The Dream Shake: FanPosts

How are we losing? A closer look...

2009-01-06T01:50:33Z

Things we already know...

So the Rockets currently sit on a less than expected 21-14 record and are carrying a two game losing streak. With Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest as former/current All Stars, how did we get to this point?

It is undeniable that we have the BEST center in the league in Yao (or one of the best, putting aside my own bias), and that we have 2 of the Top Defenders in the league in Ron Artest and Shane Battier. However, looking at our loses there were some statistics than stood out and seemed repetitive...

1st Loss - 103-99 Boston Celtics:

GUARDS - Ray Allen 29 points & Rajon Rondo 10 points

CENTER - Kendrick Perkins, 15 points

Yao 8 pts, TMac 26 pts, Artest 15 pts, Rafer 4 pts, Brooks 12 pts

2nd Loss - 101-99 Portland TrailBlazers:

PF - LaMarcus Alridge 27 points & 9 rebounds

PF - Travis Outlaw 14 points & 13 rebounds

Yao 13 pts & 6 rebounds, TMac 30 pts, Artest 9 pts, Luis-Landry 18 pts & 6 rebounds

OutRebounded 16-5 (offensive rbnds)

3rd Loss - 111-82 Los Angeles Lakers:

GUARDS - Kobe Bryant 23 points & Jordan Farmar 16 points

F - Pau Gasol 20 points

Yao 12 pts, TMac 3 pts, Artest 8 pts, Rafer 7pts, Luis-Landry 24 pts

4th Loss - 77-75 San Antonio Spurs:

GUARD - George Hill 17 points

F - Matt Bonner 11 points, 3/4 3pt

Yao 13 pts, TMac 7 pts, Artest 18 pts, Luis-Landry 12 pts, Rafer DNP, Brooks 14 pts

5th Loss - 96-86 Dallas Mavericks:

GUARDS - Jason Kidd 8 points & Jason Terry 31 points

PF - Dirk Nowitzki 24 points

Yao DNP, TMac 16 pts, Artest 14 pts, Luis-Landry 20 pts, Rafer-Brooks 31 pts

6th Loss - 91-90 Indiana Pacers:

GUARDS - TJ Ford 10 points & Brandon Rush 11 points

PFs - Danny Granger 16 points & Troy Murphy 21 points, 4/6 3pt

Yao 19 pts, TMac DNP, Artest 19 pts, Rafer-Brooks 14 pts, Luis-Landry 30 pts

7th Loss - 104-94 Denver Nuggets:

GUARD - Chauncey Billups 28 points, 4/9 3pt

GUARD - JR Smith 19 points, 5/9 3pt

Yao 18 pts, TMac DNP, Artest 13 pts, Rafer-Brooks 31 pts, Head 3 pts

8th Loss - 109-97 Memphis Grizzlies:

PFs - Rudy Gay 20 points & Hakim Warrick 18 points & Greg Buckner 8 points

Yao 14 pts, TMac DNP, Artest DNP, Luis-Landry 28 pts

9th Loss - 95-82 Los Angeles Clippers:

PFs - Al Thornton, 26 points & Zach Randolph 30 points

Yao 24 pts, TMac 19 pts, Artest DNP, Luis-Landry 13 pts

10th Loss - 99-90 Cleveland Cavaliers:

GUARDS - Mo Williams 23 points & Daniel Gibson 11 points

F - LeBron James 27 points & 9 rebounds

Yao 19 pts, TMac 4 pts, Artest 14 pts, Rafer-Brooks 30 pts

11th Loss - 88-79 New Orleans Hornets:

GUARD - Chris Paul 26 points

Fs - David West 23 points & Rasual Butler 13 points

Yao 19 pts, TMac 11 pts, Artest DNP, Rafer-Brooks 12 pts, Luis-Landry 19 pts

12th Loss - 89-87 Washington Wizards:

F - Antawn Jamison 30 points

Yao 12 pts, TMac 15 pts, Artest 20 pts, Luis-Landry 22 pts

13th Loss - 94-73 Toronto Raptors:

CENTER - Andrea Bargnani 19 points

Fs - Chris Bosh 19 points & Jamario Moon 7 points

Yao 14 pts, TMac 4 pts, Artest 12 pts, Luis-Landry 10 pts

14th Loss - 103-100 Atlanta Hawks:

