2008-09 NBA Season

[TS]

The Suns were dominated by D. Wade, Shawn Marion and the Heat on Friday, after Steve Nash didn't play after injuring his thigh.

 

[JohnBM01]

My Rockets will be in the Mile High City tonight looking to keep up the good work up in Denver. We have to keep up the good work in all aspects of the game against a pretty good Denver Nuggets squad.

I still have a tough time following the Stephon(?) Marbury story. Talking about how his teammates aren't really teammates to him... just a tough time following it. Those problems may be dispelled come tomorrow. Another one has to do with what Charles Barkley said in response to LeBron James looking into opening his options as he may end up a New York Knick in 2010.

 

[a6m5]

The Suns were dominated by D. Wade, Shawn Marion and the Heat on Friday, after Steve Nash didn't play after injuring his thigh.

We just can't beat the Suns, but they get beat by the team we completely owned this year. Kind of stuff that drives me crazy.

My Rockets will be in the Mile High City tonight looking to keep up the good work up in Denver. We have to keep up the good work in all aspects of the game against a pretty good Denver Nuggets squad.

I still have a tough time following the Stephon(?) Marbury story. Talking about how his teammates aren't really teammates to him... just a tough time following it. Those problems may be dispelled come tomorrow. Another one has to do with what Charles Barkley said in response to LeBron James looking into opening his options as he may end up a New York Knick in 2010.

Go Rockets! Take down the Nuggets for us.

On King James vs Sir Charles, I agree with Charles completely. I've read that LeBron called Chuck "stupid". LeBron, you are truly a great basketball player, but stop being a douche bag. I've always liked & respected LeBron james, but I'm starting to question his character. Show some class. If you are so interested in playing somewhere else, ask to be traded. If I was in charge in Cleveland, I'd start shopping for offers.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, a6m5, we failed.We kept it a bit close, but Denver was just too much. If anything, I think Von Wafer shown that he needs more playing time and perhaps be in the starting lineup more often. Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks were lovely earlier tonight for my Rockets. But... we lost.

 

[a6m5]

Dang, dude. You know what though? I just looked at the ESPN's NBA standing, and while Blazers are tied with the Nuggets as far as the win/loss go, Blazers are ranked #2 after the Lakers! Blazers must have the tie-breaker. I'm gonna enjoy this while it last(probably one day).

Is the Rockets still missing T-Mac? Too bad Billups had to have a big night, but I used to really like his game. I forgot about Wafer. I do recall seeing him on TV highlight at one of the Blazers games. Whatever it was, I remember feeling glad for him, so it must've been good.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yeah, the score ended up 104-94 in favor of the boys in blue and gold. Our next road game is at Memphis, come home to play Atlanta, then hit the road on a West Coast road trip including games at Golden State and at the L.A. Clippers. Gotta play tough to win if you're a Western Conference team!

 

[TS]

Suns lost again last night, this time to Vince Carter, Devon Hester and the Nets (117-109) in a game that was all Suns until the 4th quarter, where all the offense disappeared and Amare Stoudemire was ejected after getting 2 technical fouls.

 

[JohnBM01]

I'm watching a little of the L.A. Clippers at the Dallas Mavericks. One of the cool things about having some multiple channel satellite package is seeing channels from cities other than your own. So I'm scoping KTLA Channel 5's Los Angeles deal. At present, the Clippers lead 49-42 with 2:07 left in the first half.

 

[a6m5]

I've read about the Clippers blowing the lead in the 4th. Blazers won again! Not bad for a team that is pretty much the youngest in the league! Too bad the Nuggets were beating the Raps by thirty-some points going into the 4th.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Clippers are coming to Houston tomorrow night. We'll be playing against former Rocket, Cuttino Mobley. Tracy McGrady officially "shut it down" having a knee injury. He says he'll be out three weeks. So now will be the time for the boys in red to step up in T-Mac's place. A few Rockets fans were restless with T-Mac and this decision to rest up. I think he even blamed himself or was hard on himself for not getting any surgery done or anything.

