Rockets Trade Ewing Jr

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets traded rookie forward Patrick Ewing, Jr. to the New York Knicks in exchange of the draft rights to center Frederic Weis.

From the Rockets viewpoint, this deal was made to trim the roster and avoid paying Ewing, Jr. some guaranteed money he would have earned next week.

Weis was drafted by the Knicks in the first round in the 1999 NBA Draft. He has never played in the NBA; and, he's not expected to play a single minute with the Rockets.

Weis' lone clame to fame (re: infamy) occurred -- in the 2000 Olympics -- when he became the poster boy for being posterized when Vince Carter literally leaped over him and dunked the basketball.

From the Knicks' side, Ewing, Jr. is the 16th player currently on the roster; however, given his long wingspan and his potential-to-be a solid defensive player, Ewing, Jr. has a chance to make the Knicks' final 15 opening-day roster.

Rockets Announce TV Sked

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets will be featured 70 times on FSN Houston this season with another 14 contests televised locally on my20, which was announced today as part of the team’s 2008-09 local television schedule. Every Rockets home game and select road contests will be presented in high-definition where available. All seven of Houston’s preseason games are included in the local package.

The Rockets tip off the 2008-09 regular season on FSN Houston on Oct. 29 with a 7:30 p.m. start against the Memphis Grizzlies. FSN Houston will also air the first regular season Saturday game on Nov. 1 with my20 carrying the remaining 14 of the 15 Rockets games on Saturdays this season.

The Rockets will also be featured on national television a total of 23 times. TNT will broadcast four Houston games during the season, while ABC will air one contest. In addition, nine Rockets games will be broadcast on ESPN and another nine will air on NBA TV (NBA TV dates to be announced).

Bill Worrell, Clyde Drexler (home games and all playoff games) and Matt Bullard (road games) will continue calling the action this season.

Rockets Get D.J.

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets announced a trade today. General Manager Daryl Morey announced the Rockets acquired guard D.J. Strawberry from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for guard Sean Singletary.

Singletary wasn't expected to make the Rockets' roster; and, honestly, I doubt D.J. will either. However, acquiring Strawberry (6'5) gives the Rockets another big guard.

According to the Houston Chronicle, "Singletary, who was chosen with the 42nd pick of the Draft in June, had been acquired in the deal for Artest, but was not part of the Rockets' plans. His contract would have become partially guaranteed at the end of the month."

Strawberry's contract is non-guaranteed unless he makes the Rockets' opening night roster.

Strawberry is a better defensive player than he is an offensive player. He's not a point guard; but, he did run the Suns' offense this summer in NBA Summer League action. The Chronicle article states Strawberry "showed promise" at the one; however, this article in the Arizona Central states something quite the contrary.

Strawberry "did not show promise at NBA Summer League, where he averaged more turnovers than assists."

Strawberry is the son of former major league baseball player Darryl Strawberry.

Rockets to Welcome Artest

HOUSTON, TX -- Check this out. I guess it's safe to say the Rockets' organization is excited to have Ron Artest on the team.

On Monday, August 25, the Rockets will hold a public Welcome Rally at 12:00 p.m. (doors open at 11:15 a.m.) located at Toyota Center's Polk and LaBranch Streets Main Entrance.

I won't be attending because I'll be working...I've got to generate more and more sponsors.

It's Official: Artest is a Rocket

HOUSTON, TX -- During a teleconference this evening, the Houston Rockets welcomed the newest player of the team to the media.

Ron Artest.

The deal was announced (leaked to the media) last month; but, due to applicable NBA rules, the trade couldn't be formally announced until today.

The Rockets acquired forward / guard Ron Artest, forward Patrick Ewing, Jr and guard Sean Singletary from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard Bobby Jackson, rookie forward Donté Greene and Houston’s 2009 first-round draft pick.

Over the last month, Artest has made comments (bizarre as well as straightforward) ranging from him looking forward to being a teammate of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming to wondering why Yao Ming had to bring up his past troubles (re: the "Brawl at Auburn Hills in 2004 between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons).

Artest's basketball skills are vast and so are his moods; however, as Rockets' team owner Les Alexander said this evening: "From hearing Ron's recent statements, it's obvious that he has an immense desire to win."

Training camp begins in October.  

Novak dealt; Sked Announced

HOUSTON, TX -- In addition to announcing their 2008 - 2009 NBA schedule today, the Houston Rockets announced  the team has sent forward Steve Novak to the L.A. Clippers for future draft considerations.

Novak (6-10, 220, Marquette) averaged 2.7 points over 70 games in two seasons with the Rockets.

Novak is a very good outside shooter; but, he's never been known as a good defender which is the main reason he saw very, very limited time with the Rockets.

Houston selected the Marquette forward with the 32nd overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, which was a choice previously acquired from the New York Knicks.

The Rockets tip off the 2008-09 regular season on Oct. 29 with a 7:30 p.m. start at Toyota Center against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team then travels to Dallas to take on the Mavericks in a nationally televised TNT game on Oct. 30 during “NBA Opening Week…It’s Game Time!”

This season’s home line up again features two games with each of Houston’s in-state rivals, as Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and the Mavericks visit Toyota Center on Nov. 19 and Feb. 20. Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs make their way through Houston on Nov. 29 and Mar. 14.

Overall, the Rockets will have 23 games after the midway point of the campaign, including a six-game home stand from Feb. 11-26. Houston will help usher in the New Year for a seventh straight year with a 6:00 p.m. start on Dec. 31 vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. The Rockets currently hold a 4-2 mark in games they have hosted on New Year’s Eve.

The Rockets’ longest period away from home will be a pair of five-game road trips Nov. 6-14 and Jan. 2-9.

In addition, the Rockets play 20 sets of back-to-back games in 2008-09.