Houston Rockets Articles - Page 105

Mike D’Antoni has already put some thought into how to make the most of the Houston Rockets’ star pairing of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. The veteran head coach already made it known he plans to utilize his best players’ strengths and plans to keep either Westbrook or Harden on the floor at all times. […]

James Harden delivered on his hard work in the offseason, quickly putting the fruits of his labor on display in the Houston Rockets’ first preseason game against the Shanghai Sharks. The Beard had been seen mastering a one-legged drift-away jumper, and he made use of it when he was shaded to his left, taking a […]

For the better part of the 2018-19 season, many fans and pundits maligned James Harden for his patented step-back jumper. In the eyes of many, this was a travel and not being legislated properly by the NBA. However, the league informed head coaches across the league this summer that Harden’s jumper was perfectly legal, according […]

With Russell Westbrook set to make his debut for his new team, the Houston Rockets, it appears that at least one of his former teammates from the Oklahoma City Thunder is very much looking forward to the first matchup against their former cornerstone superstar. For his part, Thunder wing Andre Roberson admitted he is excited […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni provided an update with regards to Russell Westbrook’s status during Monday morning’s media availability. Westbrook, who was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Rockets this offseason, is still recovering from an offseason knee procedure. D’Antoni says Russ is healthy, but the team is taking a cautious approach […]

Several Rockets teammates were given the opportunity to come on-stage during Meek Mill’s Legendary Night’s Tour stop in Houston over the weekend, including James Harden, Russell Westbrook, PJ Tucker and Austin Rivers. After making their way onto the stage, the four teammates were seen dancing and hyping up the crowd. Patrons in attendance cheered in […]

Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is expected to sit out the first two preseason games and make his preseason debut when team plays the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 8 and 10 in Japan, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Earlier on Monday, Westbrook was scratched from taking part on the first preseason game against […]

The Houston Rockets don’t plan to trot out newly acquired star Russell Westbrook in Monday’s preseason game against the Shanghai Sharks, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. The organization is exercising proper caution, given that Westbrook was recently cleared to take up five-on-five workouts. Westbrook’s easy-going schedule was largely expected, considering he’s coming off yet another […]

Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni expects center Clint Capela to be ‘great’ in the upcoming 2019-20 season. D’Antoni, who’s coming back for his fourth year as Rockets head coach, noted that Capela has always brought his game up a notch every year. The veteran tactician also pointed out how Capela’s FIBA World Cup experience […]

Over the past couple of years, there have been complaints about James Harden’s signature step-back jumper, with people saying he often travels whenever he does it. Well, the Houston Rockets star has had enough of it. Harden, who has been using the step-back jumper as his main offensive weapon, said there shouldn’t have ever been […]

The NBA recently announced a new emphasis on calling traveling violations in the 2019-20 season and beyond, and the natural reaction was to assume these changes were made with Houston Rockets star James Harden in mind. Harden’s patented step-back has come under intense scrutiny, with many complaining that he often gets away with traveling while […]

Ryan Anderson had the worst season of his career in 2018-19, but he is determined to make that a thing of the past as he returns to the Houston Rockets. Anderson signed a partially guaranteed deal with Houston this summer in hope of revitalizing his career. He played with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook believes it’s important for players on the team to bond off the court. The Rockets will be playing in Hawaii during the preseason, a trip which Westbrook says is going to give the team an opportunity to spend time with each other. Russell Westbrook on Hawaii trip: "I […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says his job is to “make the game easier for everybody.” Westbrook believes the preseason is going to be important so he and his new teammates can get accustomed to one another. Russell Westbrook on the importance of preseason for him: "It's very important. Getting adjusted to me […]

The Houston Rockets are coming off a disappointing season that saw them fall, once again, to the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 Western Conference Playoffs following their heartbreaking, classic Western Conference Finals series in 2018, which went to 7 games. In response, proactive General Manager Daryl Morey sprung into action and landed superstar Russell […]

The offseason featured a bevy of shocking signings and trades that completely altered the landscape of the NBA, and when the Los Angeles Lakers’ veteran pickup Jared Dudley was asked which newly-formed pairing would be the toughest, he had no choice but to name two. Not surprisingly, both duos play in the Western Conference – […]

The Houston Rockets were once again at the forefront of news regarding trailblazing moves after crafting an innovative contract for center Nene Hilario. However, the NBA has punished them for their creativity. Both the league and the NBA Players Association (NBPA) had a curious case on their hands when the Rockets crafted the deal. Nene […]

This year is the best chance for Eric Gordon to win an NBA title. The road to the title is the most open it has ever been in recent memory, and the Houston Rockets have a shot with Russell Westbrook and James Harden at the helm. He wants to help the team win their first […]

Ryan Anderson spent two seasons with the Houston Rockets before being shipped to the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 offseason. Now, the 6-foot-10 stretch big is reuniting with his old team after signing a partially guaranteed deal with Houston. Rockets veteran guard Eric Gordon and forward PJ Tucker reacted to the stunning news, welcoming their […]

Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon has been a central figure on the team’s recent successful run, hitting clutch shots over the course of seasons to help James Harden and company reach the Western Conference Finals in 2018 and at least the second round of the postseason for three consecutive years. Now, with the acquisition of […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says he doesn’t have to have the ball to impact the game. Because both James Harden and Westbrook are ball-dominant stars, pundits around the league have questions about whether the two MVPs will be able to coexist and lead the Rockets to a championship. Westbrook, who has averaged […]

Houston Rockets superstar point guard Russell Westbrook says “next question” has been dropped from his repertoire. Westbrook used to say “next question” when Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer Berry Tramel would ask him a question. Russell Westbrook says with a smile that “next question” has been dropped from his repertoire. “I’m in a new place […]

Former NBA MVP point guard Russell Westbrook arrived on the scene for the Houston Rockets on Friday for the team’s annual media day. With questions swirling about how Westbrook will mesh with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden, the 30-year-old floor general dryly revealed who his “only” friend on the hardwood is: Spalding. […]

The Houston Rockets plan on upgrading their home turf within the next three years, per the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “We need to be upgraded and we need to do it really soon,” Rockets CEO Tad Brown said on Toyota Center while mentioning some of their immediate plans over the next three years. The Rockets […]

Houston Rockets veteran forward PJ Tucker was spotted wearing New Balance sneakers during his team’s media day on Friday. As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon noted on Twitter, the 34-year-old Tucker — who had been a Nike guy — “walked into the Rockets’ media day wearing a pair of New Balance.” PJ Tucker, considered the NBA’s sneaker king, […]

Austin Rivers says the Houston Rockets have “everything we need to win a championship this year.” The Rockets acquired Russell Westbrook this summer and also signed Tyson Chandler in free agency. With Westbrook in the fold, Houston is the only team in the NBA with two MVPs on its roster. Austin Rivers on the Rockets: […]

Houston Rockets guard Austin Rivers admits he and his dad, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, had some “explicit” trash talk this summer. Austin says his dad was on Cloud 9 all offseason, and you can’t blame him. The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard in free agency and traded for Paul George. Austin says the […]

Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook says teaming up with James Harden in Houston is going to be “scary” for opponents this upcoming season. Harden has led the NBA in scoring the past two seasons, while Westbrook has averaged a triple-double three seasons in a row. Houston is the only team in the NBA with two […]

Any fear Houston Rockets fans felt about new star Russell Westbrook’s knee issues have been temporarily alleviated. On Friday morning, the enigmatic guard announced that despite the knee scope, he’ll be ready to play on opening night: Russell Westbrook on his recovery from a spring knee scope: “I feel like I’m in a good place. […]

It comes time for every star player to pass the torch. Even the best of the best know that when it comes time to hang up the jersey, there will be someone to take their place. According to Tyson Chandler, Kobe Bryant thought the player to continue the legacy would be James Harden. Chandler revealed […]

Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden spoke with members of the media on Friday morning as part of media day. During his appearance, the former No. 3 overall pick noted that he would like to play in Tokyo’s 2020 Olympics: Harden said playing on the Olympic team is "one of my goals." — Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) […]

Houston Rockets star James Harden was ecstatic about the chance to play with longtime friend Russell Westbrook and confident in Mike D’Antoni’s leadership as a head coach to lead them. “I’m very excited…. tomorrow (when training camp starts) is the beginning and journey to something great,” said Harden, according to Alykhan Bijani of The Athletic. […]

James Harden and Russell Westbrook have been reunited in Houston. At this point, it’s not clear how well the two stars will perform together, but Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni says he is planning to have one of them on the floor at all times in the coming season: #Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni on Russ […]

As part of Friday’s media day, Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni noted that he isn’t planning on changing Russell Westbrook’s play style in the coming season: “We need Russell to be Russell,” D’Antoni said, per ESPN’s Tim McMahon. You don’t want to change him. He’s an MVP.” Westbrook, now 30 years of age, was […]

Over the last week, extension talks between Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni and the organization have come to screeching halt. D’Antoni was rumored to be looking for a long-term contract with the West Coast powerhouse, but the Rockets seemed hesitant to make such an offer. Owner Tilman Fertitta is furious that the contract negotiations […]

Houston Rockets big man Nene Hilario has re-injured an adductor and will not be with the team for the start of training camp, according to a report from Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Rockets center Nene re- injured an adductor and will not be with the team in training camp, the Rockets announced this […]

Many NBA aficionados viewed Houston’s acquisition of Russell Westbrook this offseason as a great move. However, when asked about the deal, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey called it his biggest strategic risk. Morey recently sat down for a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal. Amid the discussion, Morey was asked to name the biggest […]

Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey may exude a calm and collected presence whenever he faces the media, but as it turns out, the 47-year-old high-ranking executive is actually a complete mess whenever he watches his team play. Talking to Ben Cohen and Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal, Morey did not hold back, […]

Last month, James Harden made headlines by suggesting the “media narrative” surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo cost him a second consecutive MVP award. That’s not such an incendiary take all by itself. Indeed, media coverage of the league influences public perception, and a select number of media members help decide which players win postseason awards. But Harden’s […]