CENTERS - Al Horford 10 points & Zaza Pachulia 10 points

GUARD - Flip Murray 17 points

F - Josh Smith 29 points

Yao 16 pts, TMac DNP, Artest DNP, Luis-Landry 34 pts, Rafer-Brooks 19 pts

We have two weaknesses @ the Guard & PF positions. Yes, while I agree that Luis Scola and Carl Landry are formidable players and can provide a spark on offense, in a position-by-position comparison against similar players, in our loses, they have either been shut down by the competition or lacked the ability to stop the competition. They lack size against those players (Glad Mutombo's back). However, I'm not taking into consideration that Shane or Artest might have been defending those players or whether their absence impacted our defense.

Just look at the Dallas game, it's not good when the scoring output of two of our players TOGETHER is less than or equal to the output of A player from the opposing team that plays in the same position.

However, it is ok sometimes when that player is the Star of the other team. That's when our own stars are supposed to step up. So to continue "Bash T-Mac Week", in the 10 games he's played that we've lost in, he's averaging 13.5 pts, and that's ONLY because of the first two games we lost where he put up decent scores. Taken those out of the equation, he's averaging 9.8 pts in our loses when he plays, truly a waste of 21 million dollars.

Have no fear dreamshakers, we can still look on the bright side. We've yet to lose to the same team twice (although that might change on wed when we play the celtics), Crazy Pills will snap and maybe T-Mac will decide to earn his paycheck on the last half of the season...

Need a sign idea

2009-01-03T04:27:23Z

I am a Rockets fan from Michigan. Ever since I was about 5, they have been my favorite team. I recently scored two free tickets to go watch the Rockets play the Pistons in a few weeks at the Palace. Even though I am a fan of the Pistons as well, I will go in my McGrady jersey to root for the Rockets. Do any of you have an idea for a sign? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

LAST SECOND SHOTS

2009-01-02T23:24:44Z

After seeing the Wizards game debacle, I started pondering on who should take the last second shot. On monday's game it was Yao, even though he was already 4-13 before taking a fade-away jumper that bounced off the rim. We have had games with similar situations but I fail to recall any successful last-second shots this season. I know Ron Artest and Tracy have both failed in a couple of instances.

So Dreamshakers, I leave it up to you to vote for whoever you think should take the last shot, either to tie or win the game.

My vote goest to Brent Barry, after some penetration by T-Mac/Brooks and a dish out for the 3. I believe that at this point T-Mac is not shooting well enought to take on the responsibility, even though he's better at it than Yao and Artest (in my opinion). Brent is like our upgraded Novak (who hit a game-winner against Sacramento last season) and could become our version of Big Shot Rob, for Robert Horry.

Poll

Who should take the LAST-SECOND shot?

The Streak is Still Ours!

2008-12-26T01:05:49Z

Celtics lost! We still have the [second] longest streak in NBA history. For once, thank you Lakers.

McGrady

2008-12-24T17:33:27Z

I have been a Tracy McGrady fan for forever i defended him through all of his playoff failures especailly since he does come big when it matters (EX. 40 points game 6 elimination in Utah last year) But McGrady seems to me like he has totally lost it as we can see from last night. The old Mcgrady would have never back down from a game against the King and would have out scored him. Last night even though it appeared his knees where hurting, but whats new? A champion plays through the pain. What is our solution? I feel that McGrady's days are numbered, and it hurts me to say that since I am his biggest fan.

Some Pondering

2008-12-18T12:23:31Z

First fanpost, if it sucks don't hate me. Thanks.

Anyway, I caught The Basketball Jones Podcast (J.E. Skeets and Tas Melas). There was an email sent to them by one of the viewers. It states:

"..Every year it seems that Houston is the trendy sleeper pick to make it out of the Western Conference. Why do people keep drinking the Kool-Aid? If Yao and McGrady were both simultaneously healthy, sure they would be dangerous. But they never are. How many times does the same thing have to happen before everyone notices the pattern?"

