Houston, We Had A Dynasty - Officially Retired

[Axel The Great]

Now that Halstead's got his first few games in, how 'bout a little love for my other rookie?

Over the Hill

It was Monday, January 3, 2011. After Sunday night's game at Denver, the Rockets flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and booked practice time in the Timberwolves' practice court.

"Have you been in contact with Donte lately?" asked Aaron Brooks. "Yeah, he said he's fine, when we get back to Houston, I'll visit him at the hospital," answered Kevin Martin. They were both lacing up their shoes to get ready for practice. "Damn, I still can't believe somebody would do that, he's not the type that goes looking for trouble," said Brooks. "I have a pretty positive idea on who it was," said Martin.

"Who do you think did it?" asked Aaron. "Isn't it obvious, man?" Martin said as Brad Halstead came into the locker room. "You're late," said Rick Adelman angrily. "I'm sorry coach, I was just chatting with the ladies," he answered. "What, ladies like men with small heads now?" joked Shane Battier. The whole locker room laughed, including Rick Adelman. "Fuck you Shane," answered Halstead angrily.

"From now on, call me Sir Shane, it's about time somebody taught you manners, boy," said Shane in a serious tone. "I don't need manners, manners are for pussies," he answered. "We'll see," said Shane, and walked out of the locker room to warm-up for practice. Everyone else left too, and Brad was left alone in the locker room, except for Kevin Martin.

"Confess now, while you're alone," said Martin, staring Brad down. "Confess that I hate your guts and that you're nothing but a mere fluke in the NBA?" asked Halstead. "No, it was you, wasn't it? It was you who shot Donte Greene in the leg, do you deny it?" asked Martin. "What're you talking about? Who's Donte Greene? And poor bloke, I hope he's okay," replied Brad.

"Don't act all innocent, you know and I know very well you did it to get a spot on the team. Watch, I'll uncover the truth from you one day, and justice will be served!" continued Martin, and walked away. "What the hell's wrong with him?" Brad asked himself.

During practice, Thierry, who had been promoted to assisstant coach of the Rockets, was working with Yao Ming and Gregory Costa on low post play. "You're a great player Greg, never have I seen a rookie play that way offensively," Yao compimented Greg. "Thanks, Yao," said Costa. Thierry stroked his beard, and went to Rick Adelman to ask him for a team scrimmage. Adelman liked the idea, and assembled 10 players for a scrimmage, sitting Yao, Martin, Halstead, and Shane on the bleachers.

"What, I'm not playing?" asked Halstead. "No, it's your punishment for showing up late to practice," Thierry answered him. Halstead rolled his eyes and sat down on the bleachers, between Shane and Martin. "One thing you should learn, show up early to practice, that's how you get somewhere in the NBA," Shane Battier scolded at Halstead. "I don't care about practice, games are what count," Halstead reassured himself. "Which is why you're a scrub who came onto this team because of a mere tragedy," answered Shane.

Halstead stood up suddenly, and stared down Shane. "I'm getting tired of you bullshit," Halstead told him. "It's not bullshit, it's the truth," Battier answered him, not concerned at the cold look Brad was giving him. "Now sit your ass down, before I get physical with you," Shane threatened him. Halstead sat back down, and did not talk for the rest of the scrimmage they were watching.

Aaron Brooks threw a lob pass to Jordan Hill, who slammed it down with authority. "AWW!" yelled Hill. He was on the floor, stroking his ankle, grimacing in pain. Rick Adelman and Thierry went over to him, "What's wrong, man?" asked Thierry. "I rolled my ankle when I landed," Hill answered him. "Get a doctor," Adelman ordered Thierry. "Right away, sir," Thierry ran. Moments later the team doctors were examining Hill.

"He won't be able to play in about a week," said the head doctor. "Oh, great, another player down," Rick Adelman said. "I suppose Greg can take over," he told Greg. A huge grin appeared in Gregory Costa's face, as he knew this was his opportunity to show his talent. "I won't let you down, coach," he assured Adelman.

[kibaxx7]

Ah, assistant coach Can't wait to see Costa in action!

[lefisto]

I never seen Greg Costa in action as well. Let's see if he has some potentials

[Andrew]

The off-court story's getting a bit soap-operaish, but I enjoyed the write-up all the same.

[Axel The Great]

Ehh, that's nice for mah rookie

It's acceptable I guess. Pretty good start for him don't you think?

