtown, going 7-for-16. Harden had help along the way. Eric Gordon chipped in with 16 points in his highest-scoring game of the year. The veteran shooting guard continues to struggle finding his shot. EG went 5-for-17 from the floor on Monday night. He provided the highlight play of the game, a ferocious dunk that set the tone for Houston to finish off Memphis in the second half. The Rockets led by only 2 points at the half, 62-60. However, they clamped down on defense in the second half, allowing only 40 points after the break. Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with 23 points on an extremely efficient 10-of-16 shooting. The prized rookie has the potential to be a future superstar in this league. Barring injuries, Morant’s floor is at least an NBA All-Star. His play and attitude was impressive on the court. Most notably his aggressive in attacking the basket. A trait the Rockets need to make more of a habit, instead of settling for so many threes. Houston didn’t shoot poorly from deep, but the weren’t great. The Rockets went 17-for-50 (34%) from long range, a mark that won’t beat the NBA’s elite. As Gordon continues to struggle finding his shot, a few other Rockets have emerged on the scene, worthy of more playing time.

Houston Coach Mike D’Antoni has shuffled the deck with his lineup, and with Westbrook resting on Monday, more Rockets had time to step up. Danuel House continues to be sensational. House had 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks against Memphis. The Houstonian has been the most efficient player on the floor all season for the Rockets. House’s effort and energy are infectious, and hopefully the other Rockets can follow his lead in this department. Despite being benched against Miami to try and give Eric Gordon a spark, House’s attitude and hustled haven’t wavered. He continues to be an aggressive spark for Houston on both ends of the floor, one of the few bright spots for the Rockets in this rough early season. The rest of the roster needs to play with House’s energy and enthusiasm. It’s a key factor that will determine if Houston can reach their potential as title contenders.

Westbrook returns on Wednesday, it will be interesting to see if House or Gordon gets the start. Gordon’s coming off his best game of the season. To be brutally honest, it still wasn’t great, and Gordon is still having one of the worst seasons in the entire league. Maybe Monday’s win was a move in the right direction for Splash Gordon. Houston needs him to get back to his old self. Another bright spot, and the most surprising player of this young season, has been Ben McLemore. Along with House, “Benny Mac” has been absolutely sensational on defense and in the hustle department. McLemore also seems to be the only guy shooting well from downtown besides House. He’s earned more minutes, playing substantially more in November. Last night, Benny Mac played a season-high 30 minutes. He had 12 points on a sub-par shooting-night. Despite their below average shooting nights, House and McLemore make a difference every possession they’re on the floor.  Their energy on defense needs to catch on with the rest of the roster, as the two have helped the Rockets stay afloat during this rough start to the season.

Houston is now 4-3 and heads back home for their next game on Wednesday night. A game against the 5-time defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors. Luckily for the entire NBA, this team has completely shuffled the deck from the Bay Area Dynasty of years past, which is basically entirely injured. The Rockets have no reason to lose on Wednesday night against this depleted Golden State roster. There’s no such thing as a bad win in this league, but a home defeat to the depleted Warriors would certainly qualify as a bad loss. Possibly the worst of the season.

Rockets Try to End the Blues, Visit Memphis for Road Trip Finale

Easing the Grind.    Smelling a 50-Burger.    Cure for a Hangover.

Houston’s road-trip-turned-ugly comes to an end on Monday night Memphis. Where the Rockets hope to end their blues against the Grizzlies. This is the perfect game for Houston to get back on track. This young Memphis squad is the worst team the Rockets have faced all season. They have prized-rookie Ja Morant, but the Grizzlies are in full-rebuilding mode. The days of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol dominating the GrindHouse are gone. Memphis isn’t the threat it once was and Houston needs to take advantage of this opportunity. I get it, the Rockets played yesterday. Tonight is the second of a back-to-back. But, there’s no excuses for Houston losing tonight. It won’t be easy, as the squad has to show they actually care about winning. We get it, they’re cool. But nothing’s cooler than winning. And losing, as we witnessed last night, can be laughably embarrassing. Can they win basketball games when the pressure is on? Tonight’s result will be telling. Even though Russell Westbrook will be resting. James Harden is still playing. And a deep, talented roster itching to show signs of life.

