Boston Celtics

LeBron James Is Your Non-Unanimous 2012-13 MVP, And I'm Fine With That

I am mesmerized by LeBron James. I'll admit, he's converted me. I am a fan. This is coming from someone who wrote four straight posts around the time of "The Decision" in July 2010 about what an asshole LeBron was. This is coming from someone who openly rooted against him every time he was on my ... More >>

Mr. Big: Hard Work Sends Greg Smith from D-League to Rotation Player on Playoff-Bound Rockets

After a recent practice, Rockets players Greg Smith, Thomas Robinson, Dontas Montejunas and James Harden spent a few rare minutes working on their post up games with coach Kevin McHale. While Harden was there just to give the young players a hard time and get in some extra reps, Smith and Thomas spe ... More >>

Rockets at Midseason: The Grades Are In

With the All-Star break on us, it seems logical to talk about where our local NBA team stands at the season's figurative midpoint. I say "figurative" because the Rockets passed their actual midpoint in January at which point they were 21-20 coming off the last game of a season-long seven-game losing ... More >>

Celtics-Heat Postgame Fun-Fest: Crazy KG, D-Wade's Hipster-ish Fake Glasses, and "Good Job, Good Effort!" Kid (w/ VIDEO)

I love NBA basketball, but I'll be the first to admit that I am oftentimes more compelled by what goes on after the games -- in the press conferences, in the locker room, on the set of TNT -- than I am in the games themselves. I'm the guy who is rooting against LeBron not because I hate him, but be ... More >>

NBA Draft: Recent Stinkhole History To Enlighten Rocket Fans

Prior to Wednesday night's game between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics, the 27th annual NBA Draft Lottery took place, or as Rocket fans like to call it "a tradition like no other." For those Rocket fans, their 0.5 percent chance of coming away with the top pick gave the draft lottery a decide ... More >>

Jerry "The King" Lawler Piledrives Clipper Fan: Old School WWE Wrestlers for Each NBA Playoff Series (w/ VIDEO)

People laugh dismissively when I say it, but the more they can incorporate WWE performers and the general WWE "way" of entertainment, the more enjoyable other genres of sports will become. No, I'm not talking about the predetermined outcomes of matches (The NBA has already incorporated that aspect o ... More >>

NBA Purgatory

Neither the best nor the worst, the Rockets remain stuck in professional basketball's great midsection.

Rockets Announce 2011-2012 Schedule -- 6 Things You Need to Know

Kevin Martin: Not a big national-TV draw.​My excitement for the upcoming NBA season was moderately brimming before yesterday (due in large part to a $50 prop bet I placed a couple months ago on the season starting on or before Christmas -- CHA-CHING!), but two things happened yesterday. First ... More >>

What Google Music Means To The Music Industry

techonzo.com​Google is finally launching its own music service. Google Music is a full-scale music service/store designed to compete with Amazon and Apple. Android boss Andy Rubin says they're very close to launch. About a dozen independent labels are have already joined forces with Google and ... More >>

O RLY? Rockets Sending Out Open House Invites, Season Ticket Offers

O RLY, Kevin McHale?​There is a classic Internet meme characterized by a photo of a silly-looking bird with the phrase "O RLY?" written across it. The meme was designed to signify someone's response to an outrageous statement, usually posted on a bulletin board. For example, Nerd One might say ... More >>

Saturday Night: New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys At Toyota Center

Photos by Jim Bricker​New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys Toyota Center June 25, 2011 It's been 25 years since New Kids on the Block emerged on the pop scene, creating an entire generation of maniacally devoted fans overnight. Some girls fainted at the mere sight of the group; others creat ... More >>

NBA Finals Game 2 -- Anatomy of a Meltdown

On the "Play-by-play" Web page for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, it simply reads "Dwyane Wade makes 24-foot three point jumper (Mario Chalmers assists)," one simple play out of a few hundred plays during the course of an NBA basketball game. But if you were watching the game, you knew that Dwyane Wade' ... More >>

Magic Johnson Takes Over Hotel Icon

This investment is a slam d-- sorry, we just can't say it​The so-hip-it-hurts Hotel Icon's foreclosure auction has a winner: Magic Johnson, the man who toyed with the Houston Rockets and every NBA team except the Boston Celtics back in the days of tight shorts. Johnson's investment company, C ... More >>

One Guy's Thoughts On The Sports Year: 25 Things To Remember

So with the end of the year fast approaching, I thought I would take some time to revisit some of the highlights, and lowlights, of this past sports year. Your list is probably different, but these are the things that caught my attention this year. maxim.com Thanks for everything, Jenn​1. ... More >>

December 9, 2013 Headline: Hunter Pence Signs With Pirates For 7 Years, $168M

Rich people making baseball decisions​Most major league baseball owners are billionaires or, at the very least, incredibly wealthy leaders of investor groups. And I'm pretty sure you have to be smart to become a billionaire (although I am admittedly very smart, and I regularly get excited whe ... More >>

Houston's 10 Best Sports Moments*

*And the 5 most heartbreaking...

