Houston Rockets Blog – Page 21 – NBA Blog

Rockets backcourt expectations

James Harden did it all last season for the Rockets. He was truly two players in one: a great point guard and an amazing shooting guard. If he wasn’t scoring, he was probably setting a teammate up for a good shot in proper position.

Now, Chris Paul enters the mix. That’s a good thing, right?

Well, sure. Probably. He’s CP3. Still plays like himself. Getting up there in age, but not washed up yet.

And common sense says if you add a talent like Paul to any team, they should improve.

Things should work out. But there may be some minor, temporary growing pains. Because as good as Paul is, can he do a better job of creating than Harden did?

There’s no actual real problem here. It’s more of a fascination, in seeing how the chemistry develops. The team, even if they take a temporary half-step back before advancing forward, should certainly be as good as they were last season.

Should be a fun show.

Rockets sign Demetrius Jackson to two-way contract

The Rockets have signed free agent guard Demetrius Jackson to a two-way contract.

Jackson (6-1, 201) was the 45th overall pick by Boston in the 2016 NBA Draft following his junior season at Notre Dame. He appeared in five games for the Celtics last season, spending the majority of 2016-17 assigned to their D-League affiliate, the Maine Red Claws. In 32 D-League games, Jackson averaged 14.8 points, 6.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals.

In his NBA debut, Jackson had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 11 minutes of play vs. Denver on Nov. 6, 2016. He averaged 9.3 points, 4.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.00 steals while shooting 46.4% from the floor and 50.0% from 3-point range for Boston in the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017.

About Two-Way Contracts

NBA rosters have expanded from 15 to 17 players with the additional spots available for players under two-way contracts. Teams may have up to two players under two-way contracts who will spend the bulk of the season in the NBA G League (formerly NBA Development League) and not more than 45 days with their NBA team. Only players with four or fewer years of NBA service are able to sign two-way contracts, which can be for either one or two seasons.

Rockets re-sign Troy Williams

The Rockets have re-signed forward Troy Williams.

The team originally signed Williams to a 10-day contract on March 10, before securing him for the remainder of 2016-17.

In six games with three starts as a Rocket, Williams averaged 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 50.0% from the floor and 38.1% from 3-point range. He had a career-high 21 points while shooting 6-of-9 from behind-the-arc in his Rockets debut at Phoenix on April 2.

Williams was eligible for the 2016 NBA Draft following his junior season at Indiana University and signed as a free agent with Memphis. He appeared in 24 games with 13 starts for the Grizzlies prior to joining Houston.

The 22-year-old also spent time in the NBA Development League this past season and won the D-League Slam Dunk Contest held during NBA All-Star Weekend. At the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas, Williams ranked fifth in scoring among all players with 22.0 ppg.

Rockets sign Luc Mbah a Moute

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute (BAH-ah-MOO-tay).

Mbah a Moute (6-8, 230) was originally the 37th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2008 NBA Draft. In nine seasons, he has appeared in 621 games with 438 starts, including a career-high 76 for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2016-17.

This past season, Mbah a Moute shot 50.5% from the floor, including a career-best 39.1% from 3-point range. He would have ranked tied for fourth in the NBA in steal-to-turnover ratio (1.76) had he qualified, and has more steals (236) than turnovers (219) over the past four seasons.

Mbah a Moute has received votes for NBA All-Defensive team in each of the past two seasons. In 2016-17, he was fourth in defensive rating (102.0) among forwards who played at least 70 games while averaging 20+ minutes played.

Houston Rockets team is for sale

Announcement from the Rockets

Today, Houston Rockets Chief Executive Officer Tad Brown announced owner Leslie Alexander’s intentions to sell the franchise. Alexander has placed Brown in charge of coordinating the sales process in conjunction with the NBA league office.

