NBA Watchability Scale- Rockets #3

The_Yoyo · Dec 14, 2009

behind the Lakers and the Suns

3. Houston Rockets

What, you say? A team without it's two most marquee players is watchable?

First of all, Tracy McGrady is no fun to watch. He's lost his athleticism, and now all he does is launch bad jump shots. He's the antithesis of what Houston has built this year, and while they're giving him a raw deal by saying he can't play when he's ready, they know what we all know: he would mess up their chemistry.

But still, Houston? Allow me to respond to your question with a series of questions.

* Do you like watching an underdog? Of course you do. You're an American who probably is also addicted to March Madness. And Houston is most definitely an underdog. Of the Rockets top nine players (Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza, Chase Budinger, Carl Landry, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, David Anderson), only Battier was a lottery pick. Scola was cased aside by the flippin' Spurs, only the gold standard as organizations go. Lowry was traded from the Grizzlies. Hayes is a 6-6 center - you tell me who'd want that. Landry and Brooks were eyebrow-raisers when they were drafted. Ariza won a championship, then was given up so the Lakers could get Ron Artest. This team plays with an edge because, well, nobody wanted them.

* Do you like watching teams that play hard? Of course you do. You're one of those people that either complains himself or has a friend who complains that nobody tries hard in the NBA. I implore you to watch the Rockets and tell you they aren't trying hard. Watch how Battier and Ariza slide their feet on defense. Watch how Hayes never gives up an inch of post position, no matter the opponent. Watch how Brooks always pushes the ball up the court. They're like that team of geezers at the YMCA that clearly don't have half as much talent as the team they're playing, but always win because they just work so much damn harder than you.

* Do you like watching teams that play smart? I'd think so. Houston knows they can't score against good defenses well in the halfcourt because of their lack of talent, so they get out in transition and shoot threes as much as they can. They're fifth in the league in fast-break points, and they're just deadly spotting up for treys. Watch them just pick apart the Clippers (one of the league's best at defending the three).

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* Do you like watching up-tempo teams? Probably. As previously mentioned, the Rockets play up-tempo.

* Do you like old-fashioned post play? I do, at least. Carl Landry is a throwback, a big guy who doesn't have any interest in playing outside. I love watching him play and wish the Wizards had someone like him. Scola, too, is a deceptive post player that will do anything possible to get his shot off, even if it means pump-faking it three times.

The bottom line? Houston pretty much has every quality you want in a basketball team, except starpower. But they more than make up for that with their sound, fundamenal play.

Unfortunately, because the NBA schedule makers are bozos that are in love with star power, the Rockets aren't scheduled to be on national TV once. Cleveland gets tons and tons of national TV appearances because they have LeBron, yet Houston, who works harder and smarter than any other team in the league, can't even get one look on NBATV. Obviously, GM/whizkid Daryl Morey is such a genius that he's seduced the TV executives into completely overlooking his team. That's my only explanation, because it's a damn shame that those players don't get any sort of recognition. But maybe if they did, they'd lose their edge. So, you know what, just leave them as is.
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pretty good article ranking the teams on how fun they are to watch worth a read for sure

LINK

raj87 · Dec 14, 2009

Somebody with high level connections should kindly forward this to the heads at ESPN and TNT.

t-mac_#3_SG · Dec 14, 2009

* Do you like watching an underdog? Of course you do. You're an American who probably is also addicted to March Madness. And Houston is most definitely an underdog. Of the Rockets top nine players (Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza, Chase Budinger, Carl Landry, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, David Anderson), only Battier was a lottery pick. Scola was cased aside by the flippin' Spurs, only the gold standard as organizations go. Lowry was traded from the Grizzlies. Hayes is a 6-6 center - you tell me who'd want that. Landry and Brooks were eyebrow-raisers when they were drafted. Ariza won a championship, then was given up so the Lakers could get Ron Artest. This team plays with an edge because, well, nobody wanted them.
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.....

Francis3422 · Dec 14, 2009

Thank god for FSN for the locals.

I used to live in Montana and saw a couple games a year.

Now I can watch every game.

Hayesfan · Dec 14, 2009

Nice find yoyo

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to The_Yoyo again.
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Ziggy · Dec 14, 2009

This is the team every high school coach in America should be making their kids watch.

Hayesfan · Dec 14, 2009

Ziggy said:

This is the team every high school coach in America should be making their kids watch.
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except for that Toronto game... and maybe the two Dallas games after the first quarters

Other than that....

kgoodman · Dec 14, 2009

We can't get TV time when we are playing the freaking CAVS. Instead we have to watch the Bulls and Wizards.

pgabriel · Dec 14, 2009

I think this is a great article. As a matter of fact this is the type of article Bill Simmons used to write on the NBA before he started trying to be cool Vegas man. Very fan friendly and what things people are really interested in. Who is the most fun to watch.

And I appreciate the love for the Rocks

mjhaver5 · Dec 14, 2009

kgoodman said:

We can't get TV time when we are playing the freaking CAVS. Instead we have to watch the Bulls and Wizards.
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this made me laugh...

DaDakota · Dec 14, 2009

Great article but obviously did not watch yesterday's game...

DD

Pete Chilcutt · Dec 14, 2009

Nice find. Thanks for posting

CaptainRox · Dec 14, 2009

I agree w/ everything besides the politically correct mcgardy hate ( he was very unathletic last year but hey he'll be back soon (I hope))

When the rockets are down and made those comebacks they're amazingly fun to watch like the LA game and 76ers game

MambaJoe · Dec 14, 2009

Ziggy said:

This is the team every high school coach in America should be making their kids watch.
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Amen to that

tmoney1101 · Dec 14, 2009

Francis3422 said:

Thank god for FSN for the locals.

I used to live in Montana and saw a couple games a year.

Now I can watch every game.
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They have this new thing out called NBA League Pass, ever heard of it? :grin:

Big MAK · Dec 14, 2009

DaDakota said:

Great article but obviously did not watch yesterday's game...

DD
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I'd gladly take a loss like yesterday and beat LA and Clev.

houstonsnk · Dec 14, 2009

^^yep
Great read too.

LosPollosHermanos · Dec 14, 2009

i love this team

rocketfan21 · Dec 14, 2009

Francis3422 said:

Thank god for FSN for the locals.

I used to live in Montana and saw a couple games a year.

Now I can watch every game.
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HEYHEYHEY!!

I thought I was the only Montanan in world history to like the Rockets!

And how about them Montana Grizzlies! My good buddy since elementary school just led em to the national championship!!

LCII · Dec 14, 2009

Chronicle should hire this guy to write

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