Houston, We Had A Dynasty - Officially Retired

[Axel The Great]

Yeah, I could've lost against the T-Wolves, who had only won 1 game, but it was against a team that was at .500.

[Andrew]

Shame the streak came to an end but that was still a great run. Fine win over the Suns despite Nash's performance though, he's always a difficult player to play against in Live.

Speaking of LeBron James, nice new avatar, did you use photoshop?

I didn't actually make that (aside from cropping/resizing it), Kevin of thesportsgameguy.com sent it to me. Whoever made it did a great job though.

[Axel The Great]

Shame the streak came to an end but that was still a great run. Fine win over the Suns despite Nash's performance though, he's always a difficult player to play against in Live.

I literally had to get Shane Battier on him (Steve Nash) to stop him for a little bit, and to add insult to injury, he had like 3 offensive rebounds in which he got an easy lay-up. I actually feel sort of relieved to lose, I was beginning to think this was unrealistic, but when I really struggled to make shots against the Hawks, that told me a loss was coming up.

[Andrew]

I still wonder if the AI starts to take winning streaks into account and ramp up the difficulty in addition to the usual comeback logic/rubberband AI the game utilises, or whether it's all just psychological. Either way it gets more difficult to maintain a winning streak the longer it gets, as it should be.

[Axel The Great]

No, the Hawks defense was atrocious, it's just I tend to take perimeter shots on All-Star because the CPU has better blocking ability in the paint, despite the slider being at 0. That night perimeter shots were failing me, so the only way I thought possible in catching up was FT's with K-Mart. I think he went 13/14 from the line? Sac-Town Kings recap is next.

[kibaxx7]

Finally, a loss Good luck against Sac-Town man!

[Axel The Great]

Rockets beat Kings again [13-1]

[12-1] Houston Rockets 107-95 Sacramento Kings [7-4]


Tyreke scored 25, showing why he's the top scorer among rookies.

The Rockets headed home after a disappointing first loss, looking to bounce back. The Rockets had it pretty easy, Kings starting out 4-0, but the Rockets went on a 9-0 run. It was a close game til mid 2nd quarter when the Rockets started to pull away, but the Kings started to come back and were down by 4 at half time. The 3rd quarter though, the Rockets showed, while they did lose on the road, they want to remain undefeated at home, and didn't disappoint. The Rockets stayed dominant throughout the 2nd half and won by 12, and look to be back on track. The Kings just didn't bring enough to Houston to steal the W. K-Mart may have only scored 28, but he, along with Aaron Brooks, had 9 assists a piece. Yao also dominated and went 21 and 13.

The Rockets have 2 consecutive games at home next, they host the Mavs first, and then the 2nd best team in the West, the Spurs.

SPOTG-

Kevin Martin
28 points | 9 assists | 4 rebounds

Box Scores-
30 27 26 24 107
25 28 18 24 95

Top Scorers-
Kevin Martin- 28
Tyreke Evans- 25
Yao Ming- 21

Board Crashers-
Yao Ming- 13
Carl Landry- 10
Spencer Hawes- 9

Assists-
Beno Udrih- 11
Kevin Martin- 9
Aaron Brooks- 9

Double-Doubles-
Yao Ming- 21 points 13 rebounds
Beno Udrih- 13 points 11 assists


Yao has shown he really wants a ring this season.

[Axel The Great]

Finally, a loss Good luck against Sac-Town man!

I know, right? But where I need luck is against the Mavs and the Spurs.

Last edited by Axel The Great on Tue May 18, 2010 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Andrew]

If Yao can be a consistent 20-10 player you should be fine against those teams. I'd post him up fairly frequently, try and get their bigs into foul trouble or draw the double team and create open shots for Martin.

[Axel The Great]

If Yao can be a consistent 20-10 player you should be fine against those teams. I'd post him up fairly frequently, try and get their bigs into foul trouble or draw the double team and create open shots for Martin.

You know, the Kings actually played nice defense on Yao and K-Mart, it was hard to score with them in the 4th because they kept getting double-team, but that always left either Ariza or Lowry open for a three, and that's where the double-team failed them. Actually, I post up Yao quite a bit, that up-and-under move you told me how to use hardly ever fails. And it also doesn't hurt to use it with Scola, Jeffries or the Chuck wagon either.

[Andrew]

Good to hear. It's nice to have a reliable move when the CPU will break out a few turnaround fadeaway threes every so often.

[Axel The Great]

Yeah! OMG, I hate that, Tyreke Evans hit one like that in my game against the Kings, and it wasn't just from the 3pt line, it was from around 30-35 feet from the basket.

[Andrew]

Yeah, it's a good example of how the user and CPU abilities need to be balanced in the interests of realistic play and a fair challenge.

[Clutch]

good god Yao looks like he's on the juice - he's huger than HUUUGE!

