2007 Houston Rockets Preseason Press Conference

[78#]

Hello everyone. Welcome to our pre-season press conference. Today we will introduce team owner Lowell Ramos, GM - 78, and head coach Hersey Hawkins. First we have owner Lowell Ramos.

Ramos - Hello everyone. Good to be here. Basically I will be discussing both financial and team matters. Unfortunately, we're still paying off the luxury tax. It's slow process, but it will be paid off by next season. We have been under the cap since last season which is helping gain revenue to pay off the tax. We were also told by the league that once we have paid off the tax, we can pursue a new arena which we are desperate for at this time. Our current arena holds only a little over 16,000 with zero club seats, and only 20 luxury seats. We are definitely behind the rest of the league in arena standards. A big reason why we're not profiting. Also, the city of Houston is currently in a large recession so we are not able to receive much public funding for a new arena. Despite a large market, the economy is in terrible shape, and our fan base is currently fair due to a combination of factors whether its on the court or off the court. However, I feel things are improving and we feel confident we will have a new arena in the future and be among the most profitable teams in the league.

Next we have GM 78.

78 -
1 ) Hello everyone. Our team is in rebuilding mode obviously. Though the current looks bleak, the future is bright.

2) We drafted Thaddeus Young out of Georgia Tech. He's a young 19 year old from New Orleans so he's relatively close to his family. He has tremendous upside with the potential to score, rebound, and defend. He had a great training camp with a +47 increase in his ratings going from orange to yellow with no decrease in potential. He even gained quickness which is not common. We definitely feel he is the future of this franchise.

3) Ronnie Brewer was our 2006 draft pick which was acquired when we traded Chris Webber to the Pacers. Though he was drafted in the lower lottery, he would probably be picked around 8th if the draft was held today. He started at yellow/orange and is now yellow/green after two strong training camps. He has the potential to be a tremendous defender and with him and Thaddeus guarding the perimeter, it will be very tough for wing players to score against us.

4) We signed Leandro Barbosa on a veteran minimum, but he had an outstanding training camp getting over +30 as well as increasing potentials across the board. He's not quite at the potential when he was drafted, but he's on his way and we hope to have him long-term as a scorer.

5) We drafted Al Thornton early in the second round and he had a good training camp as well with an increase of +25 in ratings. We like his athleticism and plan to look at him on the court later in the year.

6) Going to the veterans, we accepted Jason Kidd's team option. Due to us being over the tax, we had limited options in free agency so we felt having Jason come back was a no-brainer. Still a very good starter in this league, we're excited about he can help this team.

7) Big Z is still our starting center and we do plan to accept his team option for next season. He's been our franchise for almost a decade and have no plan on just dumping him. We look forward to having him finish his career as a Houston Rocket.

8) To conclude our offseason moves, we made some key signings in free agency with Eddie Jones, Tom Gugliotta, Tony Delk, and Malik Allen. These guys will make a positive impact this season whether it's starting or coming off the bench.

Next we have Hersey Hawkins.

Hawkins - Thanks everyone. I'm gonna go quickly over the depth chart and discuss some of the game plan.

1) Starting center will be Big Z. He will be backed up by Malik Allen.

2) Gugs will be our starting power forward. He will also be backed up by Malik Allen.

3) Jason Kidd will be our starting small forward. Though he is still our best play-maker, we fill his athletic ability and overall rebounding and defense will better suit him to small forward. He will be backed up by Eddie Jones.

4) LeAndro Barbosa will be our starting SG this season. He has a chance to be our leading scorer this season. Eddie Jones will also back him up.

5) Tony Delk is our starting PG. Joe Crispin will be the backup.


Thank you everyone. Now we're ready to take questions.

[RPF]

What would be considered a successful season for the Rockets this year?

[NOLa.]

How many seasons do you think the Rockets are away from competiting for the Midwest division?

Sent via Morse code

[78#]

What would be considered a successful season for the Rockets this year?

We're looking at multiple levels of success throughout the season.

1) The first step of success was training camp where we saw our young guys in Thaddeus, Brewer, Barbosa, and Thornton drastically improve.

2) Next will be competing for the playoffs. If we have a chance, that's great, but if not then we need to focus on acquiring points to come as close as we can to paying off our tax.

[78#]

How many seasons do you think the Rockets are away from competiting for the Midwest division?

Sent via Morse code

At the pace we are on now, probably 2-3 seasons. Really depends on how fast we can pay the tax and also how fast our young guys develop. We're probably another young core prospect away, but also need to find a defensive center long-term as well.

[logpmess]

Big Z seems to be a pretty good potential player for trade discussion. Would you consider trading this big man? And if he makes it to the end of the season, do you expect that he will be a part of the Rockets next season, or will you look to decline the team option next year to free up some cap space?

[78#]

Big Z seems to be a pretty good potential player for trade discussion. Would you consider trading this big man? And if he makes it to the end of the season, do you expect that he will be a part of the Rockets next season, or will you look to decline the team option next year to free up some cap space?

We plan to keep him throughout his contract, but we won't rule out a trade. However, Big Z wants to stay since he realizes no one else will accept his team option like we plan to do.

[Xist2Inspire]

Random Reporter: Going back to gathering points, how do you plan on going about that? Will you start to sell off assets if there's a slow start to the season?

[78#]

Random Reporter: Going back to gathering points, how do you plan on going about that? Will you start to sell off assets if there's a slow start to the season?

That's one way of going about it. Also trying to accumulate from player and team performances. But I think selling assets will be more productive.

[JNR]

GWR: Can you see a player at the top of the draft that you think will pair well with your young core?

[78#]

GWR: Can you see a player at the top of the draft that you think will pair well with your young core?

With Thaddeus Young and Ron Brewer having really good defensive potential, we're looking at Russell Westbrook or DeAndre Jordan to help bring more defense.

[IamQuailman]

Keeping Big Z is a bit of a shock. But he was such a pivotal player in your team's history. Have you started to erect his statue yet?

[78#]

Keeping Big Z is a bit of a shock. But he was such a pivotal player in your team's history. Have you started to erect his statue yet?

Once we clear the tax payments we will definitely start to erect his statue especially since his head looks like the tip of a penis.

[fearthebrow]

Random Dallas reporter:

Will Jason Kidd really be your starting small forward? It seems like he could easily get injured at the 3 spot.

[78#]

Random Dallas reporter:

Will Jason Kidd really be your starting small forward? It seems like he could easily get injured at the 3 spot.

Yes for now. He has the strength and athletic ability to play at that spot. Plus he has Big Z's big penis helping in the paint.

[TrayWithAnA]

I think this is a fun question and a chance for others to get creative. So pardon if repetitive...

Do you have any special giveaways on the docket this season? There are only so many times we as fans can receive a white tshirt with the local ambulance chaser's logo on the back. How do you plan on mixing it up for your fanbase?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

I think this is a fun question and a chance for others to get creative. So pardon if repetitive...

Do you have any special giveaways on the docket this season? There are only so many times we as fans can receive a white tshirt with the local ambulance chaser's logo on the back. How do you plan on mixing it up for your fanbase?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Instead of shooting T-shirts to the fans during games, we're gonna start shooting sloppy tacos into the stands.