The Houston Chronicle (Fran Blinebury) reports: As China prepares to stand tall by hosting its first Olympic Games, it is only fitting that 7-6 Yao Ming will carry his nation’s flag into the Bird’s Nest stadium at Friday’s Opening Ceremonies. A person with knowledge of the decision, who is not permitted to speak officially, confirmed the Rockets’ center, after carrying the Olympic torch through the main gate of the Forbidden City on Wednesday, will be the Chinese flag bearer for his second straight Olympics. Yao would not say that he has been chosen for the honor. The Chinese delegation is expected to make its announcement on Thursday morning, Houston time. “Of course, I want to be the flag bearer again,” Yao said. “I have experience. It feels good.”
Category: Houston Rockets Blog
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Rockets trade Steve Novak to Clippers
Steve Novak is a tall guy who shoots really well from outside. I’m not too sure what else he’s good at yet, but the kid is a real gunner. Also, he’s tall, if I didn’t mention that yet. A tall guy. Who shoots. That’s my in-depth scouting report on him. Anyway, Tracy McGrady seemed to like him, as did the Rockets, but the Clippers wanted his services, and now their dreams have come true. Here’s the Steve Novak trade news:
The Los Angeles Clippers today acquired forward Steve Novak from the Houston Rockets, Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor announced. In return, Houston will have the option to exchange second round picks with the Clippers in 2011.
The two-year NBA sharpshooter averaged 3.9 points while connecting on 34-71 three-pointers (.479) and 49-102 FG (.480) in 35 games played for the Rockets last season. Over the final five games of the 2007-08 campaign, Novak connected on 15-25 (.600) three-pointers en route to averaging 9.8 points per game during that stretch.
“Steve is a terrific perimeter shooter who will definitely help open the floor and create more opportunities for our post players,” stated Baylor. “We are happy to bring him to Los Angeles.”
Over his career, Novak has averaged 2.7 points and 6.5 minutes per game, while connecting on 67-152 FG (.441) and 47-110 3FG (.427). Novak also spent nine games last season with the Rio Grande Vipers, the Rockets’ NBA D-League affiliate, where he tallied 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.
“We are pleased to add Steve to our roster,” said head coach Mike Dunleavy. “He is an excellent shooter who will help us space the floor and keep defenses honest.”
Originally drafted in the second round (32nd overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft, Novak enjoyed a record-setting four-year collegiate career at Marquette. Novak established new school records for career three-pointers made (354) and career free throw percentage (.931) while finishing 10th on the all-time Marquette list for career points (1,567). He also became the sixth player in school history to reach career marks of 1,500 points and 500 rebounds (524).
The Clippers new-look roster now stands at 13 players as Los Angeles has revamped its roster by adding a total of nine new faces for the 2008-09 season.
Rumors Talk: On Rockets getting Artest
I’m picturing the Rockets lineup now of Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Ron Artest, Luis Scola and Yao Ming and love it. That team is worth watching, and on paper, if everything goes according to plan they’re as good as anyone in the West. Of course, what’s on paper doesn’t always translate to reality. I think at worst the team stays as good as they were last year, minus that Earth-shattering 823923-game winning streak, much of which came while Yao Ming was out injured.
Like last year, the West is a mix of terrific teams without a clear favorite. I guess the Lakers have to be considered the best, especially since they played well last season, reached the Finals, and get to enjoy a (presumably) healthy Andrew Bynum, who should keep improving. I’m still not sure about their rotation, however. Should Lamar Odom play small forward, alongside Pau Gasol and Bynum? Yes, if the team wants their best players on the court at all times.
Anyway, as for the Rockets, aside from making lots of wacky statements and seeming a bit nutty off the court, I think Artest knows how to be a winner and is basketball-smart enough to fit in well with what the Rockets do, especially since he trusts coach Rick Adelman.
The best of the West remains a mix of teams, but the Rockets definitely improve a bit with this deal.
How to determine schedule for any team
The Oklahoman (Mike Baldwin) reports on a team’s 82-game regular season schedule: “Four games against division opponents. Four games against six out-of-division conference opponents. Three games against the remaining four conference teams. Two games against teams in the opposing conference. A five-year rotation determines which out-of-division conference teams are played only three times.”
Yao Ming returns to action for China
The AP reports: Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming played in his first game in almost six months Thursday, joining China’s national team in an Olympics warmup against Serbia. Entering to huge applause from the crowd in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Yao appeared rusty in scoring six points over seven minutes in the first half. Four of those came from free throws, helping China race to a 51-39 lead after the second quarter. Yao’s appearance at the Stankovic Cup is his first game action since he suffered a stress fracture to his left foot in February, ending his NBA season and threatening his star turn as part of China’s team.
Yao Ming on court soon
Reuters reports: China’s Yao Ming is likely to play his first competitive game since having surgery on his foot in March at this week’s Stankovic Cup pre-Beijing Olympic basketball tournament, local media reported on Tuesday. The 7ft-6in (2.28m) Houston Rockets centre, whose NBA season was ended by a stress fracture, returned to China to join the national squad for training last month but played no part in two warm-up games against Australia in Jiangsu.
Rockets release Loren Woods
The Houston Chronicle (Jonathan Feigen) reports: The Rockets agreed to release center Loren Woods from his contract on Monday, then signed this season’s first-round pick Donte’ Greene before their first game in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League on Monday. Woods, who had been signed late last season to a partially-guaranteed contract for next season, had been receiving interest from several European teams and asked for his release. The Rockets had been considering him as a potential backup for Yao Ming, particularly if they are unable to sign free agent Dikembe Mutombo.
Gerald Green must learn fundamentals
The Dallas Morning News (Eddie Sefko) reports: Fundamentals were never ingrained in Gerald Green because he could always get by on his outrageous physical talent. Carlisle said Green jumps higher than any player he’s ever seen and that he’s also a good outside shooter. But Green has never learned to translate his physical gifts into great defense or ball-handling ability. “I just didn’t take advantage of my opportunities,” Green said. “I blame myself, nobody else. … I’m a new guy and ready to get after it.” Green averaged better than 10 points with Boston in his second NBA season, which is partly why he was included in the trade that brought Kevin Garnett (and a championship) to Boston. A struggling Green was traded to Houston, which cut him after one game.
2008-09 Salary Cap set to $58.680 million
The National Basketball Association today announced that the Salary Cap for the 2008-09 season will be $58.680 million. The new Cap goes into effect immediately as the league’s “moratorium period” has ended and teams can begin signing free agents and making trades.
The tax level for the 2008-09 season has been set at $71.150 million. Any team whose team salary exceeds that figure will pay a $1 tax for each $1 by which it exceeds $71.150 million.
The mid-level exception is $5.585 million for the 2008-09 season and the minimum team salary, which is set at 75% of the Salary Cap, is $44.010 million.
For the 2007-08 season, the Salary Cap was set at $55.630 million, the tax level was $67.865 million and the mid-level exception was $5.356 million.
Rockets want Brent Barry
The Houston Chronicle reports: The Rockets began free agent recruiting period with an 11 p.m. call to Spurs guard Brent Barry, but the team could have already hit a snag in its hopes to bring back forward Carl Landry. The Rockets called Barry as quickly as NBA rules allow in an effort to land the free agent that got away during the season when Barry was released by the Seattle SuperSonics but chose to return to the San Antonio Spurs.
InsideHoops.com says: Barry is 94 years old.