The HRR's 25% Theory Returns for another NBA Season

The past few years, I've written what I call "The 25% Theory" in the "Members' Section" of the website. Well, I'm phasing out certain areas of the subscriber only section in hopes of generating more visits to TheHRR.com. Consequently, here's my "25% Theory" for the 2006 - 2007 NBA season.

The NBA is cyclical. Some cycles are longer than others; however, teams experience transitional periods in their pursuit on an NBA title. I believe teams are either winning the championship; building for a championship; stuck in mediocrity; rebuilding; or simply in NBA Hell.

Consequently, I believe, the league, throughout its history, will always have a class system consistsing of elite teams; good teams; mediocre teams; and bad teams. The teams will generally group themselves along a 25% line for each category which means each category should contain approximately 7 teams in the 30 team league.

This season, I believe five teams are among the elite level and truly have a legitimate chance to win the NBA Championship this season. Ten Teams qualify as "Good Teams" while seven are mediocre which leaves eight squads in the rebuilding mode. For various reasons (coaching, bloated payroll, mismatch of talent, etc.), the New York Knicks reside in NBA Hell.

As a result, the following is how the 2006 - 2007 season breaks down as I see it:

Elite Teams (Teams with a Realistic Chance of Winning the NBA Title Entering This Season)
Tier One: Miami Heat; Dallas Mavericks; and San Antonio Spurs.

Tier Two: Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns.

Good Teams (Teams that are Playoff Bound or will finish above .500)
Playoff Bound:
Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets, Orlando Magic, and Utah Jazz.

Above .500: Los Angeles Clippers; Los Angeles Lakers and New Jersey Nets.

Mediocre Teams (Teams in NBA Purgatory -- Hovering Around .500)
NBA Purgatory:
Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards

Bad Teams (Teams that are Rebuilding; Building for the Future; or Residing in NBA Hell)
Rebuilding: Golden State Warriors, Seattle Supersonics, and Toronto Raptors.

Building for the Future: Atlanta Hawks; Boston Celtics; Charlotte Bobcats; and Portland Trailblazers.

NBA Hell: New York Knicks.

NBA, Magic Announce Ban of fan

Straight from the NBA's Media Department:

NEW YORK, October 30, 2006 .

The NBA and the Orlando Magic today announced that a fan who directed a racial slur at Dikembe Mutombo at the October 26, Rockets/Magic game at TD Waterhouse Centre has been banned by the NBA and the Magic from attending any games at the TD Waterhouse Centre this season and that his season tickets have been rescinded. The NBA also announced that the fan will be banned from attending NBA games at any other arena for the 2006-07 season.

The NBA's Fan Code of Conduct requires fans to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner and not to make statements or engage in conduct that would reasonably be considered offensive to game participants or other fans.

Mutombo would have been wrong

Thursday, October 26, during a Houston Rockets - Orlando Magic preseason game in Orlando, Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo almost went into the stands to confront a fan after the fan shouted racial slurs at him.

"If they didn't kick him out of this arena, he would have seen me off the court," Mutombo said. "I will not accept that. We are not in the '60s. People have paid the price for us to be where we are today. For him to call a black man a monkey in the middle of the game, he was in the second row, for him to stand up and call, 'Mutombo the monkey,' is an insult. It insulted my integrity, my body, my family, my race."

While Mutombo was definitely justified in being upset (pissed off, even) at the guy, (I'll stop referring to that person as a fan b/c fans don't behave that way.) Deke would have been very wrong for going into the stands to confront him.

Once Mutombo arrived in the seats, there's no telling what could have erupted. An all out brawl similar to the Pistons-Pacers-fans melee could have occurred. Or Mutombo could have simply beaten the guy up only to be sued at a later date by the guy for assault. If Mutombo were sued, his few minutes of justified fisticuffs would have turned into time and money lost over a rude, insensitive clod.

Progress has definitely been made compared to the past; but, racism still exists in today's society; and, some fans, on occasion, do say stupid, insensitive comments in the arenas; however, those rude, lewd words voiced by the minority should not result in athletes going into the crowds for a confrontation (physical or verbal). The athlete should tell security and let security handle the situation which is, thankfully, how this particular situation was resolved.

Rockets pick up options on Snyder and Luther

Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson announced the team has picked up the contract options on guard Luther Head and swingman Kirk Snyder.

"Luther and Kirk are two young players who both have a lot of upside and we are pleased to be able to secure them through the end of next season," said Dawson. "Luther showed a great deal of poise as a rookie last season and has matured into a solid young veteran. Kirk has shown a lot of promise early in camp and we look forward to seeing his continued development this season."

Rockets waive Bowen and Jacobsen

Today, the Rockets announced they have waived forward Ryan Bowen and guard / forward Casey Jacobsen.

