SB Nation User Blog: Air Korea

Rockets-Lakers rant

Air Korea — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:13:46 -0000

Did I expect to win this game? No, but we had a very good chance to. I'd say a 45-55 chance, and hell I'd take that against the Lakers. If we lost by 10, no big deal. Losing by 1, in overtime, due to a turnover...kind of makes me want to kick a midget. Everybody played fantastic, with the exception of a bad shooting night by Ariza. We out rebounded them, bench outplayed them, shot a higher percentage, frustrated the Lakers(3 techs). But the turnovers late in the game are what cost us the game. I don't think the downfall of Trevor Ariza is his ball handling, I think it's the way he tries to win over the refs. In every game I've watched, he would slash into the lane hoping for a foul which sometimes causes a turnover or a bad shot. Still glad we took the champs to a very close game. Surprised by the rebounding numbers.

Also Derek Fisher- 0-5 shooting, 0 rebounds 0 assists 2 steals in 34 minutes. just thought that was interesting.

Rockets more dangerous without stardom?

Air Korea — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:12:01 -0000

I got to thinking that maybe the Rockets are more dangerous without any star players. Playing consistently as the underdog gives us the advantage. Also it gives us an advantage on offense, by the defense not knowing who will score or who will have the ball. I'm not saying I don't want Yao or T-mac back but the beginning of the season might not just be a few lucky wins. Rockets are a very deep team that can get 15+ points from any player(excluding Chuck) with no surprise. So if someone is having a cold night, we have other players to replace him and easily contribute.

The game tomorrow vs the Lakers will be very interesting. We see who got the better free agent for a night. How Ariza will do against his former team. If Artest will go crazy like he said. If our new fast paced system can run with theirs. A lot of questions will be answered tomorrow. Although I'm not confident that we'll win, we do have some things going our way. We have a day of rest, they're playing a game right now. It's at home. And they have a weak bench. If we win tomorrow, I'm going to have to buy a new computer screen from cum stains.

Rockets beat Jazz

Air Korea — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:31:55 -0000

Wow, I'm very happy. I started watching the game mid 2nd quarter and I didn't find any downside in the Rockets with the exception of David Andersen. They defended well, made their shots, drew fouls, and executed with perfection in the end. I'm most impressed with Chase Budinger. He was a big part of the key run in the 3rd quarter. Had 7 points and a rebound I think. Also, I'm starting to think that Chuck Hayes is not a liability on offense anymore. Whenever Brooks drives it, the baseline is always open and Chuck took advantage of that every time. Maybe this won't put the Rockets into the elite team discussion but it should definitely have an impact on everyone thinking they're a lottery team. I'm just pretty happy right now, had to say something.

Houston Rockets 2002-2009.

Air Korea — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 08:49:34 -0000

So when Yao Ming was drafted in 2002, people expected great things. I'm sure they didn't actually believe a championship the very first year. But somewhere along the line, they wanted and expected a trophy. In the past few years, through many bumps and troubles, we've come close, but never quite got close enough.

In quite a few posts, I see people blaming the players, the coach, and sometimes even the GM for their shortcomings. They all have some sense in their talk, but in the end, it's all just bull.
1. The players work their asses off, well the majority of the players. You can't blame Yao or Tracy, because they're the ones that made us a legit threat in the league. Without them, we'd be a subpar team. Injuries happen and that's just life. The players are what the fans come to watch. If we blame the players, why watch them or be a fan?

2. I have some criticisms of Adelman but I think the things he's accomplished with this team overshadows what he hasn't done.

3. I don't think Daryl Morey has made a cruicial mistake. He's been right on the dot with his prospects and trades. Can you blame him for getting probably the best team possible to surround Yao and Tracy considering how much salary they take up? Can you blame him for Tracy being injured, then Yao getting injured? Can you blame him for the remaining players to get eliminated in 7 games in the 2nd round by the eventual champions?

So anyways, whose to blame for the Rockets "underachieving" by not getting the trophy? No one. We as fans, should not point fingers at our organization or at anyone else for that matter. We as fans, should continue watching them and supporting them, no matter whose playing, whose coaching, or whose the gm. It doesn't matter if we're winning or we're losing. Maybe you'll call me a fan that has no brain. But maybe you're just a fan that has no heart? That was some deep sh--.

