Houston Rockets Pre-Season Presser

[78#]

Hello everyone. Before we get started with this season, I want to reflect on last season. Thinks were very much up in the air before the season started since we bitterly missed the playoffs the prior season. Then, the team started 8-13 and were in danger of missing the playoffs again. However, we got turned things around and ended the season on a 39-22 run helping us get the 6th seed in the West and second in the Southwest Division. The playoffs started and we faced a depleted squad while losing Ty Lawson and won in 5 games to help us win our first series since 2004. We next faced the Grizzlies who upset the Spurs despite not having Kawhi Leonard and a team which has given us trouble the last few seasons. Our defense really cranked up and we shockingly won in a 4 game sweep. Finally, we faced a really good Sacramento Kings squad who handled us well in the first two games on their homecourt, but we fought back and played two great games at home tying the series before losing two very close games allowing the Kings to move on. Though the loss was very tough, the overall accomplishment of the season was satisfying.

So here we are now getting ready to start the new season. The offseason started out with the draft where we had the 19th pick. We landed SG Jonathan Treat and feel he can be a very good score for many years to come. He's strong, athletic and has good potential to score in the paint and on the perimeter. He's still very raw so we're gonna have to be patient with him, but we're still excited about his potential.

Next, was free agency. Being over the cap already, we could only sign veteran minimums where we brought back some old faces with some new guys as well. No one really stood out, but we like having back Gerald Henderson and Jon Leuer as well as brining in Corey Joseph.

Training camp was very good for us overall. Our two young prospects Jonathan Treat and center Russell Gomez had good camps, while our key veterans had losses, but not enough to limit their production this season. This was our biggest fear coming into the season since our main 4 are all over 30+.

We rounded out pre-season signing and releasing several guys to fill out the roster. So our depth chart looks like this:

At center, we continue to go with Al Horford who will be starting for the 11th straight season. We feel he still has enough in the tank to compete for an All-League spot at center. Though his quickness his gone, he's improved his 3-pt shooting to compensate. Russell Gomez will continue to be his backup for the 3rd straight season.

At power forward, we have Chris Bosh returning for his second season here. We need him to continue to score and rebound and provide defense in the paint. Though he's lost a step, his production should be good for us. Russell Gomez and Jon Leuer will man the backup spot.

Thaddeus Young will be returning as SF for his 4th straight season. He's very good all-around especially defensively. Gerald Henderson will be his primary backup.

At shooting guard, newcomer Corey Joseph will start due to his scoring, defense, and quickness. Gerald Henderson will be the backup as well.

Finally, Ty Lawson is back starting in his 10th season. He had a pretty good camp and has a chance to be our leading scorer as well as providing passing, and defense. Corey Joseph will be his primary backup.

Thanks everyone. Now we will be taking questions.

[Wombataholic]

Do you think it's reasonable to expect a return to the playoffs this season?

[JNR]

GWR: Chris Bosh went to Houston for a ring. Do you think that's still a possibility?

[Inner_GI]

Who do you see winning the western conference?

[garbageman]

Will Jonathan Treat be seeing any floor time this year?

[WigNosy]

In your estimation, has Horford's historical importance to the Rockets surpassed the importance of Zydrunas Ilgauskas?

[78#]

Do you think it's reasonable to expect a return to the playoffs this season?

Yes we expect to make the playoffs at the very least especially with the West being weakened in the offseason.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Eazy P]

Do you see this current Rockets team making another run this season?

[78#]

GWR: Chris Bosh went to Houston for a ring. Do you think that's still a possibility?

I think we can make a run at getting to the Finals barring any injuries but it's not going to be easy. But yes I think we have a chance once we get into the tournament.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

Who do you see winning the western conference?

Barring injuries we feel we're gonna win this conference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

Will Jonathan Treat be seeing any floor time this year?

Not right now. He's the 15th player on our roster. But we love his potential!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[78#]

Do you see this current Rockets team making another run this season?

Damn straight we will.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk