Houston Rockets Press Conference

[78#]

Hello everyone. This season brings a new challenge with a new division and new rivalries. In the Southwest Division, we are pared with old foes in Dallas, the Spurs, Grizzlies, and a new one in the Pelicans. We feel this is our best team in a long time and we're hoping to get past the first round for the first time since we made the Finals in 2004.

The offseason started post draft where we had previously traded our first round pick. So we made a trade with the Bucks to re-acquire SF Thaddeus Young for a 2017 pick and SG Sean Kilpatrick who we really liked, but would not be a long-term starter due to Lance Stephenson. Thaddeus was a previous lottery pick who's finally come into his own and fills a tremendous need at SF with his inside scoring and outstanding defense.

Next came RFA. We really had no plans to get active during this stage, but honestly I was bored and decided to place some bids on some future PFs. We landed both Kenneth Faried and Bismack Biyombo, but knew we only wanted one instead of both. The Clippers easily matched because of Biyombo's upside and we worked out a small agreement with the Bucks to keep Faried. Though Faried had a tough TC, we still like his potential long-term as a rebounder and energizer.

That led to UFA where re-signed both Al Horford and D.J. White to long-term contracts. The Horford signing solidifies his legacy as a Rocket which we're happy to have thru the prime years of his career. White also gives up key depth in the frontcourt. We also signed quality veterans to provide backup minutes

Training camp went well overall with the exception of Faried, but thankfully he was insured keeping his potentials intact long-term. Horford improved his scoring and kept his athleticism intact after recovering from a broken leg. Ty Lawson improved his inside scoring and passing and could potentially be a 20/10 PG in this league. Lance Stephenson improved his all around game and figures to be a top SG in the league and Thaddeus Young improved his inside scoring and defense to fortify himself as one of the best young SFs in the game.

Preseason went well with a 4-2 mark, but we have our depth chart finalized for the start of the regular season.

At center - Al Horford will start and possibly become a 20/10 player and repeat All-League 1st team center. He will be backed up by D.J. White.

PF - We have Faried starting, but White will get plenty of minutes as well.

SF - Thaddeus Young will be the glue to the team with his scoring and defense. Chris Douglas Roberts will be the primary backup.

SG - Lance Stephenson is the clear starter with his overall game. Lou Williams will be the primary backup, but Jodie Meeks will get minutes as well.

PG - Ty Lawson will be looking to repeat another All-Star season. Lou Williams will also backup him, but look for Raymond Felton to get minutes.

Thank you everyone. We will be taking questions now.

[Darth Vegito]

We heard rumblings of Al Horford possibly being on the block prior to the season starting. Any truth to this? How do you see his role in the future?

[78#]

We heard rumblings of Al Horford possibly being on the block prior to the season starting. Any truth to this? How do you see his role in the future?

Thanks for the question.

Once we re-signed Lawson to a long-term deal, we knew we were going to go forward with Horford. At that point, we decided to build around both of these guys. We see Horford as the top center in the league, and think he will have his best season yet and hopefully help us make a deep run in the playoffs.

[WigNosy]

Reports were that you were seen openly weeping in the Rockets' practice facility when Biyombo's contract was matched. Any truth to the rumor?

[78#]

Reports were that you were seen openly weeping in the Rockets' practice facility when Biyombo's contract was matched. Any truth to the rumor?

Truthfully I was relieved when it was matched because I knew I couldn't afford him and Faried. But I should have just stayed bored during RFA instead of bidding my pants off.

[garbageman]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Lots of shakeups in your new division, including the New Orleans Hornets rebranding as the Pelicans and jumping Conferences. Who do you see as the biggest threat as you look for a Division Title?

[78#]

Sham Smith, Bulls.com: Lots of shakeups in your new division, including the New Orleans Hornets rebranding as the Pelicans and jumping Conferences. Who do you see as the biggest threat as you look for a Division Title?

The biggest threats in our way for a divisional title are injuries, poor game-planning, and the referees.

[PaulyP]

Jon Snow, WSN -

Can you talk a little about Lance Stephenson's development, it seems like he's ready to take that next step

[78#]

Jon Snow, WSN -

Can you talk a little about Lance Stephenson's development, it seems like he's ready to take that next step

He's been a really big surprise. We drafted him in the late lottery and he slowly improved each season. We signed him back last season as a RFA despite having very little playing time in his first four years. Then he had a huge TC and became a consistent starter and now is ready to make the jump to one of the better all-around players in the league. Very exciting to see how far he has come.

[IamQuailman]

Your starting 5 is very well rounded and quite. If you had to pick out it's one weak link, what would it be? Where do you find yourself in the Southwest division's pecking order?

[78#]

Your starting 5 is very well rounded and quite. If you had to pick out it's one weak link, what would it be? Where do you find yourself in the Southwest division's pecking order?

Thanks for the question. I would say PF would be our weakest spot after the TC drop from Faried, but we do have a strong backup in D.J. White and we still like Faried's talent.

I think with the rest of our starting lineup, we should win the Southwest. No excuses.

[ballsohard]

Any truth to Faried liking Mexican a little too much?

[78#]

Any truth to Faried liking Mexican a little too much?

It's true. We spotted him plenty of times downtown eating fajitas, quesadillas, etc. Kinda got gross after awhile.

[IamQuailman]

Any truth to Faried liking Mexican a little too much?

Women or food?

[NOLa.]

Some GMs are starting to believe that your team is the best in your division. Do you agree with this? Are you looking to acquire more talent via trades to become a top contender in the West?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

Some GMs are starting to believe that your team is the best in your division. Do you agree with this? Are you looking to acquire more talent via trades to become a top contender in the West?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think we should win the division, but for the most part we're gonna stand pat unless we make some minor improvements to our bench.


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[Xist2Inspire]

Going back to the subject of your bench, do you feel as if that's your major weakness at the moment?

[78#]

Going back to the subject of your bench, do you feel as if that's your major weakness at the moment?

Probably so though we like our frontcourt depth. Our PG depth is ok too, but you can only fill so many holes so we decided to focus on making our starting 5 as strong as possible. Obviously injuries can derail things as it has for the last two seasons going into the playoffs, but we think our depth is ok.

[Inner_GI]

78, you may claim 5 points for your presser.