The Dream Shake: FanShots

Clippers Waive Two Players...But not Steve Novak!

2009-01-06T01:03:19Z

Clippers Waive Two Players...But not Steve Novak!

Ah, yes. Finally some respect for the best shooter in the NBA. Paul Davis and Fred Jones? Screw 'em - Steve's staying in town. However, this is somewhat disappointing news, given that to re-acquire him, we would have to make a trade as opposed to a free agent signing. I'm confident that Morey is talking up Luther to Mike Dunleavy.

Via The Hoop Doctors, it's the Yao Ming transformer!

2009-01-06T00:52:11Z

Via The Hoop Doctors, it's the Yao Ming transformer!

"It’s going to come down to Mac getting healthy, and then Mac’s got to kind of be more of a dog," Ro...

2009-01-05T16:35:08Z

"It’s going to come down to Mac getting healthy, and then Mac’s got to kind of be more of a dog," Ron Artest said. "Yao is definitely doing his part.

Houston Chronicle

Clearing Room For The Blazers Out West As the playoff picture begins to take shape it becomes...

2009-01-04T06:17:41Z

Clearing Room For The Blazers Out West

As the playoff picture begins to take shape it becomes clear that the Western Conference is one big game of musical chairs. There are nine viable playoff teams; unfortunately there are only eight playoff spots. For the Blazers to get a spot, one of last year's playoff teams needs to fall off. Someone's going to be caught standing when the music stops. The following are possible scenarios that could derail each team on their quest for playoff glory, helping the Blazers get back to the postseason for the first time since 2003.

Check out the other scenarios over at Bustabucket

Rockets Scenario: Ron Artest and Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston convince Yao Ming to form a rap trio. Their first album goes triple platinum based on sales in China alone and they are forced to quit the team to go touring through Asia.

Sigh... you knew this was coming.

2009-01-04T04:02:10Z

Sigh... you knew this was coming.

"(Effort) is something we’re obviously not giving right now," said Tracy McGrady. "For whatever r...

2009-01-03T21:18:15Z

"(Effort) is something we’re obviously not giving right now," said Tracy McGrady. "For whatever reason, at both ends of the court — offensively, especially defensively — we’re not executing. We’re missing assignments. It’s all of us."

"I got a little frustrated at times," McGrady said. "It’s kind of hard to get in a groove when you touch the ball once every five minutes. I took four shots in the first half. It’s kind of hard to get in a rhythm. I was frustrated, especially when I know there are some times I feel I could go one-on-one but our spacing isn’t good."

Houston Chronicle

Is Artest the Answer?

2009-01-01T15:11:12Z

Is Artest the Answer?

The Wages of Wins blog makes an analysis on whether or not Artest is the Answer.

Take this article in whatever way you want, guys.

Battier To Miss 6 Games

2009-01-01T03:48:47Z

Battier To Miss 6 Games

Via Jonathan Feigen of the Chronicle.

McGrady to Sit Out During Back-to-Back's

2008-12-30T16:14:22Z

McGrady to Sit Out During Back-to-Back's

From the Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen: "Rockets guard Tracy McGrady returned to the court Monday after missing Saturday’s game, but said he and the team have agreed he will not play both games when the Rockets play two games in as many nights."

While I think this makes sense in terms of limiting McGrady's minutes and keeping his knee "healthy", I don't like this idea very much. Either we play T-Mac for a while or we don't; I've never seen someone just pick and choose which nights he feels like playing like this. It disrupts chemistry and timing - you have to have separate game plans every night, and not just for the opponent, but for your own team as well. Hopefully this will work, but I don't like the idea at all.

Bonzi Wells is Averaging 46 Points Per Game in China

2008-12-30T16:09:11Z

Bonzi Wells is Averaging 46 Points Per Game in China

Former Rocket and Dream Shake victim Bonzi Wells has caught fire in China and is destroying the competition. Wells says he is playing "freely", which explains the fact that he took a walloping 37 shots last week en route to scoring 48 points against Tianjin Ronggang. 37 shots from Bonzi? Imagine if T-Mac played in China.

Report: Francis Traded to Memphis

2008-12-24T19:44:37Z

Report: Francis Traded to Memphis

NBA.com is reporting that the Rockets have traded Steve Francis to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will also receive a 2009 second-round pick, and in return, Houston will receive a conditional 2011 pick. Ironic, really, since Francis was once traded from the Grizzlies to the Rockets in 1999 in the largest deal in league history at the time.

The move puts the Rockets under the luxury tax and allows us to sign another player.

If you ask me, that player is going to be Dikembe Mutombo. For one, we've been giving up far too many points in the paint this year when Yao goes out, and on night's such as the Cleveland game last night, there's always potential for Yao to be out of the game for a lengthy period of time. Expect the signing to be Mutombo - it's almost a guarantee.

Memphis Grizzlies acquire Steve Francis, draft pick from Houston : Grizzlies : Memphis Commercial Appeal

2008-12-24T19:32:49Z

Memphis Grizzlies acquire Steve Francis, draft pick from Houston : Grizzlies : Memphis Commercial Appeal

The Rockets sent Stevie Franchise and a 2009 second-round draft pick to the Grizzlies for a conditional 2011 second-round draft pick. Luxury tax savings abound.

"I just want to say see you guys in Houston, No comment. Thank you."

2008-12-24T06:03:17Z

"I just want to say see you guys in Houston, No comment. Thank you."

Yao Ming after the Rockets-Cavaliers game.

Does Anyone Know Anything About the Rockets?

2008-12-22T23:01:00Z

Does Anyone Know Anything About the Rockets?

BDL released their power rankings this week, and once again, for the one-billionth time, whether it's BDL or any other publication or blog, the description was something along the lines of "gotta stay healthy" and nothing else.

I certainly don't dislike BDL or many other blogs around the nation - I read many of them and get a kick out of most. It just seems like the growing trend, when it comes to talking about the Rockets, is to dabble in our health issues. Does it matter that Aaron Brooks is growing into one of the better point guards in this league? Has anyone noticed that Yao Ming, despite his slight drop in numbers, is once again leading our team every single night? Apparently not, since he is getting ZERO love for MVP voting. Does anyone care that we've beaten many of the better teams in this league thus far, and only lost to the heralded Celtics by four? Nope: the only thing interesting about us is our number of hospital receipts. And while it's obvious that we do have health problems, I think we also deserve a little more respect from writers who want to provide their readers with some legitimate insight. Give the Rockets the proper analysis they deserve - that's all I ask.

Basketbawful's "Yao Watch" Returns

2008-12-22T22:36:09Z

Basketbawful's "Yao Watch" Returns

Basketbawful has brought back the "Yao Watch", which chronicles Yao's ridiculously consistent ability to have his shot blocked. The watch was on hiatus for a brief period of time, but now it is back. Scroll down the page for past Yao Watches. I hate to say it, but it's actually legitimate.

Would you pay 150 grand for T-Mac's car?

2008-12-20T18:20:00Z

Would you pay 150 grand for T-Mac's car?

Our friends from At The Hive posted this on our fanshots section, but I think it deserved a little more attention. Add this to my Christmas List, along with Battier's red jacket and Ron Artest's black, sleeveless shirt with that quote on it.

NBA's Best and Worst Uniforms

2008-12-20T18:11:58Z

NBA's Best and Worst Uniforms

I will forever be the lone supporter of the Spaceman Stripes, as they have once again been shot down, this time by HoopsWorld.

"Back when Hakeem Olajuwon was winning championships for the Rockets, they had really nice, simple uniforms. Then, they went to this ridiculous spaceman/pinstripe situation which segued to their modern-day getup, which looks even more like a spacesuit. I guess with a name like "Rockets," that's sort of the idea, but the font is horrible and the wide sleeve stripes are too much. They sort of look like candy-stripe nurses. Yuck."

However, they sure crossed the line the minute they mentioned our current uniforms, which I don't see any problems with. To you HoopsWorld, I offer a sincere flash of the finger.

Anyone Got 150 Grand Lying Around?

2008-12-20T08:31:56Z

Anyone Got 150 Grand Lying Around?

T-Mac selling his car...

Adelman+Artest=match made in heaven

2008-12-19T23:09:44Z

Adelman+Artest=match made in heaven

Adelman is the only coach so far who has persuaded Artest to buy into the team philosophy and not speak out. He did it not once but twice. Like D'Antoni and Nash, Adelman and Artest were made to play/coach together.

A tribute to the progress of Artest and the persuasion of Adelman.

Is ESPN Serious with this stuff?

2008-12-19T03:37:10Z

Is ESPN Serious with this stuff?

And I quote: "The Houston Rockets probably didn't obtain Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings in the offseason to come off the bench, but the volatile forward has adjusted well to his new role through one game."

Are you serious ESPN? Artest even talked about coming off the bench in his very first interview on the subject of becoming a Rocket. Do the Spurs suffer with Manu coming off the bench? I'll take that one, no, no they don't. The people that start a game do not have to be your best players. They just have to be the team you want on the court with 12 minutes on the clock in quarter one.

Artest's best spot is coming in and running the team with Aaron Brooks, or whoever is playing second team that day. He provides a defensive presence and needs the ball in his hands. With Yao and Tracy, there are not enough touches for them to all be on the court the entire game. It makes complete sense that Artest comes in the game when one or both sit.

I hope the Rockets don't change this at all this season. It's the perfect way to play Artest. He'll still close out games, just like Manu.