All I know is that you can't win the NBA Championship in the first half, but you can lose it. Have to see how the Rockets do in their coming games.

 

[a6m5]

I'm sorry to hear the news. I think he should opt for surgery, get that taken care of. Hopefully that will get it taken care of. Very unfortunate.

The West is so competitive, you are right, you could easily lose your Playoffs hope with a poor first half of the season. Just look at San Antonio, they are digging themselves out of the hole as we speak. Houston's pretty deep though, and I'd hate to see T-Mac sacrifice his knee for early season standings. We went through a similar situation with Greg Oden last year.

 

[peeweegary]

WOOTWOOT!!! Sam Mitchell has been fired today =D, after the 39 point loss to Denver last night. Jay Triano will now be coaching the Raptors until a new head coach is found. Woot woot! hopefully no more awful defensive schemes and actual offensive plays rather than our only play under Sam mitchell, the pick and roll -_-"

 

[JohnBM01]

Tonight's match here in H-Town will involve a T-Mac -less Rockets taking on Baron Davis and the L.A. Clippers. We should be able to take on the Clippers with some success.

An interesting match tonight involves the New York Knicks playing at the Cleveland Cavaliers. Why so? It's been because of all the LeBron-to-NYC talk for the 2010 season. Not sure if it will be nationally-televised or not, but I'm sure it will be a great opportunity for King James to flex his muscle against a team he may possibly play for in the future. And I wonder something- if LeBron doesn't do well in NYC, could he possibly be swamped by the New York media and the NYC fans? Just a curious match to watch in case you're wondering about any action across the league.

One final note... I somewhat admit that I've been a bit more fond of the NBA lately. I'm usually a football guy, but I think the NBA is a great league. Maybe a change of face for me, but I'm still mostly a college guy in terms of football. I guess you really like a league when you can be fond of watching a game involving other teams other than your favorite or home team. Like, if you're a Golden State fan and attracted to a matchup of the L.A. Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, or even the Detroit Pistons against the Boston Celtics (as examples).

As far as the WNBA is concerned (I know lots of people don't care for it), the Houston Comets are no more. The first dynasty of the WNBA was the Houston Comets as they racked up four successive titles in the earlier days of the WNBA. Not sure what will become of some of the players like Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson, Sancho Lyttle, and ladies like that. Rest in peace, Houston Comets... you will not be forgotten.

 

[TS]

Suns at Hornets, Steve Nash is out with the flu, and the Hornets have beat the Suns in their last 5 meetings.

 

[JohnBM01]

Last I checked, I heard Phoenix and New Orleans were tied at 59. Hope your boys take down a game Hornets squad.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Everyone but the Lakers, Celtics and Cavaliers should just go home because there is no point.

 

[a6m5]

They are the Big-3 right now. But it is barely December. Blazers are off to a good start at #4 behind the Big-3. Orlando has better percentage overall, but from what I've heard, their schedule has been kind to them and they've been racking up wins against weaker teams, exact opposite of the Blazers. Having said that, it's early.

On Mitchell, I can't say I'm shocked, but you do have to kind of wonder. Considering their roster, why freak out this early? Were they expecting to pull off the O'Neal trade, and suddenly for the team to take off? They are still at least a piece short to make more noise, plus, they need some time together. At least I think.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Friday. Be there.

Blazers are definitely #4, but I think there is a deep dropoff after the top three, then you have Portland and Denver, and then probably the Magic and the three teams in the Southwest.

So only teams that matter at all:

Boston
Cleveland
LA

Portland
Denver

Magic
New Orleans
Houston
Dallas

Plus maybe the Jazz and Spurs if they're healthy. And really, Houston has no shot because in about a week Yao and TMac will both be out for the season.

 

[a6m5]

I'm not even worried about Friday. If the Blazers keep it close, I guess that's something. But this team really isn't even ready to challenge the Champs yet. They are overachieving. Yeah, if they "overachieve" this Friday, awesome. But like I said, Big-3, or being #4 matters very little this time of the year. If my team's #4 in April, then it's a different story.

How much you wanna bet that Przybilla and KG will get tangled up?

