Deke: "don't disappoint him"

With Yao Ming out for the season with a stress fracture in his left foot, Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo will see a lot more minutes at the center spot for the Rockets.

After Tuesday night's 94 to 69 Rockets win over the Washington Wizards, Mutombo told the media he's ready to help his teammates any way he can.

Deke added he wants to be sure he and his teammates "don't disappoint him (Yao Ming)".

Rick Adelman: "Give Deke Credit"

Take a listen to Rockets head coach Rick Adelman's post-game press conference after the Rockets routed the Washington Wizards 94 to 69 Tuesday night:

"...give Deke (Dikembe Mutombo) credit..."

Nate McMillan: "Houston is doing"

I spoke with Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers head coach, this morning to get his thoughts on tonight's Portland - Rockets game.

Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.

The Rockets are 30 and 20 while Portland is 28 and 22.

Listen to the chat: Coach Nate: "...play good basketball which Houston is doing right now..."

Steve Francis Update

Within the hour, Rockets guard, Steve Francis and Keith Jones -- VP of Basketball Operations / Athletic Trainer, spoke with the media regarding the season-ending surgery Francis will undergo in a few weeks to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee. Francis has been sidelined with the injury since 12/19/07.

"After extensive non-operative treatment of his quadriceps tendon tear, it became apparent to Steve and the medical staff that surgery was the only remaining alternative that offered the hope of relieving his pain and potentially allowing him to resume his basketball career,” said Rockets team physician Dr. Tom Clanton.

I combined both press conferences into one mp3.

Francis first; then Keith Jones.

Take a listen: "...disheartening..."

Mike Brown Discusses Rockets

After the Cleveland Cavaliers morning shootaround session, I spoke with Cavs head coach Mike Brown to get his thoughts on tonight's game against the Rockets; the play of his team; etc.

(A few minutes before I interviewed Coach Brown, I heard Rockets star Tracy McGrady may miss the game due to an upper respiratory infection; so, I mentioned that possibility to Coach Brown toward the end of the interview.)

Take a listen.

Cleveland Cavs head coach Mike Brown: "...tough game for us..."

Damon Jones Discusses Shaq Trade

I've known Damon Jones since he played basketball at the University of Houston in the late 1990s. He loved to talk a lot then and he loves to talk a lot now.

This morning after the shootaround session, D-Jones, in addition to discussing his return to Houston to face the Rockets, talked about the trade which sent Shaquille O'Neal to the Phoenix Suns.

Check it out: "...Shaq being my best friend..."

Gibson returns to H-town to face Rockets

Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers guard, is a Houston basketball legend. He's a product of Jones HS and the all-time leading scorer in HISD boys' basketball. He starred at the University of Texas; and, now Daniel is in his 2nd NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavs are in Houston tonight to face the Rockets.

The game will air on TNT. Tip is set for 7pm.

After shooting a segment for TNT, Daniel spoke with some of the media after the Cavs' morning shootaround.

Take a listen: "...everything about me is Houston..."

It's always good to see a hometown guy make good and remember where it all began.