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.

Steve Francis: "willing to sacrifice"

I like Steve Francis; however, I'm still fascinated by the apparent love affair Rockets fans have with him. I don't understand it at all. Steve didn't lead the Rockets to an NBA title. Steve didn't lead the Rockets to a playoff series victory. So, why do so many people love him so much?

The fans who chanted "We want Steve" finally got their wish Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns. Francis started the second quarter and the crowd went bonkers. Fans cheered each time Francis dribbled the basketball up the court. Heck, the crowd cheered when Francis sank two free throws for his first two points as a Rockets player this season.

Amazing.

Francis played 23 minutes versus the Suns. He shot 3 for 11 from the field; scored eight points; and dished out two assists.

After the game, instead of leaving quickly as he's done a few times, Francis took time to speak to the media.

Take a listen: "...willing to sacrifice..."

Yao Ming: "playing their speed"

Yao Ming struggled Saturday night versus the Phoenix Suns. He made only 4 of his 17 shots and finished with just 12 points and six boards in the Rockets 115 to 105 loss to the Suns.

After the game, Yao told the media the Rockets were "...playing their speed...".

Yao's comments are very serious but also comical because he describes the Suns as playing "140 percent on offense and 50 percent on defense".

Scola: "try to get better"

Luis Scola has put together two very solid back-to-back outings: 20 points (10 for 11) Friday night versus the San Antonio Spurs and 20 points (10 for 19) and 11 rebounds Saturday night versus the Phoenix Suns. However, Luis doesn't want to discuss his improved play. He prefers discussing what the Rockets need to do to end their current four game losing streak.

Saturday night after the 115 to 105 loss to the Suns, Scola told the media, the Rockets simply need to "...try to get better...".

Luis is right.

T-Mac: "a grind it out win"

Here's part of Tracy McGrady's post-game thoughts on Yi Jianlian of the Milwaukee Bucks:

"He's pretty good. He hasa tremendous upside in this league. He started off a little bit slow and maybe he had the jitters or whatever, but in the 2nd half, he showcased some skills. He is an athlete and for a guy to be 7 foot and an athlete, with ball handling skills, he can get to the basket, he showed that he can shoot the outside jumper."

Listen to more of T-Mac's comments after the Rockets 104 to 88 win over the Bucks:

"...a grind it out win..."

Adelman is Impressed with Yi

Houston Rockets head coach Rick Adelman was impressed with Yi Jianlian of the Milwaukee Bucks. Yi scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds; however, though he was impressed by Yi's showing, Adelman was much more pleased with the Rockets 104 to 88 victory.

During the post-game press conference, Adelman discusses the win; the Rockets' sluggish effort in the second half; Yi Jianlian's performance Friday night as well as Yi's future in the NBA; Bonzi Wells; and, also Luis Scola.

Listen to the post-game p.c.:

Rick Adelman: "...very impressed with him..."

Bonzi: "up to my ability"

Tuesday night in Toyota Center, Bonzi Wells showed Rockets' fans just how effective he can be.

Wells came off the bench to score 14 points (6 for 11 from the field) and grab a team-high 15 rebounds to help the Rockets defeat the San Antonio Spurs 89 to 81.

After the game, Wells was fairy non-chalant with his comments to the media.

Check them out...

...Bonzi Wells: "...up to my ability..."

"Bonzi was Terrific"

As Ms. Badu sings in one of her hit songs, "What a day. What a day?"

But, I digress, Tuesday night the Rockets picked up a solid win over the San Antonio Spurs 89 to 81.

Bonzi Wells scored 14 points and pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds; and Yao Ming scored a game-high 28 points; grabbed 13 boards; and dished out six assists.

The Rockets dished out 25 assists on their 35 made field goals.

Houston dominated the Spurs on the glass 55 to 28.

Listen to Rick Adelman's post-game press conference:
"...Bonzi was terrific..."

We Want Steve

Rockets head coach Rick Adelman discussed a few things in his post-game press conference tonight after the Rockets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 89 to 80.

Besides talking about his team's poor execution on offense in the second half and Yao Ming's poor defense against Portland's pick-and-roll, Coach Adelman addressed the crowd's chanting "We Want Steve" late in the third quarter as well as in the fourth period.

Clearly, many of the fans wanted to see Steve Francis get into the game; but, much to their disappointment, Francis was a DNP - Coach's Decision.

Listen to Coach Adelman's post game press conference: "...I can't control that..."