NBA Draft Diary

Well here we go again. I am hoping today will be filled with trades, good picks and me doing hoodrat stuff with my friends. It was just announced that the Bulls will for sure select Rose with the first pick, so that mystery is solved.

6:08: Okay so the T.J. Ford/Jermaine O'Neal trade...I couldn't care less about. Ford gives the Pacers the point guard they have needed since 1967 and the Raptors get a PF/C that I forgot was even in the league the last two seasons.

And then on the Richard Jefferson trade... He really needed to get out of New Jersey. He was cursed there with Vince Carter, and although he doesn't enter a much better situation, the Bucks have some decent players. Now Jefferson is added to Michael Redd, Mo Williams, Bogut and we will see who they draft. On the other end, the Nets...still suck.

6:37: Chicago picks Rose. No surprise. Anything is a step up from Kirk Hinrich. Well, except for Jamal Tinsley. If you are counting, that's two jabs at him in the first few paragraphs. Rose's nickname is "Pooh". That has a lot to do with how he plays basketball. 6:41: Rose's mother says "I'm glad he got selected by Chicago. That's the only place he knows how to play." Please, God, Let them trade him in the next hour.

6:44: The Heat select Michael Beasley. So now you have D-Wade, Marion, Beasley and some NBDL players. That's a start. They better go crazy in the free agent market.

6:47: T-Wolves get my favorite player in the draft with O.J. Mayo. I predict he will be the rookie of the year for the upcoming season. Just watch. And it has nothing to do with the fact that he went to USC. Shut up. Him and Jefferson. Congratulations Minnesota....The "Remember when we had Kevin Garnett?" Era has slowly started to move on its way down. And I mean very, very slowly.

6:56: Russell Westbrook goes to the "Seattle" Sonics. They are a clusterf*** of a team. I don't really even know how to begin to discuss them. So I won't.

7:00: Grizzlies....Rudy Gay.....20 points a game....Rockets need another inside scorer.....they drafted him......I....am going to go take a bath with a hair dryer.

On another note they drafted Kevin Love to take over Pau Gasol's spot. Will he? Is it that hard to replace him? I mean...after watching Gasol in the Finals....especially watching him get schooled by Garnett in Game six....it could be answered either way. It's just like drafting Brad Miller. And everyone knows how much I like Brad Miller. Okay, I am rambling.

7:05: The Knicks select Danilo Gallinari from Italy. I thought they fired Isiah Thomas? Why are they still doing things like this? No...he could be good though....probably not though. On a plus note...The Knicks will have a top three pick in next years draft!

7:11: The Clippers take Eric Gordon. We knew that would happen. They didn't even have to move up to get that done. I do think he will turn out to be a good pick. Especially if Elton Brand leaves in the offseason and he is the only one left on that team to score.

7:17: So now we have Mo Williams, Redd, Jefferson, Bogut and Joe Alexander. That seems like a decent young team, and in the Eastern Conference they can make the playoffs!

Another sidenote: I am only going to do the lottery picks then I will come back later for a wrapup. Also, Alexander's nickname is "Vanilla Sky". My head is going to explode from the joke overload I am having.

7:24: Bobcats select...D.J. Augustin? I have no idea why they did this. They have Raymond Felton. I was ready to put this team in the Eastern Conference playoffs with Brook Lopez. This has to be going somewhere else.

7:29: The Nets steal Brook Lopez. This is a legit pick to build this team. Devin Harris, Vince Carter, Bobby Simmons, Yi and Lopez. Not to mention Marcus Williams on the bench. I am not saying anything immediate, but once they move to Brooklyn they could be decent.

7:34: Pacers select Jerryd Bayless. He slipped all the way to the 11th pick. They finally have a decent scoring guard since the departure of Miller. Ford, Bayless, Granger, Dunleavy, Murphy, Daniels....a good core to this team. Now get rid of Tinsley and move forward. Yes! Three shots at one player!

7:40: Kings take Jason Thompson at 12. They need a lot, especially if Artest leaves. Okay I can't act like I care about to Kings. I really hope the Rockets trade up to get that 18th pick.

