Steven Adams Traded to the Houston Rockets

Steven Adams is one lucky guy. He's been traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Houston Rockets, in return for Victor Oladipo and three second round draft picks. Both players are coming back from injury and haven't played this season. 

This is a good move for Adams, as Houston can actually win titles, while the Grizzlies are perennial cellar dwellers and have never won a title. Houston gain a good defensive player, something they need, while the Grizzlies save money and can pay a bit more for players they think they need.

As a Rockets fan, I'm really pleased to see Adams with my team. If his knee doesn't recover, he may be close to retirement, but touch wood that he comes out fired up next season.

Houston Rockets on a Roll

The NBA's Houston Rockets have won six straight games. They have turned their fortunes around with some clever player acquisitions. Notably, they've taken on players with championships to their name; Jeff Green and Fred VanVleet. This makes a difference, I believe, as the addition of heads that know how to win brings experience to their talented lineup. This could be the Rockets year.

NBA Season 2019/20

Last season my picks were 50/50 at best. This year I've got no idea which team will emerge at the top. They're all so close, all looking good, and there has been so many big moves of top players between teams.

Having said that, I like the look of the Denver Nuggets, and the Milwaukee Bucks. Of course I always support the Houston Rockets but I'm not convinced they can get the most out of Russell Westbrook. He's just too much of a ball hog.

The Los Angeles Lakers can never be discounted either, they've got a powerful lineup.

Teams that will disappoint? Maybe the Los Angeles Clippers, they've never won a title, old habits are hard to break. The Brooklyn Nets won't be a real force until Kevin Durant is back from injury, so their fans will have to wait until 2020/21.

Surprises? Not so much of a surprise really; the Philadelphia 76ers, look for them to be the main challenger to the Bucks in the east. Oh and the Toronto Raptors, even without Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors may surprise once again.

Summary:

Looking Good;

Denver Nuggets
Milwaukee Bucks

Don't Discount;

Los Angeles Lakers
Houston Rockets

Disappointing;

Los Angeles Clippers
Brooklyn Nets

Surprises;

Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors.

Russell Westbrook to the Rockets

The Houston Rockets make it hard for me to be a fan. They acquired Carmelo Anthony, remember how that went? Now they've taken on Russell Westbrook, the most selfish player in the NBA today. Will he bring a title now that he's back with James Harden? It's hard to see how quite frankly, Harden has grown and become something special and I just don't see the two playing together any longer, how could the two egos work? One would have to accept a secondary role and that seems unlikely. We'll have to wait and see, but just as with Anthony, I'm not holding my breath.

Carmelo Anthony Moving On?

The rumour is Carmelo Anthony is going to be waived by the Houston Rockets. It would make sense as he hasn't clicked with the Rockets roster. My pick is he'll head to the Lakers, teaming up with Lebron James. The two get along and Anthony is desperate for an NBA title.

But let's dispel something shall we, Anthony is not that bad a player. After all I've said, I now find myself defending him. Why? It's due to some of the nonsense I hear from analysts that's why. It has been said that Anthony will be waived because he's no good coming off the dribble and can't hit threes. Well boohoo, if that's how the Rockets intend playing no wonder they've not had a title since the mid 1990's. And I'm a Rockets fan!

Anthony is a good shooter and defends capably. What he's not good at doing is sharing. The ball goes to him and he shoots. Often he does this well, particularly when he's one on one against his opponent. But he doesn't have excellent vision and tends to stay put after he receives the ball. I think a combination with James would work well as James can take it to the hoop and get the rotation going, with Anthony able to isolate opponents and score when that rotation stalls or taking it to the hoop doesn't work and the ball needs to be kicked back out.

The Lakers are going to be around come playoffs time, but they need one or two heavy scoring bigs. Carmelo Anthony is one such player.

NBA 2018/19

The new season is under way and these are my picks:

Surprises

Eastern Conference: Detroit Pistons
Western Conference: New Orleans Pelicans

Disappoints

Eastern Conference: Boston Celtics
Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers

Even Better (than last season)

Eastern Conference: Philadelphia 76ers
Western Conference: Portland Trailblazers

Still No Chance - Ever

Eastern Conference: Orlando Magic
Western Conference: Los Angeles Clippers

Houston Rockets Sign Carmelo

The basketball gods must be torturing me. My team the Rockets have signed the most overrated player in the NBA; Carmelo Anthony. They were looking a good chance to win the Western Conference, but now? I can barely watch, it's going to be torture. I just hope Carmelo has turned over a new leaf.

Astros World Champions

Congratulations to the Houston Astros on winning their first World Series. Now c'mon Rockets, win the NBA playoffs. It'd be nice to think the Texans could add the Superbowl as well.