BIG Free Agent signings and retentions.. and a Yao injury update...

TREVOR ARIZA SIGNS WITH THE ROCKETS
YAO WAITING FOR HOPE FROM INJURY
BUT ARTEST JOINS WORLD CHAMP LAKERS
TURKOGLU HEADING TO TORONTO
GORDON AND VILLANUEVA JOIN THE PISTONS CAUSE
OKUR AND BOOZER STAY WITH THE JAZZ

This has turned out to be a wild free agency season in the NBA. As Trevor Ariza who played a huge role during the Lakers championship run will join the Houston Rockets this year. Ariza would get $32 million, over the next five years with the Rockets.

Meanwhile, Yao Ming is waiting for hope after the Rockets announced he is out indefinitely and possibly the whole of next season, as team doctors found something worse on Yao's left foot that could threaten his basketball career. Yao has missed a lot of games  due to injuries since the 2004-05 season.

The Rockets signed Ariza fromt the Lakers after Ron Artest signed with the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers for the next 5 years. The 29-year old Artest will join forces with Finals MVP Kobe Bryant and guys like Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, etc.

Hedo Turkoglu, fresh from his NBA Finals stint with the Orlando Magic will now head to Canada with the Toronto Raptors in a 5 year $60 million deal with the Raptors. Turkoglu declined a earlier offer with the Portland Trail Blazers after the Trail Blazers gave their best efforts to get Turkoglu to Portland.

The Pistons got a boost in their lineup, as Ben Gordon from the Bulls, and Charlie Villanueva from the Bucks will join the Pistons. Gordon and Villanueva signed 5-year deals with the Pistons.

The Utah Jazz can now breathe well as star forwards Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur will stay another year with the Jazz.

RON-RON is NOT WELCOME ANYMORE!
-kArLc-

2009 NBA Playoffs : Conference Finals + Rockets 2009 season review

From the 8 teams that started Round 2, only four teams remain (2 on each conference) as the Conference Finals starts. The winner of each conference finals will have the right to represent their conference in the 2009 NBA Finals this June. Games will be very tough on each side as every team will be working hard as teams try to advance to the NBA Finals and give their franchise a chance to be crowned the 2009 NBA Champions.

So here are the matchups for the Conference Finals:

1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS
1 Round 1: def. UTAH (4-1), Round 2: def. HOU (4-3)
2 DENVER NUGGETS
2 Round 1: def. NO (4-1), Round 2: def. DAL (4-1)
SEASON SERIES: LAL (3-1)



1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
1 Round 1: def. DET (4-0), Round 2: def. ATL (4-0)
3 ORLANDO MAGIC
3 Round 1: def. PHI (4-2), Round 2: def. BOS (4-3)
SEASON SERIES: ORL (2-1)


My reaction to the conference finals matchups is that I am looking forward to what will happen in the Conference Finals on both sides. The Battle for the West between the Lakers and Nuggets is going to be a good matchup as Kobe & Co. will face off against 'Melo & Co. for a shot at the NBA Championship. I'm wondering if the Nuggets can use the extra rest they had in the 2nd round to their advantage against the Lakers who went to a Game 7 and won against an injury depleted Rockets team who did not have Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady playing. We'll see if Denver can keep this tremendous pace there enjoying. This is Denver's first time in the Western Conference Finals since 1985 when they also faced the Lakers, but lost in 5 games. But don't count the Lakers out since they still are a huge power in the West. Meanwhile in the Battle of the East between the Cavaliers and Magic. I am undecided since Cleveland has been cruising in this playoffs, sweeping their first 2 opponents in the playoffs, while the Magic knocked off the defending champion Celtics in Round 2, the momentum I think will favor the Magic since they knocked off the Celtics and they are back in the Eastern Conference Finals since 1996, but the Cavaliers have a powerful lineup led by LeBron James, the Magic have an answer vs LeBron as they are led by the highflying and shotblocking "man-child" Dwight Howard. Although I am undecided in this series, it's sure going to be a good series between this two powerful teams in the Eastern Conference as they fight for a shot at the 2009 NBA Finals.

