Tag: Aaron Holiday

Interview: Aaron Holiday on how the Rockets have turned things around

“I believe we’re going to get to the playoffs this year, for sure,” Rockets guard Aaron Holiday says in a new interview with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Entering December, the Houston Rockets (8-8) have elevated from a bottom-tier lottery team in recent years to a potential 2023-24 playoff squad after an offseason spending spree that included acquiring Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks and hiring Ime Udoka as head coach.

Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, who was among the veteran free agent signings for an otherwise young Rockets team, recently spoke with HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto about how those veteran newcomers have worked to change Houston’s culture.

Other interview topics include whether the NBA is still sleeping on Houston; the development of Alperen Sengun; how Holiday has taken advantage of his own opportunity with the Rockets, and more.

Now 27 years old, Holiday averages 6.1 points (45.2% FG, 35.1% on 3-pointers) and 2.0 assists in 18.4 minutes as Houston’s backup point guard. He’s a trusted perimeter defender for Udoka, as well.

Transcripts of select portions of Holiday’s interview are available below, with the complete question-and-answer (Q&A) transcript available as part of Scotto’s latest NBA notebook at HoopsHype.

Takeaways: In close loss to Warriors, Rockets finish with Aaron Holiday over Jalen Green

Houston (6-6) has lost three straight after a 121-116 loss at Golden State. Alperen Sengun had another monster game with 30 points (56.5% FG) and 13 rebounds.

The Houston Rockets finished winless on their three-game California road trip, in the state after Monday’s 121-116 (box score) loss to Golden State in the finale. The Rockets (6-6), who had won six consecutive games, have suddenly dropped three in a row. Meanwhile, the Warriors (7-8) snapped their six-game skid.

After a slump of late, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson broke out for the hosts with 32 and 20 points, respectively. Curry hit 5-of-9 from 3-point range (55.6%), while Thompson made 5-of-11 (45.5%).

Unlike Houston’s first two games in Los Angeles against the Lakers and Clippers, which were tied in the final 10 seconds, this one wasn’t nearly as close. Fatigue from a third game in four nights certainly didn’t help, and neither did Golden State’s shooting barrage: 21-of-43 (48.8%) from 3-point range.

Standout players for the Rockets were:

  • Alperen Sengun: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists; 13-of-23 shooting (56.5%), 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%), plus-6 in 37 minutes
  • Fred VanVleet: 10 points, 14 assists, 5 rebounds; 3-of-13 shooting (23.1%), 1-of-8 on 3-pointers (12.5%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks; 7-of-13 shooting (53.8%), 1-of-5 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 16 points, 5 rebounds; 6-of-13 shooting (46.2%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40%)
  • Jalen Green: 16 points, 3 rebounds; 6-of-15 shooting (40%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 13 points, 4 steals, 4 rebounds; 4-of-5 shooting (80%), 3-of-4 on 3-pointers (75%)

With Holiday playing well and Green struggling both as a shooter and on defense, the veteran played the entire fourth quarter in Green’s place — mostly alongside the other four starters.

Here’s our look at highlights and postgame interviews from Monday night in San Francisco, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston is Wednesday’s home game versus Memphis, with the tip from Toyota Center set for 7 p.m. Central.

Day 1 Rockets practice footage: Training camp opens in Louisiana

As #Rockets training camp opens in Lake Charles, Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green each had standout moments in Tuesday’s scrimmage (with Green finishing an alley-oop from Fred VanVleet).

As expected, 2023-24 training camp for the Rockets opened Tuesday at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was Houston’s first official practice with new head coach Ime Udoka and featured newly signed veterans such as Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, along with rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

Reporters in attendance were able to view approximately 10 minutes of scrimmage activity at the end of practice. Big men Jock Landale (sprained ankle rehab) and Alperen Sengun (individual training) did not fully participate, but nearly all other regulars played.

Following the scrimmage, Udoka, Jabari Smith Jr., and Aaron Holiday each took a handful of interview questions from reporters.

Here’s a compilation of video highlights and interview quotes from Tuesday’s training camp activity at McNeese State. Our Brian Barefield is on the scene in Lake Charles and will have additional news coverage for Rockets Wire in the hours and days ahead.

Complete Houston Rockets player ratings list for NBA 2K24 video game

Among #Rockets players, Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun are leading the way in NBA 2K24’s initial player rankings for the 2023-24 season.

