Houston Rockets 2014-2015 Press Conference

[78#]

Hello everyone. This is my 25th season as the Rockets GM/Head Coach (Quiet applause). Once again we have a new owner this season as Jeramy Watson sold the team to Bob Collins. This will be our 3rd owner since 2010 when Lowell Ramos sold the team to Watson who wanted more of a win now approach. Though we made it to the playoffs in 4 out of the 5 seasons with Watson, we never got out of the first round. We're hoping for more success with our new owner who is much younger and willing to be more patient to build a consistent winner.

Last season started out slow, but we finally hit our grove after the Marcus Banks trade at the deadline. We won 5 out of first 7 games after that trade and jumped to the 6th seed with the 4th and 5th seed not too far behind before we suffered a major blow with Al Horford breaking his leg and missing the rest of the season. After the injury we finished 9-14 the rest of the way end the season with a 41-41 record and 7th seed in the West. Unfortunately we ran into a very good Nuggets team and lost the series in 5 games.

This offseason started off with the draft. With our first pick, we selected SG Sean Kilpatrick from Cincy who shows great potential as a scorer when it comes to attacking the paint, shooting from the perimeter, and getting to the free throw line. We feel he can be a dynamic score for a long time if he reaches his potential.

In restricted FA, we managed to re-sign Lance Stephenson with a 3 year, $21 million contract. We had really liked Lance before the contract and now we really like him more after his training camp where he had a +61 across the board. He has the chance to become the elite wing scorer we have lacked for a long time.

In unrestricted FA, we signed key veterans to help establish quality depth with guys like Luis Scola, Chase Buddinger, C.J. Watson, Raymond Felton, and Corey Brewer. Buddinger had a good training camp as well increasing his potential to be a quality scorer heading into his prime.

Our two deep lineup looks like this:

C - Al Horford will start. We're hoping he can bounce back from his leg injury to continue to be one of the best centers in the league with his scoring, rebounding, defense, and all-around game. Scola will be his backup.

PF - Brandon Bass will be our starter in his last season as a Rocket; We need his scoring and rebounding to continue from last season. Scola will be the backup as well.

SF - Ronnie Brewer will be starting in his last season as a Rocket and maybe in the league. He's been a key player in his 9 seasons here as a premier athletic defender allowing him to be a three time all-League defender. Chase Buddinger will be his backup.

SG - Stephenson will be starter. We hope his scoring can supplement Horford and Ty Lawson. C.J. Watson will be his backup.

PG - Our max guy Ty Lawson. We think he will improve again this season with his scoring, play-making, and defense. Raymond Felton will be the backup

Depth Chart

C - Horford, Scola, Biyombo
PF - Bass, Scola, Biyombo, Mirotic
SF - Ronnie Brewer, Buddinger, Corey Brewer, Mirotic
SG - Stephenson, C.J. Watson, Buddinger, Sean Kilpatrick, Corey Brewer
PG - Lawson, Raymond Felton, C.J. Watson

Thank you.

[NOLa.]

How do you view your team in comparison to the landscape of the Midwest division? Do you feel the Nuggets are the front runner, and if so, where would you rank your Rockets along with the Jazz and Spurs?


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[NickMalone77]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: What do you think has led into so much franchise ownership instability? Do you think that frequent of changes has had a negative impact on your team build?

[78#]

How do you view your team in comparison to the landscape of the Midwest division? Do you feel the Nuggets are the front runner, and if so, where would you rank your Rockets along with the Jazz and Spurs?


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I think the Nuggets are the favorites right now, but I think we have a good shot for second place though the Jazz and Grizzlies will be tough. We really need to have a good start to the season while we figure out exactly our gameplan.

[78#]

Nick Melon; The Advocate: What do you think has led into so much franchise ownership instability? Do you think that frequent of changes has had a negative impact on your team build?

Part of the problem right now is the economy here in Houston. It's been terrible for a long time so we're not having the attendance necessary to profit compared to other teams in the league. That puts a strain on ownership over time especially with our previous owner who wanted to win right away, but not having the amount of financial support to pay tax bills will temper any kind of quick fix. Luckily our new owner is young and patient and doesn't care about making profits or having a quick fix.

[ballsohard]

A lot of fans in Houston are wondering if you still have PTSD from your previous cap situation or if it's improving?


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[garbageman]

With so many players on expiring contracts this season, are you going to be active in the trade market this season, or do you see yourself waiting it out and saving space for free agency next year?

[78#]

A lot of fans in Houston are wondering if you still have PTSD from your previous cap situation or if it's improving?


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We call it being fiscally responsible, but yeah I try to avoid paying the tax unless it's necessary like last season and maybe this season.


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[78#]

With so many players on expiring contracts this season, are you going to be active in the trade market this season, or do you see yourself waiting it out and saving space for free agency next year?

If we start out well, I wouldn't rule out trading Biyombo or someone like Kirkpatrick to help us go deep this year. How we do this season will determine our plans for next season.


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[logpmess]

What role do you see for your veteran leader Luis Scola? Is he going to be a leader in the locker room, or can we expect for his presence to be felt on the court as well?

[Inner_GI]

You may claim 5 points for your presser.

[78#]

What role do you see for your veteran leader Luis Scola? Is he going to be a leader in the locker room, or can we expect for his presence to be felt on the court as well?

He's the primary frontcourt backup. We hope he can provide scoring and rebounding off the bench.