Official Thread - Wizards at Rockets (12/29/14)

[pineappleheadindc]

.

[All Houston info as of *before* Sunday night's game vs San Antonio]

____________________VS___________

_________21-8 Overall, 8-2 Last 10, Streak: W2___________________21-7 Overall, 7-3 Last 10, Streak W2
___________6-2 vs Western Conf, 7-4 Road_________________________6-1 vs Eastern Conf, 10-5 Home
_________2nd Southeast Div / 3rd Eastern Conf___________________1st Southwest Div / 3rd Western Conf


It's time for the Wizards to stop gathering their nuts (h/t Eddie Jordan). YOUR Washington Wizards embark on their longest road trip of the season with 5 games in 8 nights, including 2 back-to-backs, across Texas, OKC, and New Orleans. First up is a Monday night match-up with the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets roster, already loaded with stars including All Stars SG James Harden and C Dwight Howard, have recently added SF/PF Josh Smith (waived by Detroit). Former Wizard 3 and D star SF Trevor Ariza starts at the 3 for Houston, whose bench is bolstered by PG/SG Jason Terry and SG/SF Corey Brewer. Head Coach Kevin McHale has the Rockets playing well, as this post is written, Houston currently occupies first place in the Southwest Division and third in the Western Confernce.

Frankly speaking, YOUR Washington Wizards have been feasting on lesser teams and benefiting from a favorable schedule. Their 6-2 record against Western Conference foes is a tad misleadig because they've played some of the west's lesser teams. It all changes Monday night.

Wizards PG John Wall has been playing at an All-NBA level. He's third in the NBA in assists per game (10.3) behind Rajon Rondo (10.5) and Ty Lawson (10.4). Wall is second in the NBA in steals (2.1 per game). He's the only player in the NBA averaging 17 ppg and 10 apg. SG Bradley Beal is struggling a bit, but it's a long season. PF Nene has recently moved back into the starting lineup, albeit with a minutes restriction, after missing six games with a foot injury. Reserves, PF Kris Humphries, SF Rasual Butler, C Kevin Seraphin and PG Andre Miller have played well off of the bench.

Without further ado, let's meet the anticipated starting lineups:

_____

_______PG John Wall, 6'4" (Kentucky)________________PG Patrick Beverley, 6'1" (Arkansas)
________18.0 ppg, 10.5 apg, 4.7 rpg_____________________12.6 ppg, 3.1 apg, 5.4 rpg


_____

_______SG Bradley Beal, 6'5" (Florida)______________SG James Harden, 6'5" (Arizona State)
________15.2 ppg, 3.1 apg, 3.4 rpg_____________________27.2 ppg, 7.1 apg, 6.3 rpg


_____

_______SF Paul Pierce, 6'8" (Kansas)____________________SF Trevor Ariza, 6'8" (UCLA)
________12.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 apg_______________________13.8 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.0 apg


_____

______PF Nene Hilario, 6'11" (Brazil)______________PF Josh Smith, 6'9" (Oak Hill Academy)
________10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.9 apg_____________________13.4 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 4.7 apg


_____

______C Marcin Gortat, 6'11" (Poland)_______________C Dwight Howard, 6'11" (SW Atlanta Christian Academy)
________13.0 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg_______________________18.5 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2.1 bpg

---------------------------------------------------


What: Wizards at Rockets
Where: Toyota Center -- Houston, TX
When: 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus, NBA League Pass, Quasi-legal internet streams
Radio: WNEW 99.1 FM / WFED 1500 AM

----------------------------------------------------

This is a good measuring stick game for YOUR Washington Wizards. If they aspire to being talked about in the same conversation as the league's powers, they'll need a signature win or two. Houston draws fouls on opponents prolifically. Will Washington's depth be a secret weapon against a Rockets team whose bench is not the most impressive? Will Wizards SG/SF Martel Webster be back to add some depth at the 2. Will C DeJuan Blair get some non-garbage time burn to offset the large number of fouls Howard draws and add some bulk on D against him?

Drop your thoughts, predictions, and opinions below.

Go Wizards!

[Tricky_Kid]

Gortat should be motivate as always He is playing against Howard, He doesn't like him very much

[pineappleheadindc]

.
Yeah, Texans in the Houston Area have elected Joe Barton to Congress.

