Houston Rockets Thread - Preseason vs Spurs (Friday)

[Peep Game]

Terrence Jones' rib injury leaves the Rockets thin at power forward

The Houston Rockets already thin at power forward with Donatas Motiejunas still working his way back from off-season back surgery are now dealing with Terrence Jones missing the past few days at practice with a rib injury.

"We don't cancel practice," Kevin McHale said Friday when asked how he manages power forward with injuries at that position. "(Sam) Dekker gets some more reps, Trevor (Ariza) getting some reps, the other guys, Montrezl (Harrell) is getting his reps upped."

There is no update on when Jones will return to the floor, but by all accounts this is a day-to-day injury and not something that should linger for a very long time.

Coach McHale also shared an update on Motiejunas and it doesn't seem like his return is imminent, with D-Mo still yet to run.

"That's the big test, you've got to start running, then you got to start running with other people, then you got to start banging," McHale said. "You know all that stuff, but the start of it is running, once you start running you're getting closer."

The experience that Dekker and Harrell are now getting with more reps in camp should speed up their growth in the Rockets system. That's the positive, but it'd be far better to see everyone healthy considering the preseason hasn't even begun. These reps early are key for chemistry.

 

[Peep Game]

 

[jewbacca2]

Peep, watch the damn Astros game

 

[Peep Game]

^I am Keuchel's out there lighting them up . I have the Rockets game on the radio

 

[Peep Game]

Sipp struggled a bit, but when that strike came....

 

[earldagoat]

 

[sole searchin]

Where's our Houston Rockets 2015-2016 Tentative NBA champions thread?

 

[Peep Game]

I'm gonna make that thread once the pre-season ends and we have the exact roster set.

 

[Peep Game]

View media item 1739878

 

[jewbacca2]

When do the playoffs start?

 

[Peep Game]

Come Wild Card Weekend vs the Bills






pls

 

[markangelo]

 

[Peep Game]

View media item 1744148
EDINBURG — When the Houston Rockets play Orlando at 7 tonight at State Farm Arena, there will be players simply trying to work up a sweat and others going all-out trying to earn a job.
James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Ty Lawson, Corey Brewer and Terrence Jones, among others, are set in their roles on the team. But with only 15 of the 19 players in camp assured a roster spot for the regular season, there are plenty more players just trying to find a spot on a team, whether the Rockets or their NBA D-League affiliate Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said Saturday guard Will Cummings, forwards Chris Walker and Jeremy Tyler, and center Joshua Smith are likely to spend a lot of time in the Valley this year for some seasoning.

“Those are probably guys that will be down here in the Valley for awhile, but they’re solid players,” McHale said. “They all bring something to the game. They’re all at that level below of where they have to be to help an NBA team right now, but that’s what we’ve used the D-League for.”
Tyler, a 6-foot-10 center, is the veteran of the bunch with three years of experience. But Cummings, Walker and Smith are all rookies. Rookie guard Denzel Livingston could also be a candidate to spend time with the Vipers.

“These young guys are coming in with an open mind. It’s all still new to them,” Vipers coach Matt Brase said. “It’s their opportunity and they know it. It can be tough as a rookie for all these guys when you’re not getting as many reps as you’re used to, so you just want to keep them positive. We just want their games at the college level to translate to the NBA.”
In the past, the Rockets have sent young players like Jones to the Vipers for a bigger workload. Jones has emerged as a reliable frontcourt contributor, but early in his career he used his 24 games for the Vipers to find his footing after just two seasons at Kentucky. The Rockets have the Vipers use those players for big minutes during games, with a heavier role in the team’s offensive and defensive responsibilities.

Center Clint Capela and forward/center Donatas Motiejunas have also benefited from Houston’s relationship with the Vipers.

“I’d tell them to take full advantage and come down here with the mindset of getting better,” Jones said. “Prove yourself every day. You have to be aggressive and make a lot of good plays and just help the Vipers get wins.”
The Rockets’ two draft picks this summer, first-rounder Sam Dekker and second-rounder Montrezl Harrell, could also see a lot of time in the D-League. McHale said both are still trying to figure out the system.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Dekker said. “I’m not in the front office. All I worry about is what I can control, and that’s me being on the court. If I play well and prove I belong up here and I can help, they’ll keep me up here. But if I need some fine-tuning or have to get better at a few things, so be it. Many players from our team spent time down here, so no one’s above getting some run in and getting some competitive play in the D-League.

“I’m just trying to get better every day and if they send me down, so be it, but right now I’m on the Rockets.”

Cummings, who has impressed in camp with his ability to penetrate and make plays, is a defensive-minded point guard who knows where he stands. No matter how well he plays while with the Rockets this preseason, playing at a position behind Lawson, Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry means he probably won’t make the Rockets’ roster but is too good to just let loose.
That likely means some time with the Vipers under the Rockets’ watch.

“Whatever they do with me, it’s whatever happens,” Cummings said. “I just like to play basketball. I’m still going to shoot the ball, pass the ball, dribble the ball. As long as they put a basketball in my hands, I’m fine. I just look forward to working hard and competing every day.”

 

[jewbacca2]

Hope the team took extra security so our players don't get abducted by the drug cartel.

 

[Peep Game]

Let's hope this is just something minor

 

[jewbacca2]

Harden will be fine. Just needs to get his mobility back from the off-season long chipotle binge 

 

[Peep Game]

*Chipotle/Khloe binge

View media item 1744458

 

[markangelo]

Capela needs more minutes

Howard should be rested for playoffs. There's no reason Mchale should play our starters more than 34 minutes when we are 10 deep 

 

[Peep Game]

Agreed :x :x guys are really showing stuff out there right now, and it's agonizing knowing that a handful of these guys may be destined to rot on the bench unless things get very desperate.

 

[markangelo]

Agreed

guys are really showing stuff out there right now, and it's agonizing knowing that a handful of these guys may be destined to rot on the bench unless things get very desperate.

Mchale gotta realize this.. He's almost as bad as Thibs when it comes to tiring players out… We gotta use our depth to our advantage.. Capela/Bev/Thornton/Jones(Dmo)/Brewer, even Dekker/Motrezl/KJ can get some burn.. I recall having lots of games where we played Harden/Ariza 40+ minutes.. Although some games were close and we needed them, I think Mchale needs to balance out the minutes 

 

[statis22]

Soooo it took you guy 3 preseason games to start complaining about McHale?

Must mean it's gonna be a great season.

 

[polosanddunks]

We are loeaded this season. No excuses for McHale and minute distribution.Let dudes get comfortable so when its playoff time they can step up as well

 

[bravo]

We should let Dekker ball out the next game.  You could see how uncomfortable he is once hes in there and it takes a few of the ugliest shots to knock the pressure off and then he balls.. coaches need to stay on top of him (no sandusky) to make sure he stays focused. 

Cappella needs to plays the entire game just to test out how much he got. Im tired of Bill comparing him to the Dream.. he has nowhere near the same core strength and no where near as soft with the ball so they should just put that to rest unless they're looking for a disappointment.

Ty Lawson is a baller love how he can shake dudes off with the size up 3 shake then drive.. beautiful.

and that big boy #42 is gonna be a fan favorite if he can beast like he did on a few plays. 

 

[pums]

Budinger Parsons Dekker

That tradition

 

[pums]

Forgot to add we definitely need Ryan Bowen to mentor dekker