SB Nation Houston: All Posts by Brandon Scotthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46691/houston-fave.png2012-11-05T10:39:12-06:00https://houston.sbnation.com/authors/brandon-k-scott/rss2012-11-05T10:39:12-06:002012-11-05T10:39:12-06:00Was releasing Trindon Holliday a mistake?
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen</figcaption>
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<p>Trindon Holliday returned a kickoff for 105 yards on Sunday. Keshawn Martin has been average at best in the return game. So was it a mistake to let Holliday go?</p> <p><span>Keshawn Martin</span> is a capable return specialist. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Texans</a> would rather use him more on offense than special teams, but after releasing <span>Trindon Holliday</span> a month ago, someone had to fill in. Having Martin probably made the team feel more comfortable with cutting Holliday loose.</p>
<p>But Holliday, as he showed in his 105-yard return for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Broncos</a> on Sunday, has big play capabilities.</p>
<p>The 5-foot-5, 170-pound return man, while too small to play wide receiver consistently, shortens the field for his team. Holliday had 10 kick returns for 194 yards (19.4 average) and 16 punt returns for 147 yards (9.2 avg) in five games for the Texans, while the team ranked last in the league in yards per kickoff return. That's not how you keep a job that's not even close to being guaranteed to you. </p>
<p>With Martin replacing Holliday, punt returning has suffered. Save for a 19-yard return, Holliday was averaging just 2.3 yards per return in two games. While he still hasn't broken for a huge play, like Holliday's in the preseason and the most recent with Denver, Martin had the Texans in decent field position against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Bills</a>.</p>
<p>Still, I think Texans were better on special teams with Holliday and the numbers just provided little context. Even though it was partly an issue of adding another linebacker to the active roster with <span>Brian Cushing</span> going down, was releasing Holliday a mistake?</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-texans/2012/11/5/3603566/houston-texans-2012-trindon-hollliday-keshawn-martinBrandon Scott2012-11-05T09:56:14-06:002012-11-05T09:56:14-06:00Houston Astros 2013: Finding a designated hitter
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<figcaption>Bob Levey</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Astros plan to reach out to Lance Berkman this offseason to see if the former Astros star is interested in returning to the team. Houston is need of a designated hitter in its move to the American League in 2013. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a> could use help in a lot of areas. That would've been the case for the back-to-back 100-loss team whether it made the move to the American League or stayed in the NL, wrestling with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> for the Central Division's most embarrassing squad.</p>
<p>But the jump to the AL calls for a designated hitter, something that's been in the back of my mind these last few seasons as more and more reputable bats have left the city.<a href="http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2012/11/02/astros-to-reach-out-to-berkman/"> There were reports over the weekend</a> that the Astros would reach out to <span>Lance Berkman</span> in free agency this offseason to see if the former Astro would be interested in coming back.</p>
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<p>"He is an offensive weapon and has been his entire career," Astros general manager Luhnow said. "No matter how you get that bat in the lineup - and obviously in the AL you have an opportunity to use him as a DH - he's an offensive force, no question about it."</p>
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<p>Berkman posted .259/.381/.444 for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> in 2012 before a knee injury ended his season and his career seemed to be hanging in the balance. But if Berkman is healthy, he certainly fits in a role that doesn't require to do anything but swing his bat. There was no such role for Berkman the last time he wore an Astros uniform, or with St. Louis.</p>
<p>There's also the long shot of going after <span>Josh Hamilton</span> in free agency. An acquisition like that would make filling the need at DH a bonus rather than a necessity. The Houston Chronicle <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2012/11/04/hamilton-would-fit-with-astros-but-he%E2%80%99s-out-of-their-budget/">addressed this</a> as barely being a possibility, with Hamilton being out of the Astros' budget. Hamilton, perhaps fittingly, would make more money than the combined Houston roster if the slugger gets the seven-year, $175-million deal he's reportedly seeking.</p>
<p>Berkman has said that he's waiting until December to decide if he wants to continue playing. If he's this close to retirement, you'd figure only special situations would keep him active. Special situations include being on a contending team like the Cardinals, or in a comfort zone with a light workload on the home team trying to rise from the ashes in what seems like an uphill climb. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-astros/2012/11/5/3603376/houston-astros-2013-finding-a-designated-hitterBrandon Scott2012-11-03T12:42:47-05:002012-11-03T12:42:47-05:00SHSU hosts SLA in Southland Conference action
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana meet at Bowers Stadium on Saturday in a battle between two of three one-loss teams in the Southland Conference. This game could have championship implications. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/11/3/3595418/southeastern-louisiana-vs-sam-houston-state-bearkats-play-final-homeBrandon Scott2012-11-03T12:40:38-05:002012-11-03T12:40:38-05:00SHSU against Southeastern LA kicks off at 2 p.m.
