Houston Rockets Blog – Page 78 – NBA Blog

Atlanta Hawks trade David Andersen rights to Houston Rockets

The Atlanta Hawks today traded the rights of David Andersen to the Houston Rockets for a future second round pick, cash and future considerations, it was announced by Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund.

Previously selected by the Hawks in the second round of the 2002 Draft – the 37th pick overall – Andersen is an Australian professional basketball player who has played internationally since the 1998-99 season, most recently in the Spanish League with FC Barcelona.

In Euroleague play this past year, the 6-11 forward-center averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 23 contests (.544 FG%, .800 FT%), and in 36 games in ACB Spanish League competition, he tallied 10.0 ppg and 4.1 rpg (.480 FG%, .810 FT%).

Andersen, 29, started playing basketball at the Australian Institute of Sport (high school) and signed his first contract with the Wollongong Hawks of the Australian National Basketball League. Following one season, he signed a multi-year deal with Italy’s Virtus Bolonga (1999-03), with whom he won several titles in his four years there.

In the summer of 2003, he switched to the Italian club Montepaschi Siena, with whom he won another Italian Championship.

The next season, Andersen joined the Russian Super League club CSKA Moscow, and in four seasons, he earned All-Euroleague first team honors in 2004-05. That same year, CSKA reached the Euroleague Final Four.

He also competes as a member of the senior Australian national team, participating for his country in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Tracy McGrady changes jersey number for Darfur

The Houston Rockets today announced that guard/forward Tracy McGrady will be switching to jersey #3 for the upcoming 2009-10 campaign. Recently signed guard/forward Trevor Ariza will wear jersey #1 with the Rockets.

McGrady, who also wore the #3 in high school, will make the switch to bring attention to his “Darfur Dream Team” humanitarian project and the “3 Points” documentary that chronicles his journey to the refugee camps in Chad, Africa during the summer of 2007. McGrady says his visit to Chad was life changing and having the privilege to have freedom and peace in his life is something he will never take for granted. By wearing #3, he honors those who are forced to live without that freedom and peace. The “3 Points” documentary directed by Josh Rothstein is a reference to the goals of peace, protection and punishment with regards to the horrific atrocities suffered in the Darfur region of the Sudan. The documentary is scheduled for nationwide screenings beginning this fall.

On Jan. 3, 2008, McGrady took part in a special assembly at his alma mater, Auburndale High School (Auburndale, FL), to announce his participation in the “Darfur Dream Team” humanitarian project. McGrady made a $75,000 donation that will be used to renovate and build a school in the Djabal Camp in Eastern Chad. As part of this program, McGrady named Auburndale High School as a sister school to the one being built in Chad. The money raised will also help train teachers, as well as provide a year’s worth of school materials, clothing and other essentials for students. For more detailed information, please visit darfurdreamteam.org.

Houston Rockets hire Darryl Eto as Director of Strength and Conditioning

The Houston Rockets today announced the hiring of Darryl Eto to the newly created position of Director of Strength and Conditioning. Eto will work with current Strength and Conditioning Coach David Macha to design and implement individual strength, conditioning and nutritional programs for Rockets players. Recognized as an expert in the field of plyometrics, conditioning and speed training, Eto will be charged with overseeing all player training and physical performance development.

“We were fortunate to be able to hire Darryl away from his senior position at one of the top athlete performance institutes in the world,” said Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey. “He has attained very impressive results while working with world-class athletes throughout his career. His leadership and experience with the latest science and techniques will ensure the Rockets continue to have one of the best strength and conditioning programs in the NBA.”

Eto, who has refined his practice in applied anatomy, exercise physiology and biomechanics over the course of 25 years, joins the Rockets after spending nearly nine years as the Senior Performance Specialist at Athletes’ Performance in Tempe, Arizona. While working with the private training company, Eto developed and implemented performance training programs for professional, amateur and youth athletes in a wide array of sports. His experience with Athletes’ Performance included individual physical preparation for NBA Pre-Draft Camps, as well as working with current players on offseason programs.

Prior to his time with Athletes’ Performance, Eto served from 1997-99 as the Assistant Director of Research Development and Program Design at International Performance Institute in Bradenton, Florida. >From 1991-97, he was the Head Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Arizona. Eto began his career in 1986 as the Strength and Conditioning Coach/Physical Therapy Aide at Ather Sports Injury Clinic in Castro Valley, California.