Once again, the big question is:
WHERE WILL AMAZING HAPPEN THIS YEAR?
WITH BOSTON OUT, WHO WILL BE THE NEW NBA CHAMPION?

As for my beloved Houston Rockets, this has been a great season. Despite losing Game 7, the Rockets can be considered as winners, despite the many setbacks and injuries that have plagued the team all-season long (especially to T-Mac before the playoffs and Yao during Round 2). The Rockets were able to get out of the first round, and put the defending Western Conference Champion Lakers on the brink of elimination before eventually falling in Game 7. But the injuries to Yao and T-Mac had it's silver lining on the Rockets (besides the big three of Yao, T-Mac and Ron) as guys like Aaron Brooks, Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Von Wafer, Kyle Lowry, Chuck Hayes, and the other Rockets picked up a lot of playoff experience that will be used on future playoff runs. I am now looking forward to a healthy Yao and T-Mac and a rejuvenated Rockets next season, and will be making a much deeper playoff run than this year. Maybe they can come out the NBA Champions next year, but anything can happen in the NBA.

Once again, I disabled replies on this blog. Haha.. so spammers and critics will never be heard..

LET'S GO ROCKETS!
THEREwillBEaNEWchampion
WHOwillBEtheCHAMPION?we'llSEE
-kArLc-

Everyone thought it would be over, but it will go the DISTANCE.

SERIES WILL GO THE DISTANCE
ROCKETS WIN GAME 6!
FORCE GAME 7 vs LAKERS

Prior to Game 6, most NBA fans thought the series between the Lakers and Rockets would end with the Lakers winning Game 6 against the injury depleted Rockets and advancing to the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets.

Once again, the Rockets showed the resiliency that we have seen during this playoff run against the Lakers, as they won Game 6 with the score 95-80. The Rockets force a Game 7 against the Lakers in Los Angeles. Aaron Brooks led the Rockets with 26 points and 4 assists, after scoring only 14 points in Game 5 where they lost by 40 points (78-118). Luis Scola added 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Carl Landry added 15 points and 7 rebounds on 6-6 from the field. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points, but was held to 11-27 from the field (1-5 from downtown). Both the Lakers and Rockets will be in a "WIN or GO HOME" situation as the winner of Game 7 would advance to the Western Conference Finals against the Nuggets, while the losing team ends their playoff run.

This series will go the distance. Now I believe that they can make a deeper playoff run, even without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. The playoff experience the Rockets are getting right now are useful for future playoff runs. Just like in Game 4 they showed a lot of resiliency, I just hope they can steal Game 7 in Los Angeles so that they would send a huge shockwave across the NBA. Most people (especially sportscasters) would think the Lakers would win on Monday (Sunday in the USA), but despite the odds stacked against the Rockets. I believe that they would defy the odds and shock the basketball world once again.

LET'S GO ROCKETS!
BEAT L.A.!
WIN GAME 7!
-kArLc®-

No Yao, T-Mac and Deke, STILL ROCKETS WIN!!

NO T-MAC....... NO DEKE.... NO YAO....
NO PROBLEM!
ROCKETS WIN GAME 4!
EQUALIZE SERIES vs LAKERS

After everyone heard the news yesterday that Yao Ming would be out of the Playoffs with a knee injury. Once again (like in other injuries the Rockets endured), many people now think that the Rockets amazing playoff run would come to an end against the "less-injured" Lakers (in 5 games).

But like the previous injuries that the Rockets have endured in recent years. The Rockets showed a lot of RESILIENCE AND HEART as the Rockets tied their series against the Lakers with a 99-87 victory in Game 4 of the best of 7 Western Conference Semi-finals. The Rockets force a Game 6 back in Houston.

Ron Artest played in Game 4, but he only manage to score 8 points, despite struggling offensively, he pulled of 10 rebounds. The heroes of the game were Aaron Brooks and Shane Battier, Brooks scored 34 points, while shooting 12-20 from the field (4-9 from downtown). Battier, meanwhile scored 23 points, while shooting 5-10 from downtown (6-12 from the field). Luis Scola and Chuck Hayes combined for 23 rebounds.