MLS All-Star Game: Commissioner, Dynamo Honcho Talk Houston Soccer

Photo by David Clements/MLSMLS Commissioner Don Garber and Dynamo president Jamey Rootes at ZaZa​Last night, Major League Soccer hosted a party for the who's who in Houston. The evening soiree at Hotel ZaZa had players past and present, corporate honchos, team owners and executives; basically anyo ... More >>

Manchester United: Five Reasons To Hate Them

Yeah, yeah -- tradition yadda, yadda, yadda​Manchester United F.C. will be making their first trip to Houston as they play the MLS All-Stars at Reliant Stadium Wednesday. As one of soccer's most successful and most recognizable clubs, Man U is the sole reason why a record-sellout crowd is expected ... More >>

Game Time: LeBron James: The Decision -- You Suck, ESPN

LeBron is Cleveland's new "Cuyahoga River on fire"​"It's been a real humbling experience to be in this position." -- LeBron James on his self-requested, one hour made-for-LeBron TV special on ESPNIf you lived in Houston at the time, you remember September 13, 2008. That was the morning after Hurr ... More >>

Game Time: Kobe Bryant: One Down, One To Go (And Neither of Them Are You, LeBron)

You, Senator, are no Michael Jordan​ "I've got one more than Shaq." -- Kobe BryantThe accolades would seem to indicate that respect has not been an issue for Kobe Bryant -- the respect of fans, the respect of his peers, the respect of the media.In his career, Kobe Bryant has been selected to the A ... More >>

Game Time: Ten Historically Significant March Madness Buzzer Beaters

In my effort to help everyone prepare for March Madness, I bring you the second installment of the March Madness Preview. (Click here for yesterday's first installment -- you know the part with my picks and what not.) Today, we look at some of the most historical buzzer beaters in tournament histo ... More >>

Game Time: For Sale -- NBA Two Guard, 30 Y/O, Excellent Condition, Trades Accepted

​First, I want to thank everyone for their reaction, positive or otherwise, to my post yesterday which chronicled the high points of the era of Tracy McGrady's Expiring Contract I seem to learn something with every new post that I generate here on Hair Balls, and yesterday I learned that there are ... More >>

The Top Ten Rockets Moments Of The Decade, For Better Or Worse

Photo by Daniel Kramer​For the Rockets, the decade of the 2000s began with Hall of Fame legend Hakeem Olajuwon starting at center. It finished with 6-foot-6 Chuck Hayes, the shortest listed starting center in NBA history.It started with promising rookie sensation and No. 2 pick Steve Francis at po ... More >>

Game Time: Woke Up This Morning, Got Myself LeBron

​Those of you who listen to my show know that I am fond of placing the "occasional" friendly wager. While handicapping the day-to-day and week-to-week ebb and flow of a football, basketball, or (if you're really sick) baseball season can be enjoyable and, at times, lucrative (especially when betti ... More >>

Classic Rock Corner: Nils Lofgren, Sideman, Sideburns and Solo

Guy AcetoIt's certainly an accomplishment for any rock musician to have a long and fruitful career either solo or with a band. Then it's icing on the cake to be further associated with a genuine icon. But to have two icons in your story? Just an embarrassment of riches. In the case with ... More >>

Houston Rockets: This Needs To Be Yao's Team

Coming off a 2-3 road trip, plus wins over OKC and the Hornets, the Rockets make me feel the same way I did a few weeks back. Good, not great. They convincingly won the games they should have, home or away (Clippers, Thunder, Suns), and lost the games they should have (Lakers and a pretty dece ... More >>

Personal Foul: Semi-Pro

Will Ferrell's umpteenth sports comedy is only half bad. His half.

Q&A with Daryl Morey: Surprise! Rockets Need Better Point Guard Play

Backing It In, Backing It In

The New Bad Boys? No Way

Free Lunch

Freegans prove there is such a thing as they Dumpster-dive for food for themselves and the homeless

Indulge Your Inner Yao

The ultimate Web site for those obsessed with the Rockets' big guy

Pipeline to the Pros

One of the straightest paths to the NBA begins on the summer hoops circuit. All the kids have to do in return is wear the right shoes.

Press Picks

The Chips Are Down