Author | Lightnews

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22h

Wemby is disgusting.

Your best bet on defense is prayer, but at 7’4”, he’s got better cell reception to God.

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

Also…. I’d give this a few more games, but I’m tempted to break the in-case-of-emergency Aaron Holiday minutes.

Only 1 game so there’s time for him to catch his bearings, but it felt like too big a role for Reed Sheppard tonight.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

That one stings, but I’m actually encouraged at the FVV-less squad.

A clear big three has emerged. They need some more chemistry and a healthy DFS.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

Thanks for clearing this up. I actually forgot about this.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

And did not receive the timeout.

So again… what’s the anger about? Lmao

Legendary Gigga 🥷🏽 9000 @coledaynhell.bsky.social · 2d

HOU didn’t have any timeout and KD called a timeout…

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

I’m trying to understand what OKC is complaining about here.

That they got confused and stopped playing? lol

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

Sometimes I think about how Stephen Silas used to play Daniel Theis over Alperen Sengun.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

I’m holding back tears, Dan.

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

It’s S3ngun season now? Oh man.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 2d

…Is the shot clock a circle now?

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 22

I've said it before, but this signing reinforces it:

The Rockets have a lot of institutional faith in Reed Sheppard. Instead of using their 14th spot on a ball handler who can shoot, they doubled down on wing defense.

Shams Charania Tweets @shamsbot.bsky.social · Jul 22

FROM SHAMS:

Free agent forward Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Okogie enters his 8th NBA season and gives the Rockets another active wing defender who has averaged 6.3 points over 416 games. https://t.co/RazV3afZq1

FROM SHAMS: Free agent forward Josh Okogie has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Houston Rockets, sources tell ESPN. Okogie enters his 8th NBA season and gives the Rockets another active wing defender who has averaged 6.3 points over 416 games. https://t.co/RazV3afZq1

twitter.com

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Reposted by Salman Ali

dan favale @danfavale.bsky.social · Jul 15

the journalist in me would like to tease this by saying we had a spirited debate about how much kd can do for the rockets offense.

the masterclickbaiter in me would like all the aggregating teenagers to know the "kd isn't worth a minimum contract" talk starts at the 15:18 mark.

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 15

New @rednationhoops.bsky.social episode:

Where do the Rockets stack up in the West? w/ @danfavale.bsky.social
www.rednationhoops.com/p/where-do-t...

Where do the Rockets stack up in the West? w/ Dan Favale

Podcast muscles are still rusty

www.rednationhoops.com

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 15

New @rednationhoops.bsky.social episode:

Where do the Rockets stack up in the West? w/ @danfavale.bsky.social
www.rednationhoops.com/p/where-do-t...

Where do the Rockets stack up in the West? w/ Dan Favale

Podcast muscles are still rusty

www.rednationhoops.com

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 7

The Rockets have managed to keep a large sum of non-essential salaries on their roster throughout their entire rebuild (last year they had $45 million).

This has given them a ton of flexibility in trade negotiations for potential star trades should opportunities come up.

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 7

By February, the Rockets will have over $40 million in tradable salary that doesn't include Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, or any of their young pieces.

Incredible work by Rafael Stone.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 7

By February, the Rockets will have over $40 million in tradable salary that doesn't include Fred VanVleet, Kevin Durant, or any of their young pieces.

Incredible work by Rafael Stone.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 7

Okay this DFS contract takes A LOT of the sting out of the Cam Whitmore trade.

It's incredibly team-friendly and will likely turn into a valuable trade piece down the road for Houston.

If the price of this deal was Cam's place on the team, I'm more okay with how it went down.

Michael Scotto @mikeascotto.bsky.social · Jul 7

Update: The Houston Rockets signed Dorian Finney-Smith to a four-year, $53 million deal, which is fully guaranteed the first two seasons, has a third-year non-guaranteed salary, and a fourth-year non-guaranteed salary and player option, league sources told @hoopshypeofficial.bsky.social.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 5

Pros for HOU moving Cam:

-No path for minutes/can't be showcased
-Makes the long-term financials easier
-He doesn't want to be here

Cons for HOU moving Cam:

-If he becomes an All-NBA talent, the above points are irrelevant

If he tops out as an All-Star, it stings a lot less.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 5

So the Rockets have essentially locked in on the young core they want to keep (for now):

Alperen Sengun
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith
Reed Sheppard
Tari Eason

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 5

Said it on @rednationhoops.bsky.social:

While I understand the logic, I hate that Houston is giving up on Whitmore. This price in particular, feels meager.

I think he's going to blow up in Washington.

Shams Charania Tweets @shamsbot.bsky.social · Jul 5

FROM SHAMS:

The Houston Rockets are trading Cam Whitmore to the Washington Wizards for two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. The deal gives Whitmore a tremendous opportunity for an increased role as he turns 21 on Tuesday and returns to the DMV area.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · Jul 4

New @rednationhoops.bsky.social episode w/ @dunots.voidsent.com:

Rockets free agency wrap up
www.rednationhoops.com/p/can-the-ro...

Can the Rockets compete with the Thunder now? w/ Forrest Walker

What a summer

www.rednationhoops.com

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