Maybe a visit to the GrindHouse is just what the Beard and company need to grind out of their hangover. With Westbrook out, and no one on Memphis with the capacity to guard Harden… I’m smelling a 50-Burger from the Beard tonight. Houston will need it if Eric Gordon continues to try and build a mansion with brick after brick from downtown. And especially if Clint Capela still can’t catch the ball and continues throwing up hesitant low-percentage layups near the rim, instead of just dunking. Those two need to get their act together. And the rest will follow. However, if Eric Gordon and Clint Capela (both received new contracts in the offseason), don’t start playing like guys with something to lose, the Rockets will continue to lose. A lot.

Monday’s game, despite being the second of a back-to-back, pits the squad against inferior competition. Memphis is 1-4, with a chance to finish last in the West, considering the improvements of the rest of the conference. If Houston can’t show some heart and beat this young Grizzlies team, it’s a terrible sign for the rest of the season. However, I don’t see that happening. If the Rockets lose, it might be time to hit the panic button. Don’t expect Houston to lose tonight. James Harden was born for nights like tonight. And I can smell it approaching… a 50-point night from Harden, one of those efficient 50-Burgers that ends a road-trip in style, and gets a season back on track. A beautiful cure for a hangover.

FedExForum:  Memphis, Tennessee

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (3-3):  White

Memphis Grizzlies (1-4):  Navy Blue

 

TV:  7 PM CT – ATT Sportsnet SW / NBA League Pass

Stun-Burnt: Heat Blaze Past Rockets, 129-100

Drunk at the Beach.    A Missing Swiss and the Splash.    Appropriate Fear.

Houston, we could have a problem. I want to give the Rockets the benefit of the doubt. There is a pattern here. After the disaster that was Sunday afternoon’s “Hangover Delight”, Houston has now lost 9 of the past 11 games they’ve played in South Beach. Miami is known for its nightlife. James Harden is known to like to go out at night. It’s not a good combination, and never has for Houston. The Rockets fell again to the Heat on Sunday, 129-100, in Miami. Except they didn’t fall. They got torched. The 29-point loss is Houston’s worse of the season, and by far one of the most embarrassing games in recent Houston Rockets history. The Beard and crew came out like they were still drunk at the beach. Their defense mimicking people trying to move their feet in sand. Those late-Miami nights take a toll, especially when tip the next day is in the late afternoon. And this 6 PM local start didn’t help Houston. In fact, they never had a chance. The Rockets couldn’t move to help or make a decision off the ball on defense. Their offense was a schizophrenic mess of schemes gone wrong. A wave of basketball so bad, it was almost comical. Houston, too busy to care, rode their own wave of Tequila-infused “rhythm.” I’m not sure what to call it, whatever it was they were doing last night, the Rockets weren’t playing basketball. It was painful to watch. The only bright spot was Chris Clemons. He certainly earned more playing time on Sunday, going up against the Heat’s bright young perimeter players. In his first game, the rookie didn’t disappoint. Clemons had 16 points in his Rockets debut, and appeared to be the only one who stayed at the team hotel on Saturday night. Everyone else just kind of wandered in and out of the game.

The usually trigger-happy Harden, still feeling the effects of Saturday night’s South Beach Rendezvous, was too tired to even get up 15 shots. He didn’t shoot poorly, leading the way for Houston, with 29 points on 6-for-14 from the field. But it doesn’t matter when you face multiple 41 point deficits, and trail by 22 before it’s even halfway through the first quarter. Russell Westbrook had the worst game of his career. His plus/minus of -46 in only 26 minutes isn’t a coincidence. Brodie was frenetic, and looked frustrated as he tried to play the game he loves, while combating a mean Miami hangover. Westbrook managed to get 10 points. No triple-doubles tonight. Clint Capela continues to look weak in the paint. His digression is seriously a major concern for Houston. Capela needs to get it together. The Swiss big man looks unmotivated, and seems to have lost his passion for the game. Those alley-oops that Harden and Capela seemed to do every-other play last season, are now just rare occurrences. Eric Gordon continues to be MIA. Houston is desperately missing what Splash Gordon brings to the table. EG is a difference maker on both ends of the perimeter. Or was. Gordon just has not looked like himself this season. If Splash Gordon and Capela can’t return to their regular selves, Houston has some severe problems. Granted, it’s still only six games into the season. But, how many games do you get to keep using that phrase? I mean, Game number 7 is already here.