Eto earned his master’s degree in exercise and sport science at the University of Arizona and graduated from California State University with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and physical education. His certifications include National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, United States Weightlifting Federation Club Coach, USA Track and Field Level I Track and Field Coach and massage therapist. In addition, Eto took a foreign study tour in the science of strength and conditioning in Bulgaria and the USSR in June 1988.

Houston Rockets receive disabled player exception for Yao Ming

The Houston Rockets just received a bit of a boost from the NBA in regard to probably not having Yao Ming available this season. The AP reports: The Rockets applied for a disabled player exception from the NBA a few weeks ago, betting that their All-Star center will miss next season with a hairline fracture in his left foot. The NBA agreed that Yao’s return is unlikely, freeing up about $5.7 million that the Rockets used to sign free agent Trevor Ariza from the Lakers.

InsideHoops.com editor says: I am just speculating, but this probably means that the Rockets likely know for sure that Yao Ming will miss the season and have not yet chosen to announce it to the world. But they must have shown some pretty conclusive evidence to the NBA in order to land the exception a full 3.5 months before the regular season would start. Unfortunately, we must now assume that Yao Ming may not be on an NBA court for at least a year. Maybe the injury is so bad that rumors of his career being threatened are true. Hopefully not.

Houston Rockets sign Trevor Ariza

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has signed free agent guard/forward Trevor Ariza to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, financial terms were not released.

“Trevor is a young, athletic wing player who will thrive in Rick Adelman’s system,” said Morey. “Each year in the league Trevor has improved. What he has accomplished at a young age is already impressive and we expect his improvement to continue.”

Ariza (6-8, 210, UCLA) holds career averages of 6.9 points (.470, 808-1718 FG), 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.14 steals in 311 games (52 starts) with the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and L.A. Lakers. In 2008-09, Ariza emerged as a key contributor for the Lakers during the team’s title run. He appeared in a career-high 82 games (20 starts), averaging 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.67 steals in 24.4 minutes per game. Ariza scored in double figures 39 times, including a career-high 26 points (9-13 FG) vs. Dallas (3/15/09). The five-year NBA veteran also made his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball by ranking ninth in the NBA in steals per game. Overall last season, Ariza led the Lakers in steals 30 times and in blocks on seven occasions. He set his career high with five steals vs. Utah (1/2/09) and matched that total vs. Phoenix (2/26/09). Ariza added to his game in 2008-09 by becoming a perimeter threat for the Lakers, making a career-high 61 3-pointers (.319, 61-191 3FG). He also registered a double-double with 11 points and a season-high 11 rebounds vs. Sacramento (11/23/08). Ariza started all 23 postseason games for the Lakers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs, averaging 11.3 points (.497, 92-185 FG), 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.57 steals. He also led the Lakers with 40 3-point field goals made (.476, 40-84 3FG) and ranked among the league postseason leaders in steals per game (13th overall).

Selected by New York in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2004 NBA Draft, Ariza at the time became the youngest player to ever wear a Knicks uniform (19 years, 4 months and 4 days) during his rookie season of 2004-05. He was traded by New York along with Anfernee Hardaway to Orlando in exchange for Steve Francis on Feb. 22, 2006. After re-signing as a free agent with the Magic on July 27, 2006, Ariza went on to average 8.9 points (.539, 200-371 FG), 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 57 games (seven starts) with Orlando in 2006-07. He was acquired by the Lakers from the Magic in exchange for Brian Cook and Maurice Evans on Nov. 20, 2007.

Ariza, who declared for the NBA Draft following his freshman campaign, played in 25 games (23 starts) at UCLA. He averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and a team-high 1.7 steals in 31.6 minutes per game in 2003-04.

Ron Artest signs with Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have signed free agent forward Ron Artest, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released.

Artest, a 6’7” 260-pound forward out of St. John’s University, has averaged 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.06 steals in 604 career games (562 starts) during his 10 NBA seasons with Chicago, Indiana, Sacramento and Houston. Originally selected by the Chicago Bulls with the 16th overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft, Artest is one of only three players in NBA history to post career averages of 16+ points, 5+ rebounds, 3+ assists and 2+ steals (Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler).

The 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Artest has been named NBA All-Defensive First Team twice (2004, 2006) and Second Team twice (2003, 2009). A member of the 2004 Eastern Conference All-Star team, Artest also earned All-NBA Third Team honors in 2004 and has finished among the top three league leaders in steals five of the last eight seasons while leading his team in steals in nine of his 10 NBA seasons overall.