Well first of all, to me anyway, the Rockets came into the season and were expected to be legit contenders rather than just sleepers. Claiming that they could actually win it all was more believable now than the previous seasons. Expectations were high coming in, but could you really blame anyone for expecting that?

The Rockets have shown what they're capable of(whether consistently or not, they've been able to showcase), both good and bad. They've been able to dominate teams, play stifling defense, play efficiently on both ends. You pick they've done it. They can be pretty underwhelming, too. They've also put on dismal and pitiful performances by showing lack of effort, offensive ineptitude, laziness. Again you pick, they've done it.

I can't say much about this team, I don't get to watch them that often and I can only judge them mostly on what i've been reading. The only games i've been able to watch were: The October Dallas Game, The loss at Denver, the win over the Hawks, and the loss to the Clippers.

For me, it's still too early to say anything, but let me ask. Are we just blindly optimistic or is this team, really, the "real deal"?

Which is more impressive? T-Mac vs. Melo

2008-12-18T00:13:08Z

Since we've just played the Nuggets, I thought of something peculiar. Which is the more impressive feat?

A) Carmelo Anthony scores 33 points in one quarter.

B) Tracy McGrady scores 13 points in 35 seconds.

I lean towards B because of my fanhood and because that was a ridiculous game, but you have to admit, scoring Yao's season high in a single quarter is also insane.

VOTE

Poll

Which is more impressive?

Melo's 33 in the 3rd.

9 votes

T-Mac's 13 in :35.

50 votes

59 votes | Poll has closed

A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO OUR BIG MAN PROBLEM!

2008-12-15T21:04:51Z

how about trading luther head for johan petro of the oklahoma city thunder. hes a 7 footer, and the trade would allow the rockets to get rid of luther head and fill up the void at backup center, the salaries pretty much match. the rockets currently dont have a true center to back up yao, and just in case the rockets dont end up signing mutumbo it should make sense. wut do u guys think?

Mutombo going to Boston?

2008-12-14T14:53:30Z

CelticsBlog

Once Dikembe Mutombo passes out his gifts, he hopes to return to the NBA for a final season, possibly with the Celtics.

The 7-foot-2-inch, 260-pound center said last week he hopes to sign with a team after spending Christmas with his family in Atlanta. The four-time Defensive Player of the Year said among the teams that have shown interest are Boston, San Antonio, and Miami. The former Rocket also said Houston has "not answered me." The 42-year-old, who has blocked 3,278 shots during his 17-year career, said he is in "good shape" from working out three hours a day with spinning classes, yoga, and weightlifting.

"You'll see me in the next two weeks," Mutombo said. "I will be somewhere. I really need to go back to playing. I've just got to make sure that I go to a place where I can be happy. There are about four to five teams that I've been looking at and about seven teams that have shown interest. It's up to me to make my decision."

WTF?

Steve Javie

2008-12-14T06:11:47Z

Anyone up for a petition to get Steve Javie fired?

As we all know he has long been ruining our league with his marvelous calls. I think it is about time someone gets this started because once playoff time comes around I have a feeling the rockets will be fortunate enough to get screwed over with him reffing at least one of our games, so I figured we might as well fix it before he ruins it.

Dallas Mavericks STS Watch

2008-12-14T04:25:38Z

I don't know what my obsession is with this, but here is tonight's STS (starters that suck) watch outcome:

Dallas
Starters		Min	FG	3Pt	FT	+/-	Off	Reb	Ast	TO	Stl	BS	BA	PF	Pts
J. Kidd	G	37:07	2-3	2-3	2-2	+2	3	4	7	1	1	0	0	3	8
J. Barea	G	25:15	3-7	0-2	0-0	-6	0	1	5	1	0	1	0	1	6
E. Dampier	C	14:07	0-0	0-0	0-4	-10	1	4	1	1	0	0	0	2	0
D. Nowitzki	F	39:50	17-30	2-4	10-10	+5	1	8	4	5	0	2	1	2	46
D. George	F	36:06	1-6	1-5	1-2	-2	2	2	0	1	1	0	0	1	4

What's worse? A) The Mavericks' only had one starter in double figures, or B) They beat the historically putrid Thunder by only four?

NBA All-Star Break move ROX SHOULD DO!

