Houston Rockets Blog – Page 97 – NBA Blog

Shane Battier out 4 weeks

The Houston Rockets are very good at playing basketball, and equally skilled at suffering injuries. And while it’s still the offseason, they’re already flaunting their ability to get hurt.

Rockets forward Shane Battier is expected to miss the majority of the team’s preseason schedule due to inflammation in his left foot. The inflammation occurred during his rehabilitation from offseason surgery to remove bone spurs which was performed on May 9. The seven-year veteran is expected to be sidelined for up to four weeks.

Houston’s injury situation had been a problem in the past, and despite getting Ron Artest this summer, if this stuff continues it’s just going to lead to more disappointment in Houston. I’d love to see every key Rocket stay healthy, but will it ever happen?

–Jeff Lenchiner, InsideHoops.com editor

Rockets match Bobcats offer and keep Carl Landry

The AP reports: The Rockets matched the Bobcats’ three-year, $9 million offer sheet for restricted free-agent Carl Landry on Thursday, keeping the forward in Houston. The Rockets took less than 24 hours to make the move, leaving Charlotte still searching for frontcourt depth before the start of training camp next week. “We obviously thought it was a good opportunity to get the guy,” Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said. “But it’s part of the business.”

InsideHoops.com editor says: This was expected. Landry is a decent player and signing him for $3 million per season is a reasonable deal.

Bobcats sign Carl Landry to offer sheet

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has extended an offer sheet to restricted free agent Carl Landry. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.

In accordance with the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Landry’s current team, the Houston Rockets, will have seven days to decide whether to match the offer.

Word is, the deal is for around 3 seasons and $3 million per season. If that’s true, the Rockets are likely to match the offer.

“Landry is an emerging NBA talent, as evidenced by his play over the final 42 regular-season games and into the Rockets first-round playoff appearance,” Higgins said. “His ability to play both the power forward and center position will complement our post play.”

In his rookie season with Houston, Landry (6-9, 248 pounds) averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds in 42 games. He also shot .616 (135-219) from the field and was named All-Rookie Second Team. He scored a career-high 22 points at Indiana on Feb. 1 and tied his career high with 11 rebounds at New Orleans on Feb. 22. Landry also recorded his first career double-double, scoring 15 points and pulling down 11 rebounds against Minnesota on Jan. 11. He appeared in six playoff games with the Rockets last season and averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 17.7 minutes.

Originally drafted by Seattle in the second round (31st overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, Houston obtained his draft rights in exchange for a future second-round selection and cash considerations on June 28, 2007.

Landry finished his collegiate career at Purdue after playing his first two seasons at Vincennes University. In 64 career games for the Boilermakers, he averaged 18.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. As a senior he was named First-Team All-Big Ten by the league’s coaches.

Rafer Alston set for October DWI trial

The Houston Chronicle (Ruth Rendon) reports: Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston will stand trial next month on a charge of driving while intoxicated, a judge ruled today. County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes set an Oct. 22 trial for Alston, 32, after a brief discussion with attorneys… The charge against Alston is considered a misdemeanor because it would be his first DWI offense.

InsideHoops.com editor says: Be cool, stay in school. Don’t drink and drive. Etc.

Rockets announce two staff promotions

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey today announced the promotion of Gersson Rosas to Director of Player Personnel and the hiring of Arturas Karnisovas as Director of Global Scouting & International Affairs.

“Gersson has demonstrated superior decision making and leadership while his role has rapidly expanded,” said Morey. “This promotion shows the continued quality of his work as he helps the Rockets pursue a championship.”

In his new role, Rosas will be responsible for the evaluation of draft prospects, free agents and potential trades. He will also oversee the coordination of national and international scouting activities. Rosas enters his fifth season with the Rockets after working last season as the team’s Director of Scouting. Previous to that, Rosas served three seasons as the team’s Personnel Video Coordinator/Personnel Scout.