Rockets Options

Air Korea — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:17:58 -0000

Okay the Rockets are looking to stir things up in the offseason. So I'm going to break things down and hopefully you guys will stop with these far fetched ideas.

The ONLY untradeable player they have is Yao Ming. The ONLY one.

Our best trading pieces are Tracy McGrady, who we probably will trade and Shane Battier, who we don't want to trade but apparently we're listening to offers.

The preseason will be a somewhat accurate judgement of what we're looking for. I say somewhat because preseason doesn't really predict how the players will do in the regular season. But beyond that point, if our prospects develop ahead of plan. Brooks and Lowry do a great job at the point. White, Taylor, T-mac? will need some help at shooting guard depending on the future of Mac. Battier, Ariza, Budinger are solid at small forward. Scola, Landry, Hayes? are just stacked at pf. That leaves us with Joey Dorsey if he recovers and is in the lineup at center. While our pfs can play center for a short while, we need a lot of help at that position.

What should we do? We have 2 positions to improve on. Shooting guard and Center.
Shooting guard. 2 options of doing this and both are through free agency. Sign a veteran shooting guard to help immediately. Or sign a Morey guard, one that we will hope will develop although we already have enough of those.
Center. With the remaining free agent centers, we're going to have to trade for one. Obviously we're going to look for a defensive minded center that isn't totally lost on offense(Dorsey).

I have high hopes for the upcoming seasons. When Tracy's contract comes off the books, we'll have about 23 million dollars worth to spend on a player. When Yao comes back, all we'll need is a decent back up center and a second go to scorer in the form of a shooting guard preferrably. Maybe we'll develop that go to guy this season.

Pros of this upcoming season
We develop our young players and give players that we would normally bench a chance to play.
We rest Yao. Very very very big pro.
We unload a big useless contract.
We'll most likely address all our needs.
It'll be fun to watch.
Utah Jazz probably won't go far without their second best player in Paul Millsap.

Cons.
Playoffs look slim.
Morey will have white hair from the stress.
We'll probably hear it from the Jazz fans.

So, in all, I'm optimistic about the Rockets future.

Houston 09-10

Air Korea — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:44:09 -0000

.Rockets 09-10

Since the Rockets are in rebuilding mode, and they've already accepted it. Let's stop trying to think big and try to be a contender this upcoming season. With Yao out and Mcgrady out half the season, there is no way that we can even contend. Not even with Morey. Think of the big picture. Yao gets the rest he deserves this season. After seeing the Rockets lose some games, Mcgrady could be even better or have no motivation. This upcoming season is going to be very beneficial for the long run. We get to see if Ariza is worth the money we spent on him. See if our draft picks can translate their game to the NBA.

Don't tell me I'm not a Rockets fan, I'm just realistic. I haven't given up all hope on this season. This is the NBA, where amazing happens. Maybe we can win 15-20 games until Mcgrady comes back. Ariza has full confidence and we in him so he brings even more than what he brought to the Lakers. Our draft picks are even better than what Morey imagined. We resign Von Wafer and James White develops quickly to solve our need for shooting guard. We move Brian Cook(and his big ass contract) and maybe Joey Dorsey for an adequete center. Then MAYBE we will crack the 8th spot in the playoffs. But seeing how all of these happening are slim. This season is going to be a rebuilding center.

This season to be considered an accomplishment. We'd have to get Yao Ming healthy for the 10-11 season at 100%. We need to get Tracy either motivated or move him. Sign or trade for a new center, I'm hoping for Zaza Pachulia. Maybe trade Tracy and Brian Cook for Zaza, Josh Smith, and maybe a draft pick or an expiring contract. I haven't checked the contracts so I'm not sure. But this will help us a lot with inside scoring and hustle. As long doesn't cause trouble I think this is a + for both teams.

What do you guys think? Don't need any hater comments. Contructive criticism and your thoughts are welcome.

Rockets Game 6 Preview

Air Korea — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:24:42 -0000

Game 5. I think game 5 was a good game no matter what people say. There was a few wtf moments in there, but that's expected in basketball. Our bad defense still kept Broy in check, 9-20 and only 6 foul shots? I'll take that. Outlaw and Fernandez shot a combined 6-20 for 17 points. Aldridge and.....Steve Blake? Were the people killing us. Aldridge offset Luis Scola's performance and Blake came up with some big shots to either stop a Rockets run, or start a Blazers run. We can't have that especially when our pg's are a non factor.

