Fear the Beard : A Rockets Association (2k13)

[Cruzader]

Difficulty : All-Star
Played Quarter Length : 10 minutes
Sim Quarter Length : 12 minutes
Season Length : 82 games (Today association 03/18) - Playing every game as Rockets, controlling all 30 teams
Playoff Length : 7-7-7-7
Rosters : VTCRB and EAGLEROCK 2k13 Trifecta
Sliders : SB's Trifecta w/ most current edits
Draft Prospects : EXOGENESIS and VTCRB Draft Classes

This association starts on 03/18/13. Rockets are 36-31 (7th seed). They are desperately trying to maintain their place in the playoff picture (staying ahead of Lakers and Jazz) while also eyeing the 6th seed. As poetic as it would be, Harden does not relish a 1st rd matchup with his old friends. Everyone on this team feels they can beat the Clippers who have suspect defense on the perimeter. Its just too early to worry about playoff matchups but the West is volatile. Denver and Memphis are chasing the 3rd seed as well as Lob City.


Rotation:

Jeremy Lin
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...-aRWkIoOuZq-OA


James Harden
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...38psPn9P_PXi3Q


Chandler Parsons
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i..._WJ9KcyuiRUY0Y


Thomas Robinson
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...BElS_RzZAXjR20


Omer Asik
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qFcFLSIk97aE_Y


Bench:
Patrick Beverly
Carlos Delfino
Dominic McGuire
D.Mo
Greg Oden
F.Garcia
G.Smith
A.Brooks

Royce White is currently with the Rocket's D-League affiliate (Rio Grande Valley Vipers) following his suspension being lifted. He is expected to be back with the team in Houston within the next few days if approved by team doctors. It is unknown whether he will suit up and play this year but this is encouraging for next year.

Sources are reporting that Terrence Jones will be joining the D-League as well. He is not expected to make the postseason roster.

Recent Transactions:

03/19: Rockets fire Asst Coach. Hire Al Joseph. Hire two more propect scouts.
03/19: Rockets waive T.Ohlbrecht. Sign G.Oden to 1yr/$6.2M.
03/22: Rockets waive J.Anderson. Sign D.McGuire to 1yr/$1.17M.

Several teams have been considering taking a flyer on Oden including the Miami Heat before they fell in love with Birdman. G.Smith is still considered the future backup center, but in order to make any noise this year, Houston needs a presence in the paint at all times. After all, Asik gets tired setting picks on most offensive possessions. Lets just hope Oden's durability can hold up for two months.

Anderson, a capable scorer, struggled to get minutes in McHale's system. With Delfino playing most of his minutes as Harden's backup, Daryl Morey decided a lockdown defender off the bench could be valuable to guard Durant, Leonard, Gallo, etc. Said Morey, "I'm can't believe a player that good defensively is available in free agency at this time of the year".

Top Free Agent Targets in the Offseason:

Josh Smith
Dwight Howard
Andrew Bynum
Nikola Pekovic
Chris Kaman
David West
Paul Millsap
Carl Landry
J.J. Hickson

Although the Rockets have been chasing a franchise center ever since the retirement of Yao Ming, they may have already found him in MIP-award chasing Omer Asik. Morey feels that Smith with his elite athleticism, inside scoring punch, and knack for getting huge steals and blocks will do more for this team than any traditional bigman could.

After considering the options for trading Asik, starting him at the 4, or benching him, none of these were deemed acceptable. However, if Smith goes for the money and resigns in Atlanta, look for Houston to make a max offer to D12. Several teams are now deciding if Thomas Robinson is a player worth giving up a 1st-rounder for in a loaded draft.

The goals for the rest of this year are simple:

1) Make the playoffs as the 6th seed or higher.
2) Win at least one playoff game.

The Rockets have no 1st round picks this year but hope to pull off a miracle 2nd round steal again. T.Robinson will most likely be shopped aggressively on draft day and could fetch a 1st rounder.

Aaron Brooks and Greg Oden are not likely to be signed again. Francisco Garcia's team option will of course be declined.

Projected Rotation for 2013-2014 Houston Rockets:

Lin/Beverly
Harden/Delfino
Parsons/R.White
J.Smith/D.Mo
Asik/G.Smith

Stay tuned for the matchup preview and box score from the 1st game of the rest of this exciting season from the Bearded One and friends.