7:46: Brandon Rush goes to the Trail Blazers. I really want to say they will make the playoffs this season, but in the West...everyone is good. And Portland has Steve Blake at point. That doesn't sit well with me.

Rafer Alston Interview

Growing up as a legend in Queens , New York , Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston always had aspirations to be in the NBA. Eight years and a 22-game winning streak later, Alston is playing a bigger part than he could have ever imagined.

Coined “Skip to My Lou” during his days on the AND1 tours, Alston proved he had the potential to do something with his talent. After spending time in Milwaukee , Miami and Toronto , Alston was traded to the Rockets in 2005 and became the team’s starting point guard. Alston settled in perfectly, averaging double digits in scoring and over five assists a game during his tenure in Houston .

Alston has made a heavy contribution to the Rockets during their historic season. What will now be labeled as “The Streak” in Houston would not have been possible without Alston bringing the ball up the court. Alston has found a way to bring his game up a level, and even set a new career high with 31 points during the Lakers in March.

“I’ve changed finishing better. Driving more to the basket than I have been … finishing by shooting a lot of threes.” Alston said.

One thing is for sure, Alston still has a lot of games to play in the NBA. And the way his game keeps improving, he will continue to play an intricate part for the Rockets as they strive for a championship.

MoS: You’ve served as a key component in this year’s success. What’s changed since then and what have you done to improve your game?
Alston: “I’ve changed fishing better. Driving more to the basket than I have been … finishing by shooting a lot of threes.”

MoS: On March 24th's win over the Sacramento Kings, you scored an impressive 28 points, helping make this Rick Adelman’s 800th career coaching victory. Did he have any words for you?
Alston: “We were excited to help him get his special victory. That was real special for him—not only was it special for us to do that for him. You know, he’s watched me play, and he always wanted me to be aggressive and score the ball more on the team this year—especially with Yao being out. So last night, I thought I’d do that a little more.”

MoS: What went through your mind during the Rockets 22-game winning streak?
Alston: “Oh, it was impressive. We didn’t have time to really enjoy it ’cause we had a game everyday or every other day. And then our conference is so tough, we couldn’t lose. If you lose, you go from fifth to eighth—or something like that."

MoS: How about the 94-74 loss to the Celtics that ended the streak?
Alston: “We were disappointed. We didn’t like the way our energy was. We didn’t like the way we were playing. We weren’t playing the way we were playing when we won 22; therefore, we lost that game. We were just disappointed in our performance.”

MoS: With a tight race in the West, do you look at the standings every night?
Alston: “No, I can see it in the newspapers. (laughs) But it’s interesting, because we won 22 in a row, and when you do that, you think you separated yourself from the rest of the league—but we haven’t. We just came a game or two above or a game or two behind people. But you gotta look at it everyday because you want to see where you’re at.”

MoS: What is your main career goal?
Alston: “Career? Hopefully I can help the team win a championship. I think that’s the goal every year when you come in and play professional sports—to win a championship.”

MoS: Aside from that—any personal ones?
Alston: “Personal goals … considered to be a great person. To be a great dad—a great father. And hopefully God blesses me to continue to play this game as long as I can.”

MoS: You earned your AND1 nickname "Skip to my Lou" from your tendency to skip while dribbling the ball upcourt. Do you like that tag—or do you prefer a different nicknames?
Alston: “I don’t mind it. I love it. I had no idea it’d become such a legendary thing. It’s a nickname that’s followed me my entire career.”

MoS: You are known as the playground legend in Queens. Who is the greatest player you have ever faced outside of the NBA?
Alston: “There’s so many. I can’t think of all these people now.” (laughs) “Oh, man. That’s tough. There’s so many of them. Growing up on the playground, there’s so many guys that play the game. It’s not just, like, one. It’s just every night out there, we had a tough game.”

MoS: Coming from street ball, did you ever see yourself becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA?
Alston: “Well, it was always my dream to make it into the NBA. But that’s just the thing about street ball. In New York, that’s what we play all summer. We play ball outside. There’s not a lot of gyms like other cities and states. So we play outside, and everyone in the city does it. But yeah, the NBA’s always been my dream.”

