Dash

I like. Get it done Kahn.

Exactly but the All-Star break has proven to be many times in the past as a shot in the arm for the Rockets. Somehow, someway, Houston decides step it up and make some good runs for the playoffs. Regardless I believe there was a strong push by Houston earlier in the season and I don't think I was all that excited back then, the way the Rockets have been playing this past week has been better than they were at any other point in the season. Anyways that is partly why I'm so optimistic right now but I have considered missing the playoffs as a definite possibility, but lets hope it doesn't come to that. If it does then the Rockets sacrificed a decent lottery pick for a late one in a weak draft. I think I mentioned that somewhere in my post. Match-ups are all about well...match-ups. Houston has proven many times in the past that they can tough it out with the Lakers unlike the Thunder or Mavericks. See my post above for this. Think of it this way: if the Rockets are struggling against the Mavs and Thunder right now, how do you think they will do in a playoff series? I highly doubt it will get easier. However, Houston has performed moderately well against the Spurs and Lakers and while both are going to be much tougher in the playoffs, I think I would rather take my chances with them instead of a team that we don't match-up well with at all.

Its going to be tough and although we aren't exactly in the playoffs right now, we aren't far behind and the 8th and 7th seeds are currently tied and there is only one game separating them from the 6th spot. Without Carmelo I expect Denver to drop from 5th as well so the Rockets definitely have plenty to be optimistic about right now. Its going to take at least 14-6 to get in but thankfully the schedule strength we have right now is average at best, so if the Rockets beat the teams they are supposed to beat (like the Clippers tonight) then there is a very good chance they get in. In a perfect world the Rockets get in along with the Grizzlies and Suns (we own their lottery protected picks), doubt all 3 get in but I'm hopeful. Anyways I agree completely with your preferred matchups. Having to deal with athletic stars in Westbrook and Durant + an elite post defender would be a nightmare for our Rockets. Mavericks have always had our number, never feel comfortable heading into a game with them and while Hayes is a superb defender, he can't defend Dirk outside on the perimeter. The Lakers' size is frightening but their play this season and Bynum's health makes me more comfortable going up against them than the Thunder or Mavericks. They're tied with the Spurs as my #1, going to wait and see how we do against them in the next two games before I decide on my preferred match-up. ESPN gives us a 41% chance of making the playoffs and projects that we finish with 43 wins and have a 3 way tie with the Blazers and Suns for the 8th seed, which Houston loses. Just thought that might be interesting.

I'd like to take this time to say that I'm officially on the playoff bandwagon for the Rockets mainly for two reasons. 1) Aaron freaking Brooks is gone and we're already a better team without him despite losing Battier too. 2) this draft continues to get worse and the Rockets have already blown their chances at a decent pick, and with the Thabeet/Dragic moves I'd say we're young enough and might as well shoot for the playoffs. Anyways here is how the Rockets have performed against their possible matchups. San Antonio Spurs Game 1: 124-121 OT Where: away Result: lost Game 2: 108-95 Where: away Result: lost 0-2 but not all that bad, we'll have to see how the Rockets perform with their new lineup at home. Dallas Mavericks Game 1: 101-91 Where: away Result: lost Game 2: 111-106 Where: away Result: lost Game 3: 106-102 Where: home Result: lost No wins here but the games were fairly close and there is still one more to come at home. Los Angeles Lakers Game 1: 112-110 (with Yao) Where: away Result: lost Game 2: 109-99 Where: home Result: win Game 3: 114-106 Where: away Result: lost A win? Finally, the season series was VERY close and based on the box scores the Lakers are our best bet but do we really want to face the 2 time defending champions in the playoffs? Oklahoma City Thunder (very unlikely this happens but there is a small possibility) Game 1: 116-99 Where: away Result: lost Game 2: 99-98 Where: home Result: win Game 3: 117-105 Where: away Result: lost Game 4: 118-112 Where: home Result: lost Yikes this series might have been just as bad as the Mavs and this is without Perkins. ----- Overall we're 2-10 against these teams, not very encouraging but I do think we could give each of them a run for their money with our recent play and new lineup. Honestly though I'm just hoping for a tough 6 game series and some hope for next season. Anyways thoughts on who would be the Rockets best possible matchup assuming we make it?

Martin is probably the last person I want the Rockets to trade. Legitimate robin and he's still fairly young.

