Battier Bails Out Rockets

I turned the television off. Yep, I did it. I assumed the Rockets had their season opener in hand with a 10 point lead over the Los Angeles Lakers with about two minutes left in the ball game.

WRONG!

I wake up to read Rockets forward Shane Battier hit a tie-breaking go ahead three-pointer with 2.3 seconds which helped the Rockets defeat the Lakers 95 to 93.

What the heck?!

Looking at the final box score, Kobe Bryant scored a game-high 45 points; but, he missed nine of the Lakers' 18 missed free throws (27 for 45); so, clearly, despite the road win, the Rockets have some things to improve upon in this young season.

Griz Win in 2 OTs

Since it's still preseason, I won't go into too much detail about tonight's 109 - 107 Memphis Grizzlies win over the Rockets in double overtime. (Preseason games should end in a tie. One overtime is one too many; so, two or more is way too much to handle.)

The first half was lifeless and listless. Neither team shot the ball well. Houston led 42 to 33 at halftime. The Rockets committed 12 turnovers in the first half.

The fourth quarter was exciting; but, as I mentioned earlier, an overtime preseason game is too much too soon.

Grizzlies' guard Kyle Lowry finished the game with 21 points (7 for 15); 11 rebounds; and 12 assists. More importantly, Lowry ended the madness by tipping in his own missed shot as the game clock expired or the game would have gone into triple overtime!

Steve Francis played 31 minutes and scored 13 points; grabbed five rebounds; and dished out five assists. However, Steve's defense took a beating as Lowry blew past him at will throughout the second half.

A few other notes:
Houston Rockets --
Luis Scola struggled with his perimeter shot.
Yao Ming didn't play well at all: 10 points (4 for 11); seven boards; 2 for 4 from the foul line.
Mike James scored 19 points -- 17 shot attempts and 0 assists!
Carl Landry scored 12 points (4 for 6 -- two jumpers and two lay-ups). 7 boards, too. He played well on offense; but, his defense was lax.
Luther Head scored 14 points and handed out seven assists. (Heck, Luther was driving to the bucket instead of settling for threes!)

Memphis Grizzlies --
Rudy Gay scored 18 points (7 for 14) -- including a few outside jumpers.
Stromile Swift scored 16 points (5 for 6) -- most of the baskets were dunks or lay-ups.
Casey Jacobsen scored 17 points off the bench including a game tying 3 to force the first overtime.

To cap it off, these same two teams play again tomorrow night in Memphis at 7pm. (That game should be filled with unknown players trying to save their jobs.)

Rockets Cut Harris

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived F Mike Harris.

Harris, who signed with the Rockets as a rookie free agent on 7/13/07, averaged 5.0 points and 6.0 rebounds while playing in the team’s first two preseason games.

I assume this move means the Rockets will keep big man Jackie Butler. No shock if that's the way the team decides to go.

Mike Harris Works

Mike Harris ended his career at Rice University as the leading scorer (2,014 points) and the leading rebounder (1,111 boards) in the history of the school. Now, Harris is working his way to make the Houston Rockets 2007 - 2008 roster.

Through the Rockets first two preseason games, Harris believes he's done pretty well.

"In the beginning, when I first got out there (on the court), I was thinking a little bit too much; but, overall, I think I did pretty good. Not trying to force anything. Not trying to do anything fancy. Coach (Rick Adelman) always reiterates that when he's in the locker room -- 'Don't try to be fancy. You can make the simple and it's still going to work in this offense.' I've been focusing on that and just playing hard. Doing what I do and bring energy to the team."

Harris, 6'5, is making the transition from being the post player at Rice to playing away from the basket as a Rocket. His position on the Rockets' team is difficult, even for him, to define.

"I don't really know. I am playing a little bit of three (small forward). I'm playing some four (power forward). I think that helps me -- the ability that I can guard and defend bigger guys -- I think that helps me out a lot. Then, the fact that maybe I have the advantage on them on offense (with quickness); and, the smaller guys -- I can post them up. In this offense, Coach likes to take advantage of the mismatches; so, I think that will help me as far as rebounding, etc.

