To prepare for the bar exam, I unhooked myself from the world for an entire month so that I could stare at legal outlines until my head exploded. I pretended there was no internet and became single minded machine. I exercised so I could keep studying. I ate healthier and more frequent meals to keep studying. I even slept more so that I could keep studying. Basically, the month of February didn’t really happen to me. By the end, I was burnt out and needed some catharsis.
And so for the sake of self preservation, I put away the law books. I was then confronted with a DVR full of Rockets games, the most free time I’ve had since the fifth grade and some frayed nerves. It was the perfect storm for a jump off the deep end. Like an alcoholic in relapse, I gorged on every Rockets game from the beginning of February to present. It was a glorious marathon, complete with buckets of chicken wings and Kentucky bourbon. However, ever the professional, I had a mission. I imagined that I could gain some insight by observing the evolution of the Rockets leading up to and through the trade deadline at hyper speed – sort of like watching time lapse photography to observe changes in the weather. Here’s what I remember from my experiment:
- Kevin Martin was really wearing down before the All-Star break. Of course the same could be said for many players in the NBA. For Martin, it’s noteworthy because Adelman has limited his minutes (31), way below his career average as a starter (35+), despite his uber-efficient All-Star play. I’ve been perplexed all season by Adelman’s decision to keep Martin’s minutes down. However, after watching Martin wear down in the few games prior to the All-Star break, and his subsequent revival after the break, I understand. Also, it’s noteworthy, that Martin has played more games this season since the 2006-07 season and with the highest PER in his career.
- Jordan Hill has regressed, big time. In about six weeks, he went from starting center to 11th man. The worst part is that he doesn’t appear moved at all by the demotions, not any of them. Is there any way for a player to work on his passion in the off-season? Can a basketball player learn to rebound?
- Patrick Patterson always looks like he is attending a lecture that is going way to fast, but not quite above his head. In contrast, Jordan Hill looks like he doesn’t know where he is; much less any offensive or defensive sets being run. The good news is that Patterson is a rookie who has played limited minutes.
- After the trade, the Rockets collectively experienced a revitalization that often comes with change. The offensive lulls that plagued the team have diminished and the team defense, ehem, has been more solid. Perhaps the more stable, shorter rotation is the cause for the more consistent play as a team. I would point to the loss of Aaron Brooks, a sulking star hobbled by injury (sound familiar?), as the leading cause of the revival of the Rocket’s on-court chemistry.
Well, I think I can safely call my experiment a failure, but not absolutely. I didn’t come away with any mind-blowing insights on basketball or produce literary brilliance. And, I trimmed a couple of years off of my life. However, I did experience catharsis and change. Like the Rockets, I engaged in an experiment with high aspirations. The Rockets often perform calculated experiments like starting a 6’6” center instead of overpaying a below average 7” center, giving Trevor Ariza an offensive green light, attempting to turn Aaron Brooks into a sixth man or attempt to pull off a trade for Carmelo Anthony. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. But, at least they give it a shot…. or in my case, a bucket of bourbon. It’s one of the great attributes of the Houston Rockets.
‘Hooplaw’, written by Shawn Grady, is a column devoted to the legal complexities of the NBA.