2008-12-10T02:00:23Z

Take your pick!

or add more suggestions, we'll take the top 3 and have a poll in january...

For me:

# 1 - Sign Mutombo

# 2 - Get rid of Luther Head, for ANYBODY

My personal choices for #2: Stromile Swift, Cuttino Mobley (if the knicks release him/want to clear more cap space for LBJ in 09), Marcus Camby. But knowing our owner he won't be too happy to pay the extra bucks of Luxury Tax, so he'd just trade them for draft picks...

Got better ideas?

We made it 1/4 of the way Dream Shakers!

2008-12-07T06:52:03Z

Ok,

Let's say that I told you we were 1/4 of the way through the regular season. T-Mac is out, we are shooting 39%, the Spurs are on a winning streak, CP3 is still the man AND our Rox or 1st in the SW. The shooting percentage is just a seat of the pants estimate but come on, we are doing it people!!

All the Rafer haters out there (I was the biggest, sorry) didn't know about the surgery slowing him down from this offseason, at least I never heard about it. He must be starting to feel better because he is doing a great job.

Q/A Time...

How are we matching up with other teams in the west like the Barfitall Spazz?

Is Adelman on Crack?

Is Dorsey gonna play?

Can Yao dominate?

Is it the postseason yet so I can at least have an excuse for quitting my job?

Just a quick thank you to all you out there in Dream Shake Land. I am registered at ClutchFans, but I like this site the best, keep up the good work.

Jake

Isn't it a good day when you realize that you aren't the only one who can't stand the Jazz?

A Note From ClipperSteve

2008-12-04T18:30:35Z

Hey guys.

I missed a note from Lee on the game thread at Clips Nation yesterday, and I thought I'd continue the conversation here.

In response to this statement in my preview:

Just based on personnel, I'm saying that this year's Houston team sans TMac must be one of the ugliest teams to watch in the league. I don't like Yao's game - he's very good, but not particularly graceful or fun to watch. And I simply despise watching Ron Artest. He's very effective, but all brute force and strength. If basketball were more like gymnastics and there were style points, Houston would never win.

Lee left this comment:

I’m surprised you don’t like Yao’s game. His turn around jumper is a thing of beauty. He’s also the best free throw shooter in big man history IMO both in aesthetics and accuracy. He’s less graceful on the court in appearance more because he’s so ridiculously strong. Opposing players beat on him all game long. They cause a lot of that because it’s so hard to fight him for position without doing it with brutality.

Let me say up front that I misspoke. I LOVE Yao's game. Like Lee says, he makes his free throws, he's efficient, he's got good hands, he's a good passer. Seriously, what's not to like? The first time I watched him his rookie year, I knew the guy was good.

But I don't particularly like watching Yao play - certainly not as a fan of the other team. Watching Yao at 7'6" turn and shoot over Zach Randolph at 6'9" is a little like watching me post up ClipperMax (who is 12). (By the way, I stand by my Artest comment.)

Having said all that, I'm not sure how teams beat the Rockets when things are working. Get the ball to Yao, he either scores against single coverage or gets fouled and makes his free throws. If you double, he kicks it out, and there are shooters all over the court (at least they were shooters last night).

I'm sure I'd LOVE watching Yao if I was a Rockets fan! But I assure you, I get it, he's an amazing talent, and he is just so efficient. That part, for the Rockets, is a thing of beauty.

FREE AGENTS 2009

2008-12-02T14:14:57Z

Hi,

Although many fans are waiting the summer 2010 and the possible Lebron´s arrival to New York Knicks alongside Steve Nash and Chris Bosh, I think that it is important the possible big arrivals this next summer 2009, because there will be good free agents. I found a good analyze about the free agents this next summer 2009,....we will see if some of these players arrive to Rockets

http://saqueneutral.blogspot.com/2008/11/nba-free-agents-2009-article-in-english_29.html

Barkley The Miserable

2008-12-02T14:13:58Z

Can someone tell Barkley that no matter how much he talks bad about the Rockets, he will still never get a ring. This is a team which stupidly dismantled a championship squad for his broken down has been fat body. I take comfort in knowing you will never get "the shine" , thats the ring idiot. If T-Mac never gets a ring, he is still a better player than you and cry baby "dead beat dad" Malone and so is Yao. Now grab a bucket of fried chicken and go sit in the corner an be miserable. Maybe try to pay your debts in Vegas or something...