Game 6 should be a turnaround. This is our game 7. If we lose this, then I won't bother with watching game 7. This will prove how hungry we are. I pray that somehow, Yao will get more than 2 touches in the 1st quarter. He should start aggressive. I thought he did a pretty good job with his position. But we just wouldn't get him the ball. If he's aggressive to start the game, he'll either score or put the big 2 in foul trouble or both. Which will help us tremendously. Von Wafer needs to step his game up. I'm not talking about offensively, I'm talking about all around. Boxing out, swinging the ball around, and taking better shots. Arron Brooks had a horrible game. It just wasn't his night. He had open 3's but they just wouldn't fall. That better change game 6. We have too many players who have the ability to make the Blazers pay to not take advantage of it. Scola was the only beneficiary but he got into foul trouble. Coach needs to learn how to coach the game as it's being played. Not how he wants to coach it. If the game isn't going your way, call a timeout and make it go your way. Don't hope the players get themselves out of it. You're the coach, you have to guide them.

Keys to win- Yao needs to get more touches. Scola needs to continue his offensive production. At least 3 of our role players need to step it up. Keep Broy and LA within the 23 points or less. Play team ball. Play like you want to play and do what you have to do to stay in the game. Learn when to lob and how to lob.

My Rockets-Blazers Preview

Air Korea — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:49 -0000

I will try to write this with no bias.

Game 1: Rockets
Game 2: Blazers
Game 3: Rockets
Game 4: Rockets
Game 5: Blazers
Game 6: Rockets
I think this is a matchup that goes either way. We match up very well with the Blazers. We have the top 2 perimeter defensive players in Ron Artest and Shane Battier to throw at Roy. We have Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, and Carl Landry to make Lamarcus Aldridge's life hell. We also have a small Chinese guy named Yao Ming to potentially put everyone in foul trouble, granted that the refs call half the fouls that occur. That leaves us with the pg play. I can't say this enough, I wish Kyle Lowry was starting. But since I don't run things, ABZ has a speed advantage while Steve Blake has a fundamental advantage. Blake isn't an offensive threat except the occasional spot up 3, so Brooks doesn't have to work much on defense. Hopefully he'll use that extra energy to get into the lane and shoot a high percentage shot or dish it off to a cutting Scola or open 3 point shooter. And I pray that he just gives Yao touches. If Yao shoots about 20 shots a game, they win. Hold me to it.
Home court is very important because they have two of the best home records. While having mediocre road records. That said, Houston should have swept Portland. The Blazers stole one at home from a 30 foot prayer. We didn't have Battier that game, and I'm sure if we did, those last 2 plays from Roy would have a worse chance of going in. The Rockets will destroy them in Game 1.
1-Because they lost to the Mavs and they will come back as they always do when losing a game they should have won.
2- To send an early message to the Blazers.
3- They're a young team, only 3 players have played in the playoffs.
As the top said, I'll write this with no bias. I think the Rockets are the better team. They've had so many injuries, and had to waste half the season just to find their identity. And they still managed to compete for the #2 seed. The only way the Blazers might win, is with their youth. They're a young team, and if they start knocking down a few shots, they could carry a lot of momentum and take this series. If they start missing a few shots, they could become reluctant to take any more shots.
The bench will be very very very very important in this game. Partially because they will see a lot of minutes because this will be a very physical game and players will get in foul trouble or get tired. The Rockets bench should demolish the Blazers. Von Wafer should offset any offense from Rudy Fernandez. Carl Landry will abuse Channing Frye. Kyle Lowry will score almost at will against Sergio Rodriguez. And on top of that, we'll see minutes from our veterans, Brent Barry and Dikembe Mutombo. Both are high time play off performers so expect 3's and finger wagging from them.
Ron Artest's play will be very key in the playoffs. If he looks to score 40 points a game with 0 assists, the Rockets have a slim chance. If he looks to score 15 points with 4 assists, the Rockets have a very good chance. I'm not worried about defense because he always brings his defense.
All I want from Shane Battier, is fantastic defense(which is a given). And 2-3 spot up 3's. And I'll be perfectly happy.
Luis Scola needs to go to work early. He needs to bang inside against Aldridge because he can easily get 20 points against him. Also he needs to make LA work on defense. I expect 16 points and 8 rebounds from him in this series.
Yao Ming is the reason the Rockets are where they are. He's the center of their offense. Everything must go through Yao unless it's in transition. Yao and Scola must go to work early. I want them to have 80% of the Rockets shots in the 1st quarter. He has to score at least 20 a game with 10 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Rockets will win this series in 6.