[Axel The Great]

Rockets remain undefeated at home [14-1]

[13-1] Houston Rockets 100-91 Dallas Mavericks [7-7]


AB, Yao, and K-Mart proved why they are on my signature.

The Rockets remain undefeated at home, thanks to Dirk Nowitzki's Mavs. The 1st quater was a close one, with both teams trading buckets. In the 2nd quarter however, the Rockets pulled away, and the Mavs never saw the light of day again. The Rockets lead by 21 at one point, but the Mavs made a good run. However, the Rockets were able to hold them off, and are now 7-0 at home. Also, this game saw both teams have less than 20 FT attempts. Dirk Nowitzki had a monster game with 30 points and 15 rebounds. K-Mart was not far behind with 25 points, while Yao continues to dominate with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Chase Budinger provided some offense off the bench and scored a career high 12 points (low, because he's a rookie, and with K-Mart over him in the rotation, it makes sense). Next the Rockets host a hot 10-2 Spurs team.

SPOTG-

Yao Ming
16 points | 13 rebounds | 2 blk | 2 ast

Box Scores-
22 27 29 22 100
20 20 23 28 91

Top Scorers-
Dirk Nowitzki- 30
Kevin Martin- 25
Jason Kidd- 20

Board Crashers-
Brendan Haywood- 15
Dirk Nowitzki- 15
Yao Ming- 13

Assists-
Jason Kidd- 8
Aaron Brooks- 7
Caron Butler- 5

Double-Doubles-
Dirk Noiwitzki- 30 points 15 rebounds
Yao Ming- 16 points 13 rebounds


Dirk didn't get enough support on the offensive end, and is that what he's complaining about?

phpBB [video]

Andrew, this is exactly what you were talking about.

[Axel The Great]

good god Yao looks like he's on the juice - he's huger than HUUUGE!

The guy's a beast, especially on the low post. I hope I can get him a ring.

[Andrew]

That's not the worst offender, there's the run to the three point line, wild turnaround fadeaway three to beat the shot clock that's even more annoying, but the CPU is awfully casual in knocking down threes from way behind the arc like that. In any case, nice win.

[Axel The Great]

Well, yeah, that's not LeBron James impossible, but I find myself making half-court shots once in every 50 games. If I come across a turnaround fadeaway three, I will post it.

[Andrew]

I'd say you'll come across one sooner or later.

[Axel The Great]

Rockets outlast the Spurs [15-1]

[14-1] Houston Rockets 114-108 San Antonio Spurs [11-2]


Shane Battier blocks a three by Ginobili.

In a close Texas duel, the Rockets continue to show that they have the best fans in the NBA. The first half was nothing but solid basketball, both teams strong on the defensive end. Tony Parker just couldn't be stopped, and he scored 40 points! The double-team slowed him down in the second half. Yao had another monster game, scoring 18 points and grabbing 16 boards, and Yao ended up being the key to the game. Chase Budinger is shining and passed his career high of last game, and scored 18 points. With Yao's dominance, the Rockets are yet to face defeat at home this season.

SPOTG-

18 points | 16 rebounds | 2 ast | 1 blk

Box Scores-
24 32 31 27 114
23 31 25 29 108

Top Scorers-
Tony Parker- 40
Kevin Martin- 19
Richard Jefferson- 18
Yao Ming- 18
Chase Budinger- 18

Board Crashers-
Yao Ming- 16
Tim Duncan- 12
Antonio McDyess- 11

Assists-
Tony Parker- 10
Kyle Lowry- 9
Aaron Brooks- 7

Double-Doubles-
Yao Ming- 18 points 16 rebounds
Tim Duncan- 14 points 12 rebounds
Tony Parker- 40 points 10 assists
Antonio McDyess- 13 points 11 rebounds


?


Chase Budinger has just ignited off the bench.

Last edited by Axel The Great on Sat May 22, 2010 6:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Axel The Great]

Rockets strike Thunder twice [16-1]

[15-1] Houston Rockets 92-82 Oklahoma City Thunder [6-10]


Durant with a monster dunk all over the Rockets' defense.

The Rockets left Houston after three consecutive home games, and headed to Oklahoma City. The Thunder looked dominant the first 4 minutes of the 1st, but the Rockets went on a 9-0 run, and the Thunder just started falling apart, they it looked like a Hawks-Rockets game again, except the Rockets weren't on the receiving end. The Thunder got their act together in the 2nd, with Kevin Durant finishing the first half with 24 points. In the 3rd, the Thunder were starting to catch up, and it looked like the Rockets would lose their second straight road game in a row. Kevin Martin wasn't going to allow that to happen. Along with his sidekick, AB, he brought a more comfortabe lead to the Rockets, and the Rockets finally won a game while scoring less than 100 points. Kevin Durant was screwed out of the SPOTG, as K-Mart took it from him. Chase Budinger once again passed his career high of 18, this time scoring 19 points.

