Houston Rockets Blog – Page 68 – NBA Blog

Yao Ming hopes to be ready for preseason

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Rockets center Yao Ming said Friday he does not know if he will be ready for the first preseason game against Orlando on Oct. 5, but thinks his chances are good.

“When I was playing some scrimmage with some of the teammates in the last two weeks, I can’t say it (his surgically repaired left foot) is as good as the original one, the one on the right, but it feels as good as can be running on the court,” Yao said. “The foot limits me a little bit. I still have time to get it better before the regular season starts.

“I have not played a real game, even an exhibition game. I don’t know how it will react. Hopefully, we can learn as soon as possible.”

Brad Miller sprains left ankle

Houston Rockets center Brad Miller suffered a sprained left ankle during a pre-training camp workout on Tuesday.

Miller is expected to be sidelined anywhere between 10 days to two weeks.

With the Rockets expected to limit the minutes Yao Ming plays this season, Miller could have a large role on the team in 2010-11.

Rockets sign Antonio Anderson and Jordan Eglseder for training camp

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Antonio Anderson and center Jordan Eglseder.

Anderson (6-6, 215, Memphis) averaged 16.2 points (.487, 242-497 FG), 6.1 assists and 1.25 steals in 40 games (40 starts) with Houston’s single-affiliation NBA D-League partner Rio Grande Valley, helping guide the Vipers to the 2009-10 D-League championship. He was named to the All-NBA Development League Third Team and participated with the Western Conference in the 2010 D-League All-Star Game. Anderson’s efforts earned him a GATORADE Call-Up to the NBA, signing a 10-day contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 22 and inking a second 10-day contract on Mar. 5. As a collegian, Anderson played four seasons at the University of Memphis. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and earned All-Defensive Team honors for three straight seasons.

Eglseder (7-0, 280, Northern Iowa) finished his four-year career at Northern Iowa with averages of 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 118 games (75 starts). The first 7-footer to ever hit the hardwood with UNI, Eglseder was one of just 13 Panthers to reach 1,000 points (1,066) and 500 rebounds (656) in a career. He also became the 32nd UNI player to reach 1,000 career points. Eglseder started all 32 games in 2009-10, averaging 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds en route to the Panthers upset of number-one ranked Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and a school-record 30 wins. As a senior, Eglseder was a NABC District-16 First Team selection, a USBWA All-District pick and earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.

Rockets will limit Yao Ming to 24 minutes per game

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

There will be no negotiations, no gray areas. Unless Yao Ming’s surgeon changes his mind and the plan, on all matters involving Yao’s playing time this season, the Rockets will not need to hold further meetings or reach compromises.

Most of all, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey pledged that he and coach Rick Adelman will not come to blows over a star center’s playing time, something Bulls vice president John Paxson and former coach Vinny Del Negro did when limiting Joakim Noah’s minutes last season as the Rockets will Yao’s this season.

Yao will play no more than 24 minutes per game, Rockets vice president and athletic trainer Keith Jones said. There will be no exceptions. If Yao has played his 24 minutes and the Rockets have the ball and eight seconds on the clock to make up a one-point deficit, Yao will not play those eight seconds…

When Yao plays one night, he will skip much of the practice the next day, with the Rockets so determined to limit the demands on Yao that Jones and associate athletic trainer Jason Biles have already outlined Yao’s workout schedule from the start of camp Sept. 25 through the last game of the regular season.

04235371 date 14 08 2008 Copyright imago Xinhua Yao Ming China cheering PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN Vdig vertical Close cheering Highlight Olympic Games Beijing 2008 Summer Games National team international match National jersey Beijing happiness Enthusiasm Basketball OS Summer men Team Single optimistic Action shot Highlight Human Beings Photo via Newscom

Rockets offer Erick Dampier a contract

Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports:

Seeking additional center depth with Yao Ming on a strict playing time limit, the Rockets have offered free agent center Erick Dampier a two-year, $4 million contract, a person with knowledge of the offer said on Wednesday.

Dampier, who was waived by the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday, is also expected to consider a minimum contract offer from the Miami Heat and an offer from the Memphis Grizzlies.

Rockets rookie Patrick Patterson signs shoe deal with PEAK

PEAK Sport recently signed Patrick Patterson of the Houston Rockets to endorse the company’s basketball shoe and apparel products. The deal is a multi-year long term agreement.

Selected by the Rockets with the 14th pick in this year’s NBA draft out of the University of Kentucky, Patterson ranks as one of the top power forward prospects and is expected to be one of the most versatile rookies in the upcoming NBA season.

After seeing Patterson’s impact in Kentucky, PEAK’s decision was easily made to sign this outstanding player. Helping to lead the Kentucky Wildcats to an Elite Eight appearance in this year’s NCAA tournament, Patterson’s accomplishments at Kentucky included being named 2008 SEC Co-Freshman of the Year, two-time first team All-SEC, 2009 first team AP Pre-Season All America and the 10th fastest player to reach Kentucky’s 1,000-point club in 58 games.

PEAK endorses 12 NBA players, ranking them third in NBA endorsements. PEAK’s roster includes Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers, Jason Richardson of the Phoenix Suns, Carl Landry of the Sacramento Kings, Shane Battier of the Houston Rockets, Kyle Lowry of the Houston Rockets, Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves to name a few. The PEAK brand was created beginning in 1989 and now has over 6,000 retail stores in Asia.