“It’s been my great joy and honor to own the Houston Rockets for the past 24 years,” said Alexander. “I’ve had the incredible opportunity to witness true greatness through the players and coaches who have won championships for the city, been named to All-Star and All-NBA teams, enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and done so much for our franchise and our fans. And the Houston community has been home to me; I will continue to support the charities I have made commitments to throughout the years. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the fans, partners, city officials and employees who care so deeply for this team. I’ve made this decision after much deliberation with my family and friends, and do so knowing the franchise is in great shape with the players, coaches and management team in place. CEO Tad Brown will oversee the sales process with the league office, supported by my management team.”

Alexander assumed ownership of the Rockets on July 30, 1993 and the team went onto win back-to-back championships in 1993-94 and 1994-95. Over his 24 seasons as owner, the Rockets posted the fifth-highest winning percentage (.569) in the NBA. The Rockets also registered the second-most winning seasons of any team in the league over that span.

In 1995, Alexander established the Clutch City Foundation with the goal of providing help, hope and inspiration to those who might otherwise be forgotten. The Clutch City Foundation funds and operates comprehensive programs benefiting thousands of children each year, as well as serving as the umbrella organization for all Rockets community initiatives.

Throughout his years as owner, Alexander and the Clutch City Foundation contributed more than $35 million to hundreds of charities throughout Houston. Most recently in March of 2017, Alexander pledged $4 million to a group of 20 local charitable organizations. In April of 2016, he donated $500,000 to Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund after the city was ravaged by severe rain resulting in flooding.

Rockets sign Tarik Black

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward/center Tarik Black.

Black (6-9, 250) was eligible for the 2014 NBA Draft following his senior season at Kansas. He signed as a rookie free agent with Houston prior to the start of the 2014-15 season and appeared in 25 games with 12 starts as a Rocket before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the past two and a half seasons.

For his career, Black has appeared in 169 games with 55 starts, while shooting 54.2% from the floor. This past season, he saw action in 67 games with 16 starts for the Lakers, while averaging 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game. He was one of three players to have averaged at least 5.0 ppg and 5.0 rpg in fewer than 17.0 mpg. Black also shot 75.2% from the line in 2016-17, up from 51.5% his first two seasons.

Over the past three seasons, Black is the only player to have averaged at least 2.0 offensive rebounds in fewer than 17.0 minutes per game with at least 50 games played. Of players with at least 60 games played in 2016-17, he ranked tied for fourth in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes played.

Rockets sign rookie Cameron Oliver

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed rookie free agent Cameron Oliver.

Oliver (6-8, 239) was an early entry candidate for the 2017 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at Nevada, during which he averaged 16.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. In addition to being named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, Oliver was voted All-Conference First Team by media and was a Second Team selection by coaches. He was awarded Mountain West Freshman of the Years honors by media in 2015-16.

In only two seasons with the Wolf Pack, Oliver recorded the third-most blocks in school history. At 6’8”, he ranked 13th in the nation in blocks per game as both a freshman and a sophomore.

This past season, Oliver hit 66 3-pointers on 38.4% shooting, up from 20 3FGM on 32.8% shooting as a freshman. He also more than doubled his assist total from his freshman season in nearly the identical number of minutes played.

Oliver is currently playing for the Rockets in the MGM Resorts NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Rockets sign James Harden to contract extension

Houston Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander announced today that the team has signed guard James Harden to a four-year contract extension which will run through the 2022-23 season.

According to the Houston Chronicle, “As expected for weeks, the Rockets signed Harden, 27, the full designated player veteran extension, an agreement that tacks four seasons on to the two remaining from his extension last summer in a contract worth roughly $228 million over six seasons.”

“It’s my pleasure to announce we’ve reached agreement with James Harden on a long term contract extension. Since he arrived in Houston, James has exhibited the incredible work ethic, desire to win, and passion to be the best that has made him one of the most unique and talented superstars in the history of the game,” said Alexander. “Additionally, the commitment he has shown to our organization, the City of Houston, and Rockets fans all over the world makes him a perfect leader in our pursuit of another championship. I’m very happy for James, his mother Monja, and their family on this exciting day.”