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana meet at Bowers Stadium on Saturday in a battle between two of three one-loss teams in the Southland Conference. This game could have championship implications. </p> <p>Either Sam Houston State or Southeastern Louisiana is going to have its Southland Conference championship hopes damaged after the two teams go head-to-head in Huntsville on Saturday. The Bearkats enter the game with a 4-1 conference mark, while the Lions are 3-1 in league play this season. </p>
<p>SHSU is the winner of five straight, after starting the season at 1-2 with back-to-back losses to Baylor and Central Arkansas. Since then, the SHSU has returned to the championship level it played at in 2011. In their last three games, they've held opponents to 263, 210, and 181 yards, respectively. The Bearkats are coming off a 56-7 win against Lamar. Running back Timothy Flanders rushed for 131 yards and four touchdowns. </p>
<p>SLA lost to Central Arkansas last week. The Lions are led by senior quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Nathan Stanley</a>, freshman running back Xavier Roberson and wide receiver Stanley Moore. </p>
<p>Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Bowers Stadium. Watch the game at the <a href="http://www.gobearkats.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?&&DB_OEM_ID=19900">Bearkat Sports Network</a>. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/11/3/3595342/southeastern-louisiana-vs-sam-houston-state-game-preview-tv-scheduleBrandon Scott2012-10-30T14:20:04-05:002012-10-30T14:20:04-05:00Comparing Lin-Harden to Francis-Mobley
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<figcaption>Mike Hewitt</figcaption>
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<p>The trade that brought James Harden to the Houston Rockets presents one of the most intriguing backcourt duos in the NBA. What we'll soon find out is if Harden and Jeremy Lin turn out to be any better than Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis from the previous decade.</p> <p><span>James Harden</span> brings a new element to the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> that <span>Kevin Martin</span> didn't. Let's make no mistake about that. Harden is a better ball-handler, defender and all around player with more upside. It was a good trade for the Rockets, even if all it does in its immediacy is make them a contender for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.</p>
<p>While I was trying to imagine Harden and Lin on the court together, I couldn't help but think of exciting basketball, with a lot of pick and roll, penetration and distribution -- all the good stuff. The thought process led to a fairly simple question: is this going to be as good a backcourt as <span>Steve Francis</span> and <span>Cuttino Mobley</span> from the previous decade?</p>
<p>Let's just look at the makeup to start; left-handed volume scorers in Harden and Mobley, ball-dominating point guards in Lin and Francis. The difference here is that the roles are swapped whereas today's lefty is the franchise player, while Mobley was more of the underdog success story.</p>
<p>The Francis-Mobley tandem played alongside an aging Hakeem Olajuwon for their first two seasons together, then there were the <span>Kelvin Cato</span> years while we waited on <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Yao Ming</a> to come into his own. (No chance in hell, I know, but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5HH8p8ZVn4">we still want our money back</a>, Kelvin.)</p>
<p>I mention it because it's important to note, even though Francis-Mobley are going to often be associated with Yao and Dream, they didn't play with the best of either player.</p>
<p>For all intents and purposes, <span>Omer Asik</span> could be better than Cato. We won't disrespect an undeveloped Yao or grandpa Dream with comparisons beyond that.</p>
<p>But think of this in the context of Houston's backcourt being the focal point of the offense in a similar fashion to what's been seen before.</p>
<p>There's no comparing Francis and Lin, but it comes down to whether or not Harden will be any better than Francis and if Lin is anywhere close to the wingman Mobley was.</p>
<p>Mobley and Francis had their best individual seasons as scorers in '01-02, the year before Yao was drafted. Houston won 28 games and had the league's worst defense. This group didn't make the playoffs until its last season together, and they were bounced out in the first round by the <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a> -- who at the time had Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Shaq and Kobe (sound like a familiar summer scenario to you?).</p>