The looming release of the NBA 2K24 video game (Friday, Sept. 8) also involves learning NBA 2K’s ratings for all players across the league. To determine virtual skills, players are rated 1-to-100 across many categories, including a frequently disputed overall rating.

Courtesy of HoopsHype, we also have an idea how each player stacks up compared to his NBA peers. For example, the highest-rated players on the 2023-24 Rockets roster — veteran guard Fred VanVleet, third-year guard Jalen Green and third-year center Alperen Sengun — all have an overall rating of 83, per 2Kratings.com.

Based on HoopsHype’s data from last season, that would be tied for 57th overall while matching players such as Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Mikal Bridges, Jonas Valanciunas, Jalen Brunson, John Collins, Desmond Bane and Nikola Vucevic.

Houston’s fourth-highest-rated player is Kevin Porter Jr., who has an 81 rating. That would be tied for 85th based on HoopsHype’s player data from the 2022-23 game cycle.

From best to worst, scroll on for the initial list of overall ratings involving  players on the 2023-24 Rockets. Additional ratings in other categories, such as 3-point shooting and dunking, are available at 2Kratings.com. Depending on results this season, these roster ratings could be adjusted in future NBA 2K digital updates.

Updated 2023-2024 Houston Rockets roster, salaries after free agency

After an extremely busy 2023 free agency, here’s an updated look at the #Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

When we last saw the Houston Rockets play a regular-season game in April, they were one of the NBA’s youngest teams and directed by a relatively unproven head coach in Stephen Silas.

The situation has changed significantly in the months since. Ime Udoka replaced Silas as head coach and brought in his own staff of assistants, while general manager Rafael Stone spent more than $60 million in 2023 free agency to sign veteran players Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green and Jock Landale.

Those veterans will surround Houston’s young core of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Kevin Porter Jr., Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and newly drafted 2023 rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore.

As of early August, here’s an updated look at where things stand with the Rockets’ coaching staff and roster of players entering the 2023-24 NBA season. Many of the team’s newcomers will not have their jersey numbers revealed until closer to training camp, which is scheduled to start in early October.

Height and weight information is from NBA.com, while salary details are from HoopsHype figures. Ages are as of Aug. 1, 2023.

Rockets officially announce deals with Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, Jeff Green

Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green are all officially Rockets. Here’s how the team announced each of its July 2023 transactions to date.

As part of a complex web of transactions, the Houston Rockets officially announced the additions of four players as part of their activities in the opening two days of the NBA’s 2023 free agency.

The Rockets had a league-leading figure of approximately $60 million in financial room beneath the salary cap heading into free agency. However, they created even more room with a series of controversial trades sending out salaries and future second-round draft assets, which may have been made with the signing Milwaukee big man Brook Lopez (who ultimately rejected the Rockets) in mind.

As it turned out, general manager Rafael Stone and the Rockets ended up adding big men Jock Landale and Jeff Green on top of the marquee deals with Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks.

None of the deals could be announced until Thursday, which is when the league’s temporary moratorium on transactions for its 2023-24 league year was lifted. Shortly after the moratorium ended, the league began processing signings and trades from all teams, and ultimately the Rockets had their deals approved, as expected.

Scroll on for each official announcement, from the team.

Rockets sign point guard Aaron Holiday in NBA’s 2023 free agency

The #Rockets are signing veteran point guard Aaron Holiday to a one-year contract. Known for defense and shooting, he’s shot above 39% on 3-pointers over the last two seasons.

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The Rockets were pursuing guard depth with their remaining resources in 2023 free agency. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, they’ve found a potential solution: former Atlanta Hawks point guard Aaron Holiday.

Holiday signed with Houston on a one-year deal. The contract is for the NBA’s minimum salary, The Athletic reports.

Now 26 years old, Holiday is well regarded for his combination of on-ball defense, steady ball-handling and strong 3-point shooting. Over the last two seasons, the 6-foot-0 guard has averaged 5.1 points (39.3% on 3-pointers) and 1.9 assists in 14.8 minutes per game.

Based on his size, Holiday is likely limited to a point-guard role. However, with Kevin Porter Jr. presumably shifting to more wing usage in the 2023-24 season, that move could open more floor-general opportunities within the offense of new head coach Ime Udoka.

Holiday will join rookie Amen Thompson as backup options at point guard behind newly signed veteran Fred VanVleet. Other veteran free agents signed by the Rockets during the 2023 free agency window are Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale and Jeff Green.