“This is an exciting time to be part of this organization and I would like to thank our owner, Leslie Alexander, Daryl Morey and Rick Adelman for the opportunity to take on this new role with our team,” said Rosas. “Growing up in Houston during the championship years was a special experience and that same excitement seems to be in the air again, so being a part of it at this point in time is very fulfilling.”

Rosas’ experience includes work as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team at the University of Houston (2003-04), as an assistant coach at Westbury Christian High School (2002-03) and as a basketball coordinator for the Venezuelan Basketball Federation during the 2002 World Basketball Championships.

Additionally, Rosas served as the head coach of the Global Games Prep USA Team during the summer of 2004. Rosas, who began his career in scouting as an intern for the Rockets in 2001-02, has also been a camp coach in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program (2006-08) and at the Reebok RBKU Camp (2006-08).

Karnisovas joins the Rockets after spending the past four and a half years working in the international basketball operations department for the NBA. In his new role with the Rockets, Karnisovas will oversee all of the team’s international scouting operations.

“The addition of Arturas will allow us to continue to develop our international reach in terms of scouting and player evaluation,” said Rosas. “It is always a major benefit anytime you can add an individual to your staff that possesses a wealth of international experience and such a well-rounded understanding of the game.”

Prior to his work with the league, Karnisovas was a decorated international player and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist for Lithuania (1992, 1996). After a stellar four-year career at Seton Hall, Karnisovas enjoyed a professional career overseas that spanned eight years and included stints with Cholet Basket (France, 1994-95), FC Barcelona (Spain, 1995-97; 2000-02), Olympiakos (Greece, 1997-98), and Fortitudo Bologna (Italy, 1998-2000). He was named the FIBA 1997 European Player of the Year and was a three-time FIBA EuroStars participant (1997, 1998, and 1999), earning EuroStars MVP honors in 1997. In addition to reaching the Euroleague Final Four on three occasions, Karnisovas helped his teams capture three Spanish ACB titles (1996, 1997, and 2001), a Spanish National Cup (2001), an Italian League championship (2000) and a silver medal in the European Championship (1995).

Rockets trade Patrick Ewing Jr to Knicks

InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner says: Pat Ewing Jr. is a decent defender, but I haven’t seen that the rest of his game is on a pro level, yet. Unless he has other skills I don’t know about, he’ll have to fight hard to prove himself to the whole league, including the Knicks. And, here’s the news:

The New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that forward Patrick Ewing, Jr. has been acquired from Houston for the draft rights to center Frederic Weis.

“Patrick Ewing will have an opportunity here to compete for a spot on our roster,” Walsh said. “He is a solid defensive player and a very good athlete.”

Ewing, Jr., 6-8, 240-pounds, was originally drafted by Sacramento in the 2008 NBA Draft as the 43rd overall selection. Traded to the Rockets on Aug. 14 as part of a multi-player deal, the 24-year-old Boston native played his first two collegiate seasons at Indiana University before transferring to Georgetown. As a senior with the Hoyas during the 2007-08 season, Ewing averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 34 games, winning the Big East Sixth Man of the Year award.

“Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me. It has always been my dream to play for this team,” Ewing, Jr. said. “My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games.”

Ewing is the eldest child of Knicks legend, Patrick Ewing, who will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame a week from today. Ewing played for New York from 1985 through 2000 and is the franchise’s all-time leader in virtually every category, including points (23,665), rebounds (10,759), blocked shots (2,758) and games played (1,039). On Feb. 28, 2003, his jersey No. 33 was lifted to the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

Weis was New York’s first-round draft choice (15th overall) in 1999.

Suns trade DJ Strawberry to Rockets for Sean Singletary

The Phoenix Suns announced today that the club has acquired rookie guard Sean Singletary from the Houston Rockets in exchange for guard D.J. Strawberry.

“Sean gives us depth at the point guard spot,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. “We like his instincts and his ability to run a team. He also puts a lot of pressure on the ball defensively. We thank D.J. for his contributions and wish him well.”