A member of the national house of the greatest country on Earth believes that wind power will cause global warming because all those windmills would slow the wind down and screw up the cooling effects of wind. Aw, heck, let's just go with the quote:

Wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it’s hotter to areas where it’s cooler. That’s what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up? Now, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, Mr. Chairman, but that is definitely something on the massive scale. I mean, it does make some sense. You stop something, you can’t transfer that heat, and the heat goes up. It’s just something to think about.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/who-joe-barton-214400



Nice job, Houstonians.

[hands11]

HOU on a back to back and SAS just beat them.

There are a few games on this road trip that are move favorable then other.

This is one of them. We have to grab this first game win.

[hands11]

.
Yeah, Texans in the Houston Area have elected Joe Barton to Congress.

A member of the national house of the greatest country on Earth believes that wind power will cause global warming because all those windmills would slow the wind down and screw up the cooling effects of wind. Aw, heck, let's just go with the quote:

Wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it’s hotter to areas where it’s cooler. That’s what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up? Now, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, Mr. Chairman, but that is definitely something on the massive scale. I mean, it does make some sense. You stop something, you can’t transfer that heat, and the heat goes up. It’s just something to think about.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/who-joe-barton-214400



Nice job, Houstonians.

I guess this belongs in the Politics thread but man.... that is pure awesome.

About time the truth got out. They are going to mess up the Jet Stream.

But the bigger issue is all those damn trees the tree hugers are replanting. Thats going to have an even bigger effect.

[Illmatic12]

I hope Chocolate City Jordan appears in this thread... why? Because over the summer I remember him vehemently arguing that the Rockets' Trevor Ariza was a borderline-star player and worth $12-$14 million/year.

The same Trevor Ariza that is currently shooting 36% from the field, 33% from three, and posting an 11 PER.. thoroughly being outplayed by 37yo Paul Pierce and 35yo Rasual Butler, who both cost less combined

[Tricky_Kid]

As many people assumed, Ariza is a contract year player. I'm happy that He rejected our offer.

[dlts20]

As many people assumed, Ariza is a contract year player. I'm happy that He rejected our offer.

nah, it has more to do with Wall. He would be playing well for us

[dlts20]

sucks that we have to play these upcoming teams when they are adding some past greats but it is what it is. We can win if for once, the defensive mastermind in Wittman tells his guys to force these lefties to go right. If we get lit up by Harden & Smith because we let them go left all night Im going to be po'd. Gonna be a tough one and that place will be rocking since it will be Smith & Brewer's first home game but we are coming in ready with something to prove and they are still trying to learn eachother.

The matchups of Wall & Beal's offense against Beverly and Ariza's defense will be great to see. Im sure they will put Ariza on Beal and I could see Beverly trying to pressure Wall full court. This trip will tell how far Wall has really come. Has some super tough matchups every night individually and its against the big dog West teams. Is he a real MVP canidate or not? We will learn alot from this trip

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I hope Chocolate City Jordan appears in this thread... why? Because over the summer I remember him vehemently arguing that the Rockets' Trevor Ariza was a borderline-star player and worth $12-$14 million/year.

The same Trevor Ariza that is currently shooting 36% from the field, 33% from three, and posting an 11 PER.. thoroughly being outplayed by 37yo Paul Pierce and 35yo Rasual Butler, who both cost less combined

I no say, brah.

Naht dat.

Dat is sum Boool chit!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Illmatic12,, is the twelve for fictitious amount, 12-14 M?

--The bible says a fool gives full vent to his wrath.
--A wise man overlooks an offense .
--In another context it says do not cast your pearls before swine.

I got nothing for you.

I got a lot on my mind about now .... I might get back to you on this by PM, or otherwise. ..or not at all.

U b u.

I b me

CCJ

ALOHA

[nate33]

.
Yeah, Texans in the Houston Area have elected Joe Barton to Congress.

A member of the national house of the greatest country on Earth believes that wind power will cause global warming because all those windmills would slow the wind down and screw up the cooling effects of wind. Aw, heck, let's just go with the quote:

Wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it’s hotter to areas where it’s cooler. That’s what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up? Now, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, Mr. Chairman, but that is definitely something on the massive scale. I mean, it does make some sense. You stop something, you can’t transfer that heat, and the heat goes up. It’s just something to think about.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/who-joe-barton-214400



Nice job, Houstonians.

[nate33]

I'd Webster comes back healthy, would Houston trade Ariza for him? I'd love to see that happen.

[Hypnotizer]

Both teams are 21-8 now.

[dlts20]

I'd Webster comes back healthy, would Houston trade Ariza for him? I'd love to see that happen.

