Houston Rockets Blog – Page 32 – NBA Blog

Steve Kerr and Jason Terry share bball roots

As a player, Steve Kerr was a key role player for squads that won championships. Now he’s coaching one of the key squads in the league.

Guard Jason Terry, now towards the end of his days as a player, still has skills, mostly as a backup guard at this point.

Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting on their past:

Steve Kerr and Jason Terry share basketball roots

Warriors coach Steve Kerr and Rockets guard Jason Terry go back a long way. Not only did the two both play in the NBA at the same time – early in Terry’s career and near the end of Kerr’s – they also knew each other from summer pick up games in the University of Arizona gym.

“I remember when Jason first got to U of A, I was going back a lot in the summers and I played pick up ball with the guys,” Kerr, also an Arizona alum, said. “He was a sophomore and I was maybe in my fifth year in the league and you could tell he was going to be good right away.”

Terry was familiar with Kerr and would speak with him often. The two became friends over the years and have always kept in touch.

Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard exchange words

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchange words in regular season opener

The 2014-15 NBA regular season began Tuesday night, featuring three games, the last of which was a Rockets win over the Lakers that unfortunately included LAL rookie Julius Randle breaking his leg. But there was also some fun in the form of former teammates Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchanging some less-than-pleasant words.

Here’s the Houston Chronicle with more:

Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard exchange words

The Lakers’ season opener was supposed to be about the return of Kobe Bryant. After missing all but six games last year, the All-Star was to be back on the court to save the Lakers from another postseasonless season.

Part of that comeback would include running into Rockets center Dwight Howard, who Bryant has a rocky history with.

While both players have said since before the start of the 2013-14 season that their drama was in the past, it became the present on Tuesday night at the Staples Center, when the two shared some words in the fourth quarter.

After Howard elbowed Bryant in the face after a rebound, the two started talking. Video shows Howard saying, “I know you, dog,” and Bryant saying, “Try me” and calling Howard “soft” as he approached the Lakers bench.

Lakers face Rockets on NBA opening night

The 2014-15 NBA regular season begins tonight! Basketball is back.

There are two 8pm ET games: Pelicans/Magic and Spurs/Mavericks. And at 10:30pm ET the Lakers face the Rockets. Nobody expects much of the Lakers this season, but as long as Kobe Bryant is healthy and can lace up his sneakers they are going to be of interest. And they did add Carlos Boozer, and rookie Julius Randle. So there’s that.

Here’s the Orange County Register with more on the Lakers/Rockets:

Maybe the 2012-13 feud between Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard feels like ancient history.

But the two former teammates will hit a different kind of milestone Tuesday on the opening night of the NBA’s regular season: It will mark the first time the two have played against each other since Howard spurned the Lakers to sign with the Rockets.

It’s true. While Howard played four games against the Lakers last season, Bryant missed each contest because of injuries.

Howard and Bryant openly bickered in their one season together and after Howard signed with the Rockets, Bryant delivered the ultimate insult imaginable in this tech age.

He unfollowed Howard on Twitter.

Rockets waive Jeff Adrien, Earl Clark, Robert Covington, Akeem Richmond, Ish Smith

Rockets waive Jeff Adrien, Earl Clark, Robert Covington, Akeem Richmond, Ish Smith

The Houston Rockets have waived Jeff Adrien, Earl Clark, Robert Covington, Akeem Richmond and guard Ish Smith, according to general manager Daryl Morey.

Adrien (6-7, 245, Connecticut), who spent last season with Charlotte and Milwaukee, averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 53 games played in the 2013-14 season. Over his four year NBA career, Adrien has averaged 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game. In seven preseason games with the Rockets, he averaged 4.6 points and 3.9 rebounds in 12.3 minutes per game. Adrien was signed by the Rockets on July 18, 2014.

Clark (6-10, 234, Louisville), a sixth year forward appeared in 54 games during the 2013-14 season with Cleveland (45 games) and New York (nine games) averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14.2 minutes. Over the course of his career, Clark has appeared in 251 games, including 54 starts, with the Cavaliers, Knicks, Magic and Suns. He holds career averages of 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 14.1 minutes. Clark was claimed off waivers by the Rockets on October 24, 2014 and did not appear in any preseason games with the Rockets.

Covington (6-9, 215, Tennessee State), a second year forward appeared in seven games for the Rockets last season averaging 2.3 points and 0.7 assists in 4.8 minutes per game. During the 2013-14 season, Covington also appeared in 42 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA D-League, averaging 23.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game. Covington appeared in one preseason game with the Rockets, scoring three points in four minutes played versus Memphis on October 9th. He was originally signed by the Rockets on July 13, 2013.

Richmond (6-0, 180, East Carolina), an undrafted free agent in the 2014 NBA Draft spent the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons at East Carolina after transferring from Rhode Island following his sophomore year. Richmond appeared in 139 contests over the course of his NCAA career (61 starts) averaging 11.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 25.3 minutes played. Richmond was signed by the Rockets on October 24, 2014 and did not appear in any preseason games with the Rockets.