Looks like the Rockets are going all in with Thabeet, love it. Lets turn this ship around.

Wow we're actually .500 again?

I thought these trades were to supposed to make us worse?

Who cares? Its not like Cena-Miz was ever going to a good feud anyways.

AlexKennedyNBA Corey Brewer has narrowed down his options to Boston, San Antonio and Dallas, according to a league source

Sucks that Rock wasn't there live in the ring but it was still another amazing promo by him.

Looks like I got excited for nothing. =/

I don't particularly disagree with anything you posted but I do think that Martin could be the second option and the Rockets could still be a top team. Need a healthy Yao Ming and defenders to make it work but its definitely plausible imo.

I wonder if this is what prevented the Jamison to Warriors deal. Or did the injury occur after the trade deadline?

I think Bibby giving up that much money is his way of thanking the Wizards organization for allowing him to move on with his career. Someone that dedicated to winning would definitely be a positive boost to the locker room. I know the Heat are the favorites to land him but what are some other possible destinations for him? With Blake's struggles and Fisher's age, do you think the Lakers will give him a look? With Tony Parker injured the Spurs could use him too.

He's one of the best at what he does, which happens to be 50% of the game anyways. Sure he's not a defensive stopper but neither are Carmelo, etc but he's always given an effort on the defensive end although he's still mediocre. Martin's weaknesses can EASILY be masked with perimeter defenders playing next to him (Battier?) or a center. I'd take Martin over all-around players like Andre Iguodala, who are good at several aspects of the game but don't particularly excel at anything like Kevin.

They bought Brewer but not Balkman? The hell?

Surprised? Kevin Martin has quietly put together one of the best scoring seasons the NBA has rarely ever seen. Martin is averaging 23.3 points per game (44% and 40% from downtown and a whopping 61% true shooting) in just 31 minutes and he's doing it on 15 shot attempts per game. The thing that stands out to me the most is that Adelman has rarely allowed Martin to play big time minutes, mostly because he favors Courtney Lee against more prolific scoring teams but IMO its a crime that Martin hasn't played more minutes. In 36 minutes per game, he averages 26.7 points per game and in the 48 minutes per game stat he averages 35.6 points. In both statistics, Martin narrowly edges out Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant as the leagues leading scorer with less usage % and considerably less field goal attempts. Martin is also on his to becoming the first NBA player (I think) to lead the NBA in free throws made and finish top 3 in 3 pointers made. Not saying that Martin is on a star level but he's easily one of the most underrated players in the NBA (honestly where the hell do people get this overrated crap from?) and if Adelman played his best player some more minutes, he might have been worthy of CONSIDERATION of an All-Star spot. If the Rockets could pair Martin with an all-star caliber big man *cough*Yao*cough* then they could be a lethal team in the playoffs.

I'm going to hold on my judgment on Fredette until after the tournament, want to see how he does against stronger competition. Walker reminds me of Aaron Brooks but with more potential and as much as I hated Brooks I wouldn't be opposed to taking a look at Walker.

I doubt they will be as good as they were before but that is still amazing news. Hey Arnold and Rocket Power were two of my all-time favorite childhood cartoon shows.

Jimmer Fredette, Jan Vesley, Donatas Motiejunas, and maybe Harrison Barnes (if he slips that far) would be my picks if we were to stand pat at 12 or 13. The Rockets aren't going to pass on Kanter just because of Yao, chances of him having a healthy season again at an all-star level are very slim. Houston doesn't consider him as apart of their future plans, instead they view him as an extra that would provide a huge boost if he were to stay healthy. Hence why Morey was on the market for a big man for so long and eventually traded for Thabeet. I like Lowry a lot but despite his improvement this season I still don't view him as a starting point guard for a playoff team, IF Morey liked Fredette (depends on how he views him but apparently he was gushing about him earlier) enough I'm sure he'd move Lowry or maybe even Dragic to make room for him. Kemba Walker is easily a better point guard prospect than Lowry too.

That depends where Cleveland would end up picking, but I think any team with the 5th pick would be interested in that package. However, I'm not sure if Houston would because Terrence Williams could easily go in the top 8 in this draft class. Jonas Valanciunas is THE ideal pick for the Rockets, really hope he slips by some teams and we're able to trade up and snatch him. If not him I would want to take a look at Enes Kanter or Kemba Walker, basically anyone that isn't a tweener or a power forward because we have enough of those.