Rockets rookie big man Jabari Smith Jr. remains sidelined as he continues to rehabilitate from a sprained left ankle, though he was cleared for contact practices on Tuesday, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The 6’10” power forward, the third pick out of Auburn, expressed confidence that he might be available for Houston’s 2022/23 season opener, scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, against the Hawks.
“I’m working to get back in shape now, just getting ready, getting my body ready for the first regular-season game,” Smith said. “It’s been tough, just sitting out, watching my teammates get better. I’m working to get better. I know I’ll be back in no time. It’s a long season.”
There’s more out of Houston:
- Second-year Rockets center Alperen Sengun is working to get more involved in Houston’s offense, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle in a separate piece. “Al-P’s strength is having the basketball and he hasn’t had the ball much,” head coach Stephen Silas remarked. “He’s been a pick-and-roll player. As we go through training camp, which is still going on, he’ll get his post-ups and he’ll get his elbow catches and it’ll be more comfortable for him.”
- Rockets head coach Stephen Silas has rejoined the club following a week-long absence due to his second COVID-19 infection, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Silas missed two Houston preseason contests and four team practices. Assistant coach John Lucas led the team in Silas’s absence. “It wasn’t a great experience going through it… but I feel good now,” Silas said. “I told the guys this; the hardest part is not seeing them and not being around them. The practices, it is what it is, the drills and the games and stuff. But just being around these guys, they’re such a fun group — I missed them.”
- With Rockets first-round draft selections Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and TyTy Washington Jr. now in the fold, joining young players Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., Josh Christopher, and Usman Garuba, the rebuilding Rockets appear poised to enjoy a fascinating 2022/23 season of development, though that probably won’t translate to wins. John Hollinger of The Athletic previews the club’s season outlook, projecting a 22-60 finish.
Don’t sleep on Jalen Green this year.
Houston is on the right track. Jabari Smith and Tari Eason were more than solid picks. Eason looks like a potential draft steal. Love that Smith and Eason both could develop into two of the better defensive players in the league.
Jalen Green scored a lot of points during the second half of last season.
Imagine if Houston adds Vic Wembanyama to their existing young core.
Lakers want Wemby.
One player in one team only
no image no if
Rockets are gonna be stinky poopoo this year but who knows going forward? I feel like they are handling this rebuild pretty well tbh
I love the direction the Houston Rockets are going in. This team is destined for greatness!!! I know they rebuilding and doing it well.
They got rid of the most overrated players in the NBA in Russell Westbrook and James Harden. They got nice young pieces. Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. are two building blocks.
If this team can get Scoot Henderson with the number two pick in the draft it would set this franchise off!!!
Kevin Porter will be better as a 6th man instead of a starting Point Guard.
Tari Eason could be the steal of the draft. He is gonna take Jae’Sean Tate’s spot.
Alperen Sengun was a solid draft pick last year, and will start at center this year.
I like Stephen Silas as head coach.
Houston is doing a lot of things right.
Harden wasn’t overrated until the rockets traded him. Even now I wouldn’t say he’s overrated, he might not be the scorer he was but he’s a hell of a playmaker
Harden is trash bro, hes well overrated, even at this point of his career.
If you consider Harden “trash” then there’s only about 10-20 good nba players today. Again his shooting has fallen off a cliff but there’s no denying his passing abilities. He’s a great playmaker
Calling a former MVP, 6x AllNBA first team ,10x AllStar, 3x scoring champ and arguably one of the greatest every shooting guards trash. I’d Iove to know what a good player is.
Imagine yelling “Hey Junior” at that practice
On paper Rockets have a lot of talents
Nobody can lead them to playoffs
They are now 5 years behind the Wolves, the 7th seed in west
Wolves talents are true
Gobert, Towns and Edwards
Edwards is better than those Rockets talents
Gobert ain’t all that. Minnesota has made this dude into something that Utah knows he is not.
Towns plays no defense.
Agreed. Anthony Edwards is better than anyone on the Rockets.
Obviously wolves are further ahead, Towns is a 7 year AS level Vet and Gobert is an all nba defensive player that is in or passing his prime. And antman should have been AS last year.
Don’t compare rebuilding teams to teams making trades to compete. It’s like saying “oh Orlando are 50 years behind Pels because they have BI CJ & Zion”.
These teams should be further ahead, hell Pups don’t have any picks until 2090 now! If they don’t compete theyll be in trouble. You’re comparing teams that have solid or star vet payers making trades to compete with teams that are 2-3 years into rebuilds with young prospects.
Where does EG fit. I know are focused on the young core and more. Not sure if more cuts or such to come. Think EG needs to go somewhere he can really be useful. Is he going to be a starter or bench or what. Yes it is nice to have a vet to guide the team but with all the players we have this season.
Gordon will most likely be traded to a contender around the deadline.
Rockets have a nice core with green, smith and Eason. I’m a huge fan of Alpy but I’m still not convinced he can be a starting center in todays NBA. Kevin porter Jr I’d look into locking up but def not at the max. He’s shown enough growth (on the court) to where I think he deserves to get paid and locked in as part of the core