Oh Rockets, Where art thou?

Air Korea — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:39:23 -0000

Very disappointing loss in Phoenix. But watching the 1st quarter, you can tell how the game was going to be. Phoenix just couldn't miss and Houston just couldn't rebound or defend the fast break. Adelman needs to do a better job of getting the team into a better mindset so they don't think they can just cruise to a win. They barely got the win last time these teams met. They need to have a killer mentality in every game especially this game. If they won this game, Phoenix would have kissed its playoff hopes goodbye, would have taken advantage of a SA loss, and put more pressure on Denver and the other teams contending for home court advantage. Yao Ming needs to be more agressive. With Shaq guarding him, Yao gets the advantage of playing 1 on 1 the whole night. He needs to take advantage of that, but instead he seemed too tired and fatigued after a long rest. Ron Artest on the stat sheet looked good. Behind the box score, we see him playing lackluster defense. Grant Hill playing look a 20 year old. In my opinion, he needs to give 100% of defense while only 70% on offense. Shane Battier has stepped it up tremendously and our bench has been doing good at scoring. Also add that Carl Landry should be returning around playoff time, our offense will be set. We just need to enforce our will on the defensive end. In the NBA, offense will come, but defense has to be worked for.
Our next game against Lakers will put us to the test. Definitely will test Ron's defense, and also his sanity. Last time they met, they had a friendly chat and Ron took it personal and tried to play HORSE with Kobe. Epic fail. Hopefully the Rockets will come together as a team and come up top even being underdogs. A win at Lakers will more than make up for a loss at Suns. Every game counts, if they win this they have a good chance to go 7-0 to finish the season. The games they might lose are at home. So any Rockets home games are winnable. The only away game against a playoff contention team is against Dallas. And that game is very winnable. Here's to hoping that we win against the Lakers to start this 7-0.

Rockets-Clippers Preview

Air Korea — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 07:47:34 -0000

Car broke down, couldn't go out. So what do I do? Facebook and write game previews.

The Rockets have a tough schedule after this game. I hope Rick talks to them right and make sure that they don't let this easy game slide, like they have done so many times before. Every game at the end of the season for a playoff team should be played like it's the playoffs. Especially in the tight western conference. If they take this game seriously, it should be a blowout by 20 points. Especially with the possibility of Camby and BD sitting out from injury/illness.

I don't need to write about any matchups. I just need to say one name. Yao. With Camby likely out and Kaman returning from injury. Also the fact that Yao has been playing like Eddy Curry lately just adds more fuel to the fire. Yao will dominate this game just like he normally does against the Clips. I expect a 28 point 15 rebound 3 assist and 4 block game for him. I think that will redeem him for his off games lately.
Speaking of redeeming. I think Crazy Pills has some redeeming to do himself. He's put up enough bricks to build a new Toyota Center. This may be his chance to get back to his good side. He averaged 21 6 and 4 in 2 games this season.

Bright side for Clippers is ZR. Zach Randolph averaged 27 and 12 against us this season. Plus side for the Clippers being injury plagued and headed for the lottery is that the players that would normally be moral support are playing about 20 minutes a game. I'm glad Steve Novak got a chance to prove how much of a lethal shooter he is. I wish we could have kept him. I thought the game winning 3 against the Lakers last year would be enough for him to see more minutes. Anyways....where did this Mike Taylor guy come from. He's putting up some beastly numbers lately. Too bad that's going to end when he visits Houston.

I'm getting off topic, Prediction Rockets 112 Clips 91.
Rockets will blow this game out early. Garbage time for most of the 4th quarter. If this game ends up being close. I give up.