[Cruzader]

Matchup Preview *|* March 20, 2013
	@
Utah Jazz (34-33, 10-24 Away)		Houston Rockets (36-31, 22-10 Home)
Projected Starters Mo Williams Point Guard Jeremy Lin Randy Foye Shooting Guard James Harden Marvin Williams Small Forward Chandler Parsons Paul Millsap Power Forward Thomas Robinson Al Jefferson Center Omer Asik Injury Report Game Notes The Jazz are struggling to keep pace with the Lakers for the 8th seed and with the toughest schedule of the teams in the 7-9 spots, this is a huge chance for them to pull closer to the teams they are chasing. For the Rockets, this is a home game against a team chasing you in the playoff picture. Not to mention a chance to pull closer to the Warriors who traveled to San Antonio yesterday for today's game against the Spurs.

Utah Jazz at Houston Rockets
Mar 20, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Utah (34-34)	24	30	21	27	102
Houston (37-31)	23	32	28	29	112

Utah Jazz
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Mo Williams	31	4-10	0-2	0-0	3	6	2	0	4	8
Randy Foye	21	6-13	3-3	2-2	0	2	3	1	1	17
Marvin Williams	26	4-15	1-5	4-4	4	3	1	0	1	13
Paul Millsap	28	7-14	0-0	2-2	10	1	2	0	1	16
Al Jefferson	32	8-16	0-0	0-0	11	2	1	0	0	16
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Alec Burks	8	5-7	2-2	0-0	1	0	1	1	0	12
Gordon Hayward	19	4-8	0-1	1-2	3	2	2	0	0	9
D.Favors	16	2-3	0-0	1-2	3	2	1	0	0	5
D.Carroll	9	2-3	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	1	0	4
E.Kanter	7	1-1	0-0	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	2
J.Evans	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
J.Tinsley	8	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	6	1	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		43-90	6-13	10-12	36	26	16	3	7	102

Houston Rockets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jeremy Lin	30	4-10	3-6	4-4	3	5	0	0	2	15
James Harden	28	16-22	5-6	4-4	9	8	0	0	6	41
Chandler Parsons	29	5-9	1-3	2-2	10	3	1	1	3	13
Thomas Robinson	27	2-4	0-0	2-2	5	3	1	1	0	6
Omer Asik	28	7-10	0-0	1-4	10	3	2	0	0	15
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Carlos Delfino	14	3-3	0-0	0-0	0	3	1	0	2	6
Royce White	9	2-4	0-0	0-0	3	2	0	1	2	4
F.Garcia	3	1-1	0-0	1-1	1	1	0	0	0	3
T.Jones	11	1-6	1-2	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	3
D.Motiejunas	5	1-2	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Greg Oden	11	0-1	0-0	2-2	1	1	0	0	0	2
A.Brooks	11	1-4	0-1	0-0	2	1	1	1	0	2
TEAM TOTALS		43-76	10/19	16/19	44	30	6	3	17	112

James Harden has arguably his best game ever with a 41-9-8 on 16-22. With an assortment of acrobatic layups and a hot hand from downtown, he orchestrated this high-powered offense with precision (except for the 6 TO). Double-doubles from Asik and Parsons combined with Lin's 15 pts cemented the deal. Nice line from Delfino and a quiet night from newcomer T-Rob.

In a surprising twist, Royce White made his NBA debut tonight after joining the team in Houston after a recent stretch with their D-League affiliate, the RGV Vipers. He played well (9 min, 4pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk) but it is unknown if he will stay with the team for good. Terrence Jones also played but shot only 1-6. With the acquistion of Dominic McGuire, he is rumored to be headed to the D-League, perhaps opening up minutes for White.

A big win in the middle of a long homestand against a playoff spot rival feels great. However the Cavaliers come to town on Friday 03/22 and should not be overlooked. Kyrie Irving has been tearing up the league lately except when he has been dealing with a number of injuries. He is expected to suit up for the Rockets game. Look forward to that matchup preview and box score very soon...

[Cruzader]

Matchup Preview *|* January 1,
	@
Cleveland Cavaliers (22-46, 9-25 Away)		Houston Rockets (37-31, 23-10 Home)
Projected Starters Kyrie Irving Point Guard Jeremy Lin Dion Waiters Shooting Guard James Harden Alonzo Gee Small Forward Chandler Parsons Tristan Thompson Power Forward Thomas Robinson Anderson Varejao Center Omer Asik Injury Report Anderson Varejao (playing with blood clot) Game Notes LOLZ due to me missing A.Varejao when taking injured players out of the rotations: It has been announced that Anderson Varejeo will attempt to play in tonight's game in Houston. His quad injury mostly healed, he says he is ready to go. When asked about the blood clot in his right lung, he responded that after watching his team blow a 27 point lead against the Miami Heat (currently on a 24 game winning streak), he knew he had to try and get back on the court to be with his friends and teammates.

