We all know what he can do on the court, but a few minutes ago he pulled a few of his teammates aside and gave them a little pep-talk during drills. It focused on how everyone's tired and it's the first day of camp, but they still need to make the basic plays.
It appears the Vipers didn't only get a great player, but a leader too.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Big E
I'm not going to sit here and grade any of these guys on basketball ability. That's for the coaches to do. I will say this, though, Jordan Eglseder (EGG-uhl-seed-er) has a great attitude. He's vocal and cheers on his teammates. When you have 17 players for 10 spots, it's always a big plus when you find a guy who will cheer on the guys who are trying to take his spot.
Title Defense Underway
Vipers are currently running practice with the 2010 Western Conference All-Star coaching staff of Chris Finch, Paul Mokeski and Jai Steadman. Vipers GM/Rockets VP of Players Personnel Gersson Rosas and a new Rockets scout are in attendance,
Here we go.
Here we go.
The Title Defense Begins...
... at 9:00 a.m. when the Vipers open training camp.
17 players on the roster, 14 of them new.
I'm very interested to see what the first few days of practice will be like.
Will let you know.
17 players on the roster, 14 of them new.
I'm very interested to see what the first few days of practice will be like.
Will let you know.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
MUSTAFA!
I'm still in awe over the fact that the Vipers were able to pull off the trade of the pre-season, by acquiring the best point guard in the league in Mustafa Shakur.
More on how this all came together and what it means for the Vipers Thursday, 6-to-7 p.m. Inside the Vipers Nest on 104.9 Jack FM (95.3 FM on South Padre Island).
In addition to that, the draft and the roster, we'll chat about the grueling training camp ahead, we'll be joined by original Snake Charmer Cathy to talk about the Swimsuit Calendar, the tryout process, and just how close she got to becoming a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. We'll close it up with out Top 10 Things to do on the ride from State Farm Arena to Toyota Center.
And of course, we'll continue the, find a new nickname for the Bulldog, Analee Flores. Right now, Mary from Brownsville is in the lead. She called in last week and suggested Nefertiti (Queen of the Nile). We'll keep looking this week. Winner gets four free tickets to Tuesday's pre-season game against the defending Mexican Champs at the UTPA Fieldhouse.
Don't lose the number – 1-866-598-5267
More on how this all came together and what it means for the Vipers Thursday, 6-to-7 p.m. Inside the Vipers Nest on 104.9 Jack FM (95.3 FM on South Padre Island).
In addition to that, the draft and the roster, we'll chat about the grueling training camp ahead, we'll be joined by original Snake Charmer Cathy to talk about the Swimsuit Calendar, the tryout process, and just how close she got to becoming a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. We'll close it up with out Top 10 Things to do on the ride from State Farm Arena to Toyota Center.
And of course, we'll continue the, find a new nickname for the Bulldog, Analee Flores. Right now, Mary from Brownsville is in the lead. She called in last week and suggested Nefertiti (Queen of the Nile). We'll keep looking this week. Winner gets four free tickets to Tuesday's pre-season game against the defending Mexican Champs at the UTPA Fieldhouse.
Don't lose the number – 1-866-598-5267
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Steal of the Draft...
...goes to... the Maine Red Claws.
Guard JaJuan Smith (6-3, 195, Tennessee) was taken in the 6th round (94th overall). Here's what he did after Oklahoma City recalled all of their NBA-assignees from Tulsa following game one of the semifinals.
Guard JaJuan Smith (6-3, 195, Tennessee) was taken in the 6th round (94th overall). Here's what he did after Oklahoma City recalled all of their NBA-assignees from Tulsa following game one of the semifinals.
(I know it's small... click on it to see the full size pic)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Strong Draft
When you look at the NBA Development League Draft pool this year, you really do see an unprecedented amount of talent. Of course, the talent pool seems to get deeper every year, so that's to be expected.
Look who the Vipers got.
The Vipers basketball staff is going to have a lot of tough decisions over the next few weeks. It'll probably help to have two exhibition games instead of one this year.
Shout out to Marquis Blakely from the University of Vermont, selected #12 overall by the Bakersfield Jam. Even though Blakely's clutch play was a contributing factor in Boston University's continuing NCAA Tournament drought, it's always good to see an America East player get a shot.
Look who the Vipers got.
The Vipers basketball staff is going to have a lot of tough decisions over the next few weeks. It'll probably help to have two exhibition games instead of one this year.
Shout out to Marquis Blakely from the University of Vermont, selected #12 overall by the Bakersfield Jam. Even though Blakely's clutch play was a contributing factor in Boston University's continuing NCAA Tournament drought, it's always good to see an America East player get a shot.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Rockets Home Launch
First, the important news. We now know 9-of-17 Vipers Training Camp players. For a complete team-by-team list, click here.
Second, the Rockets. Up in Houston for the Rockets opener. It was a great game, although there were shades of the road opener in Los Angeles. Sizable lead early, struggles in the second half. There were some differences, though. Aaron Brooks struggled mightily. Kyle Lowry wasn't very sharp in his first action of the season. All things that we know will improve. Just have to be patient.
