Rockets Media Day
Before I give a brief take on today's Houston Rockets' Media Day activities, the Rockets did announce a few bits of news earlier today:
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as the team's Director of Player Development, as well as the addition of Pat Zipfel as an advance scout.
Atkinson will focus on improving player performance through on-court one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis.
Zipfel worked the past three seasons as an advance scout with Portland, joining the Trail Blazers on Sept. 23, 2004. He also spent three seasons as an advance scout for the L.A. Clippers.
Also, the team announced the signing of Purdue forward Carl Landry (6'9), who was chosen by the Super Sonics in the second round (31st overall) with a pick previously acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies. Houston sent a future second-round selection and cash considerations ($1 M) to Seattle for his draft rights.
Last but not least, the Rockets announced the team has re-signed center Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo, 7'2, enters his 16th NBA season in 2007 - 2008; and, he told the media this season will be his last.
Media Day was, for the most part, uneventful; and, that's what I expected. Each person (players, GM Daryl Morey, head coach Rick Adelman, and team owner Les Alexander) all made one similar comment -- this year's team will be more competitive -- which should definitely be music to the ears' of the Rockets' fans.
Rafer Alston spoke candidly about his off-court legal problems as well as his curiosity regarding his place and future role (if any) with the Rockets. His last comments to the media were interesting. He said, "Whether I'm here or not, I appreciated working with you guys. Throughout what happened this summer, a lot of you didn't decide 'Hey, let me bash Alston and kick a guy while he's down.' And, I really, really, appreciate that -- despite that your jobs may call for you to do your job. And, I thank you for that."
Ironically, Mike James followed Rafer to the podium to speak with the media. Before, Rafer's final comments, when Mike James entered the press conference room, Rafer jokingly said, "Mike, you're booting me off already! Already?! Practice hasn't started, yet."
Les Alexander told us he believes this year's Rockets have as much talent as the Rockets championship team from 1993 - 1994.
Though he told the media he was only looking to this season and the future, Bonzi Wells had a few verbal shots at Jeff Van Gundy:
"I have a chance to be more myself with Coach Adelman than I had with Coach Van Gundy."
"Just playing period. You know I didn't to play last year; so, just getting on the court is going to be fine for me."
"It was hurtful I wasn't a part of it last year."
"Was it my decision? I shut it down the whole season. I played, what, 20 games last year. It was all coach's decision. When he only lets you plan when one of the stars is hurt, it's rough. Not being able to practice all year and just play sporadically, it wasn't a good look for me. I couldn't get to practice. I couldn't get a rhythm. I never knew the plays. He's got 75 million plays. I never got to know none of them. I just tried to wing it. When Mac (Tracy McGrady) or Yao went down, I just tried to wing it. Whenever he wanted me to come to the gym, I'd just come up there an play the next day. When the guys got healthy, I just shut it down like he told me; so, I just did what he told me."
The comments from the rest of the players and Coach Adelman after Bonzi were pretty tame.
I'll post more later.
Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as the team's Director of Player Development, as well as the addition of Pat Zipfel as an advance scout.
Atkinson will focus on improving player performance through on-court one-on-one skill development and the use of video analysis.
Zipfel worked the past three seasons as an advance scout with Portland, joining the Trail Blazers on Sept. 23, 2004. He also spent three seasons as an advance scout for the L.A. Clippers.
Also, the team announced the signing of Purdue forward Carl Landry (6'9), who was chosen by the Super Sonics in the second round (31st overall) with a pick previously acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies. Houston sent a future second-round selection and cash considerations ($1 M) to Seattle for his draft rights.
Last but not least, the Rockets announced the team has re-signed center Dikembe Mutombo. Mutombo, 7'2, enters his 16th NBA season in 2007 - 2008; and, he told the media this season will be his last.
Media Day was, for the most part, uneventful; and, that's what I expected. Each person (players, GM Daryl Morey, head coach Rick Adelman, and team owner Les Alexander) all made one similar comment -- this year's team will be more competitive -- which should definitely be music to the ears' of the Rockets' fans.
Rafer Alston spoke candidly about his off-court legal problems as well as his curiosity regarding his place and future role (if any) with the Rockets. His last comments to the media were interesting. He said, "Whether I'm here or not, I appreciated working with you guys. Throughout what happened this summer, a lot of you didn't decide 'Hey, let me bash Alston and kick a guy while he's down.' And, I really, really, appreciate that -- despite that your jobs may call for you to do your job. And, I thank you for that."
Ironically, Mike James followed Rafer to the podium to speak with the media. Before, Rafer's final comments, when Mike James entered the press conference room, Rafer jokingly said, "Mike, you're booting me off already! Already?! Practice hasn't started, yet."
Les Alexander told us he believes this year's Rockets have as much talent as the Rockets championship team from 1993 - 1994.
Though he told the media he was only looking to this season and the future, Bonzi Wells had a few verbal shots at Jeff Van Gundy:
"I have a chance to be more myself with Coach Adelman than I had with Coach Van Gundy."
"Just playing period. You know I didn't to play last year; so, just getting on the court is going to be fine for me."
"It was hurtful I wasn't a part of it last year."
"Was it my decision? I shut it down the whole season. I played, what, 20 games last year. It was all coach's decision. When he only lets you plan when one of the stars is hurt, it's rough. Not being able to practice all year and just play sporadically, it wasn't a good look for me. I couldn't get to practice. I couldn't get a rhythm. I never knew the plays. He's got 75 million plays. I never got to know none of them. I just tried to wing it. When Mac (Tracy McGrady) or Yao went down, I just tried to wing it. Whenever he wanted me to come to the gym, I'd just come up there an play the next day. When the guys got healthy, I just shut it down like he told me; so, I just did what he told me."
The comments from the rest of the players and Coach Adelman after Bonzi were pretty tame.
I'll post more later.
posted by Kris G @ 4:17 PM
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