Kobe Bryant in Game 4, was held to only 15 points on 7-17 shooting. As the defense of Artest, Battier and Chuck Hayes prevented Kobe from taking over in Game 4, and the Lakers struggled offensively as they only shot 44.7% from the field while scoring 87 points which is their lowest point output in the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

I can say right now is that the Houston Rockets are the most resilient team that you will ever see. Even though they may never win the championship, or win this series. No other team responds to a lot of adversity better than this team. Congratulations on the win, and I hope that your playoff run continues in the future.

I am proud to be a Rockets fan, in this country where people who watch the NBA support strong teams like the Lakers, Celtics, or Cavaliers. I will be a Houston Rockets fan no matter what happens.

LET'S GO ROCKETS!!
BEAT L.A.!!
WIN GAME 5!!
-kArLc®-

kArLc® Reacts: Yao Ming's Playoff-ending injury

YAO MING OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS

Could it get worse for my beloved Houston Rockets, well the worst did happen. Yao Ming is now out for the rest of the 2009 NBA Playoffs due to a hairline fracture on his left foot. This was found after an earlier diagnosis showed that he suffered a left ankle sprain during the Rockets' Game 3 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers 108-94. Although no surgery is required, he would be out for 2-3 months.

My reaction to this injury is that I am now questioning myself on how long the Rockets would last in the Playoffs without Yao Ming. And right now the Rockets have no legitimate center (Deke got injured in the first round vs Portland). I still hope that they can BEAT L.A. without Yao and T-Mac. Because we trust RON ARTEST, but if they would bow out of the playoffs. That would hurt a little, but I will be happy this year, because they got out of the first round.

BEAT L.A.
WIN IT FOR YAO
LET'S GO ROCKETS
-kArLc®-

2009 NBA Playoffs : Round 2

After starting the 2009 NBA Playoffs with 16 teams who are aspiring to be NBA Champions. Only 8 teams remain in the road to the NBA Finals. The 2nd Round begins, where games will be even tougher than the first round as teams will try to make it to the Conference Finals.

So here are the matchups for the Secound Round:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS - First Round: def. UTAH (4-1)
5 HOUSTON ROCKETS - First Round: def. POR (4-2)
SEASON SERIES: LAL (4-0)
6 DALLAS MAVERICKS - First Round: def. SA (4-1)
2 DENVER NUGGETS - First Round: def. NO (4-1)
SEASON SERIES: DEN (4-1)

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - First Round: def. DET (4-0)
4 ATLANTA HAWKS - First Round: def. MIA (4-3)
SEASON SERIES: CLE (3-1)
3 ORLANDO MAGIC - First Round: def. PHI (4-2)
2 BOSTON CELTICS - First Round: def. CHI (4-3)
SEASON SERIES: TIED (2-2)

My reaction to the 2nd Round Matchups is finally the Rockets advance to the next round for the first time in 12 years. Now they will face the "mighty" Los Angeles Lakers. I believe they can pull of a surprise against these Lakers, the odds may be stacked against the Rockets, but in a never say die attitude. I believe they can pull a surprise against LA. As for the other matchups, I am surprised that the Mavs pulled an upset against the Spurs in the 1st Round, they can pull a surprise against the 2nd seed Nuggets. As the East went into order as the top 4 teams in the regular season are in the 2nd round.

Once again, the big question is:
WHERE WILL AMAZING HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

Once again, I disabled replies on this blog. Haha.. so spammers and critics will never be heard..

LET'S GO ROCKETS!
GET RED!
BEAT LA! KOBE SUCKS!
KOBE BRYANT will be eaten A-LIVEH!!!!
-kArLc-

ROCKETS ADVANCE!, BRING ON THE LAKERS!

FINALLY! ROCKETS ADVANCE!
WIN SERIES VS PORTLAND 4-2!
BRING ON KOBE & THE LAKERS!

