The Rockets are an abject disaster

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

A NEW HOPE: Paul Flannery’s Sunday Shootaround is back, and Paul chatted with the 3-0 Toronto Raptors about how things are different this time. Is DeMarre Carroll enough to push them to the next level? We’ll see. Plus, Shootaround has five early observations and the best quotes, links and Vine of the week. Check it out.

WHERE WE’RE AT: We have six undefeated teams left: the Raptors, Pistons (!), Warriors, Clippers, Thunder and ... Timberwolves (!!!). We have nine teams at 0-3: the Nets, Hornets, Pacers (!), Bucks (!), Magic, Sixers, Lakers, Pelicans (!) and ... Rockets!

HOUSTON BLAH-KETS: The Rockets are 0-3, but that’s not the worst part. The worst part is the Rockets. They are the worst. All three losses have been by at least 20 points. That was the worst three-game start ever. Ever.

ONIONS! It’s old news now, but Thunder-Magic on Friday was an incredible battle of onions. Victor Oladipo hit what appeared to be a game-winning three at the end of regulation, then Russell Westbrook answered with a 40-foot bank shot for overtime. It went to a second overtime before OKC took it. Incredible battle.

FITTY: Stephen Curry, who scored 40 in his first game of the season, went for 53 in the rematch against the Pelicans on Saturday. He is not treating his old coach Alvin Gentry too well this year!

DUNKS! Harrison Barnes spiked it on Dwight Howard’s poor head, and Dwight Howard hasn’t been seen since. Russell Westbrook with a very demeaning putback. Giannis obliterates Nene. Avery Bradley on top of all of the Spurs. DUNK NOWITZKI.

KOBE: This Vine is a work of art in every way.

U GOT THE LOOK: LeBron as Prince is just a phenomenal costume.

IT DOESN’T WORK WHEN YOU’VE MADE YOUR FAMILY CELEBRITIES, TOO: Steph dons a zebra mask to visit a mall unbothered ... with celebrity chef Ayesha Curry and American Princess Riley Curry to tow.

AUSTRALIA’S BASKETBALL FACTORY: Awesome Guardian piece on how the Land Down Under is producing so many quality basketballers. Via REDEF.

HANDSHAKE POLITICS: All of LeBron’s teammates get funny handshakes from LeBron ... except Matthew Dellavedova, who gets the handshake version of a thumbs up. Delly’s the most regular guy ever. Speaking of handshakes ...

STILL GOT IT: LeBron and Dwyane Wade busted out a special handshake before trying to ruin each other.

RONDOOOOO: This is Rajon Rondo on the bench tugging on the short of Wesley Johnson, who is stationed in the short corner.

OKAY: These Christmas uniforms, complete with the socks, are phenomenal.

NEW SPURS H-E-B ADS!

REST IN PEACE, MEL: We lost Mel Daniels, one of those larger than life personalities in pro basketball and the consummate Pacer. We’ve lost too many legends this year.

GOOD NIGHT, GRANTLAND: ESPN buried Grantland on Friday. If you read this newsletter regularly, you know how much I enjoyed Grantland’s hoops and culture coverage, from Zach Lowe’s clear-eyed analysis to Jonathan Abrams’ uber-eloquent profiles to Shea Serrano’s manic joy to Andrew Sharp’s unbridled enthusiasm to Jason Concepcion’s biting snark and everything else we found there. Just an incredible collection of talent. Most if not all will turn up again, many on ESPN.com. But having them all there made us all better and made life richer, and for that I thank them and mourn Grantland.

TONIGHT: NBA TV has Thunder-Rockets (8 p.m. ET, yikes?) and Grizzlies-Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET, woo!). I’m eager to see if Minnesota can stay unbeaten against Portland (8 p.m. ET, League Pass).

Happy Monday. See you next time.