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.