By: Rahat Huq
- I can't even apologize to you guys anymore for being MIA because it keeps happening. I'm like Will's dad on Fresh Prince in that episode where he keeps promising that they'll hang out and getting Will's hopes up and then canceling. Remember that episode? That was like one of the greatest Uncle Phil moments in the history of the show, at the very end. Anyways, I don't really know what to say. I just got married at the end of May and work's gotten pretty crazy of late. But I will get it together again.
- I just went to the car wash and saw the weirdest thing: I'm in line, in my car, and in front of me, there's this guy who I perceived to be the car wash manager, standing next to a worker. So the manager is this burly ape of a fellow while the worker was this short pudgy little creature. So the manager is berating the worker, saying "I didn't tell you to do it. I told you to just show me where the hose is." But the worker is like still holding onto this hose-like thing that is hanging from the ceiling. And the manager is going on and on about this. Suddenly they get the hose down and hell breaks loose as the two men begin struggling, each tugging at this hose, trying to rip it out of the other's hands. I have no idea what the hell was going on. Everyone in the vicinity just stopped and observed. The worker, being of vastly inferior size, strength eventually succumbed, but not before the end of the hose hit a nearby car against its door, rather violently. The weird thing was that the two men didn't even go to blows after that, as you'd expect. The worker just sort of cowered away. My wife and I reversed and went to a different car wash.
- Okay, on to basketball. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know where I stand on things, so I haven't completely gone MIA. If you don't follow me, why not? I'm not really too down about missing out on Aldridge. I mean I guess it would have been really cool, but I don't exactly know that that was what this team needed. I think an improving Motiejunas and Josh Smith are enough at the '4' for this team. What this team needs is a new point guard. So in that sense, this was nothing like last year when several of you had to check in on my well-being after the Bosh announcement.
- While recanting that episode above at the car wash, I just suddenly remembered the Ron Artest quote after the brawl, when he, now infamously, asked Stephen Jackson, "do you think we're going to get in trouble?"
- It kind of shows where you are as a franchise, and as a fanbase, that the pursuit of a third star sort of leaves you apathetic. Christ, remember when Kevin Martin was this team's best player?
- It's taking me a while to get used to these numbers being thrown around, in light of the expected cap increase, because in the olden days, especially in relation to where the Rockets were as a team, paying Corey Brewer $8million a year just would not have happened. But now, it just makes sense, coming off a trip to the Western Conference Finals. It's amazing just how important Brewer was to this team's success, as he almost single-handedly added an entirely new element to its outlook, with his frantic pushing of the pace in transition. It would have really hurt to lose Brew.
- I wasn't as happy about the Beverley signing, as you may recall. As I had been writing all of last year, Beverley was dreadful, on both sides of the floor, to the point where I argued the team was playing 4-on-5 when he was on the court. With his defense dripping so drastically, really the only thing he brought was rebounding, which led you to wonder...are a couple of extra rebounds a game overcoming his deficiencies in every other aspect of the game? Of course not. But I've come around, largely due to the (hopeful) thinking that much of his defensive slippage was due to various injuries. And you have to think he continues his improvement shooting the ball. In theory, Beverley at best case is probably the single most ideal fit next to James Harden: a 39% from 3 shooting, tenacious defender who is happy without the ball. The problem is that theory didn't meet reality at all last season. But $6million a year is reasonable pay for a third guard, if the team can acquire a starter, and there is still flexibility to do just that.
- The most exciting thing about bringing back Beverley though is that the team will actually enjoy some sort of continuity, for the first time in a while. As a fan, it would have been less than ideal to gut the core of a team that provided the franchise its most memorable run in twenty seasons. And to that end, Beverley personifies this team's ethos and identity. Where Dwight is hated, and Ariza is an underrated goon, Beverley is the lead goon of all goons, and the heart and soul of this club. He is their emotional leader. I'm glad he's staying.
- To those of you asking me about the draft, I have no idea who the hell Sam Dekker is. You guys know better than to ask me about the draft and know by now that I don't watch college basketball. There are few things I find more offensive than college basketball.
- If you can flip Dekker, Jones, and salary for Ty Lawson, that's a better offseason than getting Aldridge, in my opinion, as I had been saying all along. We'll just have to see how this plays out. But after bringing back Brewer, this team would go to another level pairing Lawson next to Harden in the backcourt.
- Yeah it was great seeing Dallas humiliated, because...who doesn't love that, but it wasn't worth the opportunity cost of seeing the Clippers defanged. Now that team comes back even better, with Paul Pierce and Lance, and maybe a newfound sense of togetherness. There was a 48 hour period where the Clippers had basically fallen completely out of contention and that is now no longer the case. And nothing we gained was worth it.
I understand how life can get busy, but don't forget us. I agree on your outlook for the Rockets except on the trading T. Jones front. I don't know if signing J. Smith is the right move. if we get him for cheap......then yeah, but I would be happier with D-Mo/T. Jones duo manning PF. even though the writing appears to be on the wall for T. Jones we need to send him east if possible. Lawson appears to be an answer, but is he THE answer and how much is to much to pay for him if we move in that direction. their is no doubt in my mind Lawson is capable enough offensively, but the man is 5' 10" with high hill sneakers on 
what's to stop him from being posted up in the playoffs? what we gain offensively will have a price at the other end. when we play elite teams will they be able to exploit that and use that to keep him off the floor? before I start jumping on the Lawson bangwagon I think we have better options. I say check with Phoenix first on availability of Bledsoe. if you get the cold shoulder move on to Indiana to see about G. Hill or Sac town on Collison. one reason I don't like the Lawson trade idea is we are giving up assets, defense and salary cap space. his contract while not an albatross is still what 12....13mil per. I know that will be a bargain next year, but it kills flexibility for this year
