Over the next few months Rockets fans will debate the possible benefits of signing any number of free agents like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Josh Smith. While all would have a positive effect on this young rockets team what baggage they bring into town will be what is placed under the microscope. While Daryl Morey might be a wizard with numbers and not afraid of pulling the trigger on a trade or two I believe he might surprise a few people by keeping most of the talent the Rockets have.

What few people are talking about is the number of young talented and hungry free agents the Rockets could sign instead of signing another max contract player. The likes of Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis, and J.J. Hickson all could be signed to the current roster and I believe have a far better effect on the team than signing just one star. If you look at the Roster right now there are a few players that will probably be released and I hate to say it but I would not be surprised to hear Jeremy Lin’s Name as trade bait. If the rockets can somehow find a true floor general and develop Greg Smith, D-Mo, Terrence Jones, and Thomas Robinson then they can play true small ball next season and cause the rest of the league the same problems that OKC had in the first round.

I don’t have a crystal ball or work for the Rockets but I do know that change is coming, and if the rockets can get James Harden in the ear of any true floor generals this off season the world will be theirs

Apr 29, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) reacts during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Thunder 105-103. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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Dec 26, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love (42) drives to the basket defended by Houston Rockets power forward Greg Smith (4) during the second quarter at Target Center. Rockets won 87-84. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Why waste your time signing a Josh Smith, or a Dwight Howard when you can trade for one of Kevin McHale’s power forward prodigies that he hand pick at his previous job? There is a lot of speculation about Dwight wanting to come to Houston all of a sudden but the Rockets don’t need a replacement for a healthy young Omer Asik. They definitely don’t need a super-athletic power forward with no post game and a questionable decision making skills that feels like capitalizing on a weak free agent market by asking for a max contract,  I.E. Joe Johnson”.
Instead Mr. Morey will shock the world and pry Kevin Love from a city that he is not excited about being in and allow that organization to save face with it’s fans’  and build a brighter future with the likes of a Royce White, Terrence Jones, D-MO, or Thomas Robinson, combination paired with a second round pick  and possibly a future first.
It has been a long time since I have heard anyone talk about Mr. Love, almost like he doesn’t exist . Lets’’s see if he is wearing a red uniform next season and giving the rest of the league hell along with the young talented core of players the rockets currently have.

November 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) attempts to drive the ball past Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

Tonight’s win over the Utah Jazz was expected. The Jazz are a good team but not elite and the Houston Rockets are one of the better teams in the league when they play at home. After reading a few articles tonight and checking out numerous power rankings I started to think. Not about how disrespected the team should feel that they barely ever crack anyone’s top 20 list despite having the 6th toughest schedule so far and being at .500. Not at how people are saying that Jeremy Lin was a mistake, despite his recent improvement in all aspects of point-guard play, or that James Harden turns the ball over too much. Not even at the nonexistent press coverage on Chandler “Bang” Parsons and his All-Star-ish play this year on the host city’s team. It doesn’t even bother me that Patrick Patterson and Omer Asik are one of the best rebounding/scoring duos in the league over the last two weeks, and still get criticized for either not rebounding enough “Patterson”, or not knowing how to score “Asik”. What I can not wrap my head around is why, with all the talent these players have, do none of them ever think they are the best players on the court?

Excuse me Mr. Jordan but maybe they are making excuses. Maybe they feel that thinking they are the best players on the court or acting like that will hurt them. Maybe they don’t believe they are. Maybe they have bought in to what the media says, or the sports writers say, or they are just plain scared of reaching their full potential. Maybe they are just making excuses.

Every team in the league has a player/players that feel on any given night and no matter who they are playing against they are superior to their competition. Until someone on this Rockets team gets that “killer instinct” the team will continue to be exciting for all the wrong reasons. Leads will be blown and games they are supposed to win they will loose. Turnovers and defensive intensity come from the mind. If you can enter a game and feel that you make the right passes, and take the right shots, you will. If you feel disrespected when someone scores on you, and get angry when a player plays off of you, you will excel.

The bottom line is that the Rockets have quite a few players on the verge of a breakout year who could all feel like they are the best at their individual positions, and enough firepower to score with anybody. What Houston doesn’t have is the desire for greatness. Let’s not be content with surprising the NBA, let’s take on the world. You never know what might happen.

Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE

Coach Kevin McHale of the Houston Rockets is a part of the Rockets Family. It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this today because of the recent news that he has lost his twenty three year old daughter, Sasha. From everyone here at Space City Scoop we would like to extend our condolences and support for his family and for those that are close to them.

Basketball is a wonderful game that we all can enjoy, but life is something much more precious than any sport. We hope that the McHale’s and the team can all be strong for each other at this time and try to remember all the wonderful moments that have been spent together and not the hurt that a loss can cause.

The associated press reported that team owner Leslie Alexander said in a statement that he extends his “deepest condolences” over the loss of the McHales’ “beautiful daughter.” He called Kevin and wife Lynn “loving and dedicated parents who will need our continued support throughout this very difficult time.” He said the “entire organization is mourning.” Players James Harden and Chandler Parsons also expressed their support for their coach via tweets and I know we all as fans would like to do the same.