Houston travels to Memphis on Monday for the second half of a back-to-back, their first of the season. The Rockets don’t have time to play around in the West like last season. This Western Conference isn’t last years. Sure, the Warriors are worse. Just about everyone else is better. Especially previous bottom-feeders like the Mavs, Wolves, and Suns, who’ve all had promising starts to the NBA season. And then there’s the teams in LA, and Utah, and the Spurs aren’t going anywhere. They’ll be one of the 8 playoff teams. If the Rockets don’t start showing some effort. It’s that simple. Rarely is it the case in the NBA, but Houston just isn’t playing hard at all. They just don’t care, and it’s obvious to anyone who’s watching. It doesn’t matter what anyone says. The Rockets need to make their actions on the court speak louder than their pompous, “assuring” post-game quotes about the future of the season. Because, they said they’d change. And be better. Well, it’s only gotten worse. Slowly, but it’s gotten a lot worse. To the point to where 6 games in, the Rockets need to respond. And starting now. Mike D’Antoni said after the game that his team needs “appropriate fear.” The Rockets have shown no sense-of-urgency at all this season. All of their wins coming in close games. Their competition hasn’t been elite. 76 games remain. If Houston wants to meet the likely Eastern Champion 76ers in the Finals, they need to be afraid. This isn’t the year to start 11-14 like last season. The Rockets need to confront their fears: driving to the basket, settling for less threes… and the utter, dreadful chore of having to actually try to play defense. Otherwise, Houston can have the appropriate level of fear about their playoff chances this season. Making the offseason? Houston might have a problem.

Rockets Set to Tangle with Fire, Meet Young Heat in South Beach

An Early Shock.    Old vs. Young.    Time to Heat Up.

Houston, still in “too cool for school” mode, cruises into South Beach for an early Sunday evening matchup with the Miami Heat. The Rockets hope to get avoid falling an even 3-3 in the standings, hoping to improve to 4-2 on the season. Miami has been one of the early surprises of this young season. The Heat stand at 4-1, and boast arguably the biggest surprise this season: Kendrick Nunn. The undrafted rookie has been sensational so far for Miami this year. He leads all rookies, scoring 22 points a game. Nunn has come out of nowhere to make an early run for Rookie-of-the-Year. The Heat also boast prized rookie Tyler Herro, averaging over 16 points so far in his debut campaign.

The Heat managed to lure a player the Rockets were after this past offseason: All-Star Jimmy Butler. Slippin’ Jimmy leads the way for Miami, and surrounded by talented youngsters, the future’s bright in South Beach. But in Houston, the present is bright. The Rockets need to show their true colors and play top to their potential as one of the oldest, wisest teams (Houston) takes on one of the youngest (Miami). Tonight is one of those games you have to win, if you don’t want to suffer an early-season slip in the standings. Houston has been horrendous from downtown to start the season, hopefully things heat up in Miami.

Specifically, it’s time for these Rockets to heat up. Houston travels to Memphis tomorrow for the second of a back-to-back. The squad can’t afford to lose any ground in the merciless Western Conference. Maybe some youthful energy and South Beach vibes will re-energize this Rockets roster. Houston clearly has the better team, but as this season has shown… who knows which team will show up tonight? The Rockets that barely win over inferior competition? Or the Rockets that lose due to their obsessive love for the 3-point shot, and who effervescently make a point to play no defense. We’ll have to watch and find out. Hopefully the only team with some heat tonight isn’t Miami. Houston desperately needs to catch fire. Maybe the Heat’s young, rookies will bring out the best in the Rockets superstars. It’s time Harden and Westbrook took some young ‘uns to school.

American Airlines Arena:  Miami, Florida

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (3-2):  White

Miami Heat (4-1):  Black

 

TV:  5 PM CT – ATT SportsNet SW