In Singletary, the Suns acquire a dynamic 6-0, 185-point rookie guard, who was the 42nd overall selection (second round) of the Sacramento Kings in the 2008 NBA Draft. Singletary was then traded to the Rockets along with Patrick Ewing, Jr. in the deal that sent Ron Artest to Houston in exchange for Donte Green, Bobby Jackson and a future first-round pick on August 14, 2008. Singletary was a member of the Kings’ 2008 Las Vegas Summer League squad, averaging 5.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 32.2 minutes with appearances in each of the club’s five games.

A four-year standout at Virginia, Singletary was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team selection. During his senior season of 2007-08, the soon-to-be 23-year-old led his team in scoring for the second-straight season (19.8 points) and was the lone Division I player to rank in the top 40 in both scoring and assists. That production earned Singletary an Honorable Mention All-America Selection from the Associated Press and made him a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate point guard.

A three-time co-captain for the Cavaliers, Singletary finished his career as the only player in ACC history with 2,000 career points, 500 assists, 400 rebounds and 200 steals. Singletary’s jersey was retired by Virginia before his final home game.

Strawberry was selected by the Suns with the 59th overall pick (second round) of the 2007 NBA Draft. In his rookie campaign with Phoenix in 2007-08, the 6-5, 201-pound guard averaged 2.2 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 8.1 minutes, appearing in 33 games.

Web viewing of NBA games may soon exist

The Oklahoman (Mel Bracht) reports: Say you’re working late and can’t make it to the Ford Center to watch Oklahoma City’s new NBA team play its game that night. Instead, you log on to your computer and watch streaming video of the team’s game broadcast. Sound far-fetched? Not if the NBA has its way. The league is aggresively promoting three new Internet elements — video streaming in home markets, interactive TV and video-on-demand — for the upcoming season. Ed Desser, a media consultant for Oklahoma City’s team, said many details have yet to be worked out, and didn’t expect the team to offer the Internet elements anytime soon.

Kings trade Ron Artest to Rockets

The Sacramento Kings today acquired Donté Greene, Bobby Jackson, a future first round draft pick and other considerations from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Ron Artest, Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing, Jr., it was announced by Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“In acquiring Bobby, Donte’ Greene and a future first-round pick, we’re excited about adding the veteran experience and proven ability of Bobby,” explained Petrie. “Donté Greene, a first-round pick in this year’s draft, brings us another young frontcourt player with a high level of talent who played exceptionally well in the Las Vegas Summer League. The future first-round pick gives us an additional asset down the road. We’re looking forward to watching them play and seeing them contribute to this team.

“I also want to thank Ron for his effort and contributions over the past two and a half seasons. We all wish him the very best. Sean and Patrick are two fine young players and we wish them future success as well.”

Greene, a 6-9, 221-pound forward out of Syracuse, was an early entry candidate for the 2008 NBA Draft. He was selected in the first round (28th overall) by the Memphis Grizzlies and traded to Houston on the 2008 NBA Draft night. Greene averaged 22.6 points per game (2nd in the league) for the Rockets through five outings in the 2008 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. In his lone season with the Orangeman, Greene led Syracuse in scoring and was fourth in the Big East with an average of 17.7 points per game, which ranked as the second-best freshman scoring average in SU history. He also topped the team in blocks per game (1.63) and ranked second in rebounding average (7.2). A Second-Team All-Big East selection, Greene was named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team and earned Big East Rookie of the Week honors five times. He was also a First-Team NABC pick and made the USBWA District II squad. Greene’s 620 points in 2007-08 was the second highest for a freshman in Syracuse history (778 by Carmelo Anthony), while setting a freshman record for three-point field goals made (90). In addition to his collegiate career, Greene was a member of the silver-medal-winning USA Basketball Men’s U19 Team at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship, as well as the gold-medal-winning USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team at the 2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship. Greene was also named Maryland’s 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at Towson Catholic High School (Baltimore).