Nov.. 16, 2011; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets interim head coach Kelvin Sampson shrugs after an officials call during the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-US PRESSWIRE

game. Unfortunately we can not and are left to voicing our opinions in barber shops, on twitter, in blogs, or on the rare occasions when we do run into athletes we interrupt their personal lives to rant. I do apologize to Rafer Alston for my rant in 2006 at a local nightclub, where I politely told him that he should be taking shots in the gym instead of shots at the bar. With all of that said here are a few suggestions for players on the team that myself and a few friends came up with.

Jeremy Lin: First of all Mr. Lin you are not a little guy. You can use either hand and you are quick. You went to one of the best schools in the country so we all know you are smart. Please stop over thinking. Just go out and play basketball like you did last year. Do what you love the way you love to do it. Don’t be afraid to shoot the ball and please stop picking your dribble up at half court. If you can stop jumping to pass the ball then you will be more then fine. Enjoy being on a team without a diva on it and stay focused. i suggest watching some old Kevin Johnson videos before the games.

James Harden: Get a right hand and stop putting unnecessary stress on yourself. You are the best scorer on the team and you have the most experience too. Understand that you have teammates who you can rely on to help with the heavy lifting and they are still there at the end of games. If you ever feel like the pressure is too much for you stop by the Breakfast Klub on Alabama and get some good food in you, the people won’t do anything except try to lift you up. Houston fan’s get a bad rap sometimes, we demand excellence but recognize people who are actually trying.

Chandler Parsons: Keep doing what you are doing. Everyone i’ve talked to seems to think the world of you and all want to RT the message you got from your mom before the last Blazers game.

Patrick Patterson: You have too much game not be attack the basket harder then you have been. Go up Strong each time and stop shooting so many three’s. You have more three point attempts then free throws or rebounds right now. Everyone knows you can bang in the paint and learned a lot from Luis Scola. Lets see some post moves. You can post up a lot more people in the league the way you did Shane Battier. On the positive side your defense has been excellent so far.

Omer Asik: Dunk the Ball! Dunk the Ball! We want to see you have a mean streak in you because you are the big man for our team. Anybody who comes into the lane should have you on their mind and a little bit of doubt in their souls. You have played awesome so far and get my vote for Team MVP. #AsikandDestroy says it all.

Terrence Jones: Just keep your head up and don’t get down. The coaches will find a way to work you into the roster and remember that even Kobe sat on the bench at the beginning of his career. When you do get in the game dominate the boards and move without the ball so the guards can have a chance to find you for some easy back cuts and lobs.

Royce White: Take care of your health and don’t give up. Compromise takes two parties and Twitter is not the place to air dirty laundry. You don’t share every argument you have online so please stop bringing light to the drama.

Troy Taormina-US PRESSWIRE

If you are like me and have watched any of the Houston Rockets games this year then you have noticed something that no one in the media is talking about. Wait for it.. The Rockets are a very dangerous team that should be a lock for a playoff spot. Don’t believe me then look at the proof.

Game one they beat a terrible Detroit Pistons Team and James Harden showed how Much of a scoring threat he can be. Game two they beat an Atlanta Hawks Team that will be in the playoffs this year behind Harden’s jordan-esque forty-five point performance. The Next two games they lost to the Portland Trail blazers, a game they should have won, and to the Denver Nuggets who is predicted to give most teams fits. None of the games were a blow out and most were decided in the last eight minutes of the game. Houston barely Lost to the Memphis Grizzlies and the Miami Heat. They got contributions in every statistical column from various members of the team, and you see there is hope for the “New Age” in Houston.

This team performing like they have been with no chemistry and no clear understanding of the offense or defensive schemes is inspirational, and I have to give credit where credit is due. Coaching has a lot to do with realizing potential and building a winning tradition. Thank you Kelvin Sampson. Some people will read that last statement and not understand why I said Mr. Sampson instead of Mr. McHale. The reason is simple, I do not believe that the team responds to Coach McHale’s coaching style the same way they do with Coach Sampson’s style of coaching.

For everyone who does not know the pedigree of the coach Houston has in Mr. Sampson, Google him. Some Highlights include two time National Coach of the year in the college ranks. Coach Sampson possesses the highest winning percentage in Oklahoma history (.721). He guided Oklahoma University to eight consecutive 20-win seasons. He averaged 25.0 wins over those eight campaigns and 26.0 victories over the last six years. He directed the Sooners to postseason tournament berths in each of his 11 seasons (10 NCAA Tournaments), with a Sweet 16 showing in 1999, a Final Four appearance in 2002 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2003.

Given that the Rockets are the youngest team in the league it is no surprise that the players play harder for Coach Sampson and in general respond better to his style of coaching. Its going to be interesting to see how the team plays during his reign as head coach. Short of the Isolation plays called four out of the last six possessions against the Heat i think he has done an excellent job. The fact that his rotation includes Terrence Jones, Daequan Cook and Greg Smith I am sure goes a long way in the practice sessions and locker room with regards to morale. My hat is off to him and the team.

Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE

The Houston Rockets are sitting at 3-4 right now with head coach Kevin McHale out and “the Hard-Lin experience” causing a lot of fans to scratch their heads.

Have no fear, Chandler Parsons is here to save the day. Over the past few games he has been the only player who has seemed to consistently get better and can work with the bench or the starters. The team is leaning on him to lead them to victory. Lebron James was bound to have a great game but none of the shots he hit were easy ones. Most were contested and a few were just ridiculous.

The sooner the coaching staff realizes that they can run the pick and roll more effectively with Parsons and James Harden instead of Omer Asik the sooner they will be more productive. The sooner Parsons realizes this team is his for the taking the sooner we will start winning games that look to be tough. I’m not going as far as to say he is the best scorer on the team or the most athletic. what i am saying is that he has the best overall skill set to be a leader on the court much like Shane Battier was. Think about a 6’10 battier that can jump and help bring the ball up the court. Scary for the rest of the league. A hidden jewel for Houston.

This is just a quick reaction to the breaking news that your Houston Rockets just traded away our future for one player that won’t be able to replace the production of Kevin Martin. As shocking as the news of trading away Kevin Martin and Jeremy Lamb is, (I hate losing Lamb), The fact that we gave up an additional three draft picks is confusing.

James Harden is an excellent sixth man in the system that Scott Brooks has set up in OKC but as a starter and in a system where defense and spreading the floor is vital I have to question this move. What is going on in the war room at the Toyota Center? I am hoping that this does not come back to bite them like so many other players Houston has traded away in the past, but i have to say I have my doubts.

I am going to have to sleep on this and get back to you tomorrow Fans. Tell me what you think this move means and whether or not Houston just got robbed.

Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

There is no question that there is tension between Houston and Dallas fans in every sport. From Basketball to Football there is a sense of pride that everyone feels for their home team. Over the year the Houston Teams Have taken on the roll as the little brother to the Dallas franchises and the media has made this even worse by constantly painting the latter as superior in all aspects.

This prompted me to think about the state of this year’s teams and ask who will end up with “bragging rights” in Texas. Now the smart money would be on the San Antonio Spurs but we will leave them out of it for now as they seem to have the recipe for dominating the league and not just the state.

First of all, everything about the Dallas Mavericks screams broken. From Dirk Nowitzki’s knee, to the coaching staff’s relationship with its players, to Mark Cuban’s loyalty. I don’t see anything for the Mavs to look forward to except maybe being in the news all the time and having all of their issues played out on a grand stage this season. Enough about them.

There is no way Dallas will be able to hold a candle to the Houston Rockets. I am predicting 48 wins based off outscoring opponents and playing stingy defense. This young team will be reminiscent of the show time Lakers. you don’t have to take my word for it, just wait and see.

Apr 2, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Jeremy Lamb (left) shoots against Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Jones (right) during the semifinals of the Final Four of the 2011 NCAA men

This might be a premature statement to make at this time but I’m going to say it anyway. Daryl Moreyis a genius. After watching last night’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder I am convinced that the Houston Rockets have pulled off the greatest “Kansas City Shuffle” ever. Much like the planning and execution that went on in the Bruce Willis classic film Lucky Number Slevin, The Rockets made the entire world look one way and then pulled off what is sure to be one of the greatest heists in the modern world.

I watched a team play last night that looked confident, talented, determined, and poised. That was a surprise to me and even appeared to shock Calvin Murphy as he was at a loss for words during Comcast SportsNet Houston’s post game show. Terence Jones was a man amongst boys on the court and Jeremy Lamb showed flashes of a young Tracy McGrady. Chandler Parsons was as solid as ever. Kevin Martin looked like the K-Mart of old just two seasons ago and Omer Asik is as good in a larger role as he was in Chicago.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the way Marcus Morris, Toney Douglas, and Gary Forbes played. Everyone in Houston knew Morris had potential but no one was sure if he could play the small forward position. Well before his injury he sure was looking like he could push for a starting job on most teams. Hopefully the injury which came at the hands of an ex-Rocket was not serious enough to keep him out long. Toney Douglas is a true point guard in the Kevin Johnson mold. He made a number of phenomenal passes and kept the pace just where this young team needed it. Mr. Forbes is a scorer, and if I had to compare him to somebody I would be hard pressed to say anybody except Penny Hardaway, but a half step slower.

There was so much to be excited about after watching this game that people didn’t notice that Jeremy Lin went “Linsane” with a few of his passes while racking up three turnovers. It’s not a sign of him not having the right ideas on plays but rather driving every coach crazy by jumping to pass and defenders closing off the lanes that were previously open. Donatas Motiejunas struggled a bit too last night but I expect both of them to recover quite nicely, so Rockets fan’s don’t panic. With Greg Smith, Scott Machado and Royce White not quite showing what they are bringing to the table this team is scary good. Their Defense will be what makes or breaks them, so much for analysts saying Lin and Martin will have to carry the offensive burden.