Injury Updates:

Dwight Howard is out 6-8 weeks with a broken ankle suffered during the Laker's win over the Wizards today. Devastating new for the Lakers who are currently holding the 8th and last playoff spot in the West. Howard will presumably be ready for next year but between this injury and his back the previous year, teams may start to wonder if he is worth a max contract investment. Kobe Bryant had this to say: "This is obviously a big deal, losing a guy who can do what he can do, but it just means the rest to us have to step up. Me, Pau, Metta, Steve, everybody. We can still win this year". Robert Sacre has been called up.

DJ Augustin is also out 6-8 weeks with a broken ankle. Ben Hansbrough will get some minutes alongside his brother Tyler for the Pacers . Lance Stephenson and Gerald Green will see more run as well.

Gerald Wallace (strained achilles) and Patrick Patterson (separated shoulder) are both out 1-2 weeks. Javale McGee (wrist), Luol Deng (twisted ankle), Jeff Teague (knee), JJ Redick (calf), and Norris Cole (MCL) are all playing hurt.

[Cruzader]

Cleveland Cavaliers at Houston Rockets
Mar 22, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Cleveland (22-47)	32	26	28	23	109
Houston (38-31)	29	26	34	27	116

Cleveland Cavaliers
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Kyrie Irving	36	8-23	0-2	6-6	3	10	2	1	0	22
Dion Waiters	26	8-14	1-1	4-4	5	2	0	2	0	21
Alonzo Gee	31	5-12	1-5	1-1	2	7	5	0	0	12
Tristan Thompson	28	1-2	0-0	1-2	6	2	1	0	0	3
Anderson Varejao	27	7-11	0-0	5-6	8	0	3	0	1	19
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
W. Ellington	10	4-10	3-4	0-0	2	3	0	0	0	11
M. Speights	14	3-6	0-0	2-2	3	0	0	0	0	8
T. Zeller	12	3-4	0-0	1-2	4	1	0	0	0	7
C.J. Miles	10	2-5	2-5	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	6
D.Gibson	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
L. Walton	5	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
S.Livingston	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	1	0	0	1	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		41-87	7-17	20-23	36	25	11	4	1	109

Houston Rockets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jeremy Lin	34	6-12	1-6	5-5	7	10	0	0	2	18
James Harden	27	10-24	3-9	9-9	1	4	0	0	2	32
Chandler Parsons	28	5-8	2-4	4-5	1	2	0	1	3	16
Thomas Robinson	30	5-8	0-0	5-8	12	2	0	1	1	15
Omer Asik	26	4-6	0-0	2-3	9	2	1	0	1	10
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Delfino	20	5-6	4-4	0-0	4	3	0	0	2	14
G. Oden	15	2-3	0-0	2-2	1	0	0	1	0	6
R. White	9	0-0	0-0	4-6	6	1	0	0	0	4
P. Beverly	7	0-0	0-0	1-2	0	1	0	0	0	1
A. Brooks	1	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	0	0	0	0	0
D.Motiejunas	8	0-0	0-0	0-0	4	1	0	0	0	0
T.Jones	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		37-68	10-24	32-40	46	26	1	3	11	116

Harden drops 32 but looks a lot more human than his previous game against the Jazz. Linsanity gets it done a near trip-dub (18-7-10) and balanced scoring from T-Rob (15pts, 12reb), Parsons (16pts), Delfino (14pts), and Asik (10pts, 9reb).

The Rockets were simply unable to get the Cavs to turn the ball over due a lack of pressure on the ballhandlers. Coach Kevin McHale said, "It seemed like Jeremy and James were hesitant to pressure and swipe at the ball because of Irving's speed and quickness."

This team has to produce more mistakes. More double-teams, more trapping, more jumping the passing lanes. The soft part of this homestand is over. Up next week are the Spurs and Pacers in Houston. Then on the road for the Grizzlies and Clippers before the schedule cools off again before the playoffs. Harden is not wrong when he tweets: This is HELL WEEK!!! @JLin7 #gottaget2thisweek

[KHarmo88]

Even though I'm a Lakers fan, lol, I'm following!

Don't like the news on Howard though

[Cruzader]

Matchup Preview *|* March 24, 2013
	@
San Antonio Spurs (53-16, 23-12 Away)		Houston Rockets (38-31, 24-10 Home)
Projected Starters Tony Parker Point Guard Jeremy Lin Danny Green Shooting Guard James Harden Kawhi Leonard Small Forward Chandler Parsons Tim Duncan Power Forward Thomas Robinson Tiago Splitter Center Omer Asik Injury Report Game Notes A Texas-sized matchup as the Rockets look to close out their homestand strong against the Spurs and then Pacers. Houston has been beating teams by just trying to outscore them the last two games and looks to tighten up the defense. Can T-Rob hold his own against TD? Can Harden continue his heroics? Can the Rockets cause more than one turnover?