Jackson, a 6-1, 185-pound guard, was a key member of the Kings’ success during the early to mid 2000’s and played an integral role in Sacramento’s two Pacific Division titles (2001-02 and 2002-03) and trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2002. He returns to the Kings with career averages of 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 684 games (133 starts) with Denver, Minnesota, Sacramento, Memphis, New Orleans and Houston. An 11-year NBA veteran, Jackson, who played five seasons for the Kings (2000-01 to 2004-05), had his best campaign with Sacramento in 2002-03, averaging a career-best 15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.20 steals per game en route to winning the 2003 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, becoming the first player in Kings history, and just the second point guard in league history to win the award. He also finished second in voting for the 2002 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award and fourth for the 2001 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award. Having been to the playoffs on eight different occasions, Jackson has amassed career averages of 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game through 58 post season contests. His most productive playoff campaign, statistically, occurred in 2003 when he averaged 14.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game through 12 outings for the Kings. Jackson was selected by Seattle in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1997 NBA Draft (draft rights were traded to Denver) out of Minnesota where he helped lead the Gophers to a 49-11 record and the school’s only NCAA Final Four appearance during his two-year career there.

Artest, a nine-year NBA veteran, amassed averages of 18.1 points (.419 FG%, .333 3pt%, .733 FT%), 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.08 steals, and 38.6 minutes in 110 games with the Kings over a two and a half year span (2005-06 to 2007-08). He guided Sacramento to a playoff berth and a 26-14 record to finish the season after being acquired on January 26, 2005, in addition to being named to the NBA All Defensive First Team (joining former Kings’ player Doug Christie as the only players in Kings franchise history to earn Defensive First Team accolades). Artest has recorded career averages of 16.0 points (.425 FG%, .329 3pt%, .720 FT%), 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.13 steals, and 34.7 minutes per game in 535 regular season games (started 507) through nine NBA seasons with Chicago (1999-00 – first half of 2001-02), Indiana (second-half of 2001-02 – first half of 2005-06), and Sacramento (second half of 2005-06 – 2007-08). He ranks ninth all-time in NBA history in steals per game, second only to Allen Iverson among active players in that category. Artest was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year during the 2003-04 season. He was drafted by Chicago as an undergraduate out of St. Johns with the 16th overall pick of the 1999 NBA Draft.

Singletary, a 6-0, 185-pound guard, who was selected by the Kings in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft out of Virginia, averaged 19.8 points and 6.1 assists in his senior season for the Cavaliers, the only player in Division I to rank in the Top 40 in both scoring and assists. The three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team selection was also the only player in Division I to have a 40-point game, a 10-rebound game and a 10-assist game during the same season and the only player in Virginia men’s basketball history to accomplish all three in the same season. He finished his collegiate career at Virginia ranked second in steals (200), third in assists (587), third in three-point field goals made (222), fourth in free throws made (573), fifth in points scored (2,079), and ninth in field goals made (642). Singletary averaged 16.9 points (.406 FG%, .362 3pt%, .846 FT%), 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.62 steals per game in 123 games over four seasons. He averaged over 10 points and 3.9 assists per game in each of his four seasons.

Ewing Jr., a 6-8, 240-pound forward from Georgetown, was selected by the Kings in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft. He averaged 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 34 contests in 2007-08, his senior season with the Hoyas. The son of former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing, Ewing Jr. was the inaugural Big East Sixth Man of the Year in 2007-08. Ewing Jr. played two seasons at Indiana (2003-04 and 2004-05) before transferring to Georgetown. He shot over 50 percent from the field in three of his four college seasons.

Rafer Alston charged with DWI

The AP reports: Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is due in court Thursday for an arraignment on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge. Alston, 32, was arrested about 2:30 a.m. last Thursday and released on a $500 bond, police records show… Last August, Alston was charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication in Houston after a confrontation with a parking-lot attendant. About three weeks later, he was arrested in New York City after an alleged altercation in a nightclub, although charges in that case were later dropped.

InsideHoops.com says: Damn, Rafer, don’t mess up! NYC-area people, not to mention Rockets fans, streetball, fans, etc., are watching. Don’t let them, or yourself, down!