Considering Bowen is owed $1 M (guaranteed) this season, I'm a bit surprised he was waived; however, I assume Ryan and the club reached some type of financial agreement. (Plus, Ryan has not recovered from his offseason surgery.)

With all of the wing players on the Rockets' roster, Casey was simply caught in a numbers game with the team.

I still believe Bob Sura is going to decide to retire; however, Sura's hesitancy to announce his retirement may be one reason Bowen was waived today.

Owls' Almond Named to Wooden Top 50

I've mentioned it before in print; and, I've said it on the radio: Go see Morris Almond hoop it up!

If you have not seen Morris Almond play basketball, do yourself a favor and watch Morris and the Rice Owls play basketball this season.

Yet another honor was handed to Morris and the Owls' program earlier Wednesday:
Morris was named to the John Wooden Award's Preseason Top 50.

http://riceowls.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102506aab.html

No other player from Conference USA was named to the list.

Make a point to see Morris play ball this season. You'll be glad you did. Trust me.

Coogs, Owls National TV Appearances

More than 40 nationally-televised men’s basketball games are scheduled to feature Conference USA teams during the 2006-07 season.

The Houston Cougars and the Rice Owls will make a scheduled 10 national television appearances combined.

Here's a list of games featuring either (or both) Houston area C-USA members:

CBS
Sunday, February 25 Houston @ Memphis 1:00 p.m.

CSTV
Saturday, December 30 UNLV at Houston 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 13 SMU at Houston 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17 Houston at Rice 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 7 Houston at SMU 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 17 UAB at Houston 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 28 Rice at Marshall 7:00 p.m.

ESPN
Thursday, January 11 Memphis at Houston 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 22 Rice at Memphis 6:00 p.m.

ESPN2
Wednesday, November 15 Rice vs. Gonzaga 11:00 p.m.
(NIT Season Tip-Off)

In addition, C-USA is securing a number of games for regional and local packages that will be announced at a later date.

Yao Ming -- Medical Advisory

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming had the nail removed from his left big toe after initial consultation with team physician Dr. Thomas Clanton. The procedure was performed as a precautionary measure and he is expected to return to action in approximately seven to 10 days.

"We felt that it was in Yao's best interest to remove the nail. The problem is completely unrelated to the infection that Yao had in his left great toe last year." said Clanton. "The nail was not growing in properly, and while he was not feeling any discomfort at the time, we decided it would be best to remove the nail. This is a very common procedure that is performed on many athletes and there should be no long-lasting effects moving forward."

Rockets Fans Invited to FREE Scrimmage

Houston Rockets fans are invited to attend a FREE Scrimmage and enjoy a special discounted power lunch ($1 hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soda) with the Rockets at Toyota Center, Monday, October 9, as the team readies for the start of the 2006-07 NBA season.

Doors open at 12:15 p.m.

In addition to an up close and personal look at the talents of previous and new team members, fans will have an opportunity to take part in a Chalk Talk hosted by a Rockets Basketball Operations representative, post-scrimmage autograph and free-throw sessions with Rockets players, and a special Q & A session during the noontime event.

Passes will be required to participate in the post-scrimmage autograph session and free-throws with Rockets players. A limited number of passes (1,000) will be distributed at the doors while supplies last, so fans are encouraged to arrive early.

Fans will also find a variety of interactive Rockets games located throughout the Toyota Center concourse, have an opportunity to take part in pre-game contests on the court and visit the Rockets Team Shop to check out the latest in official Rockets and NBA apparel.

Free parking will be available in the Tundra Garage on the First Level.

Sura to Continue Rehab in Houston

Houston Rockets General Manager Carroll Dawson announced Monday that guard Bob Sura will remain in Houston continuing his rehabilitation while the team travels to Austin, TX, for training camp from October 4 through October 7.

Sura, who underwent knee and back surgery last September prior to missing the entire season on the injured list, has been participating in individual physical workouts this summer. A determination on his availability for this season is expected to be made in the next few weeks.

Bonzi is Officially a Rocket

The Houston Rockets "officially" announced what had been known for a few days -- the signing of free agent guard / forward Bonzi Wells. Also, the Rockets announced the signing of free agent forward Scott Padgett.

The Rockets' training camp roster now has 19 players: Rafer Alson; Kelenna Azubuike; Shane Battier; Ryan Bowen; rookie Matt Haryasz; Chuck Hayes; Luther Head; Juwan Howard; Casey Jacobsen; John Lucas III; Tracy McGrady; Dikembe Mutombo; rookie F Steve Novak; Scott Padgett; Kirk Snyder; NBA rookie Vassilis Spanoulis; Bob Sura; Boonzi Wells; and Yao Ming.

NBA teams are allowed to keep 15 players (12 active; 3 inactive) on their regular season (and playoffs) roster.

Camp starts tomorrow, October 3, following the Media Day session.