[Feigen] T-Mac out another week

2008-12-02T03:08:46Z

Jon,

Any word as to when Dr. Andrews' conclusions would be coming out after visiting with McGrady? Are there tests that will take a while to come back?

(Nothing has changed. The diagnosis and recommendations are basically the same, but he will miss another week. -- Jonathan)

Posted by: David at December 1, 2008 06:30 PM

http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2008/11/artest_wins_the_blame_game_but.html#comments

Just two games this week, though: Clips and Warriors.

[Chron] Francis has no doubts he'll play

2008-11-29T04:57:11Z

Houston Chronicle

He has no doubts he’ll play

Rockets guard Steve Francis has been rehabbing all season, and he’s finally ready to compete at practice for court time

By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Nov. 27, 2008, 11:26PM

There was a moment Steve Francis let himself wonder and worry. He had played in 10 games last season and none since February. But that did not make him question his ability to excel in the NBA.

He underwent surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee Feb. 26, sending him on a long, tedious rehabilitation. Still, he did not worry.

It had been years since he left the Rockets as Stevie Franchise to return as a free agent whose contract was bought out by Portland after two disappointing seasons with the New York Knicks. But his faith in his abilities remained.

Then, at about the time in the preseason he expected to practice and compete for playing time, he was sent for more rehabilitation, and finally, for the first time, Francis’ confidence was hit and the doubts began to win.

“At first, it did get shaken,” Francis said. “When they shut me down and made me do more rehab, that was tough on me. I did begin to wonder. But now, I’m content I’m going to get out there and play.”

Francis, a 6-3 guard, has not been in uniform this season. He has yet to travel to a game. He has completed only two practices, with only one offering the sort of full-court scrimmaging that could test an ability to come back from an injury.

He is not listed on the Rockets’ injury report. When coach Rick Adelman was asked Wednesday what he thought of Francis’ progress, he had no opinion.

A different role

But Francis, 31, said he had made so much progress he is convinced again he will make it all the way back. His role has changed from those three All-Star seasons, and he has no idea what his body will allow.

“I’m in a different position on this team,” Francis said. “I’m not in a position to dominate the basketball like I used to. I understand that. Our offense is basically about timing, and not a lot of the pick-and-roll stuff like I used to always do. So there is an adjustment to the offense.

“There’s a lot of miles, of course. I can’t really say how I’ll play. I can’t say because I have not really played. It’s all about getting confidence and timing. But I do know I will be back.”

That playing has become a worthwhile goal says a great deal about how much things have changed since Francis’ first tenure with the Rockets, or his return before last season when Adelman assumed Francis would be his starting point guard.

Francis averaged 19.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists in his first five-year stint with the Rockets. He averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and seven assists in his first season with Orlando.

He averaged 12.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists in his four seasons since, prompting questions about whether his career was close to washed up.

“I can’t pay attention to that,” said Francis, in the last season of his contract with the Rockets. “I would have handled it differently four or five years ago if that was being said about me. But I’m married with kids. That’s what’s important to me, not worrying about what someone says about me.”

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Francis remains in the Rockets’ plans, but he added the chances of him breaking into the rotation are not good unless starting point guard Rafer Alston or backup Aaron Brooks miss games.

But Francis’ absence has been conspicuous, especially when the Rockets travel, leaving Francis behind and making him appear further from his comeback.

Morey said there was more Francis could do to rehabilitate in Houston and that when he began to make improvements, the team did not want to disrupt his progress.

Longs to be part of team

“I want to go on the road,” Francis said. “Like last trip, I didn’t go to Washington (his hometown) and that killed me not to go on that trip.

“In practice, that’s the only way I’m going to get a chance to play.”

Asked if he was ready to compete for playing time, Francis said the knee might be but his game is not. He said his timing is off and he is trying to learn the offense.

“I want to get to that point,” Francis said. “It’s hard for me to say when I’ll get in or anything like that. The toughest thing is when the fans do that chanting. If they do that chanting … again I’m going to cry.”