Injury update:

A. Varejao has suffered a relapse in his recovery from a blood clot in his right lung. Team doctors believe this is due to him playing 27 minutes against the Houston Rockets on Friday in an emotional response to Cleveland losing a game in which they had a 27 point lead to hated rival Miami earlier this week. He was cleared to play following his quad injury healing, but had been advised to stay in Cleveland and rest for the rest of the season. That he was on the flight to Houston was unknown to team officials until gametime, who then took Varejeo at his word that he was ready to play. It is unknown if any disciplinary action is coming at this time.

[Cruzader]

San Antonio Spurs at Houston Rockets
Mar 24, 2013	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
San Antonio (53-16)	23	27	23	31	104
Houston (38-31)	19	22	24	27	92

San Antonio Spurs
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Tony Parker	29	10-16	0-0	3-3	5	4	0	0	2	23
Danny Green	26	5-15	2-5	0-0	5	7	0	1	0	12
Kawhi Leonard	27	7-17	1-1	2-2	6	1	2	1	1	17
Tim Duncan	35	6-11	0-0	7-7	11	1	4	0	1	19
Tiago Splitter	30	2-3	0-0	0-0	11	3	1	0	0	4
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
S.Jackson	14	6-9	0-0	1-2	2	4	1	1	1	11
B.Diaw	16	3-4	0-0	0-0	6	2	0	0	1	6
M.Ginobili	14	3-8	0-1	0-0	2	4	1	1	0	7
C.Joseph	9	2-2	0-0	0-0	0	1	0	0	0	4
D.Blair	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
N.De Colo	6	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	1	1	0	1	0
G.Neal	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
TEAM TOTALS		44-89	3-9	13-14	48	28	10	4	7	104

Houston Rockets
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
Jeremy Lin	38	6-15	3-8	0-0	5	8	1	0	3	15
James Harden	37	12-33	1-11	1-1	7	10	1	0	3	26
Chandler Parsons	26	2-7	1-3	2-2	5	4	0	1	1	7
Thomas Robinson	38	8-10	0-1	4-7	10	0	3	0	3	20
Omer Asik	34	4-7	0-0	4-4	10	1	0	2	1	10
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PTS
C. Delfino	17	3-6	3-5	0-0	2	2	0	0	0	9
T.Jones	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
G.Oden	7	1-2	0-0	1-2	2	0	0	0	0	3
R.White	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0
D.Motiejunas	3	0-1	0-1	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
D.McGuire	1	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	0	0
P.Beverly	2	0-0	0-0	0-0	0	0	0	0	1	0
A.Brooks	-- DID NOT PLAY --
TEAM TOTALS		36-82	8-30	12-16	31	25	5	3	11	92

A tough loss as the Rockets were in it the whole way. Harden was forcing the longball and paid for it. Great game from T-Rob who apparently has heard the Josh Smith rumors and is trying to prove that the Rockets already have their PF of the future.

Solid games from Lin, Asik, and Delfino. Chandler Parsons struggled to get good looks off Leonard. Seven offensive boards between Asik and T-Rob is great vs the Spurs. The Rockets still need to improve their turnover differential. Time to finish this homestand out strong against the Pacers who are dealing with the loss of D.J. Augustin for the season but are still among the best in the NBA.

[Cruzader]

Matchup Preview *|* March 27, 2013
	@
Indiana Pacers (44-27, 15-19 Away)		Houston Rockets (38-32, 24-11 Home)
Projected Starters George Hill Point Guard Jeremy Lin Paul George Shooting Guard James Harden Danny Granger Small Forward Chandler Parsons David West Power Forward Thomas Robinson Roy Hibbert Center Omer Asik Injury Report D.J. Augustin (Broken Ankle) Out for season Game Notes Indiana comes into Houston with a losing road record, something they will need to address if they want to win on the road in Miami in the playoffs. The Rockets would love to finish this long home stretch with a victory over the Pacers who recently learned backup PG D.J. Augustin will be out for the season. After losing to the Spurs on Sunday, Houston has the same number of losses as the Warriors. However the matchups are still impossible to predict with the Nuggets and Clippers with identical records and tied for the 3rd seed. Box score coming tonight...

League News Update

The Miami Heat's 27 game winning streak has ended with a loss in Chicago on Wed 03/27. Lebron showed obvious signs of fatigue , shooting 5-15 in the 108-87 loss. Most experts agree that this streak ending can only be a good thing for Miami's championship repeat chances.

Injury Update

G.Stiemsma is out for the season with a torn MCL. His minutes will be absorbed by Pekovic and Chris Johnson. Iman Shumpert and Deandre Jordan are playing through strained groins (2-4 weeks). Brook Lopez is day-to-day with a twisted ankle.