iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

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 · 22/10/2025

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 · 22/10/2025

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 · 22/10/2025

And did not receive the timeout. So again… what’s the anger about? Lmao

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

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 · 22/10/2025

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

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

It’s S3ngun season now? Oh man.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

…Is the shot clock a circle now?

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

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.

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dan favale @danfavale.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

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.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

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.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

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 · 07/07/2025

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.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

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 · 05/07/2025

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 · 05/07/2025

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.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Unless something changes, it seems clear that the Rockets have a great deal of faith in Reed Sheppard and intend to rocket him up to 15-20 minutes per game next season.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

I don’t understand the panic from Rockets fans about guard depth. They’re fine. To me, the clear need is wing shooting - especially if Cam gets traded.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Starters: Fred VanVleet Amen Thompson Kevin Durant Jabari Smith Jr. Alperen Sengun Bench: Reed Sheppard Cam Whitmore (?) Tari Eason Steven Adams Deep Bench: Aaron Holiday Jae'Sean Tate Jeff Green

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Jabari Smith opted against betting on himself for financial security. I totally get it, but if he held out and had an All-Star season, he could've demanded a $250 million contract next summer.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Wow. Less than 18% of the salary cap for a 3rd overall pick with still a lot of upside. That's a hell of a deal for Houston.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Short term for Houston on FVV extension: Great Long-term for Houston on FVV extension: We’ll see Although Rafael Stone and his front office deserve the benefit of the doubt. They’ve been pitch-perfect in the long-term planning department.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

Hmm, I love the number and hate the player option. Solid piece of financial work for the Rockets. Opens up financial instruments to use in free agency. My hope is KD gives at least two years of team control to Houston in his extension.

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Forrest @dunots.voidsent.com · 23/06/2025

What's up rockets fans do you wanna see what I look like and hear me be really positive well that's what we got for you baby

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Folks are killing the Suns, but I honestly think it's a fair deal.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

This is the kind of move you make when there is another move(s) coming down the pipeline. Wonder what the Grizzlies are cooking up.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

People who watch awesome basketball players like SGA and debate the legitimacy of the fouls that they draw are ironically the buzzkills that they claim these players to be.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

The Houston Rockets will be selecting 10th in the 2025 NBA Draft.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Sure, the price has to be fair. But there are Rockets fans out there who outright don’t want Giannis and it’s important that they know they’re being ridiculous.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

If there is a Rockets fan in your life that doesn’t want Giannis Antetokounmpo, please slap some sense into them.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

Well it’s not just ball handling duties. That’s part of it, but it’s also his volume of shot attempts and starting position. If Green took less shots against 2nd unit defenders, I’m convinced he’d be better served.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

The Rockets put Green in too big of a role too early into his career and never backed down when presented with new information. That was a mistake and they need to admit that to themselves so they can make smart decisions about him moving forward.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

The biggest mistake anyone could make in talking about Jalen Green today is talking about him as a failed prospect instead of a failed evaluation. He could still be a very good player, but he’s unlikely to be *that guy* and that’s fine.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

I think about the reactions to this tweet a lot.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 05/05/2025

Everyone on this broadcast should be fired immediately for not showing that Amen Thompson highlight immediately after the buzzer.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Nice to see the league call landing-area fouls in the playoffs by the way. I remember a certain game not too long ago where they just forgot to do that. Funny how that works.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Did Steph Curry become left-handed overnight or does the “unnatural shooting motion” rule for free throws go out the window if it’s not James Harden?

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 03/05/2025

Jalen Green can’t shy away from contact like that. He’s too freakish of an athlete to be scared at the rim.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Greatest basketball coach of all time. It’s not just how much Pop won, but up until 2018ish, the Spurs managed to win (and overachieve) with all types of roster constructs and playing styles.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Looks like Luka is getting post-Blazers series Harden treatment now about his defense.

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Reposted by Salman Ali

Alex Swaim @cidolfas.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Buddy I'm not making it off the baseline in that scenario.

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Jesse Sutton @jesse75.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

Get my affairs in order. I had a good run.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 01/05/2025

You have to get the ball up the court with Amen Thompson pressing you. If you can’t get to half court once out of three attempts, you die. What happens?

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Those who have dug themselves in on Green should at least note that the Rockets themselves are reluctant to committing to him. The coaching staff has benched him for multiple fourth quarters this year. The front office gave him 3-year (non-max) extension instead of a 5-year max.

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Salman Ali @salmanalinba.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Following up: Look, I actually still like Jalen Green as a prospect, but the Rockets have done a good enough job drafting and accumulating assets to explore other long-term options. Why settle for Zach LaVine or Bradley Beal 2.0 (good, not great) when you don’t have to?

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