I was reading this and I found it a bit interesting. The Rockets are ranked 8th on seed compitition in the west.

8. Houston Rockets - The Rockets are undersized, overmatched and worn by injury. From a talent standpoint, they are severely depleted. Yao is out for the year, and Tracy McGrady won't come back from micro-fracture surgery until midseason. Yet Houston continues to win games. Even without their best players, the Rockets have beat three of their first five opponents, including the Blazers and the Jazz. How have they been able to do it? A combination of effort and efficiency. As of Tuesday, the Rockets ranked fifth in the NBA in assists per game and seventh in offensive rebounds per game. They're not afraid to make the extra pass and they'll fight you to the death for second opportunities. 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.

What do you think? Are the Rockets 8th seed or are they better? Here's the link http://blogs.uscannenberg.org/neontommy/2009/11/basketballs-wild-wild-west.html

While reading some Dream Shake fan posts, I've noticed a lot of hat toward Rafer Alston. Well he's having a great game tonight agianst the Cavs. He's got a new career high of 26 points, and it doesn't look like he's stopping anytime soon. So I would like to know some of your thoughts about.....

• Rafer Alston's playing tonight
• Your thoughts on his trade
• His time in Houston
• Do you even like him??

so thanks for reading, and tell me what you think..

[Note: This is a particularly interesting FanPost for me, because my middle school basketball coach, Ron Dickey, coached Rashard when he was at Alief Elsik.  I actually talked to Coach Dickey about it the other day at a reunion, and he remembers Rashard being "long, tall, and unwilling to drive to the basket."  But he also noted that "he could really stroke it from three" and that "he was one of the nicest kids I've ever coached."  Though I have no personal ties to Rashard myself, I'll be rooting for him.  That said, do I still want the Cavaliers to win?  Yes.

--Tom] 

"I still think about that day all of the time," Rashard admits. "I don't know why. I'm happy what I'm doing now and where I'm at. I'm happy being in Seattle, but it just something about that draft day."

"You know I was just a kid. I was just 18 years old, excited about being drafted to the NBA. I felt like all of Houston was watching me. My high school was watching me. I think they had a draft party at my coach's house. I'll never forget that day, being in the green room with my family and my agent."

"As my name was getting passed, I couldn't even take it no more and I had to leave and go to the restroom because I didn't want nobody to see how hurt I was. So I started crying in the restroom while nobody was around."

I can't believe the Houston passed him not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES!! Well I've been watching the Cavs Magic series thinking this Rashard Lewis can ball! But just recently I was amazed to find out he was from Houston. I was amazed to find out he went to Elisk High School where I go to school, and more amazed to think he couldve been a Rocket! I understand  Michael Dickerson and Bryce Drew becuase they did show potential but Mirsad Turkcan?!?!?!??! Seriously?

I know, I know the Rockets wouldn't have been the team they are today blah blah blah. But still.....

"Veron Maxwell, Sam Casell, Hakeem Olajuwan, Robert Horry ... I could go down the list," said Lewis. "I was a big fan of the Houston Rockets. I'm still a fan of basketball and the Rockets are still one the of the teams I'm a fan of regardless of the situation that happened. There's no bad blood held. I was upset at first, but I've been in the league for 9 years."

For someone who started their NBA career crying in a bathroom stall it looks like he has a pretty bright future ahead of him. Good luck Rashard! You're 2 games away from winning it all!

 Well my home team is the Rockets, but before their games start the Magic Celtics game was on. Since then I've devloped into a Magic fan! Huge fan of Dwight, and Lewis! They're great players! I've enjoyed watching them play!:) Now that Houston has been eliminated, im going for Magic all the way! My heart is in Orlando right now! I hope you guys win it all!

I don't consider myself a hardcore Magic fan, but i have a feeling after the end of their playoffs (hopefully when the win it all)  I'll become one! Thay play great ball out there!

Congratulations on you 7 game victory against the Celtics! Best of Luck in taking Lebron down lol! I believe yall can go out there and finish them! Oh and if you play against the Lakers please defeat them!

again CONGRATULATIONS MAGIC!

ohh and ive attatched a poll

who do u think would be the clutch player for the magic

interested in your opinions!