Congrats to Ishmael Smith

I don't want to sound bitter. It's no secret that I was rooting for Mike Harris to make the Rockets, but, based on all accounts I had of Ishmael Smith, and what I've seen in person and on TV, I think the Rockets made a good decision.

Rockets Waive Four Players

HOUSTON – Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived guard Antonio Anderson, forward Mike Harris, forward Alexander Johnson and guard Jerel McNeal.

The Houston roster now stands at 15 players.

Now we wait to see if Mike and/or Antonio will return to the Vipers, after getting so close to making an NBA roster, or if they will head overseas. It all depends on what they value.

This wasn't Mike's first shot at the NBA. He spent a considerable amount of time with the Rockets in 2008 and had three GATORADE Call-Ups last year. So he's had many opportunities, but he's obviously close. But does that make him a fringe player? Too good for the NBA D-League, and not quite NBA caliber? If Harris stays, does he get a few GATORADE Call-Ups, go to NBA Training Camp next year and then just keep repeating the cycle? Or maybe someone finally gives him the minutes he deserves and he becomes a full-fledged NBA player.

Anderson's now a second-year player. He was the last cut out of Bobcats camp last year. He earned a pair of 10-day contracts with the Oklahoma City Thunder and then played for the Bobcats and Denver Nuggets during NBA Summer League. From there to Houston Rockets training camp, but now, just like last year, cut during the last round of cuts.

Anderson is tantalizingly close to the NBA. If he comes back, does he get a better shot than last year, when the Thunder only let Anderson play 15 minutes in one game, but otherwise didn't even dress him? Perhaps Anderson will get a chance to show he can belong on an NBA team and play at that level.

It's tricky. Playing overseas means a bigger payout now, but significantly hurts the NBA dream. Waiting it out is risky, but if it works, an NBA career certainly has higher potential earning power. And, beyond that, it's playing in the NBA.

What would you do?