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Report: Rockets showing interest in free agent guard Aaron Holiday

The #Rockets and Hornets are among the NBA teams that have shown interest in signing free-agent point guard Aaron Holiday, HoopsHype’s @MikeAScotto reports.

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The Athletic’s Kelly Iko reported earlier this week that the Houston Rockets, led by general manager Rafael Stone, were surveying the remaining 2023 free agency market for guard depth.

Even after landing veterans Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale and Jeff Green, Houston still has its full room mid-level exception available ($7.7 million) and about $4.5 million left in cap space, depending on how prior deals are sequenced, once finalized.

Now, courtesy of Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, we know one of the potential targets for Stone and the Rockets.

Scotto reports:

The Charlotte Hornets and Houston Rockets are among the teams that have shown interest in free-agent point guard Aaron Holiday, league sources told HoopsHype. Holiday is considered a 3-and-D point guard during his five-year NBA career thus far as a 37.7% shooter from beyond the 3-point arc.

A 6-foot-0 guard, Holiday averaged 3.9 points (40.9% on 3-pointers) and 1.4 assists in 13.4 minutes with the Hawks last season.

If signed by the Rockets, the 26-year-old would join rookie Amen Thompson as backup options at point guard behind VanVleet.

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Players who didn’t extend and are headed to restricted free agency

Here’s a look at those players that will be headed to restricted free agency in 2022 after the rookie-scale extension deadline passed.

The rookie-scale extension deadline has passed with a flurry of extensions for the 2018 draft class. Eleven players were extended, including four players signing maximum extensions. These extensions combine for a total of $1.146 billion in guaranteed money.

Twelve players on rookie-scale contracts that were extension-eligible did not extend and it will be interesting to see how the 2022 free agent market shakes out for them. There are now only 4 teams that can generate significant cap space next offseason, which explains why so many players extended now. Here’s a look at those players that will be headed to restricted free agency in 2022.

Brett Brown upset with unacceptable defense, toughness from Sixers

Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown is upset with his team’s lack of defense or toughness against the Indiana Pacers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are a team that is built on defense, speed, and length. However, the complete opposite happened on Saturday in their restart opener as they fell to the Indiana Pacers 127-121 and they allowed T.J. Warren to score a career-high 53 points.

Warren’s heroics aside, the Sixers allowed the Pacers to score a ridiculous 46 points in the fourth quarter and that was what did them in. It was troubling considering Indiana was missing All-Star Domantas Sabonis as well as former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon. Warren scored 19 of those 46 for Indiana.

As the team got back to practice on Sunday, that is something that must be addressed.

“For me, you look at the defensive intensity coming out in the third period. I liked what I saw,” said coach Brett Brown. “I liked watching Ben Simmons sit in a stance and get stuck into T.J. Warren at times. I liked watching J-Rich (Josh Richardson) stalk the Holiday brothers around. Then you fast forward and you say ‘A 46 point closeout period?’ That’s not acceptable. You’re not going to do anything of value unless you fix that so that’s where my head is at. You’re going to come in today and speak the truth and hold these guys’ spirit together, but the toughness question is a simple answer for me.”

Just for reference, Warren scored 24 points and shot 9-for-10 from the floor when defended by Simmons. It was an overall disappointing effort for a guy who is a legitimate Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

It was a game that showed that the Sixers need to get tougher as a team. They will not go deep into the playoffs or achieve their objective if they do not become mentally tougher and figure out their issues on a regular basis, then they won’t last long in the playoffs and that’s just the facts put plainly.

“The toughness aspect is and will always be, that is the thing that allows you to put a crown on some team,” Brown continued. “There’s no team that I’ve ever been around in 20 years of this league that you say ‘Wow that was a pretty team. They just outran, outscored, and out finessed everybody and they’re the champions’. I’ve never seen that once. In fact, it’s not even close.”

The toughness factor will affect two aspects for Philadelphia and that is their work on the defensive end and the number of turnovers they committed. Shake Milton, for example, had a rough night as he was bothered by the pressure put on by Aaron Holiday and T.J. McConnell and that is something that Brown would like to see fixed.

“There were seven of them that were like a moving screen, there was an offensive foul just driving to the basket, the turnovers that most upset me are like a sloppy pass or something like trying to get Shake the ball full court and T.J. mugs him,” Brown added. “The turnovers are probably eight of them that you just say ‘that’s not good enough’.”

Their next matchup is Monday against the San Antonio Spurs and that will give the team their next shot at figuring out their issues moving forward. [lawrence-related id=36010,35999,35982]