PEAK’s COO Grant Zhou explained the importance of choosing players that fit PEAK.

“We want to work with players that represent PEAK positively on and off the court,” said Zhou.

“I am very excited to join the Peak family.” said Patterson. “My relationship with Peak provides the opportunity to partner with a leading China brand as I establish my own global brand. I look forward to growing with Peak as my professional career begins.”

PEAK is optimistic in the signing with Patterson because his career is just beginning, and he has great potential explained PEAK’s CEO Jia Su.

“Patterson comes from a positive past that shows maturity, great work ethic and a well-mannered individual,” said Su. “He is now the third player from the Houston Rockets that PEAK signed, and we look forward to moving at full speed toward a successful future together.”

Su went on to describe PEAK’s legacy and focus on the future.

“PEAK is the number one basketball company in China and dominates the basketball industry in China. We wish to become an international brand in the future.”

Chase Budinger out 4-6 weeks with ankle sprain

Houston Rockets forward Chase Budinger suffered an injury during an offseason workout yesterday afternoon. Budinger underwent a complete medical evaluation by Rockets team physicians at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Institute where it was determined that he suffered a moderate to severe sprain of his left ankle.

The injury will prevent him from future conditioning work for the next three weeks with the expectation that he can resume basketball activities in four-six weeks.

Rockets sign Ishmael Smith

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed guard Ishmael Smith to a multi-year deal.

Smith (6-0, 175, Wake Forest) led the Rockets in assists per game during the 2010 NBA Summer League, finishing with averages of 7.8 points (.581 18-31 FG) and 4.8 assists in five games (five starts) with Houston.

An undrafted rookie, Smith finished his four-year career at Wake Forest with averages of 9.2 points (.425, 458-1078 FG), 5.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.26 steals in 121 games (91 starts). Smith, who finished second all-time at Wake Forest in assists, stands as the only player in school history with 1,000 points (1,114) and 600 assists (612) in a career. He was also the first Deacon with at least 1,000 points, 500 assists and 400 rebounds (448). A three-year team captain, Smith also ranked sixth in career minutes played (3,667), eighth in career steals (153), 18th in career games played (121) and 36th in career points. He actually started for the Deacons as a freshman, sophomore and senior. An injury to start his junior year pushed him to a reserve role, but he still excelled as the team’s sixth man.

Smith started all 31 games at point guard as a senior, averaging 13.2 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.68 steals. He was named Second-Team All-ACC and earned Second-Team All-District honors from the NABC. Smith also received the team’s Murray Greason Award and Team Assists Leader award after finishing third in the ACC and seventh nationally in assists per game in 2009-10. He surpassed Chris Paul in career assists during his junior season and was just the fifth freshman in the history of the ACC to lead the league in assists (6.0 apg).

Smith will wear #13 with the Rockets.

ATLANTA - JANUARY 28: Ishmael Smith #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Alexander Memorial Coliseum on January 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Full 2010 preseason schedule

The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

As is the case these days, the action starts overseas, with a few NBA squads heading to Europe.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about teams playing preseason ball overseas. Because generally it’s just a warmup. I think if NBA fans overseas are going to get a rare taste of live NBA action, it should be the best basketball possible, and we usually don’t see that before the regular season begins.

See the complete 2010-11 NBA preseason schedule.

Pistons sign Tracy McGrady

Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars announced today that the club has signed free agent guard/forward Tracy McGrady. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

McGrady, 31, played 30 games last season with the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks averaging 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 22.4 minutes per game. He scored a season-high 26 points (10-17 FG) vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder (2/20) and recorded 21 points (6-12 FG, 2-2 3FG) and season-high-tying eight assists against the Pistons (3/3).

A seven-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA scoring champion, McGrady holds career averages of 21.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 814 games. He led the NBA in scoring in 2002-03 (32.1 ppg) and 2003-04 (28.0 ppg) and averaged 24-plus points in seven consecutive seasons from 2000-01 to 2006-07. He’s been named to the All-NBA First Team twice (2002, 2003), All-NBA Second Team three times (2001, 2004, 2007) and All-NBA Third Team twice (2005, 2008). McGrady was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2000-01 when he averaged 26.8 points with the Orlando Magic, an improvement from 15.4 points the previous season. He’s recorded 2,000-plus points in a season twice (2000-01, 2002-03) and has scored 1,000-plus points in nine of his 13 seasons. McGrady scored a career-high 62 points against the Washington Wizards (3/10/04) and has scored 40-plus points 45 times in his NBA career. He ranks 10th amongst active players in career points (17,534) and has appeared in 38 career playoff games, averaging 28.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists.

The 6-8, 223-pound native of Bartow, FL, was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft. Drafted out of Mount Zion Christian Academy High School (NC), McGrady was honored earlier in his career as one of the “Good Guys in Sports” by The Sporting News for his community relations efforts.

Mar. 19, 2010 - New York - (100320) -- NEW YORK, March 20, 2010 (Xinhua) -- Tracy McGrady(R) of New York Knicks dribbles during an NBA game against Philadelphia 76ers in New York, United States of America, March 19, 2010. New York Knicks won 92-88.. (Xinhua/Shen Hong.