NBA 2010-2011 Thread

[a6m5]

Rockets are now doing their 2010 Houston Texans impressions by failing again. This is a freaking shame. I know we played at Portland last night and at Denver tonight, but considering going 16-16 to enter 2011, we've already failed to two great teams. And if they're to have any hope of getting through January with a good record, falling 113-106 at Denver is NOT the way to go. We're now 16-18 on the year in a critical point. You CAN'T lose to your own conference teams if you're to have any hope of becoming any sort of contender. Rockets need slaps in the face and cold water because this s:censored: is unacceptable after finishing the 2010 part of the season fairly well. I take it we're a lock to lose every game this week until the Rockets finally step the hell up, am I right? Get off your asses and start winning again, damn it!!!

Then too, some people are saying that the Rockets really lack a real superstar to really make them contenders. There are two mindsets to this. Either a superstar has to be earned in a trade, or someone BECOMES a superstar for a team. A trade of Yao Ming will really make the Rockets wonder who'll they can get to really make a difference on one or both sides of the ball. I'm hearing if we trade Yao, we might lose Chase Buddinger and Jordan Hill. I still miss Carl Landry, who was a hell of a player in Rockets red.



Anyhow, tough January ahead, and we're already croaking. 0-2 to start the 2011 part of the season. How many more losses until the Rockets finally wake up (if they can)?

I think I've mentioned that Yao trade is impossible, unless if it was in the last year of his contract. Basically, for the purpose of salary dumping.

Well, I guess this was the last year of his contract, and it gives Rockets couple of possibilities, right off the top of my head.

1) Don't trade him, use the salary dump yourselves. Of course, this would have to bring Rockets well under the cap. If this works out for the Rockets, it opens up whole new door, full of possibilities. FA, trades, preferably both.

2) Trade before the deadline. They can go smart, or live dangerously. Smart: Trade for stable, reliable semi-stars. Considering the size of the contract you are dumping($17.7m?), you can probably get two, maybe three decent players in return.
DANGEROUS!: How about Carmelo? He won't commit to you, but you can always throw money at him at the end of the season, right? How about Chris Paul? Risks are high with these types of players, but reward could be huge. Of course, I doubt those guys make $17.7 million, so you can get at least another player or two in return as well.

Of course, I am not at all familiar with the Rocket's cap situation, so I have no idea which way might work out best for them. Personally, I'd try to rob three nice players from teams, as in multi-team trades. From the elite teams to lottery-bound teams, there are plenty of teams looking for little changes. This only escalates in February.

 

[Paulie]

I thought Carmelo already re-signed with Denver now.

 

[a6m5]

I thought Carmelo already re-signed with Denver now.

He could have. I stopped paying full attention to NBA awhile back. The (lack of)integrity of the league prevents me from taking them too seriously.

 

[FishforRent]

Woah! Spurs bring their number 1 defense in the league and their top ranked record into Madison Square Garden and get shot out of the gym! Everything the Knicks shot went in. It was 72-69 at the half! Spurs couldn't keep up and couldn't stop em. I kept waiting for the Knicks to cool off, but they never did. Wow.

Now we go to Boston and meet the Celtics tomorrow night. Brutal.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yeah, that was pretty rough for the black and silver boys to lose 128-115 in NYC. Knicks really seemed to show that they're certainly playoff-worthy. It's just as long as they can keep up the great work. This was a great win for the Knicks, but you'd have to be disappointed the Spurs would allow this many points and lose by double digits. The Spurs are still a good team... just that this was an ugly loss for the Spurs.

Tomorrow night, my Rockets will try to seek a modicum of revenge when we host the Trailblazers. Seeking our first win of the 2011 part of the season. We worked hard to get to the .500 mark, and I'll be danged if we start going backwards like how we've started the season.

 

[Northstar]

I just realized that the T'Wolves are 8th in scoring and first in rebounds per game, unfortunately they are 30th when it comes to points allowed so it kind of ruins everything.

At least they are a young squad that can hopefully be competitive in a couple years.

 

[Paulie]

Raptors lost to Chicago in a bad way even with Bargnani and Bayless back. Maybe we can beat the rubble remains of Cleveland tomorrow. I see Mills had another 9pts and 4 assists against Dallas with good shooting percentages.

 

[JohnBM01]

I don't know about "rubble remains" of Cleveland. Best wishes to your Raptors. I'll hope my Rockets start a new home winning streak (even if at the expense of Portland).