Good to see a loss Hopefully you can get a big winning streak going!

Why's it good to see a loss? Are you another Martti?

Ah, assistant coach Can't wait to see Costa in action!

He'll play next game against the Wolves.

I never seen Greg Costa in action as well. Let's see if he has some potentials

Here's to hoping.

The off-court story's getting a bit soap-operaish, but I enjoyed the write-up all the same.

Thanks for telling me before I bored everyone to death. I'll try to limit them to once every 15-20 games I guess?

[Andrew]

Not at all, the regular updates are fine. There's just some definite chemistry issues with Brad's attitude and K-Mart's getting a bit obsessed.

[Axel The Great]

Well, I'm sure Sir Shane will fix that within the next few updates.

[Lamrock]

Still liking the story. Makes it a lot more engaging than the first season. Have been meaning to write a story update for mine, but I can't think of anything to write. (Best idea I had was Bargnani joining the Italian mafia and trying to have them whack me for trading Belinelli)

[George7]

Still liking the story. Makes it a lot more engaging than the first season. Have been meaning to write a story update for mine, but I can't think of anything to write. (Best idea I had was Bargnani joining the Italian mafia and trying to have them whack me for trading Belinelli)

LOL!!

Really liked the story Axel

[Stress Fracture]

[24-4] Houston Rockets 95-102 Portland Trail Blazers [17-13]

Man, you're losing against their rivals! But still, the Rockets are still number 1 in the West.

Al Jefferson[UTA](13.7)

He's really in Utah, right? What's with the team tag?

[Axel The Great]

Still liking the story. Makes it a lot more engaging than the first season. Have been meaning to write a story update for mine, but I can't think of anything to write. (Best idea I had was Bargnani joining the Italian mafia and trying to have them whack me for trading Belinelli)

Thanks, but I'll still try not to overload this with more stories than recaps.

You know, that story idea you have is a good idea! It adds suspense, and I bet you could add some comedy into it!

LOL!!

Really liked the story Axel

Thanks.

[24-4] Houston Rockets 95-102 Portland Trail Blazers [17-13]

Man, you're losing against their rivals! But still, the Rockets are still number 1 in the West.

Al Jefferson[UTA](13.7)

He's really in Utah, right? What's with the team tag?

Yeah, I lost to Portland. It's their exceptionally aggressive starting 5 that beat me: Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, LMA, and Greg Oden.

As for the team tag on Big Al: He was originally with the T-Wolves in this dynasty, but he got traded to Utah for Boozer, so I guess that's why I put the tag. I won't be putting a tag on him again though, thanks for pointing that out.

[kibaxx7]

Good to see a loss Hopefully you can get a big winning streak going!

Why's it good to see a loss? Are you another Martti?

Nah, it's just that I saw so many wins lately.

[Axel The Great]

Many wins aren't a bad thing. If I was losing too many games you would've said "Good to see a win".

[Stress Fracture]

Yeah, I lost to Portland. It's their exceptionally aggressive starting 5 that beat me: Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, LMA, and Greg Oden.

Who played the PG position, Rudy or Roy?

[Axel The Great]

Fernandez.

[kibaxx7]

Many wins aren't a bad thing. If I was losing too many games you would've said "Good to see a win".

Yeah, exactly. Just look at this past season's Nets... all the time I said, "good to see a win".

[Axel The Great]

Fair enough. Probably won't be updating again until Saturday, so yeah, long drought there.

[Axel The Great]

2-Game Recap

[25-5] Houston Rockets 106-104 Minnesota Timberwolves [15-15]


Behind Flynn's huge game, the T-Wolves gave the Rockets a big challenge.

After a bad offensive start, the Rockets pulled themselves together in the second, and again in the third, scoring a total of 64 points in both quarters combined. Clutch plays decided the outcome of the game. The score was tied at 99, and Kevin Martin, who scored 12 of his 38 points in the fourth, sank a three-pointer. He was 0/6 from behind the arc prior to that shot. After a Wolves timeout, Jonny Flynn scored an open catch-and-shoot three, to tie the game at 102. After both teams scored a bucket, the Rockets called a timeout, with the score tied at 104.