<p><a href="http://houston.sbnation.com/2012/10/30/3570428/houston-rockets-season-preview-and-nba-predictions">B-Mac's Rockets preview</a> sums up the questions about how well Lin and Harden are going to fit together. At the least, Harden will <a href="http://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/29/3567618/houston-rockets-trade-james-harden-jeremy-lin">take pressure off Lin when it comes to handling the ball</a>. What I think is clear of Harden's game is that he can adjust. He talked about being the main guy at Arizona State and making the adjustment when he came into the league.</p>
<p>Now he's back to being the focal point. He's the franchise like Stevie was, though we don't know if Lin turns out to be as good as Cuttino. And even if he does, we saw that it was never enough.</p>
<p>Respectfully, the Rockets are still a <span>Josh Smith</span> or <span>Paul Millsap</span> away from a 5th seed in the West.</p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/30/3574218/houston-rockets-trade-james-harden-jeremy-lin-steve-francis-cuttino-mobleyBrandon Scott2012-10-29T09:18:02-05:002012-10-29T09:18:02-05:00Can James Harden fix Jeremy Lin's turnover issues?
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<figcaption>Richard Rowe-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The James Harden trade should help take pressure off Jeremy Lin in the Houston Rockets' backcourt. So can Harden help limit the turnover Linsanity?</p> <p><span>Jeremy Lin</span> needed this trade. Between the way he struggled in the preseason and the overall uncertainty that comes with Linsanity, it was going to be tough for a fairly turnover-prone point guard to navigate through an offense with limited options to dish the rock to.</p>
<p>Actually, with the initial thought that <span>Kevin Martin</span> would be aloof and ultimately traded, for some, Lin was considered to possibly become the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a>' primary option on offense at some point in the season. These aren't fair expectations, necessarily, but the contract and the hype call for such madness.</p>
<p>Lin was supposed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders this season, despite all logic telling us that there was no reason to expect much from him or this team, and whatever success would be valuable. It would be up to Lin to both score and create opportunities for... well, whoever's opportunistic.</p>
<p>Like the <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/10/solomon-morey-has-a-new-cast-but-a-familiar-plot-line/">Houston Chronicle's Jerome Solomon wrote on Saturday night</a>, "there isn't much difference between the starters and the reserves, the actors and the stand-ins."</p>
<p>With Harden in the picture, the pressure has really been shifted to Rockets' general manager Daryl Morey. He's a winner in this in my opinion, because he's understood from the beginning of this rebuilding process that no one on this team was worth keeping for a chance at a cornerstone, franchise-like player.</p>
<p>Still, this is Morey's project. There are already legitimate questions about both Harden and Lin - whether Harden's disappearance in the NBA Finals was indicative of who he was as a big time player, and whether we know enough about Lin to really believe he's everything we've said he is.</p>
<p>So there's no reason for either of those guys to really feel pressure, or at least not as much as it would be if their projected success was closer to unanimous. Do they want to perform? Sure. But they still get the money they were looking for either way, and there's always a way to stay in the league after you make a boat-load of cash and never pan out.</p>
<p>You think <span>Rashard Lewis</span> (Houston's very own) is trippin' about making $15 million this year? Hell no, son.</p>
<p>Jeremy Lin needed this trade for more than filtering noise and lofty expectations. There's this simple turnover problem Lin has that Harden could help remedy.</p>
<p>Even when Lin was torching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a> at the height of the phenomenon, there was a flagrant turnover issue that it took a while to become part of the conversation because of how incredible the larger story was.</p>
<p>But after the breakout <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.netsdaily.com/">Nets</a> game, Lin put up 28 points and eight turnovers against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.slcdunk.com/">Jazz</a>. That started a span in which Lin would have seven out of eight games with six or more turnovers. He finished the month of February averaging five turnovers a game, keeping in mind he didn't play the first game of the month and just seven minutes in the second.</p>
<p>Lin averaged 3.8 turnovers in March, though he missed the last four games after the injury. Check out the preseason stats with the Rockets and you'll see Lin averaged 2.5 turnovers a game. So it's already getting better, right?</p>