Here are tonight's (or most of tonight's) games:
* Trail Blazers at Rockets
* Spurs at Celtics
* Lakers at Suns (some of Auburn's football players will be at the game)
* Hawks at Jazz
* Bucks at Magic
* Bobcats at Timberwolves
* Raptors at Cavaliers
* Warriors at Hornets
* Bulls at Nets
* Nuggets at Clippers
* Wizards at 76ers

 

[a6m5]

Raptors lost to Chicago in a bad way even with Bargnani and Bayless back. Maybe we can beat the rubble remains of Cleveland tomorrow. I see Mills had another 9pts and 4 assists against Dallas with good shooting percentages.

Chicago's an competitive Playoff team. They are deep, too.

Patty seems to have secured the back up role. Bittersweet for me, because I really liked Armon Johnson, our (now)third-string point guard.

 

[FishforRent]

Spurs lose to the Celtics by 2pts at the buzzer. Close game but still a heartbreaker. Back and force until the 4th qtr when Boston went on a short run that we couldn't answer, then some late Ginobli and team defense combined with Ray Allen missing two late freethrows that should have sealed it, we get our final shot blocked and the buzzer sounds. Bummer. Got to shake it off though. We played them tough and the game was balanced and it was clear that the teams were veteran heavyweights so no disgrace like last night, but still sucks. Final 105-103.

 

[JohnBM01]

Damned shame yet again. We let the Trail Blazers cut our 13-point lead to make it a 103-100 victory. The Rockets need to slap themselves in the faces and be absolutely ashamed of themselves for failing down the stretch like this. Up next- at Magic on Friday. I'm pissed the hell off.

Kevin Martin's 40-something points and the three or so blocks didn't mean a damn thing. Bulls:censored: performance in the second half by the Rockets. Screw the playoffs at this point- they need to get their heads in the game and start winning. This s:censored: is f:censored:ing unacceptable to go from 16-16. You're the Rockets, NOT THE 2010 TEXANS!!! WAKE THE F:censored: UP, G** DAMN IT!!!

Hope your teams didn't fall on their faces tonight like my s:censored:-headed Rockets...

 

[a6m5]

I want the Spurs to do well. They are still my #2 team. I'm in a awkward position this year though. While I've always cheered for Kobe, I hated the Lakers. This year, any team that has a chance against the Heat is a good team. Hate Boston, but they are my team this year. Orlando(still think they suck), Boston, Lakers, Spurs are my last hope. It's early yet, but all four of those teams are looking like the underdogs to Miami.

On a related note(not really), Blazers played Houston again, pulled off a win again. Patty Mills actually finished second in points(14pts), when our #2, Wesley Matthews were held to just 9 points. What is going on!?

Damned shame yet again. We let the Trail Blazers cut our 13-point lead to make it a 103-100 victory. The Rockets need to slap themselves in the faces and be absolutely ashamed of themselves for failing down the stretch like this. Up next- at Magic on Friday. I'm pissed the hell off.

Kevin Martin's 40-something points and the three or so blocks didn't mean a damn thing. Bulls:censored: performance in the second half by the Rockets. Screw the playoffs at this point- they need to get their heads in the game and start winning. This s:censored: is f:censored:ing unacceptable to go from 16-16. You're the Rockets, NOT THE 2010 TEXANS!!! WAKE THE F:censored: UP, G** DAMN IT!!!

Hope your teams didn't fall on their faces tonight like my s:censored:-headed Rockets...

We have very different views regarding the Playoffs. If the Rockets was my team, I couldn't care less if they made the Playoffs. Unless they are going to challenge the first round opponent, just about the only thing they gain from it are some Playoffs experience, which they don't really need.

Both the Blazers & the Rockets should be(and pretty sure are) in somewhat of rebuild mode. This year for our teams isn't the Playoffs. It should be about the personnel shuffling, roster changing.

 

[Paulie]

On a related note(not really), Blazers played Houston again, pulled off a win again. Patty Mills actually finished second in points(14pts), when our #2, Wesley Matthews were held to just 9 points. What is going on!?

I know isn't it great? Aussie Aussie Aussie!
Raptors actually won a game today! It was only against the Cavs but damn, it's about time.

 

[JohnBM01]

Yeah, I was quite upset. Still- you just don't give up a 10+ point lead and do next to nothing to secure a win. That loss is our third-straight loss. We have yet to win in the 2011 part of this season. Up next: at Magic (FRI) and vs. Jazz (SAT).

Tonight's games (NBA on TNT):
* Thunder at Mavericks
* Nuggets at Kings

Enjoy tonight's games!

 

[Paulie]

What are you talking about John? This is the NBA, teams give up 10+pt leads all the time. Raptors came back on Cleveland the other night from 15pts down (their first quarter defence was terrible, the Cavs hit 8-10 from downtown, but after that, beautiful).