The Houston Rockets are going to the second round for the first time since 1997 after they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 6 92-76 to win the series 4-2. Ron Artest lead the Rockets in Game 6 scoring 27 points, while Yao Ming scored 17 points, 10 rebounds. The Trail Blazers were led by LaMarcus Aldrige who scored 26 points, Brandon Roy scored 22 points as the Blazers came into the playoffs as the youngest team to play in this year's playoffs and their inexperience showed during the series where they lost Game 1 at home, then lose all 3 games in Houston. The Rockets will go on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.

Right now, I am 100% happy that the Rockets advance to the next round and end their streak of first round exits. But still there is a long way to go if they would become NBA Champions. Thank the Portland Trail Blazers for a thrilling series and we hope to see them again in the playoffs next season.

Now the chants of BEAT LA! and KOBE SUCKS! are in my head and I will do "smashmouth" on my friends who are Laker fans. As the playoff run continues for our beloved Rockets. Can they pull a huge surprise against the top seed in the West? Despite the odds stacked against the much favored-Lakers, I believe they can give them a run for their money.

GAME 1
Rockets @ Lakers
May 5, 2009

HOW SWEET IT IS!
WINNINGisSWEET
-kArLc-

2009 NBA Playoffs

Start:	Apr 19, '09
End:	Jun 18, '09
Location:	USA

Dates are not certain...

Let the 2009 NBA Playoffs begin.

The 2009 NBA Playoffs (the 2nd Season), will begin this April 19 (18 US time). As 16 teams who survived the Regular Season, will begin another journey on their way to the NBA Finals to determine who will be crowned the 2009 NBA Champions.

So here are the matchups for the First Round:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS - Can Kobe & Co. redeem last year's loss?
8 UTAH JAZZ -  Will Deron & Co. pull another uspet vs the best of the West?
SEASON SERIES: LAL (2-1)
4 PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - How long can Roy & Co. last in the playoffs?
5 HOUSTON ROCKETS - Will Yao & Co. end their playoff woes without T-Mac?
SEASON SERIES: HOU (2-1)
3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS - Can Tim & Co. win another odd-year title without Manu?
6 DALLAS MAVERICKS - Can Dirk & Co. win again against the divisional rival?
SEASON SERIES: TIED (2-2)
2 DENVER NUGGETS - Will Chauncey & Co. bring the Mile High City a championship?
7 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS - Can CP3 & Co. get a championship to the "Big Easy"?
SEASON SERIES: TIED (2-2)

EASTERN CONFERENCE
1 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS - Will LeBron & Co. get to the promised land?
8 DETROIT PISTONS - Can Rip & Co. pull an huge upset against the overall seed?
SEASON SERIES: CLE (3-1)
4 ATLANTA HAWKS - How will Joe & Co. extend their playoff run?
5 MIAMI HEAT - How will D-Wade lead them further in the playoffs?
SEASON SERIES: ATL (3-1)
3 ORLANDO MAGIC - How will Dwight & Co. do in the playoffs without Jameer?
6 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - Can Iggy and Co. pull a suprise?
SEASON SERIES: ORL (3-0)
2 BOSTON CELTICS - Can Pierce & Co. repeat last year's glorious championship?
7 CHICAGO BULLS - Can Gordon & Co. pull an upset against the defending champs?
SEASON SERIES: BOS (2-1)

My reaction to the matchups are very very dissapointing since my team the Houston Rockets had a chance to take 2nd place in the West (since Denver lost their game) and win the Southwest Division, but they let it slip against the Mavericks (Spurs win their game vs Hornets). They had to settle for 5th place, and will face Portland without Homecourt Advantage. I still wan't them to be champions, but if they can't make it to the Finals, A first round win will be fine for me. But as the playoffs progress I will determine my pick for the finals.

The big question is:
WHERE WILL AMAZING HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

I disabled replies on this blog. Haha.. so spammers and critics will never be heard..