<p>Last year's stats could be chalked up to Mike D'Antoni's offense, but it's clear that Lin could use some relief in handling the ball . Harden's the right guy to do it. Remember that once <span>Eric Maynor</span> got hurt for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a>, Harden was pretty much the backup point guard of the team.</p>
<p>More noteworthy; Harden had six turnovers or more in just one game all season (a regular season matchup against eventual champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Miami Heat</a>). This trade came just when I was about to give Kevin Martin props for seeming so engaged this early in the season, like he actually wanted to be a part of this team that really isn't going anywhere.</p>
<p>This is a trade Rockets fans can be happy with, but right now it's about appreciating the simple things. It doesn't make Houston a contender right away, or even the foreseeable future without another move close to its magnitude.</p>
<p>And if there's nothing else to get excited about when it comes to Harden to Houston, at least dude can dribble.</p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/29/3567618/houston-rockets-trade-james-harden-jeremy-linBrandon Scott2012-10-25T13:44:17-05:002012-10-25T13:44:17-05:00Jeremy Lin continues to struggle in preseason
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<figcaption>Chris Graythen</figcaption>
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<p>Jeremy Lin had just two points and five assists in the Rockets' fourth preseason victory Wednesday night against the New Orleans Hornets. How big of a concern is Lin leading up to the start of the season?</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockets</a> picked up <a href="http://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/24/3551802/rockets-vs-hornets-nba-preseason-final-score-recap">a win Wednesday</a> against the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/new-orleans-hornets" class="sbn-auto-link">Hornets</a>, but their star player <span>Jeremy Lin</span> was mostly ineffective. Lin's stat line for the night: 2 points, 5 assists, 6 turnovers in 31 minutes.</p>
<p><span>Carlos Delfino</span> came off the bench to lead the Rockets with 20 points and <span>Chandler Parsons</span> threw in 18. Lin made just one of eight shot attempts against the Hornets and his preseason averages are even worse than reasonable expectations.</p>
<p>In five preseason games, Lin is averaging five points on 22 percent shooting, six assists, and three turnovers in just under 26 minutes a game. Lin is still recovering from a knee injury, but also said the knee feels about as good as he's expected, with no significant setbacks.</p>
<p>So what's the deal? To expect Lin to put up All-Star numbers, whether it's now or in the regular season, might be asking a bit much. He still has some adjusting to do, being in his first full season as an active member of an NBA lineup.</p>
<p>It's just that if he's supposed to play as much as we all anticipate, how long before our minds are made up on this? A test of patience here.</p>
<p>And speaking of patience...</p>
<p><a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400400559">Not much Royce White in the Hornets game</a>. He played just eight minutes and missed the two shots he put up. The concern with White is obviously a lot different than the Lin situation, but here's another waiting game. As wonderful as it sounds that the Rockets are being supportive of White and his anxiety disorder, it all boils down to whether or not the rookie is worth the risk.</p>
<p>That's the awkward truth in all of this. And I think he is, from a basketball perspective and as a guy who really seems to handle himself responsibly (just from listening to him talk without really knowing him).</p>
<p>The Rockets have a lot of obscure players on this team, but the two with the slightest bit of star potential aside from <span>Kevin Martin</span> are Lin and White. They both just have us all watching and waiting.</p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/25/3554650/houston-rockets-preseason-2012-jeremy-lin-royce-whiteBrandon Scott2012-10-24T11:01:18-05:002012-10-24T11:01:18-05:00Houston Rockets looking to pick up pace
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Houston Rockets play their last two preseason games this week and head coach Kevin McHale says he hopes the team picks up the pace from practices this week. </p> <p>As to be expected with a team this young, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> have a roster full of guys looking to prove themselves in these last two preseason games before the regular season opens on Halloween against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com/">Detroit Pistons</a>.</p>
<p>But the Rockets aren't trying to slow things down with their talent evaluation. Head coach Kevin McHale said practices this week have lacked the quick pace he's been looking for, but the Rockets are hoping to find that on Wednesday at New Orleans and carry it over to Friday at Orlando.</p>