Really, I don't know. I haven't tried to put myself in a certain position. Where ever they put me to play, I'm going to play."

Harris tries not to think about his chances of making the Rockets.

"I try not to think about it. When you think about it, you start thinking about stuff that you might need to do - 'I need to do this against this person. I need to that against that person.' I can't control that. Right now, I just focus on going out and playing hard everyday. Doing what they ask me to do. Coming in early. Staying after. Doing the things I already do. I figure everything will take care of itself. I just take the advice and feedback they give me; and, try to come back the next day and work on it."

Depending on which direction the Rockets coaching staff decides to mold the team, Harris may not make the final cut; but, if Harris is let go by the team, it will not be due to lack of hard work.

My Rockets Cuts

Though Rockets GM Daryl Morey and head coach Rick Adelman have stated they won't reduce the team's roster to the maximum 15 players until October 26, I'm making my cuts tonight.

As Rockets' fans know, 20 players are listed on the training camp roster which means five players must be either traded or waived.

In my opinion, say goodbye to guards Bob Sura, Kirk Snyder, and John Lucas III. Next to be let go should be forward Justin Reed. Lastly, big man Jackie Butler should be shown the proverbial door.

Sura and JL3 being let go won't surprise anyone. Sura can't play anymore and JL3's time as a Rocket has been doomed since the Rockets drafted Aaron Brooks at the 2007 NBA Draft. Snyder isn't as good as a motivated to play, focused, and in shape Bonzi Wells; so, as long as Bonzi's happy, Kirk's a goner. Justin Reed is a solid player; but, he doesn't meet a need for this year's Rockets' squad. While I will be surprised if the Rockets do indeed let Jackie Butler go, I believe the team should move him.

With Butler out of the picture, Rockets would only have three players 6'10" or taller; and, one of those three is Steve Novak. Novak is not a banger. He's a shooter. Therefore, 7'6" Yao Ming and 7'2" Dikembe Mutombo would be the only "big men" on the club. The lack of height could be a problem if Yao Ming suffers an injury this season; however, new forward Luis Scola (6'9" will see minutes at the 4 (power forward) and the 5 (center) spot this season and in the future. Scola's ability to play the 5 when the Rockets "go small" means Jackie Butler doesn't need to make this year's roster.

The Rockets play six more preseason games before the regular season begins in LA versus the Kobes on October 30.

Rockets Announce 07-08 Sked

The Houston Rockets announced their 2007 - 2008 television schedule this afternoon. A noticeable change is 13 of the games will air on the my20 station. Take a look...

The Houston Rockets open the preseason tonight on FSN Houston with a 7 p.m. contest against the New Orleans Hornets in Oklahoma City, which was announced today as part of the team's 2007-08 local television schedule. Overall, FSN Houston will broadcast 69 games with another 13 contests televised locally on my20. All seven of Houston's preseason games are included in the local package. The first regular season contest to air on FSN Houston will be on Nov. 1 with an 8 p.m. tip off against the Jazz in Utah.

Bill Worrell returns for his 23rd season of calling play-by-play for the Rockets. Joining Worrell again for their third season each will be Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and Rockets legend Clyde Drexler as analyst during home games and all playoff contests, while former Rockets forward Matt Bullard returns to handle the analyst duties for the team's away games.

The Rockets will also be featured on national television a total of 23 times. TNT will broadcast six Houston games during the season, while ABC will air one contest.

In addition, seven Rockets games will be broadcast on ESPN and another nine will air on NBA TV.

Rockets Open Practice

The Houston Rockets will host a FREE open practice to give fans their first look at this season’s roster in an inter-squad scrimmage.

The open practice is free to the public, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a voucher to either a post-practice autograph session or to shoot a free throw on the Rockets' home court!

Fans will have a chance to view the team's brand new floor.

The new 2007-08 Rockets Power Dancers and Clutch, the Rockets Bear, will also be on hand for special appearances.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

COST: FREE PARKING will be available in the Toyota Tundra Garage.

WHEN: Monday, October 8, 2007
12:30 p.m. – Toyota Center Doors Open
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Scrimmage
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Autograph Session and Free Throws
3:00 p.m. – Open Practice Ends

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.