“Houston is home for me,” said Harden. “Mr. Alexander has shown he is fully committed to winning and my teammates and I are going to keep putting in the work to get better and compete for the title.”

More from the Chronicle: “Depending on future salary-cap figures, Harden, a 6-5 guard, could be paid close to $47 million in the final season of his contract, 2022-23. The $42.5 million per season he will earn when the extension kicks in will surpass the five-year, $201 million extension Golden State’s Stephen Curry signed last week.”

The Rockets have made the playoffs in all five of Harden’s seasons with the team, while posting a winning percentage of .612. He has been named First Team All NBA in three of the past four seasons and finished second in voting for the Most Valuable Player award in both 2014-15 and 2016-17.

This past season, Harden set career-highs in scoring (29.1 ppg, 2nd in NBA), rebounding (8.1 rpg), and assists (11.2 apg, 1st in NBA) while helping Houston to the league’s third-best record at 55-27. He joined Oscar Robertson (3 times) as the only players to have averaged at least 29.0 points, 11.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds in a single season.

Harden totaled 2,356 points, 907 assists, and 659 rebounds in 2016-17. He became the first player in NBA history to record at least 2,000 points, 900 assists, and 600 rebounds in a single season.

In addition to his 29.1 points per game, Harden also accounted for 27.1 points per game by way of assists. That combined average of 56.2 ppg ranked as the second-highest single season total in NBA history, trailing only Nate Archibald’s 56.8 in 1972-73.

Since joining the Rockets prior to the 2012-13 season, Harden ranks first in the league in scoring (10,823 points; 890 more than any other player), fourth in assists (2,985), fourth in steals (671), third in 3-pointers made (1,062), as well as first in both free throws made (3,431) and attempted (3,999).

Rockets re-sign Nene

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has re-signed free agent center Nene.

“The Rockets bring out the best in me,” said Nenê. “I love the entire organization from my teammates and coaches, to management and ownership. We have great leader in James Harden and will continue to work hard to bring another championship to Houston.”

“Nenê was a big part of our success last season, especially in the playoffs,” said Morey. “He is a true professional and we are fortunate to have him remain a Rocket.”

In his first season as a Rocket, Nenê appeared in 67 games with eight starts, while averaging 9.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game. Dating back to 1979-80, he was one of three players with at least 40 games played to have averaged at least 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in fewer than 18.0 minutes per game in a single season.

Over his final 27 games played, Nenê averaged 11.4 points on 63.9% shooting after averaging 7.5 ppg on 59.5% shooting his first 40 games played. He also averaged 5.2 rebounds over his final 21 games played, up from 3.7 rpg his first 46 games played.

Nenê has the seventh-highest field goal percentage (.548) among active players and would have ranked fifth in the NBA in 2016-17 had he qualified (.617). During the 2017 playoffs, he shot 70.6%, including 12-of-12 from the floor in Game 4 of the First Round series vs. Oklahoma City. That tied the NBA playoff record for the most field goal attempts without a miss.

Rockets sign Zhou Qi

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent forward/center Zhou Qi (pronounced Joe Chee).

“We feel Zhou Qi has the potential to become the best Chinese player since Yao Ming,” said Morey. “We’re excited to have him join the Rockets and will continue to develop his talents with our coaches and training staff.”

Zhou (7-1, 210) was the 43rd overall pick by Houston in the 2016 NBA Draft. He spent the past three seasons playing for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), helping the team win its first championship in 2016-17.

This past season, Zhou averaged 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 58.6% from the floor. He also ranked second in the CBA in blocks (2.3 bpg) and was named Defensive Player of the Year. Zhou hit 20 3-pointers in 2016-17 after having 10 his first two seasons combined.

The 21-year-old is also a member of the Chinese National Team and competed in the 2016 Olympics. He had a team-high 13 points for Team China in an exhibition game vs. Team USA on Aug. 26, 2016.