<p>The Rockets have established new plays, and how well they've taken in the information will be shown over the next few weeks. <span>Chandler Parsons</span> said he thinks the rotations this week will work more like the regular season, where starters play normal minutes.</p>
<p>McHale, Parsons, <span>Jeremy Lin</span> and <span>Carlos Delfino</span> have all been quoted saying the team's defense is better than it was weeks ago.</p>
<p>Here's <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/10/rockets-seek-faster-pace-on-offense-improved-defense/">a quote David Barron at the Houston Chronicle had from Parsons</a> before the team left Tuesday for New Orleans:</p>
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<p>"We're really communicating, getting back in transition, understanding who is going to the offensive glass and who isn't. We've benefited from this last week."</p>
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https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/24/3546924/houston-rockets-preseason-2012-kevin-mchale-jeremy-linBrandon Scott2012-10-24T06:00:51-05:002012-10-24T06:00:51-05:00SHSU ranked No. 5 in FCS, Darius Taylor suspended
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<figcaption>Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Sam Houston State Bearkats moved back into the Top 5 of the FCS rankings after a blowout against McNeese State at Bowers Stadium last Saturday. Also, linebacker Darius Taylor was suspended for an illegal hit.</p> <p>This Sam Houston State football team is starting to look like last year's, the one that went 14-1, ran away with the Southland Conference title and competed for an FCS national championship. After starting the 2012 season with a disappointing 1-2 record, the Bearkats (5-2, 3-1 SLC) are winners of four straight, three of them conference games and have <a href="http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205717931&DB_OEM_ID=19900">climbed their way back into the top of the FCS polls</a>.</p>
<p>SHSU rounds out the top five behind top-ranked Eastern Washington, No. 2 Georgia Southern, No. 3 North Dakota State (defending FCS champion) and No. 4 Montana State.</p>
<p>The season started with a routine win against Incarnate Word before the Kats got their bubble busted by Baylor. SHSU held the lead at halftime, but critical turnovers allowed Baylor to regain momentum and run away with it. Then there was the Central Arkansas game, the Southland Conference opener. SHSU traveled to Conway and dominated for most of the game.</p>
<p>But in the last few minutes, UCA came up with a pair of touchdowns that shocked the favored Sam Houston team. That meant the Bearkats were starting out conference play with an 0-1 record and would be playing for their lives for the rest of the season.</p>
<p>SHSU has played like it ever since. In fact, the Kats haven't scored less than 41 points since that loss to UCA. The Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium was <a href="http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19900&ATCLID=205706912">an all-timer and SHSU pulled away</a>, 51-43. But these last two games, SHSU shut out Nicholls, 41-0. The McNeese game was homecoming and turned out to be the first time SHSU beat the Cowboys two seasons in a row. And it was a 45-10 beating.</p>
<p>Lamar is next on the schedule, and as the league's worst team, the Cardinals shouldn't pose any threats to SHSU. A Lamar win would easily be the biggest upset of the season. From here, it's a three-team race for the Southland Conference title between SHSU, UCA and Southeastern Louisiana.</p>
<p>Speaking of which...</p>
<h4>Southland Conference and Darius Taylor suspension</h4>
<p>The reaction to the <a href="http://www.gobearkats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=92955&SPID=11345&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205717805&DB_OEM_ID=19900">suspension of SHSU linebacker Darius Taylor</a> has basically called into question the integrity of the Southland Conference. It's always difficult to understand how players are punished for "illegal hits" they aren't flagged for during the game.</p>
<p>That's what we have here with Taylor, as the league suspended Taylor for his hit toward the head or neck area of a defenseless Nicholls receiver. Kevin Roberts of Southeastern LA was also suspended for a similar offense.</p>
<p>What's interesting and kind of disturbing about this is that the league's Executive Committee was in charge of enforcing the rulings and that committee just happens to be led by Central Arkansas athletic director Brad Teague.</p>
<p>While the rules clearly state that a player can be punished for illegal hits upon further review, whether it's flagged or not, it doesn't stop the suspicion and obvious conflict of interest of having Central Arkansas in a three-team race with SHSU and Southeastern LA for the conference title, and the UCA athletic director is influential in decisions to suspend the other team's key players.</p>
