Rockets players spent most of their summer training together in Houston, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Instead of holding mini-camps at popular vacation sites, as the team has done in the past, virtually the entire roster has been working out at the Toyota Center.
“It’s been a good summer,” general manager Rafael Stone said. “I’m very happy. The summer is really about individuals. It’s less about the team. It’s more about where a specific guy, he saw a weakness; he worked on it. We identified something we wanted him to focus on; he did. We’ve seen that.”
After back-to-back years of posting the NBA’s worst record, the Rockets are rebuilding around youth, with seven total first-round picks in the last two drafts. Kevin Porter Jr. believes the offseason workouts have been beneficial for this year’s first-rounders, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason and TyTy Washington, as they prepare for their rookie season.
“We’ve been together for a couple months now,” Porter said. “I’ve been seeing growth and development. The new guys have been learning fast. I’ve been learning fast. So, it’s been good. They fit right in. They fit already.”
There’s more from Houston:
- Jae’Sean Tate, whose offseason included a new three-year, $20.6MM contract, believes the Rockets are moving in the right direction, Feigen adds in the same piece. “I definitely think we’ve been on the bottom the last couple years so there’s only (one) way we can go and that is up,” Tate said. “Just getting more experience with our rookie class from last year. I’m going into my third year and Kevin is going into his fourth. I just think that experience is going to help us out this year and getting that year under our belt but also continue to build a culture with this new class coming in.”
- The most important question for the organization is determining whether Porter is the right point guard for the future, Kelly Iko of The Athletic states in a preseason preview of the Rockets. Porter got off to a shaky start in his first full season at the position, but he showed improvement as the year wore on. Iko believes Porter and the Rockets both want to get a rookie scale extension worked out before the new season begins.
- Smith will be a better fit at power forward than the traded Christian Wood because he won’t demand the ball on offense, Iko adds in the same story.
Rockets have 7 good role players
Now it’s time to acquire 2 top 10 superstars
Without any stars they would be lottery team every year
I got to disagree with you because I think both Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. has star potential. I think Kevin Porter Jr. is better suited for the 6th man role. Then they got some nice solid young pieces that’s only going to get better.
I think they really should try and trade Eric Gordon around the trade deadline or next off season. He don’t fit on a rebuilding team.
They should have shipped him out this off-season. Doubt he’s gonna have opportunity to increase his value during the season
I’ve been worried about the point guard position. I’m thinking maybe we will run a offense a lot like the Warriors where Draymond is really the best facilitator. It was said Tate was working out with Draymond. Not sure if he is patterning his game after his. But I can see Tate and Sengun getting a lot of assist and KPJ maybe doing more of a catch and shot role. I might be reaching but this could be the best option for us.
I read a article that said Myles Turner might play out his contract in Indiana. He would be available at the right time for us. We don’t really need to sign a star in free agency, we can develop our young players into stars.
I don’t agree with Iko saying Jabari is a better fit because Wood demanded the ball on offense too much. His offensive numbers made the Rocket’s better. Very good shooter. Jabari will actually set picks and play perimeter defense which should make him a big improvement over Wood.
Houston have a bunch of good young talent but personally I don’t see how it all fits together.
KPJ Green Smith Sengun Washington Christopher Eason Garuba and Nix
Not sure what they do or how they improve. Wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a move for a big name star and offload some young guys
What will they do with the players they got with the Wood deal. How bout. Martin Jr.
Eric will he be a starter if do not deal him. I myself still do not know how all of them going to fit. I just want to start seeing something this year and not continuous shuffling. I want to see a team that can contend
The wood trade was about the draft pick. Most likely all players will get waved unless they feel Boban has anything to offer he might stay