Tag: Houston Rockets

Mike D’Antoni and Rockets back in extension talks

Brandon King

The Houston Rockets may be looking to make major changes to their roster before next season but it seems that head coach Mike D’Antoni. The two sides may be close to agreeing on an extension. According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Saturday Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta removed the buyout language that ultimately proved to be a deal breaker in the last round contract discussions. Without a deal in place D’Antoni is entering the upcoming season on lame duck status as he is in the final year of a four-year deal.…

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D’Antoni ends extension talks with Rockets

Brandon King

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni has cut off contract extension talks with the club and will coach out the final season of his deal. D’Antoni signed a four-year deal back in 2016; the upcoming 2019-20 season is a team option. Charlotte Carroll of Sports Illustrated reported recently that D’Antoni relayed to management that he wanted to coach three more years and that he felt “energized.” In his three seasons in Houston, D’Antoni has compiled a regular season record of 173-73.

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Rockets putting out feelers on Capela and others trade market

Brandon King

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey is “showing an aggressive desire to improve roster” and that “all players and picks available.” While James Harden is likely all but untouchable, but the same may not hold true for Chris Paul as “even Chris Paul could be moved in the right deal.” Marc Stein of the New York Times reports that center Clint Capela “is among the players Houston has gauged the market for in recent days.” As Houston lacks cap flexibility, moving some of their more prominent…

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Austin Rivers says he will play in Game 2

Brandon King

Austin Rivers was out for game 1 against the Golden State Warriors with an illness, he is expected to play in game 2 Tuesday, according to Fox 26’s Mark Berman. Without Rivers in the lineup, Iman Shumpert played 21 minutes, scoring just three points and missing three of the four shots he put up. The Rockets could definitely use his shooting, as the only went 14-47 from three in game one. He is a capable defender, something that will be needed against the the myriad of perimeter weapons Golden State…

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Clint Capela returns to practice, expected to play against Lakers

Brandon King

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Houston Rockets center Clint Capela has returned and, barring any setbacks, will play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Capela has not played since January 13 , versus the Orlando Magic, after suffering an injury to his right thumb that required surgery to repair ligament damage. The team 9-6 during his absence. His return comes at a great time for Houston, as the 17.6 points per game can help ease some of the considerable offensive load James Harden has been carrying over the last…

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Pacers acquire Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin from Rockets

Brandon King

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Houston Rockets have sent guards Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a second round pick. For the duo of Stauskas and Baldwin ,this will mark the third time in a week. They began the week as Portland Trailblazers, then they were moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers, earlier today the two were Houston Rockets and , at least for the time-being, they are members of the Indiana Pacers. For Houston, it appears this was a move to get under…

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Houston Rockets trade James Ennius III to Philadelphia 76ers for 2021 pick

Brandon King

According to The Athletic , the Houston Rockets have traded backup small forward James Ennis III to the Philadelphia 76ers for a 2021 second round draft pick. As Rockets GM Daryl Morley is known to be a wheeler and dealer when it comes to changing and improving Houston’s roster, this could be a step in a larger plan for the ball club.

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Rockets’ center Clint Capela out 4-6 weeks with a thumb injury

Brandon King

The injury bug just kicked the Rockets in the keister once again. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Houston Rockets center Clint Capela will miss be out four to six weeks. Capela suffered the injury in the third quarter of the team’s game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday. He did not miss any game time , however an MRI reveled there was ligament damage. The Rockets’ center had this to say about the injury postgame: As I was going up for the lob, I got hit in the hand. We’re…

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The coverage of the James Harden scoring “tear” celebrates “Heroball”

Brandon King

It seems that the fervor over the run of these games of such prolific scoring caused the focus to be laid on the numbers solely and not to take into account the circumstances under which they occurred. Call me crazy but efficiency matters. Over the course of these twelve games, Harden has only shot 50% or better 3 times and only better than 45% once. The rest of the games saw Harden connect with 43% or less of his shot attempts, including two clunkers of 7-23 and 12-34 respectively. I realize…

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