MoS: Since your AND1 video debut and multiple tournament competitions, do you have any new moves for the fans?
Alston: “I haven’t thought of anything just yet—I’d love to. I think because of the NBA schedule, I haven’t had the opportunity to do so. I love to work on that stuff. In the past, I worked on it all the time. When I finished practicing, I’d work on my tricks. But, I haven’t done it in a while.”

MoS: Which NBA defender do you dread playing because of their pesky defense?
Alston: “I never get to enjoy the pesky and dirty defenders. (laughs) A lot of the guys hate playing Bruce Bowen or [Manu] Ginóbili or some guys like that. Or some guys hate playing against Shane [Battier] because he plays so good on defense.”

MoS: You have been in the league for 8 years now, what is the best advice you have been given and from who?
Alston: “To work hard and don’t change your game. Add on to it; don’t stop doing what got you to this point; and always keep your confidence and be aggressive. Sam Cassell—he told me that.”

MoS: With Texas having no state income tax—as opposed to your home state of New York—where do you throw that extra pocket change?
Alston: “Family members” (laughs) “my son and daughter”

MoS: Who does Rafer Alston want to be remembered as?
Alston: “Just as a good person. If people don’t remember me by my basketball, at least they’ll remember the type of person I was.”

MoS: Do you collect anything—movies, figurines, cars?
Alston: “I’ve tried to collect movies, but people always take them from my house. They always come up missing.”

MoS: What’s worse—winter in New York or the Texas heat?
Alston: “Texas Heat.” (laughs) “I’m used to winter in New York! This is my third year living here, and I have yet to go outside in summertime heat. That’s why I play [ball] around 11 at night.”

MoS: What do most people not know about Rafer Alston?
Alston: “I love to dance.”

(This article was originally featured in the April 2008 issue of Envy Magazine.)

The Dream Continues

Whenever people mention Hakeem Olajuwon as "the greatest center in the history of the NBA," it usually gets a smirk out of a few. And by people I mean me. I have long defended Olajuwon as the best big man to ever play the game, and though not everyone disagrees, there are plenty that don't even consider him in the top three.

Olajuwon was announced as part of the 2008 class of the Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday, along with fellow center Patrick Ewing and others.

Without a doubt people will agree that Dream is a hall-of-famer. If you don't then you should stop reading this immediately because you don't know anything about basketball.

But the question that sparks my interest is the title of greatest center to ever play the game. So taking a look into statistics, I tried to gather the five greatest and then go from there.

In no particular order yet, I would say Olajuwon, O'Neal, Adbul-Jabbar, Russell, and Chamberlain. Note on these stats that blocks weren't recorded during the days of Russell and Chamberlain, so it's not possible to determine how they faired.

Shaquille O'Neal: MVP of the 99-00 season. Career averages include 25.3 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. O'Neal is a four-time NBA Champion.

All-time stats:

Points: 26,226, 11th place, with a little over 100 points get him in the top ten.

Rebounds: 11,892...nine more break Shaq into the top 20.

Blocks: 2,517, 8th place.

Extra credit: O'Neals career average is good enough for ninth all-time. Shaq lead the Magic to the NBA Finals when he was only 22-years old, and also is tied for the record of leading the league in field goal accuracy, which he has done nine times.

Points off: The field goal accuracy came because of most of his shots coming within two-feet of the basket. Not much of an argument against a center, because they are supposed to be down in the paint anyway. Against the other four mentioned, Shaq has a way to go before being placed on their pedestal.

Bill Russell: Five-time NBA MVP. Eleven-time NBA Champion.

All-time stats:

Points: 14,522, doesn't crack the top 20.

Rebounds: 21,620...second all-time

Blocks: N/A

Extra credit: Read the first line. Although he didn't place in two of the three stat categories, he has more championships and MVP awards than anyone else on the list. And it also helps when Shaq refers to him as "the greatest big man to ever play the game."

Points off: Statistically speaking, Russell only shows up in the rebound category.

Wilt Chamberlain: Four-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Champion.

All-time stats:

Points: 31,419, fourth all-time.

Rebounds: 23,924, first all-time.

Blocks: N/A

Extra credit: How about 100 points in a single game? An achievement no one else will ever reach. He probably could have a few more rings if it wasn't for Russell and the Celtics.

