Mike Harris Rejoins Rockets....Leaves RGV Vipers

Rio Grande Valley Viper guard Mike Harris is officially a Houston Rocket. Rockets General Manger Daryl Morey told me today that Harris cleared his physical and will join the team today. Morey simply states the reason for the move is because of “depth” something the Rockets need since Chase Budinger will miss at least two weeks with a severely sprained right ankle. A press release from the Houston Rockets will be released today at 1:30pm. I also spoke to Mike Harris who is at the hotel in Orlando. He told me he took the physical but didn’t know the official word. Harris knows now!!! Harris will be on the bench with the Houston Rockets as they take on the Orlando Magic tonight. Harris led the Vipers scoring 25.3 points per game. That’s the third highest in the NBA D-League. Harris played for the Rockets in the past when he signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Houston Rockets on July 13, 2008, and after averaging 5.0 points per game and 6.0 rebounds per game in Houston's first two preseason games, he was waived by the club before the season started on October 22. Harris also signed a 10-day NBA contract with the Houston Rockets on March 9, 2008. Harris later signed a contract from the club for the remainder of the season, with a team option for the next season. During the 2008-09 NBA preseason, Harris was released once again by the Rockets.

Gym Sock Award: “Kicking out the Kicker”

On Tuesday the Dallas Cowboys decided to have a kicking contest between Nick Folk and David Buehler. Folk missed his last five field goals and only made 3 out of his last 9 in games for Dallas. Folk ended up winning the competition but might have lost his job yesterday. The Cowboys defeated the once undefeated New Orleans Saints 27-17 but Folk has missed a league-high 10 field-goal attempts and his failure on a 26-yarder in New Orleans that could have clinched Saturday's upset of the Saints. This has reinforced internal concerns that Folk's issues are mental and demonstrate he cannot be trusted on kicks of any length. The Cowboys don’t want to get rid of the guy because they believe he can eventually be effective again. I say, “The proof is in the pudding.” Folk proves that he just can’t cut it right now and he’s stinks up the field like “GYM SOCKS” rather than a sweet flavor pudding should taste like. Veteran Jason Elam might be the kicker who can save the day. He was released by Atlanta earlier this month. Nick Folk you have stunk up the kicking game this year for the Cowboys so you are my “Gym Sock” recipient. Until then kicking drama will continue in Dallas and maybe in Houston too. Remember Kris Brown missed two game winners for the Texans this year. What’s up with Texas Kickers?

Rockets missing TEETH and Players

During the summer of 2009 the Houston Rockets took over operations of the NBA D-league Rio Grande Valley Vipers. This allows the Rockets to develop players for the NBA and also keep their own players on reserve when needed. Well this is the best time for the Rockets to put their resources into use. Rockets forward Carl Landry is day-to-day after colliding with Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, resulting in damage to five of his teeth. Small forward Chase Budinger suffered a right ankle sprain Saturday. He will be re-evaluated today. If Houston needs anyone extra in the meantime Vipers forward Mike Harris will probably be the next up.
Harris is third in scoring in NBADL averaging 26.2 points per game. Harris also played for the Rockets in 2008 during their 22 game winning streak. If the Rockets decide to play guard Jermaine Taylor then they might recall forward/center Joey Dorsey to sit on the bench. If Houston goes that route then they can recall Dorsey tomorrow after the Vipers vs Reno game and send him back down before Saturdays game if Budinger or Landry returns.