Rockets practice interviews: Tidbits from Thursday, Dec. 10

Led by a James Harden update, here are the key takeaways from media interviews with head coach Stephen Silas and point guard John Wall.

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas and five-time All-Star guard John Wall met with the media following Thursday’s training camp practice at Toyota Center in downtown Houston.

The interviews were conducted just prior to the team’s flight to Chicago, where the Rockets will face the Bulls in a pair of preseason games on Friday and Sunday nights. All-Star guard James Harden will not be with the team due to his stringent COVID-19 testing protocols, which were implemented after his delayed arrival at training camp.

In Harden’s absence, Silas said the starting lineup for Friday’s preseason opener at the United Center has yet to be finalized.

As usual, all interviews were conducted in a virtual format via Zoom, as part of the NBA’s mission to minimize potential exposure risks to league personnel during the pandemic. Here’s a look at the key quotes and videos from both Silas and Wall during Thursday’s media sessions.