Rockets are Tough

HOUSTON, TX -- The Houston Rockets may be labeled as a soft team by fans; members of the media; opponents; etc. but Tracy McGrady and Ron Artest disagree with that viewpoint.

According to the two of them, the Houston Rockets are tough.

"Did we get the job done?" responded McGrady to a question from the media. "We got the job done. I mean this (basketball) ain't wrestling. We're not scared. He's (Ron Artest) tough. He's a tough guy.

"I'm not a punk or anything like that. I'm not going to get punked out there on the basketball court. I'm not scared. Yea, he's a tough guy. I'm tough, too."

Artest was asked this question, 'Did you think this team (the Rockets) was soft?'

"No," Artest answered matter-of-factly, "I keep hearing that. I just didn't see that. They didn't have the Kevin Garnett emotional-type players; but, they've got some tough players. The Rockets were one of the best defensive teams in the league last year; so, I guess it doesn't matter how tough you are. I guess it matters are smart are. I think I can bring both smarts and toughness to the team.

"Winning 22 (games) in a row is just not soft to me."

Rockets' Francis Not Ready

HOUSTON, TX -- After today's first practice (basically a "walk through"), Houston Rockets guard Steve Francis told the media he's about "three to four weeks" away from being cleared for physical contact. In February, Francis had surgery performed to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee.

However, Francis did participate in today's session.

"It feels good to be back here," said Francis. "This is my first practice since February."

Though he's making good progress, Steve mentioned he doesn't want to rush a return back to the court and risk further setbacks.

"I don't want to take any chances until I'm cleared by my doctor. Of course, mentally, it feels good to be out here."

Despite those words, Francis is not worried at all about his return.

"No, not at all. The last time I tried it (a quick return) that's why I'm in the situation I'm in now. I tried to play injured and I made it worse. Hopefully, with some rehab over the next couple of weeks, I'll be ready to go."

Francis still has the desire to compete and play basketball.

"If I didn't (have that desire), I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't."

Francis has a content outlook on playing basketball again.

"Whatever it is. My main concern is to be healthy; so, I just go out there and play. If that's not the case, then there's no time to play. It's reality. Anybody that's been injured will tell you if you try to come back too soon, that's when other things start to snow ball. Other things start to happen."

Quick Hits from Rockets Media Day

HOUSTON, TX -- Get Red!

That's the slogan / catch phrase for the 2008 - 2009 Houston Rockets. I'm not thrilled with it; but, that doesn't matter because I'm looking forward to covering the team this season.

Today, the Rockets conducted their annual Media Day; and, I'm not the only member of the media expecting big things from the Rockets this season.

But, I digress.

The tone of Media Day was consistent throughout the day -- with good health this could be a very special season for the Rockets.

With Ron Artest and Brent Barry joining the Rockets, the team will be very, very flexible.

Tracy McGrady touched on that. "It's good to be on a basketball court and look to the bench and see that I have Ron Artest and that I have Brent Barry."

"I sometimes sit at home and think of all the different line ups that we can put on the basketball court. Late in games, Brent Barry could play point guard; you have me at two (shooting) guard; you have Shane Battier at 3 (small forward); you have a beast like Ron Artest playing the 4 (power forward); and, then you can mix up. You can have Yao (Ming) out there. You can have Luis (Scola) out there. I mean there are so many line ups. We can go fast. We go athleticism. We can adapt to any team; any system. It's really flexible."

"This is the first time I've gone into any season knowing that something really special is going to happen this season if really put it together and know our roles."

Unfortunately, some optimism declined a bit when McGrady mentioned his health is not 100%.

"My knee (left knee) is probably 75 - 80 percent right now. It took longer than expected (to recover). I was expected to recover in four months; but it's longer than that. The doctor told me it could take up to six months or even more. My (left) shoulder -- after surgery, it kept bothering me so I had another MRI -- and I discovered I have arthritis in there; so, I have to surgery again on my shoulder. So, that's something I have to deal with this season. My knee should be 100 percent by opening night."

McGrady said he'll have surgery on the shoulder next summer; but, he didn't believe the arthritis in the shoulder will keep him out of games this season.

"It's not anything that's going to keep me out of games; but, it's going to bother me."

Beyond that surprising news from McGrady, Media Day was the typical event. Everyone in the Rockets' organization is looking forward to this season.

Yao Ming summed up the mood this way.

"We don't need to worry about next year. This year, we have a good team; and, we have to win this year. It's very simple."

Injury Prone Already?

The Houston Rockets' Annual Media Day will take place Monday, September 29, and, I'm very thankful I'll be able to attend. A few days ago, I was afraid I'd miss Media Day because of work; but, events changed for the better for me; and, I'll be there with the rest of the media asking questions and getting sound bytes.

Today, the Rockets announced forward Shane Battier could miss the majority of the preseason with inflammation in his left foot. The inflammation occurred during his rehab from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs. The surgery was performed on May 9.

In addition, Rockets' guard had tests to rule out a potential heart condition. Rafer said the results showed he's fine.

Therefore, these two guys are part of a list of Rockets' players who've had some sort of medical procedure performed the last few months. Battier (ankle), Alston (ankle / heart), Yao Ming (foot), Tracy McGrady (shoulder and knee), and Steve Francis (shoulder).

Rockets' GM Daryl Morey joked the Rockets could be described as "injury prone". Hopefully, the team's injury prone status ends soon.

The 2008 - 2009 NBA season is almost here.  

Owls Announce Sked

HOUSTON, TX -- Though I now spend more time covering the Houston Rockets and women's college hoops than I do covering men's college hoops, I want to mention some news about the Rice Owls.

Tuesday, the Owls announced the dates for the Conference USA portion of their schedule as well as their entire 2008-2009 schedule.

Rice plays home-and-home series with East Carolina, Houston, SMU, Tulane and UCF.

In addition to home-and-home series, the Owls played three league opponents at home and three on the road last year and the sites for those games will be flipped for the 2009 season. The Owls will also play host to Southern Miss, Tulsa and UTEP while traveling to Marshall, Memphis and UAB in 2009.

Rice will open C-USA play at Tulane on January 10, before playing back-to-back home games against SMU and UCF (January 14 and January 17).

The league schedule takes the Owls to defending Conference USA champion Memphis on January 24. Rice plays at crosstown rival Houston on February 7, and plays host to the Cougars on February 28.

Rice closes out regular-season league play March 7 against Tulsa. The Conference USA Tournament is slated for March 11-14 in Memphis, Tenn.