Rockets thread

[TheWizard]

Thoughts on the season?

I think against any team with size, we are going to have a lot of trouble.

Call me crazy, but I think T-Mac (Tracy McLady, She-Mac, just let it all out) is going to come back and help this team though.  I'm biased, because I'm a huge fan... but I am keeping the hope.

[ybbodeus]

Based on what I've read here thuis week about NBA officiating, this bunch needs to start fostering some first rate relationships. Break out the Norman Vincent Peale.

[Bench]

The Rockets will be fun to watch this year.  They might get blown out every now and again, but they will play solid team basketball.  I would not at all be surprised if they snuck into the 7 or 8 seed.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I noticed A. J. Abrams has got off to a good start with his Greek team.   His Ύψος rating is at 2. μ. Anyway, I can't believe UT is ranked third in the college basketball preseason polls. I don't see them being "that" good.

[ybbodeus]

They sure look good going into this season to this college hoops freak, Texas does. 

[Alkie]

I don't see them being "that" good.

Either the rest of the teams around the nation are really mediocre or the pollsters know something I don't know.

Horns are top 10, but #3?

[DVauthrin]

Anyway, I can't believe UT is ranked third in the college basketball preseason polls. I don't see them being "that" good.

Either the rest of the teams around the nation are really mediocre or the pollsters know something I don't know.

Horns are top 10, but #3?

Both of you are underestimating the talent on this team, as they deserve their preseason ranking.    This is the most talented team Rick has had at Texas, and can easily win the National Championship.     Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton are elite freshman(think D.J. Augustin level not Durant or Beasley level) and both James and Pittman return.    Plus, J'Covan Brown is finally eligible and is a similar talent to Willie Warren at OU.    If he keeps his cool, he will become the starter at the point very quickly.     A bench of Jai Lucas, Justin Mason, Varez Ward and Gary Johnson is nothing to sneeze at either.      

[kevwun]

Yep, this is Barnes' most talented team.  Pittman is down to 280.  He and James will be a load in the front court.  Bradley is incredibly athletic and is a great defender.  He can shoot the 3, but is at his best shooting mid range jumpers and attacking the basket.  Hamilton is a 6'7" wing who should be the Horns best offensive player.  Brown should be getting the majority of minutes at the point by conference.  Also early reports have Ward taking a big step in the offseason.  Their ranking is justified.

[TheWizard]

Ariza dropping in 33, and the Rockets beating Portland Sat night.  That was a surprising win to me, especially that they led pretty much the whole time.

[ybbodeus]

Rockets beating the snot out of the blue-haired cultists in Utah deserves a reset of this thread--from UT/Barnes to HR/Adelman.  I never expected a 3-1 start; figured 2-2 was best case.  Adelman is something else, a rare breed in the NBA--someone who seems to do as well with overachievers as he does with superstars, if not better.

[jbm]

No doubt, what he did with that team last year and so far this year is impressive.  I just assumed they would be real mediocre, but they look pretty good so far.  Budinger thwarted the Utah run and they cruised.  Not often you see the Rockets dominate a fourth quarter.  Brooks is getting real good and having Ariza instead of Artest really helps the offensive flow and production.

[hostros7]

Rockets beating the snot out of the blue-haired cultists in Utah deserves a reset of this thread--from UT/Barnes to HR/Adelman.  I never expected a 3-1 start; figured 2-2 was best case.  Adelman is something else, a rare breed in the NBA--someone who seems to do as well with overachievers as he does with superstars, if not better.

Rudy was pretty good in this regard as well.  He seemed to be able to snatch players out of the CBA/streets, and they would produce.  Although it only takes a certain level of skill to nail a wide open set shot after a Hakeem triple team.

[Gizzmonic]

I am seriously thinking about getting the NBA League Pass broadband thingie this year-you can follow 7 teams and it's only $90.  Has anyone tried that out?

[ybbodeus]

That sounds like a calling plan.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

The drama around McGrady's return is unworthy of comment by anyone.  But one of the players comments, Scola - already one of my favorite players to watch, has promoted him to my favorite player:

Luis Scola said he did not hear the discussion and did not know that McGrady had put on a uniform or talked to Adelman until Thursday.

“I didn't hear anything,” Scola said. “It wouldn't have mattered if I did. I don't speak English.”