 

[peeweegary]

Fans have been on Mitchells case for a while. We knew that our record this year wouldn't be better than the 06-07 season(47-35) as our bench is way too thin but we did not expect us to be this bad. Mitchell deserves to leave. In a press conference about the release, I think i recall Leo Rautins saying that the fast break was never practiced. Kapono also said Mitchell failed at assigning them specific roles and failed to teach defense properly(well not exactly in the same words as i put them in). I know the team wont improve much or at all but it was time for the coach and the team to part ways =)

 

[JohnBM01]

The big TNT matches tonight involve TS's Suns at the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio at Denver in the nightcap. Tomorrow night, my Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors before we eventually hit the Bay Area to meet the Warriors later this month.

Enjoy tonight's games, people!

 

[JohnBM01]

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Rodney Rodgers. Here are some links with more information:

* http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1031933
* http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5i5Nn-mluuzk8qVz65zyFjZ5oIKVg
* http://nba.fanhouse.com/2008/12/04/rodney-rogers-paralyzed-in-4-wheeler-accident-near-hometown/

Thoughts and prayers go out to him and all who know him.




[UPDATE]
#11 Jose Juan Barea for Dallas... he's short! Maybe not Spud Webb short, but... he's actually the same height as me- 6'0". I guess he just looks small compared to most other guys for the Suns. Then again, who ISN'T short?

 

[a6m5]

I just read about that. He used to be a pretty good baller.

 

[JohnBM01]

Tonight, we got the Golden State Warriors. The boys from Oakland bring their Bay Area style of NBA hoops out here to the Third Coast in Houston. Rockets just need to stay on their game and don't give Golden State any chance to overtake Houston in the game.

ESPN has a couple of good matches as well tonight. So go ahead and enjoy tonight's action.

 

[JohnBM01]

Okay, tonight's matches on ESPN are Portland at Boston (I'm sure a6m5 will be watching) and then Toronto at Utah. I'm still awaiting the Golden State at Houston match at about 7:30 PM CST.

 

[a6m5]

(I'm sure a6m5 will be watching)

I ran out of handkerchief before the half, had to turn it off. Nothing like your beloved team get their butt kicked, see the officials give all the calls to team that is on the giving end of a blowout, and your team, both players & coaches, freak out. I watched little bit before the half, little bit in the third, and it was ugly. For Blazer fan.

Go Raps!

 

[JohnBM01]

Sloppy game... if you're a Golden State fan. Turiaf and Biedrins(?) fouled out while coach Don Nelson and Steven Jackson were ejected. And the Rockets ended up winning 131-118 . Yao Ming got himself a new season-high 32 points. Then he made a new season high when Yao Ming knocked down a technical free throw. So it's now 33 his season high. They got in about 41 points in the fourth quarter. Great scoring frenzy by Yao Ming. This will help us out a bit. Up next... a trip to Graceland to meet the Memphis Grizzlies. Then we head back home to host Atlanta, and finally a rematch of Golden State in the Bay Area next Friday.

Great win by the Rockets. I accidentally typed "Astros," but not the right kind of roundball. Great win by the Rockets. Nice to see Shane Battier and Von Wafer get loose and flex their muscle against Golden State.

 

[JohnBM01]

Randy Wittman was fired today from the Timberwolves with a 4-15 season so far. Today is Dwight Howard's 23rd birthday.

Meanwhile, my Rockets will be in action tonight and tomorrow. I believe we're home to take on a dangerous Hawks team, then go to Memphis tomorrow night. How long can the Rockets keep up the good work? We'll see. All I know is Friday this week, we're taking on Golden State again. This time, AT Golden State.

 

[Giancarlo]

The latest rumor swirling around Shawn Marion is that he'll be shipped to Sacramento for Brad Miller.

I don't totally love that deal, but it wouldn't be horrible. This whole in limbo business with Marion is getting tiresome. I can only imagine how he must feel.

 

[JohnBM01]

I'm sorry... Houston AT Memphis tonight, then Rockets hosting Atlanta tomorrow night. Right now, it's Memphis 5-0 early in the game.