Houston @ Oklahoma City GameThread, Jan 9, 2009 7:00 PM CST

Game 38 - Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Friday 7:00PM CST

by UofTOrange on Jan 9, 2009 11:15 AM CST in Game Previews Comment 28 comments

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder, Jan 9, 2009 7:00 PM CST

The Match-ups:

Point Guard
Alston - Rafer hasn't shot over 50% since the Cleveland game. His FG% is down to 35.5 percent. Ugh. I'm too pissed at him to give him the edge here.
vs.
Westbrook - He started off poorly, but of late, Westbrook has upped his FG% from 35 percent to 41 percent, has reeled off a few 30 point games, and is averaging 4 rebounds to go with 5 assists. I'm not convinced he's a point guard yet, but I am convinced that he's got loads of talent.
Edge: Thunder

Shooting Guard
McGrady - I want to see our offense click like it did last night with McGrady in the lineup. Even if we only scored 89 points last night, the Celtics boast some great defense, and we were very efficient at times during the game. Hopefully we can stay in sync with Mac's return.
vs.
Mason - Desmond is a high flying dunker...and that's it. So is James White, and unfortunately for NBA highlight reels everywhere, he's no longer in the NBA. Desmond's not much better.
Edge: Rockets

Small Forward
Artest - Great game from Rawn last night, but he can't turn off the jets tonight. We need him to hold down KD, and while I love Ron and think he's a big part of this team, the edge here goes to Mr. Durant. He's improved immensely since last season and is a natural scoring machine.
vs.
Durant - So it's possible that he is a free agent in 2011, right? I can't tell you how incredible it would be to see him in a Rockets uniform. So Mr. Morey, can you please say screw 2010 and go after Durant in 2011??
Edge: Thunder

Power Forward
Scola - Last night was pretty ugly, but he was in foul trouble and Landry/Hayes played their asses off. Still a wild Argentinean beast.
vs.
Green - He's got plenty of good days ahead of him, but he's not there yet. However, if I were a Thunder fan, I'd be excited to have Jeff Green on my team.
Edge: Rockets

Center
Yao - Swiftie probably had Yao's poster on the wall in his bedroom when he was in high school.
vs.
Swift - Living proof that adding 30 tattoos to your body will not make you a better basketball player.
Edge: Rockets

Injuries
Houston Rockets
OUT - Shane Battier

Oklahoma Thunder
None

My Prediction: Rockets 105 - Thunder 90. Let's get a win streak going.

0 recs | Comment 28 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

with all due respect to Jeff Green, who is good

I refuse to call the team “The Thunder” or “Oklahoma City”. They are simply “the Durants”.

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

True Dat!

Their name is pretty lame, but at least they changed the name of the team when they left the emerald city. The hornets are a good team but they should be the Jazz not Screwitah. I mean when the Rox came from Cali the name fit so we kept it, if it didn’t fit the city we would have changed it. Anyways go Rox!!! I hope Yao goes off tonight!!!

Peace in the middle east….

Your a ten, but I'm on eleven!

by JakedaSnake on Jan 9, 2009 6:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Artest not playing, McGrady is

Artest is basically doing the same thing T-Mac is with playing just 1 game in a back-to-back, but I guess he’s just doing it more quietly.

by goingforthecorner on Jan 9, 2009 6:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

the difference

The difference is that Artest actually PLAYS when he plays.
(no, the difference is not drinkability. Fuck I hate that commercial.)

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 6:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

but the decision alone to play just 1 game of a back to back has been criticized with McGrady, but nothing is said about Artest doing the same thing.

by goingforthecorner on Jan 9, 2009 7:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

okay I don't like it

I wish crazy pills would miraculously heal himself.
I let him get away with the one-on-one-off because I know he’ll play hard in the one-on.
McGrady? Not so much.

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Brent Barry not playing either

due to a personal reason

by goingforthecorner on Jan 9, 2009 7:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

party?

Party at Jackie Treehorn’s?

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 7:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jesus, I hate you Rafer

And I say that every game. But then you go and do something good, and I have to shut up about how much I hate you.

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 9, 2009 7:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well,

at least McGrady and Yao might get the Durants to foul out

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 9, 2009 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Finally

thanks, T-Mac. Only took ’til 4:30 in the 1st quarter for Houston to get a basket.

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 9, 2009 7:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

off and on

McGrady is being aggressive…….. with his jump shot.
Two layup attempts and some free throws. Which I really like.
The Matador Defense has to stop though.

I’d really like Von Wafer more if he could shoot free throws.

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 7:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

well,

he’s shooting 74%

not good, not terrible.

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 9, 2009 7:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that's not good

A player at his position has no reason not to shoot at least 80. I may bitch about a lot of things that I couldn’t do myself (like, oh, dunk), but free throw shooting is one area I should be allowed to complain about… I always shot 85-90. It’s a simple thing. I’m still stunned Rafer and Tracy are making FTs this year.

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 8:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Britney?

WTF is Britney Spears doing in OKC for a Rockets/Durants game?

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 7:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Houston Rockets – Oklahoma City Thunder

LIVE NOW

http://www.iddaliyim.tr.gg/Canli-Mac-izle-_-salon-2.htm

www.iddaliyim.tr.gg

by milleniumprince on Jan 9, 2009 7:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

STEP ON THEIR THROATS, Rockets!

by grungedave on Jan 9, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In that spirit,

(and in keeping with the Lebowski thing from yesterday) I think I have an explanation for the intensity seen yesterday (and a little tonight).

At the last team meeting:
Adelman: We have won again! This is good, but what is best in life?
T-Mac: Sleep, sweet cars, family, and charity softball games.
Adelman: WRONG!!! Ron Ron, what is best in life?
Crazy Pills: To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!

by Only_A_Lad on Jan 9, 2009 8:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs