The Dream Shake: FanShots

Western Conference Power Rankings

2009-11-07T08:39:57Z

Western Conference Power Rankings

"Led by 6-foot dynamo Aaron Brooks and Lakers cast-off Trevor Ariza, the Rockets are making a strong case for playoff candidacy. Already they have a better record than both the Jazz and the Blazers, teams considered to be playoff locks. If Rick Adelman can continue to get this kind of effort from his players and avoid further injury, the Rockets will sneak into the playoffs and give the Lakers hell in the opening round."

Thanks Hakeem; sorry Rockets

2009-11-06T18:29:36Z

Thanks Hakeem; sorry Rockets

Followup article to Hakeem's tutoring, post Laker game

EmptyTheBench likes the Rockets so far

2009-11-04T19:03:18Z

EmptyTheBench likes the Rockets so far

Empty The Bench is on board with what the Rockets are doing this year and what Daryl Morey did to make it happen.

Though I do disagree about people not agreeing with the Rafer Alston trade. It was pretty blatantly the right thing to do.

Budinger is going to miss the LA game

2009-11-04T19:03:12Z

Budinger is going to miss the LA game

We might get a chance to see JT, Landry might also be playing the 3

Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #houston_texas #sports...

2009-10-29T22:06:42Z

Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #houston_texas #sports #basketball #nba #houstonrockets #anal
about 7 hours ago from WeFollow

Our illustrious GM discussing his interests via Twitter

Excerpts From The Book The NBA Doesn't Want You To Read

2009-10-29T21:53:18Z

Excerpts From The Book The NBA Doesn't Want You To Read

While publisher Random House will reportedly not publish Tim Donaghy's book "Blowing the Whistle: The Culture of Fraud in the NBA" because of liability concerns, deadspin.com printed what it calls excerpts of the book.

I find it pretty interesting, even if there is no supporting corroboration.

Charles "the Rockets are the worst team in the West..."

2009-10-28T18:25:16Z

Charles "the Rockets are the worst team in the West..."

Check out this video, he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about...

Guarding Greg Oden

2009-10-28T16:31:12Z

Guarding Greg Oden

Solid article by Wendel Maxey on how the Rockets chose to defend Greg Oden last night

Basketball Prospectus "Outliers" Article

2009-10-23T21:34:38Z

Basketball Prospectus "Outliers" Article

Good discussion of the huge gap in player usage rate on offense of Memphis (very high) and Houston (very low w/o Yao, TMac). For the stats oriented amongst us, this is the defining question of Houston's 2009-2010 season.

It's Official

2009-10-23T17:44:11Z

It's Official

The Rockets waived Brent Barry today. So the roster is finally official and Joey Dorsey can breathe easy.

Will Conroy waived

2009-10-22T20:04:52Z

Will Conroy waived

The Rockets told guard Will Conroy he will be waived later today, reducing the roster to the required 15 players, Conroy said Thursday.

The Strike is Almost Over

2009-10-21T18:27:37Z

The Strike is Almost Over

From what I've heard, the replacement refs pretty much suck. Turns out, as much as we like to complain about them, the NBA's referees have a pretty tough job, and they generally do a good job (Javie's still a dick).

So it looks like Stern and the NBA are basically giving into the referees' remaining demands, and they should be back on the court in time for the start of the season next week. Hooray.

Rockets cut Temple and Beck

2009-10-21T17:44:45Z

Rockets cut Temple and Beck

David Andersen : misses out on lucrative dance contract

2009-10-15T09:54:33Z

David Andersen : misses out on lucrative dance contract

It seems that the big Aussie, David Andersen got more than he bargained for when he signed with the Houston Rockets. Little did he know that he had a shot at making the Rockets' dance team, in addition to auditioning for the starting centre spot.

It's safe to say that big Dave failed on that opportunity though -- as the following video footage will attest to. I really couldn't have seen him in a skirt and mid-drift top though, could you?

So, where the blimey is this all headed? In one of the many rookie hazing activities that go on, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier and Luis Scola decided to get the Rockets rookies out at centre-court during a game and make them take part in a dance off. The song they gave to Andersen? Well let's just say it had the words, "I said 'do you speak my language?' He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich."

Ball Don't Lie previews the Rockets

2009-10-13T17:51:30Z

Ball Don't Lie previews the Rockets

"The Rockets won 53, and while screwing things up in one year shouldn't afford you the chance to screw things up in another direction this year, I still think it's something to be wary of. Maybe they shouldn't have been surprising us. Maybe they were every bit as good as their wins suggested. And that doesn't mean we should discount our own knowledge about the game as a result, that means we just learn from these mistakes, and move on.

That said, you go beat the Rockets. Go on, try to beat them. Try to score on them. Stay in front of those guards. Try to tap out an offensive rebound on that Lilliputian front line. They're so awful, you're so good ... go on. Beat ‘em."

--Kelly Dwyer

Rockets @ Magic: 6:00 PM

2009-10-09T23:17:20Z

Rockets @ Magic: 6:00 PM

Here y'all go. Comment if you can see the game.

BPro Previews the Rockets

2009-10-09T15:19:59Z

BPro Previews the Rockets

Basketball Prospectus just released the 2009-2010 Pro Basketball Prospectus, and, fortunately for cheap Rockets fans, their favorite team's chapter is available as a free preview. So, what does BPro have to say about the Rox?

Are fans and analysts missing something? According to SCHOENE, they are right on the money. SCHOENE sees Houston slipping to 37-45, finishing 19th in Offensive Rating and 18th at the defensive end. However, the other system we use at Basketball Prospectus, NBAPET, tells an entirely different story. NBAPET sees the Rockets going 52-30 and capturing the fourth seed in the West. This more optimistic forecast has Houston finishing 21st in Offensive Rating, but still succeeding by leading the league in Defensive Rating. Now, we point these things out not to pit our systems against each other, but to underscore how interesting this year’s Rockets are going to be. McGrady could mess all of this up by coming back, of course, and his availability--let alone his effectiveness--is very much a question mark.
However, what we know and expect right now is that the Rockets will play the bulk of this season with $38.8 million worth of star power watching from the sidelines. What is left is a collection of role players. Ordinarily, that would be a prescription for disaster. However, the Rockets don’t just have role players. They have a roster full of really good role players.

So, as usual, the answer is up in the air. Thanks, Pelton; I could have told you that.

Anyways, I heartily recommend the Prospectus, particularly if you're into basketball stats or play fantasy basketball. Oh, and Morey writes the forward (and he says you're not a real fan if you don't read this book - so read it!).

Daryl Morey Podcast

2009-10-09T14:24:06Z

Daryl Morey Podcast

Houston Rockets Team Essay and Forward by DM

2009-10-09T14:10:28Z

Houston Rockets Team Essay and Forward by DM

Its a good read and the page also has analysis of the Thunder's players if anyone is interested

Bill Worrell drops a "Stacy's knee" on Tracy McGrady last night

2009-10-07T13:05:30Z

Bill Worrell drops a "Stacy's knee" on Tracy McGrady last night