In 2008-09, Artest averaged 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.52 steals in 69 games (55 starts) with Houston while setting single-season career-highs in 3-point field goals made and attempted (.399, 153-383 3FG) and leading the Rockets in steals (105).

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INITIAL RON ARTEST LAKERS SIGNING UPDATE

By Jeff Lenchiner, editor of InsideHoops.com

Houston Rockets free agent forward Ron Artest is going to sign with the 2008-09 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.

The negotiation period for NBA free agents began July 1. Actual signings can take place starting July 8.

According to Chris Broussard of ESPN, the deal may be for three years and around $18 million.

As the Lakers add Artest it appears they will be losing energy hustle guy Trevor Ariza, who is reportedly going to sign with the Houston Rockets.

The addition of Artest to the current NBA champions is interesting. He helps in some ways, but doesn’t in others. He won’t replace the hectic, frantic, fill-in-the-blanks, complimentary, fast break style of Ariza, but is a better halfcourt defender. Artest is also much stronger than Ariza and can easily play power forward for long stretches.

Overall, Ron is definitely better than Trevor.

I question how well Artest will fit into the triangle offense of the Lakers, however. He can do it, but it’s not the most natural fit.

Ariza last season averaged just 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game, shooting 46% but just 31.9% from three-point range. Though, in the playoffs he suddenly became an assassin from outside, nailing 47.6% of his threes.

Artest last season for the Rockets put up 17.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, though he shot an awful 40.1%. He was nice from three-point range, though, hitting 39.9%.

Overall, adding Artest while losing Ariza is an upgrade for the Lakers, though I’ll still keep my eye on how well Artest fits in with their offense.

And, key Lakers forward Lamar Odom is currently a free agent. The team needs to keep Odom, and a source says the team feels they’ll be able to re-sign him.

Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Ron Artest may be gone from Rockets

Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest is a free agent, and many teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, are interested in his services. The Cleveland Plain Dealer earlier Wednesday reported that the Cavs, with help from LeBron James, spoke to Artest about joining the team in the past day.

Artest on Twitter at around 10:05 p.m. ET Wednesday posted the following message: THANKS A LOT HOUSTON. :) I HAD A LOT OF FUN :)

This obviously suggests that Artest expects to sign with another NBA team.

UPDATE: Artest went on a Sacramento radio station late Wednesday night and said he’s basically just messing around on Twitter and not being serious. So, maybe he’s kidding with what he said above, maybe not.

NBA team, D-League team affiliations announced

The National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League, the official minor league of the NBA, today announced the affiliation system for the 2009-10 season, including the announcement of a direct single-affiliation partnership between the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers. For the fifth consecutive year, each NBA team has one NBA D-League affiliate to which it may assign players in their first or second NBA season.

The Rockets became the first NBA team to enter into a direct single-affiliation partnership with an NBA D-League team, granting the Rockets full control over the basketball operations of the Vipers. With the move, the Rockets will be the only parent-club of the team.

In a structure similar to other minor leagues, this new partnership model, previously referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” allows for NBA teams to secure control over and cover the expenses related to the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team, while partnering with existing local ownership, who maintain responsibility for the off-the-court business operations of the team.

The list of affiliations is on our NBA D-League page.

Former Rockets president group wants to buy Bobcats

The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: A group headed by former Rockets president and chief executive officer George Postolos has entered into negotiations to purchase the Charlotte Bobcats, a person with knowledge of the talks said Saturday. Postolos, who shepherded the Rockets through the arena referendum and move to the Toyota Center and helped the value of the franchise grow from $166 million to $422 million during his tenure, left the team in May 2006 after 7½ years to form The Postolos Group, a company that helps with the acquisition of sports franchises.

Pistons trade Chase Budinger to Rockets

The Detroit Pistons announced that the club has traded the draft rights to Chase Budinger to Houston Rockets for a future second round draft pick and cash considerations.

Budinger averaged 18.0 points last season at the University of Arizona. In 100 collegiate games, he averaged 17.0 points and 5.8 rebodunds. A First-Team All-Pac-10 selection as a junior, Budinger also earned Honorable Mention All-American Honors from The Associated Press both his junior and senior seasons. His 1,697 points ranks 11th on the Wildcats’ all-time scoring list.