LET'S GO ROCKETS!
GET RED!
BEAT THE TRAIL BLAZERS!
BRANDON ROY will be eaten A-LIVEH!!!!
-kArLc-

kArLc® Reacts: T-Mac's season-ending surgery

It's been a long time since I had the kArLc® Reacts, this is the first for 2009. It is all about Tracy McGrady's season ending surgery.I lot of Rockets fans including myself are saddened to find out T-Mac has ended his 2008-2009 season, due to an injury on his left knee. He will have microfracture surgery this year and is hoping to return next season. McGrady has missed 19 games before he announced his season-ender at his website.

Reference: Mcgrady out for season, will have microfracture surgery

Since the Trade deadline is coming, the Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said that McGrady won't be traded before the deadline. Also Alexander stated that he would like to keep Yao Ming until the end of his NBA career. As Yao has been a model player for the NBA.

Reference: Rockets owner: McGrady staying put

My reaction to this story is that it's a good thing for T-Mac to end the season right now, because I don't want to see him in pain during the game, and to further worsen his injury. It may be tough not seeing T-Mac in the Playoff Push, but right now it is for the best of the Rockets franchise for the future.

I hope, like the other T-Mac fans around the world to see him playing like he never got injured, We hope to see him back healthy and stronger next season. We want "T-Mac to the RACK". and good luck..

T-Mac, don't let us down,
-kArLc-

Championship Pick: I want a "new" NBA Champion...

Well, We know it's been a tough race midway through the NBA Regular Season right now, as the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Magic are fighting for the best in the East, while the Lakers are dominating the West... Here's who I want to be champions:

If I were to pick who I don't want to be champions this year, I'd picked teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs, they already had championships the past decade... No offense to fans of these teams out there.. but it's my choice and you've got to respect that... I know Laker fans are trying to redeem their loss to their Celtic rivals last year... and for Spurs fans who are wishing for another odd year championship (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009?).. give other teams a chance to win the GOLD!

Who I want to be champions?!?

I still want my first choice team Rockets to win the championship, I want Yao, T-Mac and Ron to taste GOLD, but if we were to lose again in the Playoffs, As my friends who like the Lakers, Celtics, and Spurs want to happen to my team again... Here are my other picks just in case the Rockets are knocked out of the Playoffs:
East: Cavaliers - Give LeBron a championship, Magic - Superman needs a championship or Hawks - A sleeping dark horse of the East
West: Hornets - CP3 can win the Gold!, Nuggets - Melo and Mr. Big Shot can do it or Trail Blazers - Roy, I know you beat my team at the buzzer, but you can be champions.

Remember this is my picks to win, please respect my choice.. If you don't like what I'm saying.. just don't read it... I'm hoping in the 2nd half of the season the Rockets can recover

I STILL BELIEVE IN THE HOUSTON ROCKETS!
-kArLc-

THE ROCKETS SEASON HAS COME TO AN END

After the loss in Game 6 against the Jazz, the Rockets 2007-2008 Season has come to an end. Look at the positive side, Houston had that 22 game win streak, finished 55-27, 3 more than '06-'07, Finished with the best record in the NBA since Jan. 1, 2008. Still the injury to Yao made all the difference. Hope we can win a playoff series next year. T-Mac and the rest of the Rockets crew will try to work hard this offseason

LET'S GO ROCKETS!

10kArLc

IT' PLAYOFF TIME 2008!

The 2008 NBA Playoffs had just begun, 16 teams from the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference will fight for one goal! WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP!

Here are the first round matchups:

Western Conference

1 LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Kobe Bryant
VS
8 DENVER NUGGETS: Allen Iverson

4 UTAH JAZZ: Carlos Boozer
VS
5 HOUSTON ROCKETS: Tracy McGrady

3 SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Tim Duncan
VS
6 PHOENIX SUNS: Steve Nash

2 NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: Chris Paul
VS
7 DALLAS MAVERICKS: Dirk Nowitzki

Eastern Conference

1 BOSTON CELTICS: Kevin Garnett
VS
8 ATLANTA HAWKS: Josh Smith

4 CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: LeBron James
VS
5 WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Gilbert Arenas

3 ORLANDO MAGIC: Dwight Howard
VS
6 TORONTO RAPTORS: Chris Bosh

2 DETROIT PISTONS: Chauncey Billups
VS
7 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: Andre Igoudala

I'm going to track down every Rockets game, I hope we can pass the first round. Hope T-MAC will lead us to the title.

