Pick of the Day

New Jersey -1.5 vs. New York

Basis: This game is pretty much a toss up, and after last night's debacle I don't really feel like diving in to research. Anyway, look for New Jersey to play inspired ball in this one and beat their cross town rivals to get their first victory of the year. New Jersey has some young talent, but have struggled with some injuries so far in this young season. Lawrence Frank is a decent coach who can win in this league. They just have to put a full game together, and I like them to do that tonight against the Knicks.

Saturday Update: Loyal followers of The Wagon- I failed you. I made a very rushed decision this morning with the pick of the day. New Jersey lost 98-91 and remains 0-fortheseason. I didn't watch any of the game so I have no comment on why I lost this pick. I really did not have my mind right and I explained when I made my pick that I did not do my research- I just went off my gut. I apologize for the losing pick. Check back tomorrow for Sunday's pick of the day.

Pick of the Day Record: 3-2-1

Pick of the Day

Houston +7 @ Atlanta

Basis: I absolutely refuse to bet Florida State games, but I will, on occasion, bet Rockets games- and I will only bet for them, never against them. I do this about 10 times a year and I have been quite successful. Anyway, I just really believe that we will make a statement tonight. It's not too often that you get a chance for a big statement game this early in the year, and I like us to take advantage. I would advise to take the money line, but given our inability to play well in close games in the 4th so far this year, I would just take the points.

Late Friday Update: Wow. What a perfect pick. And my prediction of not betting the money line because of our inability to play a close game was right on the money. We, of course, had a 5 point lead and start standing around on the offensive end and give up a 17-2 run before we decide to start attacking again. Really a tough loss. I am very, very upset right now. So frustrated. We are in trouble tomorrow. Pick of the day tomorrow may very well be Sacramento but I can't give that because it is against the Rockets. I have so many thoughts about the Rocks right now, but I will save those for another day. To steal one from Denny Green- "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!" They really were. We are better than they are. We really are a top 5 team in the league. But, you aren't a top tier team in everyone's eyes, or more importantly the record's eyes, until you can win close games. We have made beautiful strides all year, but the big stride is winning close games. This was the 4th time this year where we have struggled in a close 4th quarter. We HAVE to come ready tomorrow or we will get beat. Go Rockets. We lost 105-103

Pick of the Day Record: 3-1-1

Respect

The following excerpt is from a writer for a Minneapolis paper:

These current Rockets are a paradox. Because they share the ball, because they hustle and play committed defense, (not to mention that they easily fit the mold of scrappy, un-famous underdogs) they are beloved by "play the right way" purists. But because they feature a quirky, non-traditional lineup full of oddly shaped, idiosyncratically talented players, whose skills align only tangentially with the traditional but tired box-score statistics (their starting center is 6'6"; possibly their most famous current player has become known as "no-stats all-star"), and because they run the floor and shoot threes with abandon, they are also at the vanguard of everything new and weird and great about the current NBA.

The Rockets are somehow both conservative and radical.Actually, in many ways their conservatism is their radicalism. Because they share the ball, they're frequently called "unselfish," a favorite "right-way" buzzword. But, even in the NBA, selfishness is not the monster its made out to be. The problem is trust. Players have learned--because of the cutthroat world of elite youth basketball, because the league's salary system heavily favors dominant scorers, because they are all so phenomenally talented--not to trust their teammates, to trust only their own skills.

But for whatever reason, perhaps because none of their current team has ever been an NBA star, Houston's players know that if they all give up a little control, to trust each other to move the ball to the right spot at the right time, they'll all get better chances to score. The upshot of this is that, when they're at the best, they move the ball more creatively and dynamically than almost any team in the league. And this really appeals to aesthetes like me, who care more about the game being beautiful and amazing than just about anything else. So its this reliance on certain classic 'fundamentals'--'unselfishly' moving the ball, for instance--that has made this ragtag bunch unique and entertaining in a totally non-traditional way.


http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2009/11/wolves_methodic.php

Pick of the Day

Utah +5 @ San Antonio

Basis: Both teams played back-to-backs last night. Utah pulled away at the end of their game and San Antonio got beat in overtime. Look for Utah to have a few more legs in them tonight. Deron Williams is fully healthy for the Jazz- look for him to have a big outing with the Spurs missing both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli. I would almost say bet Utah money line, but, it is in San Antonio so just take the points.