<p>My question on this is if the league is reviewing unnecessary roughness hits, flagged or not, then how busy, diligent and meticulous is this league? I'm willing to bet not very.</p>
<p>If we go back to the SHSU-UCA game, and UCA defensive back Jestin Love was suspended for just half a game for a similar hit against SHSU quarterback Brian Bell, the double standard looks pretty obvious and clear.</p>
<p>It has a lot of SHSU fans and folks in Huntsville that I've talked to thinking that the program can't live under the umbrella of the Southland Conference for much longer. It lacks credibility, this bogus suspension aside. And if the Kats continue to build and expand this brand with the football team and all of the other successful programs that go with it, perhaps SHSU can move on to something bigger and better in the near future.</p>
<p>SHSU athletic director Bobby Williams had these comments on the suspension:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It is an unfortunate decision forcing Darius to miss a game. We disagree with the ruling that this was a targeted hit. We asked the league to take a second look at the play in comparison to other similar hits that went unpunished this season and were denied on the appeal."</p>
</blockquote>
https://houston.sbnation.com/2012/10/24/3546488/sam-houston-state-bearkats-fcs-rankings-darius-taylorBrandon Scott2012-10-22T15:50:19-05:002012-10-22T15:50:19-05:00Jeremy Lin says Rockets are better defensively
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/541gNc5Xv2_Hn4dF94Ie58ajKkE=/0x102:2900x2035/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/1824567/154037527.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Jeremy Lin spoke with the media after Monday's practice and said he believes the Rockets are better defensively after five preseason games. </p> <p>Even at the height of Linsanity, <span>Jeremy Lin</span> was never considered a defensive stopper at the point guard position. For what he was able to do offensively, torching defenders in the pick and roll and knocking down big shots, opposing guards were able to pretty much have their way with Lin. </p>
<p>Good thing for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> that their new franchise player is all about improving. That's what the preseason is for, and the team is taking advantage of the opportunity. The Rockets are going to need all the practice and preparation they can get before the games start to actually count. </p>
<p>So far, <a href="http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/jeremy-lin-10222012">Lin says he's noticed the team's improvement on the defensive side of the ball</a>. Lin and <span>Kevin Martin</span> are the only proven scorers on the team, which means defense is going to be a lot more important in Houston than it was in New York for Lin.</p>
<p>The Rockets allowed 105 points to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> in their preseason opener, but the difference for Houston was made at the free throw line. Still, Houston's been pretty good defensively even in defeat.</p>
<p>The Rockets gave up more than 50 percent from the field to both the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">Spurs</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Mavericks</a>, but were active in getting steals and that's the only preseason games so far that an opponent shot over 50 percent. </p>
<p>Having <span>Omer Asik</span> at center is going to make up for Lin and Martin (the scorers) defending the perimeter, but I get the feeling this is going to be a team effort. All the Rockets have is each other because not a lot of smart people believe in this team.</p>
<p><b>Lin's knee</b></p>
<p>You'll notice <a href="http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/jeremy-lin-10222012">in the interview</a> that Lin has to address how his knee is doing twice. He says it's fine and that there haven't been any major setbacks - that it's right where the teams want it to be, wherever that is. </p>
<p>It's important for the media to keep asking because of how much the Rockets are relying on their new point guard to stay healthy, not only so they can be competitive, but so they can be relevant whether Lin is successful or not. </p>
<p>No one wants to see Lin in a suit, because that doesn't confirm or disprove the theories and predictions about how good or bad he'll be, and whether or not he's up for his role as the leader of this Rockets' team. Normally, reporters ask about injuries just because it's proper to be thorough. But Lin's knee has more implications and it's a bigger story if it indeed has legs. </p>
https://houston.sbnation.com/houston-rockets/2012/10/22/3539864/nba-preseason-2012-houston-rockets-jeremy-linBrandon Scott