Luis Scola was awesome again. During the pre-season, I was thinking Dwight Howard for MVP. After a few games, I was thinking Rajon Rondo. Now I'm thinking Scola...
On the Nuggets side, Carmelo Anthony wasn't the star... it was Al Harrington. He had 28 points. A thought crossed my mind early in the game – 'Man, Harrington is the most underrated player in the NBA.' Then I thought about it a little more and realized that every shot Harrington hit was wide open. Not that that's his fault. Actually, it's quite the credit to the Denver offense that they were able to get him wide open so many times. If he wasn't wide open so much, does he still score 28 points? Do the Nuggets still win?
Overall, the game was fun. Clutch was incredible as always. The Red Rowdies were... well... rowdy. There were a lot of cool in-game promotions and the fans were into it. It was a close game until the end.
I sat in the fifth row of club seats behind the Rockets bench on the baseline. Just a few feet from me was Rockets GM Daryl Morey. He was sitting with his family and reacting to the game just like a fan would. When he walked up the stairs, I waved (he was one row behind me), he kinda acknowledged, then as he got closer he stopped, took another look, realized who I am, waved again and this time greeted me verbally. It's a pretty cool feeling.
After Brooks hit his first bucket, I screamed something along the lines of, "We miss you in the Rio Grande Valley! Come back!" Daryl took a look and smiled. A few fans around chuckled. But the one thing I realized over the weekend, a lot of fans in Houston know who the Vipers are. Now that's a pretty cool feeling.
Second, the Rockets. Up in Houston for the Rockets opener. It was a great game, although there were shades of the road opener in Los Angeles. Sizable lead early, struggles in the second half. There were some differences, though. Aaron Brooks struggled mightily. Kyle Lowry wasn't very sharp in his first action of the season. All things that we know will improve. Just have to be patient.
Luis Scola was awesome again. During the pre-season, I was thinking Dwight Howard for MVP. After a few games, I was thinking Rajon Rondo. Now I'm thinking Scola...
On the Nuggets side, Carmelo Anthony wasn't the star... it was Al Harrington. He had 28 points. A thought crossed my mind early in the game – 'Man, Harrington is the most underrated player in the NBA.' Then I thought about it a little more and realized that every shot Harrington hit was wide open. Not that that's his fault. Actually, it's quite the credit to the Denver offense that they were able to get him wide open so many times. If he wasn't wide open so much, does he still score 28 points? Do the Nuggets still win?
Overall, the game was fun. Clutch was incredible as always. The Red Rowdies were... well... rowdy. There were a lot of cool in-game promotions and the fans were into it. It was a close game until the end.
I sat in the fifth row of club seats behind the Rockets bench on the baseline. Just a few feet from me was Rockets GM Daryl Morey. He was sitting with his family and reacting to the game just like a fan would. When he walked up the stairs, I waved (he was one row behind me), he kinda acknowledged, then as he got closer he stopped, took another look, realized who I am, waved again and this time greeted me verbally. It's a pretty cool feeling.
After Brooks hit his first bucket, I screamed something along the lines of, "We miss you in the Rio Grande Valley! Come back!" Daryl took a look and smiled. A few fans around chuckled. But the one thing I realized over the weekend, a lot of fans in Houston know who the Vipers are. Now that's a pretty cool feeling.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Dampier Update from Feigen's Twitter
Jonathan_Feigen Jonathan Feigen
Still no deal to open a roster spot for Dampier. Rox had an offer for Ish Smith late in camp. Jermaine Taylor has not played in 1st 2 gms.
Jonathan_Feigen Jonathan Feigen
Rockets do have an agreement with Erick Dampier, after a month on it and about four days in which they were close. One-year deal.#hounews
Dampier Getting Ready for Lift Off?
I'm currently sitting on the floor at Toyota Center (actually, I'm in one of the coach's seats on the bench) observing an incredible Read to Achieve event. I'm up here with Bert and Liana to get some ideas for use in the Rio Grande Valley.
I opened up my e-mail and found a handy dandy Google Alert (thank you Benny for turning me onto those) for Rio Grande Valley Vipers linking to this article.
I haven't found anyone to ask yet about the validity if the article. And, let's be honest. If it is valid I can't blog about it until they announce. If isn't, well, then it's a non-story anyway. So we continue to wait.
Once I read the article, I immediately went to the Houston Chronicle. Nothing. I checked Jonathan Feigen's twitter. Nothing. The way I see it, if it's happening with the Rockets, Feigen will know about it and have it up quickly. He breaks a lot of stories for the Rockets. So I won't believe the report until I hear it from him.
Still, it makes you wonder...
I opened up my e-mail and found a handy dandy Google Alert (thank you Benny for turning me onto those) for Rio Grande Valley Vipers linking to this article.
I haven't found anyone to ask yet about the validity if the article. And, let's be honest. If it is valid I can't blog about it until they announce. If isn't, well, then it's a non-story anyway. So we continue to wait.
Once I read the article, I immediately went to the Houston Chronicle. Nothing. I checked Jonathan Feigen's twitter. Nothing. The way I see it, if it's happening with the Rockets, Feigen will know about it and have it up quickly. He breaks a lot of stories for the Rockets. So I won't believe the report until I hear it from him.
Still, it makes you wonder...
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