SPOTG-

Kevin Martin
23 points | 2 rebounds | 2 assists | 6/6 FT

Box Scores-
27 22 20 23 92
17 25 25 15 82

Top Scorers-
Kevin Durant- 34
Kevin Martin- 23
Russell Westbrook- 20

Board Crashers-
Yao Ming- 14
Etan Thomas- 9
Kevin Durant- 8

Assists-
Russell Westbrook- 12
Aaron Brooks- 10

Double-Doubles-
Yao Ming- 11 points 14 rebounds
Russell Westbrook- 20 points 12 assists


K-Mart is seeing less minutes due to Bud's production.

phpBB [video]

Defense had a lot to do with this low-scoring game.

phpBB [video]

CPU, this is what happens because of your turnaround fadeaway threes.

[Andrew]

Funny moment with Ibaka there. I did something similar once when I was 14, 15 playing in the local junior league when I tried to throw a baseball pass and did a bad job of it. As I got older, I got a lot better at making that long pass off the inbound. Anyway, nice wins.

[Axel The Great]

November Report
The Rockets had a good first month of the season, finishing 16-1. Below are the players of the month, MVP Candidates, League Leaders, and Standings-
East Player of the Month- LeBron James
32.4 PPG, 6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG, 1.9 SPG

West Player of the Month- Kevin Martin
29.4 PPG, 3 RPG, 3.3 APG

East Rookie of the Month- Brandon Jennings
13.1 PPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG

West Rookie of the Month- Tyreke Evans
21.6 PPG, 8.5 APG, 1.9 SPG

MVP Candidates-
LeBron James (see above for stats)
Kevin Martin (see above for stats)
Kobe Bryant [25.6 PPG][4.1 RPG][5.2 APG]
Joe Johnson [28.9 PPG][4.5 RPG][5 APG]
Stephen Jackson[26.4 PPG][9 RPG][3.6 RPG][1.7 BPG][1.5 SPG]

League Leaders-
PPG- LeBron James [32.4] Danny Granger [30.5] Kevin Martin [29.4] Joe Johnson [28.9] Stephen Jackson [26.4]
RPG- Andrew Bynum [13.3] Chris Kaman [13] Yao Ming [12.7] Andris Biedrins [12.5] Al Horford [12.2]
APG- Mo Williams [10.1] Russell Westbrook [9.6] Jason Kidd [9.4] Mike Bibby [8.6] Tyreke Evans [8.5]
SPG- Kobe Bryant, Monta Ellis, Rajon Rondo [2.1] Paul Pierce, Kevin Durant [2]
BPG- Dwight Howard [3.1] Devean George [3] Samuel Dalembert [2.7] Chris Kaman [2.6] Shaquille O'Neal [2.6]

Standings-
East-
Cavs 12-5
Raptors 12-7
Celtics 11-7
Hawks 10-7
Heat 10-7
Magic 10-8
Knicks 9-9
Bobcats 8-9
------------------
Bulls 7-8
Pacers 7-8
Nets 7-10
Wizards 6-10
Pistons 6-11
76ers 6-12
Bucks 4-12

West-
Rockets 16-1
Lakers 13-4
Spurs 11-4
Suns 12-6
Mavs 10-8
Grizzlies 9-9
Kings 8-8
Nuggets 8-10
-----------------
Hornets 8-10
Clippers 8-10
Jazz 8-9
Warriors 7-10
Thunder 6-11
TrailBlazers 6-14
T-Wolves 3-14

[Andrew]

Nice work getting Player of the Month. Good to see a couple of your players in the league leaders as well.

[Axel The Great]

Rockets clip the Clippers [17-1]

[16-1] Houston Rockets 98-89 L.A. Clippers [8-10]

The Rockets went to LA again this season, but this time facing the Clippers. The 1st quarter was a tough one, and Yao's offensive boards kept the Rockets in the game. Like in all games, the Rockets pulled away in the 2nd, and really there isn't much to say about this game, other than the Rockets are now on a 5 game winning streak.

SPOTG-

Yao Ming
20 points | 13 rebounds

Box Scores-
23 22 26 27 98
25 14 24 26 89

Top Scorers-
Kevin Martin- 28
Baron Davis- 25
Yao Ming- 20

Board Crashers-
Yao Ming- 13
Chris Kaman- 11
Drew Gooden- 8

Assists-
Aaron Brooks- 10

Double-Doubles-
Aaron Brooks- 12 points 10 assists
Yao Ming- 20 points 13 rebounds
Chris Kaman- 14 points 11 rebounds


Now that Bud settled down, K-Mart saw a huge chunk of minutes in this game.