LET'S GO ROCKETS
kArLc

THE STREAK ENDS, WE STILL BELIEVE IT'S TIME

The Houston Rockets remarkable streak has comed to an end. After a 20 point defeat against the Boston Celtics in front of a record setting crowd 74-94. McGrady, Alston, Scola, Battier and others were held each to less than 15 points by the Celtic defense. Pierce and Garnett did well. The X-Factor for the Celts is Leon Powe who had 18 pts. from the bench.

THE STREAK HAS ENDED, BUT WE STIILL BELIEVE IT'S TIME

WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN THE TITLE!

Rockets 21 Game Win Streak

More than 6 weeks ago, the Rockets were 24-20 fighting for the 8 spot in the West. But after 21 straight wins later which is the 2nd all-time longest winning streak in NBA history (1971-1972 Lakers had a 33 game winning streak). The Rockets are now tied for the 1 spot with the Lakers. Nobody expected this winning streak would last much longer. With the injury to Yao Ming stunning the franchise. The Rockets kept working hard during the streak and throughout the rest of the season and playoffs. They have a great defense which was brought by Jeff Van Gundy the former coach. And a great offense by current coach Rick Adelman. T-Mac has steped up his game, Rafer Alston has defied his early season critics. Luis Scola, Carl Landry, and Aaron Brooks are getting better every game. Shane Battier has done well on both offense and defense. Dikembe Mutumbo is blocking strong like his first season in the NBA, And Bobby Jackson who also played for Adelman in Sacramento is providing a veteran backup role for Rafer. With big matchups against the Lakers and Celtics coming up. I believe we can still keep this up. So for those who are skeptical about this team. And those who keep hatin: We say "_____, Quit Hatin' the Houston Rockets". We believe we can pass the first round and win the title and gold.

Anyway: Magic, Bird and Jordan became champions but they never had a 20 game winning streak during their careers. The '71-'72 Lakers an '70-'71 Bucks who had won a 20+ win streak went on to win the championship.

"Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion" - Rudy Tomjanovich

Don't forget to waive your index finger, when Mutombo blocks a shot!

IT'S TIME!

-kArLc-

ROCKETS ROLLIN

The Houston Rockets are doing well this year. We are now enjoying a 15 game win streak for the 3rd time in franchise history. We are 24-4 since the start of 2008. We're playing well on both sides (offense and defense). and we saw the developments of Luis Scola, Carl Landry, Aaron Brooks, Luther Head and the rest of the supporting cast. We also had trades. We got Gerald Green and Bobby Jackson. But with all good things, The bad thing is that Yao won't play through the rest of the season and the playoffs.

But I believe we can still do it.

IT'S TIME
kArLc

kArLc® REACTS: THE ROCKETS WOES

Well, the Rockets were falling in the standings after an impressive 6-1 start, they lost 12 of thier last 18 games. And right now there out of the playoff picture in 10th place. What's the problem with the Rockets?

1. Free Throws 72% (25th NBA)/mind the 27% shooting against DET.
"REMEMBER MISSED FREE THROWS CAN COST YOU THE GAME"
2. T-MAC is struggling after the injury.
3. Bonzi, he's Adelman's boy. Why give him less minutes?
4. Supporting roles, with a deep cast of players, not working, Give them something big.
5. Where's the D? Work on the D over the opponent

I just hope they get out of these woes. We want to win the championship, right?
Well let's work it out.

LET'S GO ROCKETS!!!

10kArLc

Rockets vs. Jazz - 4/30/2007 GAME 5

First Round Series ROCKETS def. JAZZ 96-92 (HOU leads 3-2)

Rockets vs. Jazz - 4/23/2007 GAME 2

First Round Series ROCKETS def. JAZZ 98-90 (HOU leads 2-0)

Rockets vs. Jazz - 4/21/2007 GAME 1

First Round Series ROCKETS def. JAZZ 84-75 (HOU leads 1-0)