1 reply to this topic

[Red94]

New post: Rockets Roundup: 01/09/2014
By: Kevin Kim

A quick and digestible look at the most top-of-mind Rockets news of the past few days. 

 

Houston Chronicle. Five things we learned from the Rockets victory over Knicks.

 

"Rockets 120, Knicks 96. If the Rockets gained anything from their workout against the Knicks, besides the win that was certain as soon as the team charter successfully touched down in New York, it might be to get Trevor Ariza going again. Ariza had failed to make 50 percent of his shots in 27-consecutive games, four shy of the NBA record..."

 

Sports Illustrated. Josh Smith's shaky start on the Rockets coincides with Pistons' resurgence.

 

"...The results are undeniable. Detroit has gone 7-0 since outright releasing the talented but tumultuous big man. The Pistons lead the NBA in net rating (17.2) over their last seven games, rank No. 2 in defensive efficiency (94.3) and No. 3 in offensive efficiency (111.5). Brandon Jennings has been liberated. Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe have room to operate. They’ve knocked off the likes of the Mavericks, the reigning champion Spurs and the Cavaliers (with LeBron James). The Pistons’ latest victory prompted Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle to declare them “one of the best basketball teams in the NBA..."

 

Houston Chronicle. Kevin McHale says recent role of Josh Smith related to 'getting him comfortable'.

 

"Rockets coach Kevin McHale could offer little insight about how he felt with the rotation now that he has Josh Smith coming off the bench, usually checking in for Dwight Howard. That was because McHale said the move was not made based on his preference, but for Smith’s..."

 

Completely disagree with the winner (Psycho T?? Over James "Bloodsport" Johnson, who is 20-0 and 7-0 in kickboxing and MMA bouts, respectively? Get out of here.), but a funny read involving some Houston Rockets:

 

Hardwood Paroxysm. A NBA Royal Rumble.

 

"In a few weeks, WWE will be hosting their first pay-per-view of the year: Royal Rumble. If you’re unaware, the Royal Rumble works like this. Two men start in the ring, and then every 90 seconds, a new contestant enters until there are 30 men in the ring. Unlike most wrestling matches, there are no pins. Instead, you can only be eliminated if you are tossed over the top rope and both of your feet hit the ground...for fun, let’s imagine an NBA Royal Rumble held between players from the six teams playing tonight."

[Jatman20]

On the SI portion on the success of the Pistons team since the removal of Josh. Barkley and Kenny Smith argued this point recently; which I found Kenny made a good point when he mentioned that Josh missed 7 games this season (while still with the Pistons) and they still stunk it up. Did the 5 victories the Pistons had come during the time Josh sat? I know the effort was not there from Josh because it was a bad team with some bad attitudes (one of which was Brandon Jennings who was told SVG said DJ Augustine was playing like a starter....Jennings fired back by saying, then SVG should start Augustine). I consider the waiving of Josh; like a shot across the bow to the rest of the players remaining on the team....now they are really playing.

Again.....I was never a Josh Smith fan while he was with Atlanta or the Pistons; but I feel the Rockets can somewhat tame or harness Josh to emphasize his strengths and put him in the right places to compliment the rest of the team within the off/def schemes......much like Dallas did with Monta Ellis.