NBA Monday Round-Up

Houston Rockets (10-5) Make Miami Heat say Ye-ow! (Ming) : 107-98

It's a Tale of Two Coaches.

It was the league's youngest coach against one of it's most experienced. 

One is trying to field a competitive team, the other is trying to win a championship.

When rookies come into the NBA, they often marvel at the talent they must face on a nightly basis - LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, etc.

I wonder if rookie head coaches feel the same way. Like - wow or Holy Schnikees! .... I'm matching wits with Phil Jackson, Greg Popovich, Rick Adelman, or even Don Nelson tonight.

After last night, Rocket coach Rick Adelman amassed his 817th career win and 10th of the season against 5 losses. With two NBA Western Conference titles on his resume. Rick's teams have played well over .500 ball for 10 straight years and have only missed the play-offs twice in his career.

38 year old Erik Spoelstra is just 810 wins behind Adelman. Erik is trying to get his team to accomplish a .500 plus season and get in the play-offs in his very first season. The Heat fell to 7 -7.

The game was also about the league's rather tall 7' 6" center against a team that plays a 6' 8" power forward at center due to a lack of starting quality talent at that position for the team.

Needless to say, Ming was mobbed by the Heat's Lilliputians whenever possible. He scored a season high 28 points on 9 of 15 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds. It was certainly a nice night, but, like Shaq throughout his career, you often feel that he should do more.

Not that I'm comparing Yao to Shaq. Shaq has the rings that say he's done enough. Ming would like to add one to his accomplishments and the Rockets are hoping this might be the year.

Ron Artest added 20 points while Tracy McGrady played 31 minutes scoring just 6 points. Luis Scola contributed a double double (11 pts. 13 rebounds), while Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks provided scoring help off the bench with 11 each.

Wobbling Toward Gomorrah

McGrady's health issues are legendary. His chronic back problem is acting up. Ming has bad wheels and has missed at least 25 games a season for the past three years. Ron Artest plays all out and is nursing a sprained ankle.

Adelman has managed to keep his team scotch taped together so far this year as they continue to play dominant defense (2nd best in points allowed) with just enough offense to lead the tough Southwest Division.

If he can bring this team to the Finals in a healthy state, it must go down as one of his best coaching jobs of his career. Granted, injuries are really out of a coach's control. But managing minutes and getting the team to play consistently well while missing a key player are what good coaching is about.

Spoelstra has a solid core in one of the league's top stars in Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, and rookie Michael Beasley. It is the surrounding pieces that are a problem. Moving Haslem back to center (he has played there in the past) appears to be a smart move as it gets Beasley minutes while keeping a solid veteran in Haslem on the court.

Wade and rookie point guard Mario Chalmers led the Heat with 23 points each. Marion followed with 17 and Beasley added 14 to the cause.

Spoelstra's team is actually doing pretty well under the circumstances, I would say. At 7 wins, he would just like to get about 34 more this year, I think.

Round-up

Orlando 108- Milwaukee 101

The Magic are just too much for the Bucks without leading scorer Redd and point guard Ridnour. Dwight Howards leads with 24 points and 13 boards. Skiles keeps the Bucks competitive, though.

 Charlotte Surprises Philadelphia 93-84

Philly's troubles continue as rookie point guard DJ Augustine leads the Bobcats with 25, while Raymond Felton adds 23.

San Antonio beats Memphis 94-81

Manu Ginobili returns early for the Spurs. Rookie George Hill leads the Spurs with 20 as they climb over .500 (7-6). OJ Mayo leads the Grizz with 26.

Chicago beats Limping Utah 101-100

Larry Hughes scores 16 and makes the winning shot. Rose leads with 25 Okur leads the Jazz with 26, who are without Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

Portland 91, Sacramento 90

Steve Blake's fouls shots are the difference as Greg Oden makes his first start since opening day, but is unimpressive. Joel Pryzbilla continues his ozone level shooting pct. at 82.7% (and I don't mean foul shooting) with 5 of 6 last night. All dunks, I'm sure, but still. Brandon Roy leads both teams with 28. John Salmons leads the Kings with 20.

New Orleans take LA Clippers 99-87

David West's 27 points and Chris Paul's triple double is enough to keep the Clippers on their losing path. Rookie Eric Gordon leads the depleted Clippers with 25 points, until the trade is finished and Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford can play.

Well, that's it for this week, fellow lovers of the big orange ball. How many current NBA coaches will be still be here next week?  The ice is getting thin in a few places, I think.

Until next time...Happy Thanksgiving.