CHAMPIONSHIP HOPES
Exclusive: Kenny Smith discusses why he believes the Rockets can make a championship run
Jul 27, 2020, 12:54 pm
Composite image by Jack Brame.
The Houston Rockets haven't played a regular-season game since March 10th. The NBA season was suspended a day later so Rockets fans have had to wait for months for the opportunity to watch their team attempt to go on a championship run.
The question for the Rockets is simple though: Are they good enough to go on a run and contend with the other top teams in the Western Conference?
2x NBA Champion with the Rockets and one of the hosts of Inside the NBA on TNT, Kenny "The Jet" Smith joined SportsMap Radio on The Jake Asman Show and said he believes in the Rockets chances of contending for a title because of the superstar power Houston has with both James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
"This is what Mike D'Antoni envisioned. If he could pick a team, I think he would pick James Harden and Russell Westbrook to run it. The Rockets have the best players on a nightly basis at their positions. Nobody is going to have a better point guard and shooting guard than those two guys. They are always going to have the advantage."
A question that surrounds the Rockets entering the NBA's re-start is the impact that the long layoff and built-in practice time will have on the team's performance? Smith believes that the time off will help the Houston roster gel together after Rockets GM Daryl Morey made several bold moves at the trading deadline to go all-in on playing small-ball.
"I think the layoff also gives players an opportunity to reflect on what they need to do. This is the best team that they could ensemble to play that style."
When asked about his fondest memories of winning two championships with the Rockets, Smith said being part of the cities first-ever championship teams is something that he will never forget.
"Being the first Houston professional franchise to win a championship, I think that is what you remember the most. To be able to unite a city in a different way, to change the name to 'Clutch City' instead of 'Choke City' that to me is probably the most fun."
I asked @TheJetOnTNT if he thinks the #Rockets are capable of making a championship run...
Full Interview: https://t.co/3b8LYZY3Rc @JakeAsmanShow @SportsMapRadio @espn975 pic.twitter.com/Nc6f3fMXCF
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) July 27, 2020
You can listen to The Jake Asman Show weekdays from 8 AM -10 AM Central on SportsMap Radio.
You can listen to the full interview with Kenny Smith below:
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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.