I wouldnt. Doesnt Ariza have 2 more years on his contract than Web? Its also a bigger contract. On top of that I dont feel any pressure to play Web while Ariza will want to play. Ill just stick with Web for now

[montestewart]

I hope Chocolate City Jordan appears in this thread... why? Because over the summer I remember him vehemently arguing that the Rockets' Trevor Ariza was a borderline-star player and worth $12-$14 million/year.

The same Trevor Ariza that is currently shooting 36% from the field, 33% from three, and posting an 11 PER.. thoroughly being outplayed by 37yo Paul Pierce and 35yo Rasual Butler, who both cost less combined

Oh no you don't! CCJ's mea culpas are so plaintive you end up feeling guilty.

Don't be a hater. CCJ's a visionary dreamer who misses the mark from time to time (like many here). Just be glad we don't have Ariza @ $12 million a year.

[montestewart]

.
Yeah, Texans in the Houston Area have elected Joe Barton to Congress.

A member of the national house of the greatest country on Earth believes that wind power will cause global warming because all those windmills would slow the wind down and screw up the cooling effects of wind. Aw, heck, let's just go with the quote:

Wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it’s hotter to areas where it’s cooler. That’s what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up? Now, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, Mr. Chairman, but that is definitely something on the massive scale. I mean, it does make some sense. You stop something, you can’t transfer that heat, and the heat goes up. It’s just something to think about.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/who-joe-barton-214400



Nice job, Houstonians.

Imagine if all that he said were actually true. That speech would still sounds like an uninformed teenager talking off the cuff about it. How does that get into Congress? (Rhetorical question, of course.) I don't think I know the slightest thing about wind power, and I believe I could make up some better sounding BS off the top of my head than that. Maybe I should run for Congress.

[cammac]

.
Yeah, Texans in the Houston Area have elected Joe Barton to Congress.

A member of the national house of the greatest country on Earth believes that wind power will cause global warming because all those windmills would slow the wind down and screw up the cooling effects of wind. Aw, heck, let's just go with the quote:

Wind is God’s way of balancing heat. Wind is the way you shift heat from areas where it’s hotter to areas where it’s cooler. That’s what wind is. Wouldn’t it be ironic if in the interest of global warming we mandated massive switches to energy, which is a finite resource, which slows the winds down, which causes the temperature to go up? Now, I’m not saying that’s going to happen, Mr. Chairman, but that is definitely something on the massive scale. I mean, it does make some sense. You stop something, you can’t transfer that heat, and the heat goes up. It’s just something to think about.

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/who-joe-barton-214400



Nice job, Houstonians.

God Americans do elect morons!
If he had related it to the butterfly effect it might be more credible. But that would mean science has a purpose:lol:
Good luck on your trip West they have some good teams but Washington is a good team as well.

[Illmatic12]

I hope Chocolate City Jordan appears in this thread... why? Because over the summer I remember him vehemently arguing that the Rockets' Trevor Ariza was a borderline-star player and worth $12-$14 million/year.

The same Trevor Ariza that is currently shooting 36% from the field, 33% from three, and posting an 11 PER.. thoroughly being outplayed by 37yo Paul Pierce and 35yo Rasual Butler, who both cost less combined

Oh no you don't! CCJ's mea culpas are so plaintive you end up feeling guilty.

Don't be a hater. CCJ's a visionary dreamer who misses the mark from time to time (like many here). Just be glad we don't have Ariza @ $12 million a year.

Lol trust me I am. I kinda just wanted to point out for people who hadn't noticed, that Ariza is sucking this year and going back to his pre-contract year status.


Meanwhile Pierce has been quite efficient offensively while surprisingly decent on D, and providing championship vet leadership. EG must be tickled right about now

[Earth2Ted]

Tough matchup for us tonight. Rockets are loaded and will be motivated after a sub par game against the Spurs last night. You know Ariza will be up for the game, he will know every single play we are running, and will be trying to stop that John Wall skip pass for the corner 3 that he used to take himself. So it will be on Wall and everybody to prove (again) that we've adjusted to teams adjusting to us.

Beal against Harden is a real tough matchup for us. What can you say except Beal has to do everything a lot better than he has shown most of the year.

Then there is Howard against Gortat- not sure what their history is head to head, but again Gortat has to step up from the level he's been at most of the year.

So we will have to play a lot better than we did against the Knicks and the Celtics. A little more likely that we lose by 8 or 10 but are never quite in position to steal it.