I believe that the only reason that the Rockets are never great year in and year out, is because everyone on our team is a huge Harry Potter fan, and we strive to make ourselves like the fabled series of young wizards.

First off, the teams: We are obviously the most benevolent team in the NBA, which clearly makes us Gryffindor. Then Hufflepuff, an honorable yet "lame" house which honors hard work and dedication would have to be the San Antonio Spurs. A team characterized by cleverness and intelligence would be the Ravenclaw team, also known as the L.A. Lakers. Lastly, an evil team known for all around bull-shittery and (asshole-esque) behavior (Slytherin) would be the Utah J-ass.

Now, we must analyze a few of our players in search of allusions to Ms. Rowling's novels. 

Aaron Brooks: Obviously our hero that saved our entire house from sure destruction last season: Harry Potter

Shane Battier: The smartest most logical person on our team: Hermione Granger

Chase Budinger: He is a ginger: Ron Weasly

Luis Scola: A big guy you can't help but love: Hagrid

Chuck Hayes: Everyone loves him yet his hidden qualities are always well... hidden: Neville Longbottom 

Yao Ming: Capable of surprising everyone with his news, whether its his sexuality or his retirement plans: Dumbledore (Even though he's not part of any house. Free agent I guess?)

Still skeptical? Well for the final nail in the coffin, we look toward our small forward position: The defense against the dark arts position. Just 3 Years ago, the position was happily filled by Battier. Then, it was cursed with the presence of Ron Artest. Following a season of crazypills, we signed a determined Ariza, and we all know what happened then. BRICK BRICK airball BRICK. Now it is filled by a promising Courtney Lee. May God have mercy on him.

as you all know, a whole lot of crazy random shit can happen quickly (like what happened like 30 seconds ago) so it seems only fair that we should all make a guess as to who we will acquire next. whoever is right gets a yummy cookie from the double tree. K?  I go first. I guess that we get rip hamilton from detroit some crazy way. your turn, pull that lever. (7)(7)(7)

Not to long ago, I read a Dreamshake article about Tracy McGrady's true shooting percentage vs. Kevin Martin's. To me, this was an excellent article because I believe that a player's TS% is the most accurate way of scoring efficiency, in which case K-Mart's % was right at 60%, which is considered incredibly good. Now this got me wondering about the other "elite" in our league's TS%. Soooooooooooooooooooo, here they are; the cream of the crap.... err I mean crop:

• Chris Paul: 58.4%
• Kobe Bryant: 54.5%
• LeBron James: 60.4%
• Chris Bosh: 59.2%
• Dwight Howard: 63%
• Steve Nash: 61.5%
• Dwyane Wade: 56.2%
• Kevin Durant: 60.7%
• Amare Stoudemire: 61.5%
• Pau Gasol: 59.3%

Now I know it is somewhat unfair to compare the starting lineup of a mid/upper pack western conference team to what would be a team that could prevent AIDS with it's talent. But what the hell....

• Aaron Brooks: 54.9%
• Kevin Martin: 56.1% 
• Trevor Ariza: 48.8% (ouch)
• Luis Scola: 55%
• Yao Ming 59.61% (apparently), (we can't expect this next season... honestly)

Hmm... Not so bad... Now your assignment is to figure out why one can possibly argue that say, Kobe Bryant is better than say, Dwight Howard despite the distinct contrast in their TS%. Or, does stat not lie?

I remember a couple of years ago, I was watching ABC 13 news, and it was the sports segment. After about thirty minutes of mindless gabble of Texans this and Texans that, the Rockets came to mind. It was one of our better seasons (not 05-06) but we weren't anything to behold. The last words the sports anchor said were "At least we aren't the Chicago Bulls"

And I laughed. I hate the bulls, for whatever reason. But they seem pretty stacked now. There are rumors now that T-Mac (my favorite player despite what anyone says) is going there. Well whatever, at least he's not going to the Clippers. I wrote this off with little remorse.

Then, I hear that Yao has said he may never return to his original dominant form. Please keep this to yourself big fella. We as Rockets fans have been subject to a lot of heartbreak over the years. But again, I convinced myself he was overreacting.

Well this morning (or should i say mourning) while making my daily rounds of the internet, news arrives that Yao may call it quits. You probably have heard this, and have panicked already. I can't help but ask why Yao would say something like this. It doesn't really benefit anyone, but it does hurt. But alas, Rocketmen, I still do, dearly believe that he will return to close to his 23 10 ways. But, for the sake of argument, if he doesn't get better, should we bite the bullet and trade him right now? That is if the right trade arises. And what trade would be adequate? 

Here, I thought up two trades that really make me  and should make you drool. The first is more realistic than the second, which is essentially me day dreaming. 

Here's the first: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2dj7kr4

Look at the Hollinger's analysis. I don't think its going to be that bad for our counterparts, though.

And now the dream: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2e2jzl6

The only thing is that I feel bad letting Battier go. What do y'all think? 

Want a guy with this badass of hair to leave? Neither do I.

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Now that all of this crazy BS is over, the real problems arise. I just heard that the Bobcats are tailing our precious Scola. Discussions were "serious," with the Bobcats in talks of offering either Tyrus Thomas or Luis a contract. But... he's restricted so we can match any offer right??? RIGHT?????

In Morey We Trust...

Remember when you were a kid? When all that mattered was going outside and shooting hoops on a summer day? Did you ever think; Man, I really want to make it to the NBA! I know I did. Now who thought; wow, I hope I can be a media hog, and try to make as much money as I can. I didn't. My point is, players and teams need to get off their high horse and realize that what they do is a dream of millions of people, and they should treat it that way. Personally, I think that the NBA should limit how much players make, and limit these mass suicides that teams make in order to make salary cap room. What do you guys think?

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