The only thing for the Rockets that is not an uphill battle in their series against the Jazz is that each game they start tied at 0. If they played as hard as most NBA teams, their season would already be over. Their talent level is so far below the Jazz, it's a testament to the individuals that comprise this roster. Take these numbers and explain to me how the Rockets have had chances to win each of the last game including twice in Utah.
McGrady..FG:36-94(38%), 3FG:2-13(15%), FT:19-33(57%)
Alston...FG:14-32(44%), 3FG:7-16(44%), FT:00-00(00%)
Scola....FG:16-43(37%), 3FG:0-0 (15%), FT:19-29(66%)
That trio represents the Rockets top 3 scorers during the regular season (of course not including Yao). Scola was a 52% shooter in the regular season - tops among rookies and while McGrady's 30% mark from downtown during the regular season is miserable - it's still twice as good as what he has brought to this series.
The Rockets just work and work and work. Landry for the last two games has finally returned to the interior dynamo that he was before the knee injury. Hayes may be a fouling machine but he does as good a job against Carlos Boozer as anyone.
The Jazz may hold a dominating 3-1 edge in the series, but they have not dominated any games in this series. The Rockets even in defeat should be making the fans proud.
GRADE: B- (bottom line business - it's about winning)
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Now to the real grade you;ve been waiting for...the Houston Texans NFL Draft.
I have not seen any other outlets grade or analysis, so this is as pure as I can make them. Overall I look at every thing that took place on Saturday and Sunday and can't help but think GM Rick Smith and crew could have done more with the weekend. Look I can't pretend to give you definitives about the future - for all I know Duane Brown will be the first Texans offensive lineman to go to the Pro Bowl, and Steve Slaton will pile up 1,000 yard season while Antwaun Molden leads the league in interceptions.
However, back here on earth, I'm not forecasting any of that. As a whole, I thought the Texans selections were fine. They addressed all their needs with players that quite possible could and should help. But from a value standpoint - I have my reservations.
Rd.1, 26:Duane Brown, LT, Va. Tech - The Texans missed out on the top 7 tackles (in their minds really the top 5 since the had no interest in Otah or Cherilus, who were both available at 18). They viewed Brown as the next best LT on the board and while I have no doubt there were correct, I don't think they needed to grab him at #26. Not to mention the fact for moving down from 18 to 26 all they received was a 3rd(89) & a 6th(173). Acquiring additional picks is a huge draft day deal but seems like they should've received more.
Brown must be an above average starter or else this selection comes up way short. The first word that came to mind with Brown was project and for a first round pick that is not ideal. Now labeling him a project might be a bit strong, but he started at left tackle just one season at Virginia Tech and was stuck at right tackle before that because Brandon Frye had the left tackle spot. Frye was the Texans 5th round pick last year who made zero impact a year ago with Houston.
GRADE: C+ (please forgive for knee jerk positivity on draft with my grade!)
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Rd.3, 79:Antwaun Molden, CB, E. Kentucky - He was one of the biggest CBs in the draft among the top prospects and has very good speed for his better than 6-foot frame. The level of competition he faced is a concern, but not to me. I think you'll see him on the field very early. Could eventually be safety, but in the meantime could bring some pop to the CB position. A huge need area for the team.
GRADE: B+
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Rd.3, 89:Steve Slaton, RB, W. Virginia - All sorts of productive in his early years at West Virginia, but tailed off a bit last year with fumble problems and minor injury issues. He is the explosive back the Texans have really never had, a big play waiting to happen, but he does not possess the size to likely last and thrive as every down back. In reality, he's not any smaller than the ultra-productive Brian Westbrook in Philly, but the Texans currently don't even view him as a workhorse anyway. He did show good pass-catching ability in college and will be looked at as a 3rd down back early in his career. IMO, this was not a real need area, but I do think they might have found a player to produce big plays which the team has always lacked. His selection means at least one of the current tailbacks will get his walking papers.
GRADE: B
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Rd.4, 118:Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech - This is the pick that could make the draft for the Texans. He could very easily be an above-average outside linebacker in the NFL - that would possibly make him the best OLB in Texans history. He's a leader and a relentless effort player. I don't know if it's just me that is so high on Adibi, but there is a good chance that he ascends to starting status before the end of the season. The value is here, midway through the 4th round.
GRADE: A
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Rd.5, 151:Frank Okam, DT, Texas - Here's a player who never really reached his full potential in college. A smart kid, but most felt he should have been a dominant player and he only showed flashes. He is capable of playing at whatever weight best fits what the Texans and this is just a 5th round selection, Probably a risk worth taking. The Texans like to rotate their lineman and keep them fresh. I wonder how much better Travis Johnson is than Okam - the problem is regardless of the answer - the fact I even brought it up is an indicator of what Johnson - the former 1st round pick has NOT done in Houston.
GRADE: B-
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Rd.6, 173:Dominique Barber, FS, Minnesota - Another need pick and at this spot in the draft it makes sense. His father and brother both played in the league, Marion II is the starting RB in Dallas. Another player you'd attach the word leader to, albeit for a very poor Minnesota team. Again, we're talking about a 6th round pick here, he's not a steal, but he's no different than C.C. Brown either and Brown has been the Texans starter for several seasons. Good value and should make the team because he'll contribute on special teams.
GRADE: C+
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Rd.7, 223:Alex Brink, QB, Wash. State - Real head scratcher here. Even if the Texans plan on trading Sage Rosenfels or Quinn Gray, there is simply no need to draft a QB. Seventh road picks are not throwaways. Last year's choice, Zac Diles recovered the onside kick that should have led to the greatest comeback win in team history and very possibly will win the starting job at OLB this year. This is the 5th QB the team has drafted in their 7 drafts. They'll miss for the 5th time. Credit for the Henson selection since they moved him for a better pick, but the other picks have all just simply been wastes of time. Sorry to be so harsh on Brink, who is probably practice squad material and maybe a decent back-up down the road, it just makes no sense to use a selection on him.
GRADE: F
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The Astros are nearly a full month in. Shawn Chacon has been a huge surprise giving the Astros a quality start every time they have given him the ball. Kaz Matsui has shown early, at least, that he is a capable top of the order hitter. He has more clutch hits than anybody else and has played less than half the season. Berkman and Tejada rival anyone as the best offensive duo in baseball and at some point Carlos Lee will produce some big hits with runners on base.
The starting pitching as a whole has been far better than expected, but the bullpen has not. The V & V boys in Villareal and Valverde got off to awful starts. Villareal is just to easy to hit, but luckily I;d say Valverde has things straightened out - he's looked lights out the few trips to the hill.
Pretty simple to analyze, some good, some bad, one day they hit, one day they pitch. They're an average team and before the 2-game skid they take into Arizona - they were 12-12. Average.
GRADE: C+
------------------- WEX
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