Smith (6-0, 174, Wake Forest), who spent last season with Phoenix, averaged 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in 70 games played in the 2013-14 season. Over his four year NBA career, Smith has averaged 2.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 11.5 minutes per game. He was originally undrafted out of Wake Forest in the 2010 NBA Draft. He appeared in seven preseason games with the Rockets, averaging 4.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 17.5 minutes per game. Smith was signed by the Rockets on July 18, 2014.

The Rockets roster now stands at 15.

Rockets sign Akeem Richmond, waive Geron Johnson

Rockets sign Akeem Richmond, waive Geron Johnson

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed Akeem Richmond as a free agent and requested waivers on Geron Johnson.

Richmond (6-0, 180, East Carolina), an undrafted free agent in the 2014 NBA Draft spent the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons at East Carolina after transferring from Rhode Island following his sophomore year. Richmond appeared in 139 contests over the course of his NCAA career (61 starts) averaging 11.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 25.3 minutes played. In his senior season, the point guard was named to the 2014 All-Conference USA Second Team.

Johnson (6-3, 203, Memphis), appeared in 67 contests at Memphis University holding career averages of 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 28.3 minutes. Johnson was signed on October 24, 2014 and did not appear in any preseason games for the Rockets.

Rockets claim Earl Clark off waivers, waive Josh Powell

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has claimed forward Earl Clark off waivers and requested waivers on Josh Powell.

Clark (6-10, 234, Louisville), a sixth year forward appeared in 54 games during the 2013-14 season with Cleveland (45 games) and New York (nine games) averaging 4.8 points and 2.6 rebounds in 14.2 minutes. Over the course of his career, Clark has appeared in 251 games, including 54 starts, with the Cavaliers, Knicks, Magic and Suns. He holds career averages of 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 14.1 minutes. Clark was waived by the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 23, 2014.

Powell (6-9, 225, NC State), a seven year NBA veteran appeared in one preseason game for the Rockets this year collecting one rebound in six minutes played. Powell also played in the regular season finale of the 2013-14 season versus New Orleans on April 16th, recording four points and five rebounds in 19 minutes of action.

Houston Rockets sign Geron Johnson, waive Akil Mitchell

The Houston Rockets have signed guard Geron Johnson and requested waivers on forward Akil Mitchell, General Manager Daryl Morey announced today.

Johnson (6-3, 203, Memphis), appeared in 67 contests at Memphis University holding career averages of 9.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in 28.3 minutes. An Ohio native, Johnson spent his junior and senior season as a Memphis Tiger after transferring from Garden City Community College (KS). In his senior season at Memphis, he guided his team to a 2014 NCAA Tournament win over George Washington.

Mitchell (6-9, 230, Virginia), appeared in 133 contests and held career averages of 6.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists as a Virginia Cavalier. He was a participant on Houston’s Las Vegas and Orlando Summer League teams, but has not appeared in a preseason game.

Jason Terry sees big things for Rockets

There is optimism and there is OPTIMISM. New Rockets guard Jason Terry predicts big things for his squad. Here’s the Houston Chronicle reporting:

“As far as the roster goes, when you have two studs such as James Harden and Dwight Howard, you have a realistic shot at winning the championship,” Terry said.

“That’s what it’s about for me. I have one. I lost one. Now I just want another opportunity.

“I see us going all the way. If you look at the Western Conference, everybody’s gotten better. People look at our team and they’re trying to figure us out. I just think we have the talent. I think it’s about us going out every day, competing against each other, creating a championship environment. If we do that, I think we’ll put ourselves in a position at the end of the year to do something very special here.”

Houston adds Akil Mitchell

Mitchell (6-9, 230, Virginia), appeared in 133 contests and held career averages of 6.9 points on 51.9% FG shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists as a Virginia Cavalier. Over the course of his four year NCAA career, the power forward finished seventh in school history in rebounding (798) and fourth in games played (133). In his senior season, Mitchell was named to the 2013-14 ACC All-Defensive Team.

More info: http://www.insidehoops.com/rockets-sign-akil-mitchell-092614.shtml

Rockets sign Kostas Papanikolaou

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed forward Kostas Papanikolaou.

Papanikolaou (6-9 225, Greece) was drafted 48th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. On July 16th, 2012 his rights were acquired by Portland in a trade that sent Raymond Felton to New York. Houston later acquired his rights in a trade that sent Thomas Robinson to Portland on July 10, 2013.

The Greek forward spent last season overseas playing for FC Barcelona of the Spanish Liga ACB, where he won the 2013-14 Spanish National Champiosnhip. Papanikolaou averaged 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game with FC Barcelona during the 2013-14 season. The 24 year old spent the previous four seasons (2009-2013) with Olympiacos BC in his native Greece. In his stint there, Papanikolaou won two Euroleague Championships (2011-12, 2012-13), the Greek League Championship (2012) and two Greek Cup Championships (2010, 2011). He was also named Euroleague Rising Star (2013), Greek League All-Star (2013), two-time Greek League Best Five Team (2012, 2013), and two-time Greek League Best Young Player (2009, 2012).

Kostas Papanikolaou has played with two current Rockets in his time overseas. He shared the floor with Joey Dorsey during the 2013-14 campaign on FC Barcelona and played alongside Patrick Beverley in 2012-13 with the Olympiacos.