Kevin Martin had the ball in his hands. He called for a screen, but realized there wasn't much time, and hit a two-point shot, the game-winner. Watch the replay:

phpBB [video]

With .1 seconds left, and no timeouts, the T-Wolves were forced to run out the clock. The Rockets now return to Houston after a big road-trip.

Rookie Watch: Brad Halstead didn't score anything this game, as he wasn't given many minutes or many shot attempts. However, on his debut, Gregory Costa showed true dominance, scoring 13 points off the bench, and grabbing 3 rebounds with a block to go with that.

SPOTG-

Jonny Flynn
30 points | 11 ast | 2 reb | 1 stl

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin- 38
T-Wolves: Jonny Flynn- 30

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming- 15
T-Wolves- Oleksiy Pecherov- 11 (Kevin Love was injured this game)

Assists-
Rockets: Aaron Brooks- 6
T-Wolves: Jonny Flynn- 11

Box Scores-
20 32 32 22 106
25 22 27 30 104


Gregory Costa showed true domination on the low post, and is proving to be a major steal of the draft.


If your go-to-guy isn't clutch, then he's not a go-to-guy.

[26-5] Houston Rockets 111-100 Atlanta Hawks [11-21]


Greg has a Shaq-esque free throw shooting form!

The Rockets thought this game would be very easy; they did set out to a 19 point lead in the second quarter after all. However, cold shooting in the third quarter, and a huge offensive quarter by the Hawks, and they wittled down the lead to 5. In the fourth, the Hawks made a run to try and tie the game, but after going cold once again, the Rockets pulled away, and continue undefeated at home for the season.

Jamal Crawford scored the first 13 points for the Hawks, which explains his amazing 41 point game. Yao Ming and Kevin Martin both worked together, and finished with 22 and 29 points respectively. Aaron Brooks also chipped in 10, with 7 assists, and 4 steals as a bonus. Joe Johnson and Marvin Williams also contributed for the Hawks, with 20 and 24 respectively.

Rooke Watch: Brad Halstead scored two points, and again he wasn't given many shot attempts. Costa had another solid game, with 12 points, and grabbing 3 boards again. He has really been effective, and he even dominated Shaq down low!

SPOTG-

Yao Ming
22 points | 10 reb | 3 ast | 2 blk

Top Scorers-
Rockets: Kevin Martin- 29
Hawks: Jamal Crawford- 22

Board Crashers-
Rockets: Yao Ming- 10
Hawks: Shaquille O'Neal and Zaza Pachulia- 7

Assists-
Rockets: Aaron Brooks- 7
Hawks: Jamal Crawford- 11

Box Scores-
31 28 23 29 111
19 25 32 23 100


Despite the Hawks' huge offensive effort in the third, they fell short for the 22nd time this season.


Common sense, really. When these two play well, it's a living hell for the opposing team.
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Had time to game today, so yeah, here are the recaps. Hopefully a 3-game Recap will be up by Monday.

[Andrew]

Nice job with the game winner then taking care of business against the Hawks. I'm guessing Halstead will be pretty miffed at his playing time, especially with Costa getting a bit of a run of late.

[lefisto]

Costa is a late bloomer! How come Flynn can't score like that when I play with him ... of course he is behind AI and Wes and even Grant Hill!

[kibaxx7]

Hawks 5 games below .500 and the Wolves at .500. The world has gone insane!

[Axel The Great]

Nice job with the game winner then taking care of business against the Hawks. I'm guessing Halstead will be pretty miffed at his playing time, especially with Costa getting a bit of a run of late.

Thanks. The Hawks definitely are missing Josh Smith's defensive presence, which is why they allowed so many points. Costa is excellent, he's easily able to get around other players on the low post for easy layups.

Costa is a late bloomer! How come Flynn can't score like that when I play with him ... of course he is behind AI and Wes and even Grant Hill!

Out of Boozer and Bosh, Flynn was the high point man for the Wolves.

Hawks 5 games below .500 and the Wolves at .500. The world has gone insane!

Reason for Hawks: Josh Smith is injured, therefore they lack perimeter defense.
Reason for Wolves: An inside bang of Bosh, Boozer, and Love is enough to boost a 20-win team to an over .500 team. David Kahn is smart in this dynasty.

[Bucket]

East sucks. Only Magic is above .500 Good two wins

[Axel The Great]

at the East. I only just realized that the top teams from my last season are now bottom of the league!

[Houndy]

I love how Dynasties make the good teams suck