Whether they ever do again sing “We want Steve,” Francis is certain they will get their wish.

Rockets guard Steve Francis is ready to trade his sportcoat for a uniform and return to playing in the NBA.

Poll

Chances Steve Francis gets playing time this season as a Rocket?

No chance - he's done

5 votes

Slim

15 votes

It's 50-50

5 votes

I'm cautiously optimistic

17 votes

I fully expect him to eventually become a contributor

6 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

Yao Ming = liability in 4th quarter Pacers game

2008-11-27T04:45:27Z

I love Yao, but here's his problem. With this era of the NBA, he simply has no chance of being a dominant center CONSISTENTLY because of the variety of teams we have to play over the course of a schedule.

It's been well documented how bad he struggles against teams with smaller, but quicker and stronger bigs that can front him and force turnovers. It's almost pathetic how so many teams can be dumb enough to think that their centers can guard Yao 1 on 1. That's right, I'm looking at you Dallas (Dampier, Diop), Orlando (Howard), New Orleans (Chandler), Denver/LA (Camby, Kaman), New York (Curry), etc... Seriously, if every team decided to front Yao, he would be in big trouble unless we played a team that was extremely undersized (Miami).

Because of this, I am extremely concerned if we continue to run the offense through Yao REGARDLESS of the matchup, which is a terrible mistake. If we play teams that don't front Yao and only want to guard him 1 on 1, THEN he should be our #1 option. But if the opposing team is fronting him and trying to prevent him from getting the ball in low post position, stop running the damn offense through him! Play him less minutes in those games and get more touches/shots for T-Mac, Artest, and Scola. As we just saw tonight in our choke job, it costs us turnovers, taking points away from us and giving points to them.

But I've only talked about guarding Yao on offense. With Yao on defense, it only gets uglier. We saw the worst case scenario in this 4th quarter choke job. Sure you can say that our offense sucked at the end, but Troy Murphy getting a quick 8 points on Yao fueled the comeback.

Yao is probably the most unique player in the NBA. How do you classify him? In some games where he's guarded 1 on 1, he looks like a legit superstar. Then in games like this, he's a total liability on BOTH ends of the court. Scrubulicious. If our #1 priority was to win this game, he would've been on the bench in the 4th quarter, period. If not that, at least don't freaking run the offense around a big liability.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Other notes from the game:

- How is it that we can have Battier AND Artest on the court, and yet have Carl Landry of all people guarding Danny Granger at the end? Are you kidding me? This was off a timeout too, so there's no excuse. Unbelievable. Granger blew by him, and it appeared Landry simply allowed him to go baseline.

- Didn't we bring in Artest specifically to step up with Tracy is out? Well 6-21 isn't going to get it done.

- It's pretty sad that Murphy outplayed Yao, and their guards (Ford, Jack) outplayed our guards (Alston, Brooks). AB especially was basically a no show.

- 18 boards for Scola? Props to him.

- Starting lineup offensive efficiency... OUCH! Artest: 6-21, Alston: 4-14, Yao: 5-14, Scola: 6-17.

- I'm surprised Von Wafer didn't get to play a single minute with T-Mac down.

- Speaking of Tracy, it would've been real useful to have him in the clutch, especially against teams that front Yao.

Why don't the Rockets sign a Big Man?

2008-11-22T19:40:29Z

I keep asking myself why don't the Rockest sign a big man to be a back up center/ power foward. This is a postion that really needs to be filled. I keep hearing people talk about Mt. Mutombo coming back but what can you do in the meantime. The Rockets are getting killed on the boards and no one is afraid to drive the lane against them. When Yao gets hurt what will they do? We all know he is going to be hurt again. Why not try to sign Antonio Mcdyess? Why don't they package the garbage and get a good big man. You got Luther Head, Stevie Francis, and Chuck Hayes all taking up roster space. Brent Barry an old three point threat that will sit the bench. They should of got a back up two guard for Mc Grady because you know he is hurt also. I just don't understand some of the logic in some of the decsion making. The Rockets are overloaded on small guards and short power fowards. Get some people that play well and size up. If the rockets were a fast break small ball team it would be different. The starting line up is good height wise but when the bench comes in they shrink. And right now the way they are playing stinks.