Points off: He probably could have a few more rings if it wasn't for Russell and the Celtics.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Six-time NBA Champion, six-time NBA MVP.

All-time stats:

Points: 38,387, first all-time.

Rebounds: 17,440, third all-time.

Blocks: 3,189, third all-time

Extra credit: The number of points he scored in his career might never be matched by another. Abdul-Jabbar also cracks the top-five in every stat category listed.

Points off: Had Magic, West and many others that contributed to this, although that's not really his fault.

Hakeem Olajuwon: Two-time NBA Champion, One-time NBA MVP, One MVP robbed by David Robinson.

All-time stats:

Points: 26,946, seventh all-time.

Rebounds: 13,748, eleventh all-time.

Blocks: 3,830, first all-time.

Extra credit: Olajuwon also has 2,162 steals in his career, which is seventh all-time. No other center comes close to that. Olajuwon also won his championships with the worst supporting cast out of the five mentioned.

Points off: The championships came during Jordan's first vacation, and Olajuwon could have been a bigger icon if it wasn't for playing during that decade.

So after seeing what each can bring to the table, you have to admit that Olajuwon would bring a legitimate argument. Abdul-Jabbar has a lot under his belt for anyone else to overcome, but Hakeem would definitely crack into the top three of the category.

The point of this was just to shed a bit more light on one of the most fun players to ever watch, put up an argument for what he brought to the game and congratulate Olajuwon. Your hall of fame induction is well deserved, and in my eyes you are the greatest big man to ever play the game.

Hopefully Not Starting A New Streak

I had really forgotten what it was like to lose a game. The Houston Rockets had their history-making streak snapped Tuesday night by the Boston Celtics, and I can't say I didn't see it coming.

I wasn't completely upset, seeing as how I know one of the games this week would end the second longest winning streak in NBA history. And to tell you the truth, I really didn't have a good taste in my mouth Tuesday morning, and it was half because the Rockets were playing the Celtics, and half because St. Patrick's Day was the previous 24 hours.

And a national audience tuned in to watch the Rockets finally run out of gas. There was nothing left in the tank for McGrady, especially against the toughest defense in the NBA.

But as I gathered myself afterwards I wondered, what will the Rockets become after the streak? There are three options:

A. Be the same team, take the beating and move forward not letting it affect their chemistry that was formed from the previous 22 games.

B. Remain exhausted from playing their asses off for over a month, but after the long week ahead is over, revamp and get things going again.

C. Completely meltdown, lose control of their mentality and run around the court screaming like their head is on fire.

After the Hornets game Wednesday night, it looks like it is going to be somewhere between option B and option C.

The Rockets started off the game with an almost-perfect performance, knocking down shots, grabbing rebounds, doing exactly what they always do to New Orleans. After the first quarter the Rockets held a 24-16 lead, and after halftime remained ahead 44-39.

Then, it was Deja Vu. The Rockets came out in the third quarter looking sluggish, confused and not able to hit a jumper. No one could penetrate, no one rebounded, and I taped the remote control to my hand to save me from launching it through the television.

Former Rocket Bonzi Wells, who was traded somewhere towards the beginning of the streak, played like a man possesed and threw down a season-high 25 points.

For the second game in-a-row the one thought that stayed out of everyones mind for 10 games suddenly surfaced:

"Man, we could really use Yao right now."

And so now the Rockets fall from first in the west to third in a 24-hour span. And it doesn't get any easier.

Houston has a day off before taking on the Warriors in Golden State and then the Suns in Phoenix. If the Rockets can somehow dig down deep and find that spark they played with for 22 straight games, they will get to come home to play the Kings and the Timberwolves (two teams going nowhere fast). Then, the Rockets can enjoy a three-day rest before taking on the Spurs in San Antonio.

So it's not quite time to hit any panic button. Even if the Rockets can win just one of these road games, they should be in good shape. After San Antonio, the Rockets hit a west coast road trip of the Kings, Blazers, Sonics and Clippers....all of which could be wins.

Let's just hope that McGrady can clear the exhaustion, Alston and Battier can get their shots back, Landry can get off the injured list and the Rockets can get a "W" in Golden State before a new streak starts for the Rockets....in the wrong direction.