Late Thursday Update: My pick was pretty flawless tonight. I didn't watch a second because of a family dinner that I was forced to go to. By the way- if I was in a city where I had distant family that I've never really met, I would never have the audacity to ask to go to dinner- much less a place to stay. I mean come on- is that necessary? Anyway, I picked a winner. I am starting to feel more comfortable. Look for tomorrow's pick and I will give you a hint- you might see the Rockets show up for the first time in this new segment of the Chuck Wagon- maybe even a money line bet. Stay tuned.

Pick of the Day Record: 2-1-1

The Wagon's Stat Line Last Night

11 Points
10 Rebounds
4 Steals
4 Charges Taken
0 Turnovers

The Rockets were +19 points when he was on the floor.

Now, that is value people. The Wagon is rollin' on down the trail.

Pick of the Day

Toronto +9 @ Utah

Wednesday Night Update: I lost this bet. 14-0 runs in the 4th quarter don't help. Toronto lost 105-91.

Pick of the Day Record: 1-1-1

Quick Hitter

Just stood around in the 4th quarter. ABSOLUTLY RIDICULOUS. We better learn that we cannot just stand around in the half court without Tracy McGrady. We have to keep running. And we can’t because Brooks has been playing an enormous amount of minutes lately and it seems that his legs are feeling the effects. Just a PATHETIC effort in the 4th quarter. Stopped rotating on the defensive side of the floor and stood around waiting for SOMEONE ELSE to make a play instead of playing as a unit on the offensive side. Landry played well in the 4th but that is about it. We better take this as a reality check and realize that we aren’t good enough to get by with 3 quarters of good ball and then mail it in during the 4th. Really frustrating and I am extremely upset about the way we got after it in the final period. This game, the first Laker game, and the Dallas game illustrate why we HAVE to have a healthy and motivated team-first Tracy McGrady back. Trevor Ariza is a FABULOUS defensive player- really really good- but WOW he is limited on the offensive end. He can shoot the open 3 but he has a HORRIBLE handle and takes it up like a little girl along with atrocious footwork. It is truly unbelievable how he shies away from contact. I about threw the remote through the television numerous times last night after he beat his man of the first dribble, had a path to the lane, and stops and pulls out because he doesn’t want contact. And, when he does go to the lane he falls back and can’t finish at all. I MEAN COME ON! You have great jumping ability- freaking use it. Unbelievable. He also got away with at least 4 traveling calls. Scola needs to get his act together. Kyle Lowry needs to find a way to get his shots to fall. Budinger needs to play more. Chuck Hayes is fine. Brooks is fine- but we need KLow7 to be able to score with some consistency so Brooks can get a few more breathers. Andersen cannot rebound for the life of him- but I am giving him a pass because it was only his 10th NBA game ever. Battier needs to knock down his shots with more consistency. We look incredible at times on the defensive end with text book rotations, only to have mental lapses when it counts most. During the third, we finally got hot again, but it didn’t matter because of our unexplainable decision to stop rotating over and giving up numerous points in the paint. Overall, easily the most frustrated I have been this season. And this frustration came as a reality check. We sure are capable of looking like one of the top teams in the league at any moment but we got to learn consistency. We got to learn the killer instinct. Until we do this, we are going to struggle in close contests, it’s as simple as that. We have an opportunity to take this bad taste out of our mouths tonight against the Fighting Rambises. Thank Goodness for the NBA and quick turnarounds because I am losing it after that 4th quarter performance last night.


Praise be to Allah


Wednesday Update: I want to apologize to the Rockets, and especially Trevor Ariza. I just kind of lost it this morning. Last night was tough for me to swallow. I came to the office and my brother emailed asking what happened last night and the blog you see above was originally an email in response to him. I just lost it. I ask for forgiveness. Trevor Ariza is already one of my favorite Rockets- the dude plays hard. He gets after it. He doesn't make excuses. But, he does have parts of his game that do need to be worked on. I've been killing myself over this since I wrote the fired up words this morning. I sincerely apologize to all of Rocket Nation, the Rocket Team, and most importantly, the loyal followers of the Chuck Wagon. I used poor judgement. I expect to see a big game out of Ariza tonight. I can't wait to see us bounce back and get back on track. Go Rockets.