 

[JohnBM01]

Rockets in a back-to-back. At Orlando tonight and then vs. the Jazz on Saturday. I'd be surprised if we win both games, let alone just one. They need to step up just about all month long.

 

[kjb]

Well my Knicks take on Phoenix today hopefully we beat them and then go to LA and play well.

 

[a6m5]

What are you talking about John? This is the NBA, teams give up 10+pt leads all the time.

This is a very good point. With the 24 second clock, free throws(stopping the clock), etc., the game can turn against you in a hurry. I just read last night how the Timber Wolves are great in the first three quarters, then consistently lose them in the fourth quarter.

 

[FishforRent]

What are you talking about John? This is the NBA, teams give up 10+pt leads all the time. Raptors came back on Cleveland the other night from 15pts down (their first quarter defence was terrible, the Cavs hit 8-10 from downtown, but after that, beautiful).

Exactly. To your point,tonight Spurs and Pacers....Spurs are down by 4 points with 40 secs to go. End up winning by 3. Classic ending. We'll take it after 2 straight loses. Next we have two games against Minnisota...Sunday here is SA, and Tuesday in Minn. Crazy.

 

[Amped96]

I don't understand my Grizzlies this year. They go lose to the Nets and Kings and then run off 3 wins in a row against the Lakers, Thunder and Jazz. All while Allen is beating up Mayo over gambling debt. lol The life and times of an NBA fan...

 

[JohnBM01]

We knew what we signed up for... and failed on national TV on ESPN. ESPN picked the perfect night to showcase the Rockets' woes. We ended up losing 110-95. I'm not going to go on a rant because Orlando is just too damn good. In fact, both Florida teams are too damn good (though we could have won that game at home against Miami had there been better shooting).

Here's the next five games for the Rockets. Tell me if this is brutal of a schedule: vs. Jazz (Sat. Night), at Boston (Mon. Night), vs. Thunder (Wed.), vs. Orlando, and on my birthday- at Atlanta (next Sat.). If that's not a trip through NBA Hell, I don't know what is! Even worse... the last two games of January for the Rockets: at Dallas (1/27) and at San Antonio (1/29). We need a WHOLE lot of help this month!

 

[kjb]

My Knicks took to it to the lowly Suns now we go to LA to face the Lakers. Their West Coast trip has been very successful thus far.

 

[JohnBM01]

Knicks spanked the Suns 121-96. They'll (Phoenix) be even more screwed if Steve Nash is traded or retires. I have at least heard rumors of a possible trade or if Nash may retire.

More games tonight, including my Rockets hosting the Jazz- enjoy your NBA basketball!

 

[JohnBM01]

Five straight freaking losses. This time, 103-99 in Overtime after we've led by as many as 14. We're a lock to lose at Boston and every other game until maybe the Clippers game this month the way we're playing. It's inexcusable for Rockets fans to get beat constantly. BIG changes need to happen immediately, or we'll be playing just to get the 2011-2012 season. Rather than playoffs, it may be the golf links.

Any win would be greatly appreciated. I will probably see the Auburn/Oregon game rather than see the Red Rising hit sunset again...

 

[a6m5]

Yeah, Ducks against Sir Charles' school. Go Ducks!

 

[Paulie]

Anyone else looking forward to the rookies vs sophomore game this year? If they put in the right players it ought to be a cracker, these 2 draft classes have produced some excellent talents.

 

[a6m5]

Not really. I used to get excited about the All-Star Games, Rookie/Sophmore, Dunk Contest, etc. when I was a kid. Then you see it's a fairly meaningless popularity contest, a circus, and is very highly political. I haven't really paid attention to the All-Star Weekend in probably over a decade.

 

[Omnis]

That Blazers-Heat game was incredible.

 

[Paulie]

This is interesting.

The deal would send Anthony, along with guards Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter, along with center Shelden Williams, to the Nets. Detroit would send veteran Rip Hamilton to New Jersey. The Nets would send guard Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors, guards Anthony Morrow, Stephen Graham, Quinton Ross and Ben Uzoh, along with two first-round picks, to the Nuggets. New Jersey would send center Johan Petro and forward Troy Murphy (and his expiring $12 million contract) to Detroit.

Hamilton, Billups and Anthony all on one team? Could that be enough to actually make the Nets a respectable team?

 

[JohnBM01]

Rockets at Celtics tonight. Until the Rockets can get some winning basketball going, the streak is going to go to six straight losing games. Whatever demons are causing us to lose ball games need to be exorcised so we can finally have some winning back in H-Town. How long are we going to have to wait until the Rockets finally win one this year?