Jump on the bandwagon

Well I guess I asked for it. I stated last week that I wanted the Rockets to gain some respect from the media, and now, after 19-games in a row, I got what I asked for.

Although now it's as if everyone thought all-along that the Rockets could do this. A week ago, everyone thought the streak was a fluke, and now everyone is amazed at the "Red-Hot Rockets". When did John Kerry become an ESPN analyst?

I shouldn't complain, hell, after foing 28-3 in the last 31 games, I would hope recognition would follow. It's just that before, it was a matter of "they haven't beaten anyone worth mentioning" and now everyone realizes just how remarkable the streak is. Coach Rick Adelman said it best, "Everyone in the NBA plays the same schedule, so why hasn't anyone else done it?"

19-games in a row, 10-wins in a row by double digits (tying a NBA record), and a franchise-best winning streak. (I have no way to tie this graph into the column at this point, but just felt like saying that.)

And now, with Tracy McGrady playing at a new peak, he loves what the critics are saying about his team.

As stated in the Richard Justice article, McGrady put it best:

"I love when people doubt me," he said. "I sit back and eat it up and go out and do my thing. I listen to them the next day, and think, 'Wow, a minute ago you didn't think I could play.' "

So keep on hating on the Rockets one minute, and riding them the next, because either way, this team is a legitimate contender in the Western Conference. Tonight the Rockets head to Atlanta to take on the Hawks, and with a win, will have the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.

And after that, everyone might be picking them to win the championship.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I have racked my brain trying to understand what it is going to take for the Houston Rockets to gain respect in the Western Conference. The Rockets go into Wednesday night on a NBA season high 15-game winning streak, and take on the 24-36 Indiana Pacers at home.

Speaking of defending their own territory, the Rockets have now won 10-straight in the Toyota Center, but enough about the streaks.

My question simply remains: Why are the Rockets still not gaining respect?

It could be the Yao injury, which I refuse to speak of because of how overplayed it has been since the announcement last week. It could be that during the Rockets' streak, nine of the fifteen teams they have defeated have had below .500 records.

But throwing that all aside, understand that this team, under a new coach, with a roster full of new players, strung together 15 straight victories. Good enough to put them from a disappointing, lackluster season, into a legitimate contender.

The Rockets now sit at fifth place in the Western Conference, three games out of first. The remaining schedule of 23 games look to be a challenge, but no critics will give the Rockets a fighting chance.

Many have ruled the team out, claiming they can't make it into the playoffs without Yao, especially with how tight the standings are. Many will say that this was a "cute" run they put together in February, all for nothing.

And these "many" are the ones that get paid to analyze these situations....that is what blows my mind.

The Rockets (39-20) are on pace to finish 54-28, which will definitely be good enough for a Western Conference playoff spot, and would have to go 15-8 for the rest of the season to accomplish that record.

Ten of those remaining games are against below .500 teams. The other thirteen are against the best of the best. But to achieve the 54-win mark, the Rockets would only have to win five of those thirteen games, supposing they defeated all of the forementioned subpar opponents.

And with the way the Rockets have been playing, is that really that bogus of an idea? The defense is phenomenal (Allowing 100-plus points only three times in the last fifteen games). The offense finally found its stride with the three point shooting, and scoring consistency.

Even without Yao (I know I said I wouldn't bring it up, but I can't help it), you bring more to the defensive end with Dikembe Mutombo, AND the Rockets become a much quicker team. They DID lose roughly 22 points and 11 rebounds a game when Yao decided to figuratively stomach-punch the Houston fans with his stress fracture. However, if the Rockets role players step their game up, which they have been, they can easily make up for those losses. Mutombo himself can take care of the rebounding, so you are trying to find somewhere to make up 22 points a game. With Rafer Alston shooting 34-percent from behind the arc, Scola still able to grind in the post, and the collection from Bobby Jackson, Luther Head and Carl Landry....The Rockets can still do everything they were doing before "The Injury".

And they have been. In the three games so far without Yao, the Rockets have won by 25, 21 and 14. I would say they haven't lost a step.

So now we must wait and see what this team is capable of, with a tough road coming this month. Maybe more recognition will come their way if they win another 15-straight, but I wouldn't hold my breath.